Hydraulic Accumulator Snap Ring Limiting Portion Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic accumulator designs face challenges in effectively limiting the removal of a snap ring from a groove in the inner peripheral wall of a tubular portion, particularly due to the snap ring's tendency to decrease in diameter, which complicates assembly and makes existing removal limiting structures impractical.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a limiting portion into the ring end gap of the snap ring, formed by deforming a portion of the cover, to prevent the snap ring's diameter from decreasing and thus prevent its removal from the groove, while maintaining the structural integrity and reducing the number of components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a snap ring is fitted into a circumferential groove to limit removal of the cover, then the cover removal is limited, but the snap ring may decrease in diameter and become removable from the groove
Solution Approach 1:
A limiting portion is introduced as an intermediary element between the snap ring and the groove. This limiting portion fits into the ring end gap of the snap ring and prevents the snap ring from decreasing in diameter, thereby eliminating the risk of snap ring removal while maintaining cover retention reliability
2Reliability
If existing removal limiting structures are used, then component removal is limited, but assembly becomes complicated and implementation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The limiting portion is merged with the cover structure, forming an integrated component rather than a separate part. This merging eliminates the need for additional assembly steps to install separate retention structures, thereby maintaining reliability while simplifying the assembly process and reducing manufacturing complexity
3Ease of operation
If the snap ring diameter is not constrained, then the snap ring can be easily installed, but the snap ring may decrease in diameter and be removed from the groove
Solution Approach 1:
The limiting portion is designed to preemptively counteract the tendency of the snap ring to decrease in diameter. By fitting into the ring end gap before any diameter reduction can occur, the limiting portion prevents the harmful action (diameter decrease) from happening, thereby maintaining both ease of installation and reliable retention
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 limits the removal of the snap ring from the groove, enhancing the assembly process and maintaining the structural integrity of the hydraulic accumulator without increasing the number of components, thereby addressing the assembly complexities and impracticalities of existing designs.
Implementation Method 1
The limiting portion is fitted into a ring end gap of the snap ring and is configured to limit a decrease in a diameter of the snap ring
Implementation Method 2
The spring is interposed between the cover and the piston to urge the piston toward the other axial end side
Implementation Method 3
The cover is urged by the spring toward the one axial end side to contact the snap ring through an outer peripheral portion of the cover
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulic accumulator includes a limiting portion that is fitted into a ring end gap of a snap ring to limit a decrease in a diameter of the snap ring. The snap ring is stamped from a metal sheet by a press machine. Therefore, one of two opposed surfaces of a portion of the snap ring, which is fitted into a groove, forms a sloped surface as a result of shear droop. The limiting portion is fitted into the ring end gap of the snap ring to limit the decrease in the diameter of the snap ring. Thus, it is possible to limit riding of the sloped surface of the snap ring on a corner of the groove, and thereby it is possible to limit removal of the snap ring from the groove.