Top Mount Assembly Inner Seal Lip Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional top mount assemblies in McPherson type suspension systems experience increased rotational torque and resistance due to the constant contact between the seal member and the inner circumferential surface of the upper housing, which affects the rotational movement and seal performance.
Innovation Solution
A top mount assembly design featuring an inner seal member with a seal frame, seal base portion, and inner seal lips, where the seal lips are spaced apart from the upper housing's sidewall and groove, reducing rotational torque and enhancing seal performance by minimizing contact with the upper housing's inner sidewall and groove.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the seal member is always in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the upper housing, then seal performance is improved, but rotational torque and resistance increase
Solution Approach 1:
The seal member is divided into multiple seal lips (first seal lip, second seal lip, third seal lip) that contact different surfaces. The first seal lip contacts the groove, the second seal lip contacts the lower surface, and the third seal lip contacts the inner circumferential surface, distributing the sealing function across multiple segments to reduce individual contact pressure and rotational resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the seal member have different contact characteristics. The first seal lip is positioned to contact the groove, the second seal lip contacts the lower surface at a specific location, and the third seal lip contacts the inner circumferential surface. This local differentiation optimizes sealing at each contact point while minimizing overall rotational friction.
2Reliability
If the seal member contacts the inner circumferential surface of the upper housing, then seal performance in radially inward direction is improved, but rotational resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal member is segmented into multiple lips with different contact functions. The third seal lip specifically contacts the inner circumferential surface to provide radial sealing, while the first and second seal lips handle other sealing requirements, distributing the operational burden and reducing rotational resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal member provides different contact qualities at different locations: the first seal lip contacts the groove for radial sealing, the second seal lip contacts the lower surface for axial sealing, and the third seal lip contacts the inner circumferential surface for radial sealing. This local specialization maintains ease of rotation while ensuring seal performance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design effectively reduces rotational torque and resistance while maintaining excellent seal performance, ensuring smooth rotational movement and preventing foreign material ingress.
Implementation Method 1
the upper end of the inner seal lips may be disposed to be spaced apart from an inner sidewall of the upper housing and to be in contact with a lower surface of the upper housing
Implementation Method 2
a bearing disposed between the upper housing and the lower housing
Data Source
AI summary
A top mount assembly includes an insulator coupled to a vehicle body; an upper housing coupled to the insulator; a lower housing coupled to the upper housing; a bearing arranged between the upper housing and the lower housing; an inner seal member comprising a seal frame coupled to the upper end portion of the lower housing in a radially inward direction of the bearing, a seal base portion coupled to the seal frame and a plurality of inner seal lips. The seal frame includes a sleeve coupled to the upper end portion of the upper housing and a flange extending from an upper end of the sleeve in a radially outward direction. The seal base portion is coupled to the flange of the seal frame. The upper end of the inner seal lips is disposed to be spaced apart from the inner sidewall of the upper housing.