Air Spring Piston Bearing Decoupling Mechanism

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air spring assemblies are limited in their ability to withstand torsion induced by vehicle kinematics, which can lead to mechanical stress and discomfort during vehicle operation.

Innovation Solution

An air spring assembly with a decoupling mechanism that allows the damper body to rotate freely relative to the piston, using an adapter ring and a rotatable machine element such as a bearing to prevent torsion transfer, ensuring the piston remains unaffected by torsional forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the damper body is rigidly connected to the piston, then structural strength is improved, but torsion is transferred from the damper body to the piston causing mechanical stress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidtorsion transfer

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The connection between the damper body and piston is segmented into two independent rotational movements: outer race rotation relative to the piston, and inner race rotation relative to the damper body. This segmentation allows each component to rotate independently, preventing torsion transfer while maintaining structural integrity through the bearing assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bearing acts as an intermediary element between the damper body and piston. It mediates the torsional forces by providing a controlled rotational interface, allowing the damper body to rotate without transferring these forces to the piston, thus protecting the piston from torsional stress.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the damper body is allowed to rotate freely relative to the piston, then torsion transfer is prevented, but structural stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetorsion transferVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The connection between damper body and piston is made dynamic through the bearing, which allows controlled rotation. This dynamic connection adapts to torsional forces by permitting rotational movement, preventing stress buildup while maintaining structural stability through the constrained rotational path provided by the bearing races.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The bearing is pre-installed in a fixed position between the damper body and piston, establishing a predetermined rotational path before any torsional forces occur. This preliminary positioning ensures that when torsion occurs, the rotation follows a controlled path that maintains structural stability rather than causing unpredictable movements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a decoupling mechanism with rotatable machine element is added, then tolerance to torsional stresses is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetolerance to torsional stressesVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The torsional force transmission path is extracted from the direct connection between damper body and piston. By removing the rigid torsional coupling and replacing it with a bearing that allows rotation, the harmful torsion transfer is taken out of the system while maintaining the necessary mechanical connection for load bearing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 decoupling mechanism effectively reduces or eliminates torsion transfer from the damper body to the piston, enhancing the air spring assembly's tolerance to torsional stresses and providing a more comfortable ride by maintaining air pressure integrity.

Implementation Method 1

The inner wall of the piston is in contact with the rotatable machine element, such that the rotatable machine element facilitates relative rotation between the piston and the damper body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRolling contact: Ball Bearing

Implementation Method 2

a seal disposed in the groove. The piston surrounds the lower flange portion and the upper flange portion such that the seal is in contact with the inner wall of the piston, preventing air from exiting the piston

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing:

Data Source

PatentUS10442266B2Air spring standing piston bearing

Publication Date: 2019.10.15 CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

An air spring assembly for a vehicle having a damper body decoupled from a piston, allowing the damper to rotate freely without inducing torsion into the piston. The air spring assembly includes a damper body, where part of the damper body is disposed in a piston, and a decoupling mechanism connected to the damper body. The decoupling mechanism allows for rotation of the damper body relative to the piston, preventing torsion from being transferred from the damper body to the piston. The decoupling mechanism includes an adapter ring connected to the damper body, and a rotatable machine element surrounding the damper body. The adapter ring is surrounded part of the piston, and the rotatable machine element is adjacent the adapter ring. The inner wall of the piston is in contact with the rotatable machine element, such that the rotatable machine element facilitates relative rotation between the piston and damper body.