Air Spring Lateral Control With Integrated Isolator-Bumper

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air spring designs are often heavy, large, complicated, and inefficient, making them difficult to assemble.

Innovation Solution

The air spring design includes a first member, a second member, a flexible bellows, and an isolator/bumper, with specific extensions and configurations to enhance rigidity, strength, and fluid management, allowing for efficient assembly and operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional air spring designs are used, then structural strength and rigidity are achieved, but weight and device complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidair spring weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The air spring is divided into multiple functional segments: a bellows component for volume change, a piston for fluid communication, and an isolator/bumper assembly for radial constraint. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall weight while maintaining structural strength through targeted reinforcement only where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The isolator/bumper assembly provides localized radial constraint only where required, rather than requiring the entire air spring structure to be heavily reinforced. The axial extensions on the piston and bellows provide localized strengthening at connection points, reducing the need for uniform thickening of all components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If traditional air spring designs are used, then structural rigidity is maintained, but device complexity and assembly difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural rigidityVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The isolator and bumper functions are merged into a single assembly that also incorporates radial constraint features. The axial extensions are integrated directly into the piston and bellows components, eliminating the need for separate attachment brackets or fastening mechanisms, thereby simplifying assembly while maintaining rigidity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The isolator/bumper assembly acts as an intermediary component that provides both radial isolation and axial bumping protection. This single intermediary component replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate elements, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining structural stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If conventional air spring configurations are used, then basic functionality is achieved, but assembly efficiency and operational effectiveness are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly efficiencyVSAvoidmovement restriction effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The isolator/bumper assembly is pre-configured with axial extensions and radial constraint features that automatically engage during assembly, providing immediate movement restriction without requiring additional adjustment or installation steps. The axial extensions are formed as integral features, eliminating the need for separate fastening operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 minimizes weight and complexity while improving assembly efficiency and functionality, providing effective movement restriction and damping between vehicle components.

Implementation Method 1

The flexible bellows may define a pressurized fluid volume

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressurized fluid: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

The outer radial portion may be in contact with the first member axial extension or the second member axial extension

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadial movement restriction: Friction

Implementation Method 3

The first member may include a first member axial extension that may extend in an axial direction. The second member may include a second member axial extension that may extend in the axial direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStructural rigidity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12533918B2Air mount with lateral control

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 VIBRACOUSTIC USA INC

AI summary

An air spring may include a first member, a second member, a flexible bellows, and/or an isolator/bumper. The first member may include a first member axial extension that may extend in an axial direction. The second member may include a second member axial extension that may extend in the axial direction. The flexible bellows may be connected to the first member and the second member. The flexible bellows may define a pressurized fluid volume. The isolator/bumper may include an inner radial portion and an outer radial portion. The inner radial portion may be disposed radially inward of the first member axial extension or the second member axial extension. The outer radial portion may be disposed radially outward of the first member axial extension or the second member axial extension.