Vibration Damping Device Locking Groove Bracket
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vibration damping devices face challenges in preventing the falling out of main rubber elastic bodies from outer brackets while maintaining target vibration damping characteristics and durability, due to complex manufacturing processes and potential rigidity issues.
Innovation Solution
A vibration damping device with a die-formed tube-shaped bracket and press-fit metal fitting, featuring locking grooves and projections that securely attach the main rubber elastic body to the outer bracket, ensuring alignment and preventing axial displacement, and allowing for adjustable spring characteristics through pre-compression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an overhang part is formed on the tube part to prevent falling out, then the retaining action is improved, but the outer bracket structure becomes complex and manufacturing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the outer bracket into two separate components: a tube part and a press-fit metal fitting. The press-fit metal fitting is a separate piece that is pressed onto the tube part, eliminating the need for complex overhang structures on the tube part itself. This segmentation allows each component to have a simple, easy-to-manufacture shape while achieving the desired retaining action through their combination.
Solution Approach 2:
The press-fit metal fitting acts as an intermediary component between the tube part and the main rubber elastic body. Instead of modifying the tube part with complex overhang structures, the press-fit metal fitting serves as a mediator that provides the retaining function by extending into the locking groove, thereby simplifying the overall structure.
2Ease of manufacture
If the plate member is made thin to facilitate bending, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the tube part rigidity becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the functions of the tube part and the retaining structure into different components. The tube part can be made with optimal thickness for rigidity without considering bending ease, while the press-fit metal fitting handles the retaining function. This allows the tube part to be manufactured with sufficient thickness to ensure rigidity.
3Ease of operation
If the overhang part is bent after housing the main rubber elastic body, then the assembly is completed, but the rigidity is reduced making the bending process difficult and load bearing insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The press-fit metal fitting is prepared in advance with the retaining protruding part already formed, eliminating the need for post-assembly bending operations. The press-fit metal fitting is simply pressed onto the tube part after the main rubber elastic body is housed, completing the assembly without requiring any additional forming operations that would compromise rigidity.
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
This solution effectively prevents the main rubber elastic body from falling out while maintaining required vibration damping performance and durability, with improved rigidity and ease of manufacturing, and allows for precise adjustment of spring characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
a main rubber elastic body (18) which is fixed to the outer circumference surface of the inner shaft member (16)
Implementation Method 2
a ring shaped press fit metal fitting (42) which is press fit and fixed to another axial end of the bracket main unit (28)
Data Source
AI summary
A vibration damping device including: an inner shaft member; a main rubber elastic body fixed to an outer circumference surface of the inner shaft member; and an outer bracket attached to an outer circumference surface of the main rubber elastic body. At least one locking projection formed to an inner circumference surface on a bracket main unit provided to the outer bracket is inserted and locked in a circumference direction in at least one locking groove formed on the outer circumference surface of the main rubber elastic body. The main rubber elastic body is held between axially opposed surfaces of an abutting protruding part formed on one axial end of the bracket main unit and a retaining protruding part formed on a press fit metal fitting press fit and fixed to another axial end of the bracket main unit.