Variable-rigidity buffer block
By designing a variable stiffness buffer block and using an airbag and air pump system to adjust the stiffness of the buffer block, the problem of balancing comfort and handling stability under different road conditions with a fixed stiffness buffer block is solved. This achieves flexible adjustment of the buffer block stiffness, improves the vehicle's handling stability and ride comfort, and enhances the system's upgradeability.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202520450933.4
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-03-14
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-10
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-03-14
AI Technical Summary
Existing automotive bumper blocks have fixed stiffness, making it difficult to balance comfort and handling stability under different road conditions.
A variable stiffness buffer block is designed. The stiffness of the buffer block can be adjusted by an airbag and an air pump system. The air pressure inside the airbag is controlled by a pressure sensor and an ECU to achieve flexible adjustment of the buffer block stiffness.
By adjusting the stiffness of the buffer block under different road conditions, the vehicle's handling stability and ride comfort can be improved, as well as the system's upgradeability and flexibility.
Smart Images

Figure CN223894882U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of automotive technology, and more specifically, it relates to a variable stiffness buffer block. Background Technology
[0002] In automotive suspension systems, bump stops are crucial components. Their primary function is to limit suspension travel, prevent direct collisions between components, and dampen shocks during suspension compression and extension. Existing bump stops typically have fixed stiffness, making it difficult to adapt to the complex impact demands of different operating conditions. For example, during vehicle operation, different road conditions (such as smooth highways and bumpy dirt roads) require different bump stop stiffnesses; a fixed-stiffness bump stop cannot simultaneously ensure both comfort and handling stability. Therefore, developing a bump stop whose stiffness can be flexibly adjusted according to actual operating conditions is of significant practical importance. Summary of the Invention
[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a variable stiffness buffer block to overcome the problem of fixed stiffness in existing buffer blocks.
[0004] This utility model is achieved by the following technical solution: a variable stiffness buffer block, including a buffer block body, an air chamber provided inside the buffer block body, an air bag installed inside the air chamber, the air bag being connected to an air tube, a base being installed at the bottom of the buffer block body, and the air tube passing through the base.
[0005] Furthermore, the air pipe is connected to an air pump via an air path, and the air pump is connected to an operation panel.
[0006] Furthermore, a pressure sensor is installed inside the airbag.
[0007] Furthermore, mounting holes are provided on both sides of the base.
[0008] Furthermore, the buffer block and the mounting plate are bonded together by vulcanization.
[0009] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are:
[0010] 1. This utility model can realize the variable stiffness of the buffer block, so that the operator can adjust the stiffness of the buffer block body during vehicle operation, thereby better adapting to different road conditions. For example, when the car is driving on a smooth road, the operator can inflate the buffer block to increase its stiffness, thereby enhancing the vehicle's handling stability and improving the driving experience. When the car is driving on a bumpy road, the operator can deflate the buffer block to decrease its stiffness, thereby increasing the suspension's dynamic deflection, enhancing the vehicle's smoothness, and improving the ride experience.
[0011] 2. This invention is more conducive to system upgrades. When upgrading or modifying equipment, if it is necessary to change the buffering performance, ordinary buffer blocks are often not directly adaptable and can only be replaced. However, the stiffness-adjustable buffer block can meet new requirements by adjusting the stiffness of the buffer block itself, without replacing the entire buffer block, thus improving the system's upgradeability and flexibility. Attached Figure Description
[0012] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model;
[0013] Figure 2 This is a top view of the present invention;
[0014] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Sectional view at point A-A.
[0015] In the diagram: 1. Buffer block body; 2. Air chamber; 3. Airbag; 4. Air tube; 5. Base; 6. Pressure sensor; 7. Mounting hole. Detailed Implementation
[0016] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions of this utility model, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this utility model without creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of this utility model.
[0017] A variable stiffness buffer block includes a buffer block body 1, which may be made of rubber or polyurethane.
[0018] The buffer block body 1 is provided with an air chamber 2, and an airbag 3 is installed in the air chamber 2. The airbag 3 is connected to an air tube 4. When working, the airbag 3 fills the air chamber 2. The airbag 3 can change its internal air pressure by inflating and deflating the air. When the air pressure in the airbag 3 increases, the rigidity of the buffer block can be increased. When the air pressure in the airbag 3 decreases, the rigidity of the buffer block can be reduced.
[0019] The buffer block body 1 is mounted on a base 5 at its bottom. The base 5 is made of metal, and mounting holes 7 are provided on both sides of the base 5. The buffer block body 1 is fixedly mounted on the longitudinal beam or other parts through the mounting holes 7 on both sides of the base 5 and bolts, and serves as a buffer and limiting device.
[0020] The air tube 4 passes through the base 5. The air tube 4 is connected to an air pump via an air passage, and the air pump is connected to the control panel. When the airbag 3 is inflated, the operator sends a command to the ECU via the control panel. The ECU sends a start command to the air pump, which is powered on and the motor starts running, driving the air pump's compression mechanism to draw in outside air and deliver it into the air tube 4, inflating the airbag 3. When the airbag 3 is deflated, the operator sends a command to the ECU via the control panel. The ECU sends a start command to the air pump, which is powered on and the motor starts running, extracting the air from the airbag 3.
[0021] A pressure sensor 6 is installed inside the airbag 3. The pressure sensor 6 of this invention is an integrated pressure sensor 6, which can detect the air pressure inside the airbag 3 and send a signal to the ECU. During inflation, after the pressure sensor detects that the air pressure inside the airbag 3 has reached a set safety value, the pressure sensor 6 sends a signal to the ECU to terminate the inflation operation of the air pump and close the air passage through the valve on the air pump. During deflation, after the pressure sensor detects that the air pressure inside the airbag 3 has dropped to a specified pressure, the pressure sensor 6 sends a signal to the ECU to terminate the deflation operation of the air pump and close the air passage through the valve on the air pump.
[0022] The buffer block and the mounting plate are bonded together by vulcanization.
[0023] The working process of this utility model is as follows: When the buffer block body 1 is subjected to external impact, the gas in the airbag 3 is compressed under the impact force. The compressibility of the gas in the airbag 3 and the compressibility of the material of the buffer block body 1 itself enable the buffer block body 1 to absorb and disperse part of the impact energy, thereby playing a buffering role. During the compression process of the gas in the airbag 3, the impact energy is converted into the internal energy and elastic potential energy of the gas. When the impact force disappears, the compressed gas gradually returns to its original shape, releasing the stored elastic potential energy, so that the buffer block body 1 returns to its original shape, preparing for the next impact.
[0024] The inflation process of the airbag 3 is as follows: The operator sends a command to the ECU through the control panel. The ECU sends a start command to the air pump. The air pump is powered on, the motor starts to run, and the air pump's compression mechanism works to draw in outside air and deliver it to the air tube 4 and inflate the airbag 3. The internal pressure of the airbag 3 increases, and the stiffness of the buffer block also increases. When the air pressure reaches the specified pressure or when the pressure sensor 6 detects that the air pressure inside the airbag 3 has reached the set safety value, the pressure sensor 6 sends a signal to the ECU, the air pump stops the inflation action, and the air circuit is closed.
[0025] The deflation process of the airbag 3 is as follows: The operator sends a command to the ECU through the control panel. The ECU sends a start command to the air pump. The air pump is powered on and the motor starts to run, drawing air out of the airbag 3. The internal pressure of the airbag 3 decreases, and the stiffness of the buffer block also decreases. When the pressure sensor 6 detects that the air pressure inside the airbag 3 has dropped to the specified pressure, the pressure sensor 6 sends a signal to the ECU, the air pump stops the air pumping action, and the air circuit is closed.
Claims
1. A variable stiffness buffer block, characterized in that, The buffer block body (1) includes an air chamber (2) inside the buffer block body (1), an air bag (3) installed inside the air chamber (2), the air bag (3) is connected to an air tube (4), a base (5) is installed at the bottom of the buffer block body (1), and the air tube (4) passes through the base (5).
2. The variable stiffness buffer block according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air pipe (4) is connected to the air pump through the air passage, and the air pump is connected to the operation panel.
3. The variable stiffness buffer block according to claim 1, characterized in that, A pressure sensor (6) is installed inside the airbag (3).
4. The variable stiffness buffer block according to claim 1, characterized in that, Mounting holes (7) are provided on both sides of the base (5).
5. The variable stiffness buffer block according to claim 1, characterized in that, The buffer block and the mounting plate are bonded together by vulcanization.