Accumulator Seal Retention via Leaf Spring Elasticity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional accumulators have a complex pressure fluctuation absorbing mechanism with multiple parts, making assembly difficult and increasing costs due to the need for a spring-based system and specific clearance structures.
Innovation Solution
An accumulator design featuring a seal retention portion constructed from an elastically deformable leaf spring with radially extending fixed portions and a fixing groove, reducing the number of parts and simplifying assembly while maintaining pressure difference absorption capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring-based pressure fluctuation absorbing mechanism is used, then pressure difference absorption capability is improved, but device complexity increases and assembly difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the seal retention function and the pressure fluctuation absorption function into a single integrated seal retention portion made of elastically deformable material. This eliminates the need for separate spring components and clearance structures, reducing device complexity while maintaining pressure difference absorption capability through the elastic deformation of the unified structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal retention portion serves multiple functions simultaneously: it retains the seal in place, absorbs pressure fluctuations through elastic deformation, and eliminates the need for separate pressure absorption mechanisms. This multi-functional design reduces the overall number of components and simplifies the pressure fluctuation absorbing mechanism.
2Reliability
If a spring-based pressure fluctuation absorbing mechanism is used, then pressure difference absorption capability is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the seal retention portion and pressure absorption function into a single elastically deformable component, the patent eliminates multiple assembly steps required for separate spring and seal retention components. The integrated structure can be manufactured as a single piece, significantly improving ease of manufacture and assembly.
3Reliability
If clearance structure is added to prevent spring contact, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the spring component and associated clearance structures from the design. The elastically deformable seal retention portion inherently prevents excessive contact without requiring separate clearance features in the stay structure, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
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 solution reduces the complexity and cost of the pressure fluctuation absorbing mechanism, allowing for easier assembly and improved durability by effectively retaining seals and balancing liquid and gas pressures.
Implementation Method 1
a seal retention portion which is fixed to the bellows connection portion and retains the seal, and the seal retention portion is constructed by a leaf spring which is elastically deformable in a part thereof
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The purpose of the present application is to provide an accumulator that can reduce the number of components in a pressure fluctuation absorbing mechanism, simplify assembly, and reduce component costs. An accumulator (1) comprises: a pressure vessel (2); a partitioning part (11) that partitions an internal space of the pressure vessel (2) into a gas chamber (9) that is filled with a gas and a liquid chamber (10) into which a liquid is introduced; and bellows (7) that are connected to the partitioning part (11). The partitioning part (11) comprises: a bellows connection part (12) that is connected to the bellows (7); a seal (15) that is disposed on a liquid-chamber-side of the bellows connection part (12); and a seal-holding part (14) that is fixed to the bellows connection part (12) and holds the seal (15). The seal-holding part (14) comprises a plate spring, part of which can elastically deform, and is configured such that a fixed part (17) that is fixed to the bellows connection part (12) and a holding part (16) that holds the seal are integrally formed.