Air Spring Cover Layer Seals Boundary Portions
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air springs have exposed boundary portions that are prone to damage, leading to issues like air leakage and contamination from wear, which directly affect the internal space.
Innovation Solution
An air spring design featuring a cover layer that covers the boundary portions between elements, preventing defects from directly impacting the internal space, using a diaphragm to create a sealed internal space and incorporating a stopper assembly for displacement control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If boundary portions between elements are exposed in the internal space, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the boundary portions are prone to damage causing air leakage and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
A cover layer is introduced as an intermediary element between the boundary portions and the internal space. This cover layer protects the boundary portions from damage while maintaining the structural simplicity of the air spring, thereby preventing air leakage and contamination without significantly increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The cover layer functions as a flexible thin film that covers the boundary portions. This thin film structure provides protection against damage and maintains hermeticity while adding minimal structural complexity to the air spring design
2Object-affected harmful factors
If boundary portions are exposed, then manufacturing is easier, but wear debris contaminates the internal space
Solution Approach 1:
The cover layer serves as a protective intermediary that prevents wear debris from contaminating the internal space. It shields the boundary portions during operation while being integrated into the manufacturing process, thus protecting against contamination without significantly complicating manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The cover layer is incorporated during the manufacturing process to pre-protect the boundary portions before they are subjected to wear and contamination risks. This preliminary protective action prevents contamination issues before they arise during operation
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 cover layer effectively seals the boundary portions, preventing damage from affecting the internal space and maintaining hermeticity, thus enhancing the air spring's reliability and longevity.
Implementation Method 1
An air spring making use of elasticity of compressed air has conventionally been known
Implementation Method 2
a joint portion where elements are joined to each other by welding, adhesion or the like
Data Source
AI summary
An air spring includes an outer cylindrical member, an inner cylindrical member combined with the outer cylindrical member, a diaphragm coupling the outer cylindrical member and the inner cylindrical member to each other, the diaphragm providing an internal space between the outer cylindrical member and the inner cylindrical member, a first element located on a side of the internal space in at least one of the outer cylindrical member and the inner cylindrical member and defining a part of the internal space, a second element adjacent to the first element, the second element defining a part of the internal space, and a cover layer covering a boundary portion between the first element and the second element.