Vehicle Unit Mount with One-Piece Housing and Inverted Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing unit mounts for motor vehicles are costly, heavy, and complex to assemble, with material inefficiencies and potential for water accumulation leading to damping and acoustic issues due to design flaws.
Innovation Solution
A unit mount design featuring a closed, one-piece housing with elastomeric support springs inserted after the support arm is mounted, eliminating the need for additional fasteners and simplifying assembly by using a sword-shaped tongue to secure the arm within the housing, and incorporating a segmented elastomeric support spring for improved manufacturing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the elastomeric support spring is inserted before the support arm is mounted, then the housing can be sealed, but the assembly process becomes complex and requires overcoming spring resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The support arm is pre-mounted in the housing before inserting the elastomeric support spring. This reverses the conventional sequence where the spring would be installed first, eliminating the need to compress the spring during assembly and significantly simplifying the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional assembly sequence by mounting the support arm before the elastomeric support spring. This reversal allows the spring to be installed in a relaxed state without requiring forceful compression, making the assembly process simpler and reducing manufacturing complexity.
2Loss of substance
If a one-piece housing is used, then material usage is reduced and cost is lowered, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple housing components into a single integrated one-piece housing structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate parts and joining operations, reducing material usage and simplifying the overall structure despite the higher precision requirements for manufacturing the single component.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the housing is designed as a closed one-piece structure, then water accumulation is prevented, but assembly access becomes more limited
Solution Approach 1:
The closed one-piece housing is designed with strategically positioned openings that segment the structure functionally. These openings provide necessary assembly access and component installation paths while maintaining the overall closed structure that prevents water accumulation, effectively segmenting the housing's protective function from its assembly requirements.
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 results in a cost-effective, lighter unit mount that is easier to assemble, reduces material usage, and prevents water accumulation, maintaining effective damping and acoustic performance while minimizing the risk of component separation or damage during transport and installation.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomeric support spring which can be accommodated in the housing
Implementation Method 2
the elastomeric material, in conjunction with corresponding stop faces disposed on the inner sides of the housing, not only dampens vibrations
Implementation Method 3
an elastomeric material that is arranged between the two components. The elastomeric material, in conjunction with corresponding stop faces disposed on the inner sides of the housing, not only dampens vibrations, but also limits movement amplitudes
Data Source
AI summary
A unit mount (1) for a motor vehicle is provided. The unit mount (1) includes a closed, one piece housing (7) with a housing opening (15, 33) on each of two sides that lie opposite each other; an elastomeric bearing spring (5) that is accommodated in the housing (7), and a support arm (3) that is secured within the housing (7) with at least one end protruding from one of the two housing openings (15, 33). For providing a cost-effective unit mount (1) with a simplified assembly, the elastomeric bearing spring (50) is inserted after the support arm (3) has been mounted.