Air Spring Cover With Switch-Valve Air Volume Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air spring covers with integrated switching valves have complex designs and excessive weight due to the use of metal materials, which complicates manufacturing and increases weight, while prior solutions fail to efficiently manage air volumes and spring stiffness.
Innovation Solution
An air spring cover design featuring a first and second clamping area with clamping rings that seal air spring bellows, allowing a second air volume to be switched on via a switching valve, reducing weight and complexity by using the same bellows for sealing and enabling nuanced control of spring stiffness through additional air volume integration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal materials are used for the air spring cover with integrated switching valve, then the structural strength and sealing reliability are improved, but the weight and manufacturing complexity increase excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the switching valve integration directly into the air spring cover structure, eliminating separate mounting components and reducing overall complexity while maintaining sealing reliability through integrated design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a lightweight cover structure that achieves sealing through the air spring bellows and clamping rings rather than relying on heavy metal construction, reducing weight while maintaining reliability
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex design with numerous components is used for integrated switching valve, then the switching functionality is achieved, but the manufacturing complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The switching valve is integrated directly into the air spring cover structure, combining multiple functions into a single component and eliminating separate mounting brackets, fasteners, and sealing elements, thereby reducing manufacturing and assembly complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The air spring cover serves multiple functions: structural support, sealing containment, and integrated switching valve housing, eliminating the need for separate components and simplifying the overall design
3Volume of moving object
If the air spring cover is designed with compact structure, then the space utilization is improved, but the additional air volume capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the air spring system into two separate air volumes (first and second air volumes) that can be independently managed, allowing flexible volume adjustment without requiring a completely redesigned structural configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The switching valve dynamically connects or disconnects the second air volume to the first air volume, allowing the system to adapt its effective air volume capacity based on operational requirements without permanent structural modifications
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 design simplifies manufacturing, reduces weight, and allows for more adaptable spring characteristics by using the same bellows for sealing, enabling efficient management of air volumes and stiffness, while protecting against moisture and corrosion.
Implementation Method 1
the air spring cover (103) is designed to accommodate a switching valve (101) which is designed to enable a first air path between the first and the second air volume in a switching state, so that the second air volume to first air volume can be switched on
Implementation Method 2
the first and the second clamping area is designed to accommodate a first and a second clamping ring for clamping the air spring bellows, the first clamping ring and the second clamping ring being designed to fix the air spring bellows on the air spring cover
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to an air spring (100) for vehicle undercarriages, comprising an air spring cover (103) and a rolling piston (109), wherein the air spring cover (103) and the rolling piston (109) are connected by an air spring bellows (105a), wherein the air spring cover (103) accommodates a first (104) and a second clamping ring (106) for clamping the air spring bellows (105a) in order to fix the air spring bellows (105a) to the air spring cover (103), wherein the rolling piston (109) and the air spring bellows (105a) have a common first air volume (111) in the inner space thereof, wherein the end of the rolling piston (109) closest to the undercarriage accommodates a third clamping ring (108) in order to seal the first air volume (111) off from the external environment, wherein the air spring cover (103) has a second air volume (112), wherein the air spring bellows (105a) forms an outer wall of the first air volume (111) and the second air volume (112) so that the first air volume and the second air volume (112) are sealed off from the external environment, wherein the second clamping ring (106) is arranged in such manner that the first air volume (111) is spatially separated from the second air volume (112), wherein the air spring cover (103) is designed to accommodate a switch valve (101) that is designed to enable a first air path (115) between the first (111) and the second air volume (112) in a switched state, so that the second air volume (112) can be linked to the first air volume (111).