Liquid-Filled Vibration Damper Locking Structure for Self-Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid-filled vibration damping devices face issues with misalignment and damage to locking mechanisms due to dimensional errors, complicating the manufacturing process and affecting sealing performance.
Innovation Solution
A novel structure featuring flexible locking pieces with guide grooves and locking claws that self-align during attachment, allowing for precise and stable connection without requiring special jigs, ensuring accurate positioning and preventing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a locking mechanism with locking pieces and locking claws is used to attach the closure member to the second attachment member, then the attachment process is simplified and manufacturing is facilitated, but dimensional errors cause misalignment and potential damage to the locking mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
A guide groove is introduced as an intermediary element between the locking piece and locking claw. The guide groove receives the distal end of the locking claw and guides it into proper alignment with the locking hole, mediating the connection between the two members and ensuring precise alignment during the attachment process
Solution Approach 2:
The guide groove is pre-formed on the locking piece before attachment. This preliminary structural feature ensures that when the locking claw approaches the locking piece, it is automatically guided into the correct position, preventing misalignment and damage before the final locking action occurs
2Manufacturing precision
If high accuracy alignment is achieved using a jig, then alignment precision is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes complicated and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-aligning through the guide groove and locking claw interaction. The components automatically find their correct relative positions during attachment without requiring external jigs or fixtures, making the system self-sufficient for high-precision alignment
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment function is extracted from the attachment mechanism itself and integrated into the locking pieces through the guide groove design. This eliminates the need for separate alignment devices or jigs, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while maintaining precision
3Reliability
If the locking claw and locking piece come into contact while mispositioned, then attachment may fail, but the simple locking mechanism structure is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The guide groove acts as a cushioning element that absorbs and corrects misalignment before the locking claw fully engages with the locking hole. This preliminary guidance prevents harmful mispositioned contact while maintaining the simplicity of the basic locking mechanism structure
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
Enables easy and stable attachment of the second attachment member and closure member with high precision, maintaining effective sealing performance and avoiding damage to the locking mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible locking piece projecting from one toward another of the second attachment member and the closure member, the flexible locking piece being elastically deformable radially outward
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid-filled vibration damping device including a first and second attachment members elastically connected by a main rubber elastic body, and a liquid chamber sealed by a closure member attached to the second attachment member from below with a seal member interposed therebetween. The second attachment member and the closure member are attached to each other by connecting locks arranged in a circumferential direction. Each connecting lock includes a flexible locking piece projecting from one toward another of the second attachment member and the closure member while having a locking hole, and a locking claw formed on the other of the two members and hooked to the locking hole of the locking piece. The locking piece includes a guide groove extending linearly from the locking hole in a direction of projection to guide the locking claw into the locking hole.