Variable Thickness Fastening Leg for Pump Mount Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing holders for units, such as pumps, on motor vehicles face instability due to uneven load distribution, leading to potential mechanical breakage at the transition points of the fastening elements, which can result in damage to the damping elements.
Innovation Solution
A holder design featuring a fastening element with legs that decrease in thickness as they extend from the connection section, providing consistent bending stress and avoiding local overloading, along with a two-component injection molding process using materials like polyamide and elastomers, ensures a stable and secure attachment to the motor vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the fastening element uses a plate-shaped metal insert with constant thickness, then the fastening element provides structural support, but it creates varying stress that leads to mechanical breakage at the transition between wings and insert
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the thickness of the leg along its length, with the first section having a greater thickness than the second section. This creates locally optimized stress distribution, with thicker sections at high-stress areas (near the connecting section) and thinner sections where stress is lower, preventing mechanical breakage while maintaining structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the leg thickness along its length. The thickness transitions from a first value at the connecting section to a second, smaller value at the free end. This parameter variation optimizes the bending stress distribution, creating constant bending stress throughout the leg and preventing stress concentration that would lead to breakage.
2Ease of manufacture
If the fastening element uses constant thickness throughout, then manufacturing is simplified, but stress distribution becomes uneven causing local overloading
Solution Approach 1:
The leg is designed with different thicknesses in different sections: a first section with greater thickness near the connecting section where stress is highest, and a second section with smaller thickness toward the free end where stress is lower. This local differentiation optimizes stress distribution while remaining manufacturable through standard injection molding processes.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the damping element is stiffened by a fastening element, then the damping element gains structural stability, but the fastening element may cut into the damping element material causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The leg thickness is varied along its length, with the thickness decreasing from the connecting section toward the free end. This gradual thickness reduction prevents the fastening element from having a sudden thickness change that would cut into the damping element material, while still providing sufficient stiffness for structural stability.
4Reliability
If the leg thickness decreases with distance from connecting section, then bending stress is constant and breakage is avoided, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The leg features a controlled thickness variation with a first section having a first thickness and a second section having a second, smaller thickness. This parameter change is designed to create constant bending stress distribution. The thickness transition is engineered to balance breakage prevention with manufacturability through standard injection molding capabilities.
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 holder achieves long-term stability and reliable fixation of units by distributing mechanical stress evenly, preventing damage to the damping element and ensuring a secure, low-vibration mounting of units on the motor vehicle.
Implementation Method 1
the thickness of the leg decreases with increasing distance to the connecting section... when a force is applied to the leg, a bending stress is constant over at least one section of the leg
Implementation Method 2
the bracket is manufactured by means of an injection molding process, in particular a two-component injection molding process
Implementation Method 3
the damping element comprises another material, wherein the additional material is preferably an elastomer
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a bracket for attaching a unit, in particular a pump, to a motor vehicle, comprising a damping element and a fastening element connected to the damping element, wherein the damping element is connectable to the unit, wherein the fastening element comprises at least one leg and a connecting section connected to the leg, wherein the leg is designed to stiffen the damping element at least section by section, wherein the connecting section is connectable to the motor vehicle, and wherein the thickness of the leg decreases with increasing distance to the connecting section.