Accumulator Assembly Piston Stop and Support Bracket
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current accumulator designs for automatic transmission hydraulic control systems, made from aluminum castings, lack manufacturing flexibility while maintaining performance, limiting their adaptability and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The accumulator assembly features a piston within a pressure canister with a radially outboard piston stop and a support bracket, reducing reaction forces, allowing for manufacturing in steel casting or plastic molding without compromising charge capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If accumulator designs are made from aluminum castings to maintain sufficient strength, then strength is improved, but manufacturing flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from aluminum casting to steel casting or plastic molding, enabling different manufacturing methods while maintaining structural integrity through design modifications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the accumulator into separate components including a canister, piston, biasing member, and support bracket, allowing each part to be manufactured independently using optimal methods for that specific component
2Ease of manufacture
If support bracket and piston stop are added to reduce stresses, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support bracket serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, reduces reaction forces on the canister, and enables alternative manufacturing methods, making it a multi-functional component that justifies its addition
Solution Approach 2:
The piston stop is positioned in advance to limit piston travel and prevent excessive stress buildup before it occurs, thereby preventing potential failures and reducing the need for more complex stress-management mechanisms
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 design enhances manufacturing flexibility, offering cost savings and weight reduction while maintaining performance, improving fuel efficiency in vehicles through reduced stress distribution and increased load handling.
Implementation Method 1
A biasing member or spring is located within the pressure canister between the pressure canister and the piston
Data Source
AI summary
An accumulator assembly is includes a piston located within a pressure canister. The pressure canister has a piston stop therein. The piston stop is located radially outboard of a biasing member or spring located within the pressure canister between the pressure canister and the piston. A support bracket is disposed on an end of the pressure canister in alignment with the spring. The outboard piston stop and the support bracket reduce the stresses due to reaction forces when the accumulator assembly is fully charged. By reducing the stresses due to reaction forces, the accumulator assembly can be made from steel casting or plastic molding without sacrificing the charge capacity of the accumulator assembly.