Air Spring Damper Module Pipe Support Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air spring damper modules are complex, heavy, and costly due to sensitive interlocking flanged connections that are prone to deformation and leakage under changing loads, making assembly and disassembly difficult and compromising damping performance.
Innovation Solution
A centrally fixed pipe on the piston cover supports the shock absorber's annular flange, creating a gap between the piston cover and shock absorber inner surface, relieving stress on the flanged connection and allowing for easier assembly and disassembly, while directing air spring forces directly to the shock absorber to enhance stability and reduce deformation risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the closure plate is held tightly via an interlocking flanged connection of the outer tube inwardly over the plate, then the closure is securely fixed, but the connection becomes sensitive to changing bending loads and plastic deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe acts as an intermediary element between the piston base and the outer tube. Instead of the piston base directly loading the interlocking flanged connection, the pipe transmits a portion of the air spring support forces directly to the outer tube, relieving the sensitive flanged connection from excessive loads and reducing its sensitivity to bending loads and deformation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the load-bearing function from the interlocking flanged connection by introducing the pipe as a separate support element. The pipe takes over the function of transmitting support forces, allowing the flanged connection to maintain its closure function without bearing excessive mechanical loads
2Reliability
If the roll-off piston is spaced from the upper end of the shock absorber and supported on the annular flange, then the closure is protected from air spring forces, but assembly and disassembly become more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the support function by separating it from the closure plate. The pipe provides independent support for the roll-off piston, creating a gap between the piston base and closure plate. This segmentation protects the closure from air spring forces while the pipe's centralized fixed configuration facilitates easier assembly and disassembly compared to direct mounting arrangements
3Reliability
If the stop buffer impacts on the closure plate in case of bottoming out, then the air spring is protected against excessive deformation, but the interlocking flanged connection is subjected to very high loadings
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe serves as a mediator that intercepts and redirects the impact forces from the stop buffer. When the stop buffer impacts during bottoming out, the forces are transmitted through the pipe to the outer tube rather than directly to the interlocking flanged connection, protecting the connection from excessive loads while maintaining air spring protection
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an air spring damper module including a shock absorber (1) and a roll-off piston (5) which is pushed over the upper end of the shock absorber with an opening in the piston base with the piston base being supported on the outer tube (16) of the shock absorber via an annular flange (2). A pipe (15) is centrally fixed to the inner surface of the piston cover (6) and engages around the shock absorber (1) in the mounted state and also is supported on the annular flange (2) of the shock absorber (1). The inner surface of the piston cover and the upper closure of the shock absorber are spaced apart by a gap.