Vehicle Air Spring Assembly With Press-Fit Sleeve-Cylinder Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing sleeve type air spring assemblies for vehicles face instability in coupling the sleeve and cylinder, leading to reduced manufacturing properties and assembly efficiency due to loose fitting and the need for separate welding processes.
Innovation Solution
The air spring assembly incorporates a coupling structure with first and second fixing protrusions and grooves on the sleeve, cylinder, and dust cover, respectively, allowing for press-fitting to enhance the coupling force and manufacturing properties through a simple and stable assembly process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ring-shaped members are welded to the sleeve and fitted into the cylinder frame, then the coupling between sleeve and cylinder is achieved, but the manufacturing complexity increases and manufacturing properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the welding process from the manufacturing sequence by extracting the joining function and replacing it with a press-fit mechanical coupling system. The ring-shaped members are no longer welded to the sleeve but are instead press-fitted directly into the cylinder frame, eliminating the need for separate welding operations and improving manufacturing efficiency while maintaining coupling reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the coupling function and the structural support function into a single press-fit interface between the ring-shaped members and the cylinder frame. This integration eliminates the need for separate welding and fitting operations, simplifying the manufacturing process while achieving both structural integrity and coupling stability
2Strength
If ring-shaped members are welded to the sleeve, then structural strength is enhanced, but the assembly process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the welding mechanical process with a press-fit mechanical coupling system. Instead of using thermal energy and metallurgical bonding, the solution uses mechanical interference fitting between the ring-shaped members and the cylinder frame, achieving structural strength through precise dimensional control and elastic deformation rather than welding
Solution Approach 2:
The ring-shaped members are pre-formed with specific dimensional tolerances that enable direct press-fitting into the cylinder frame without requiring welding preparation. The preliminary precision manufacturing of the ring-shaped members allows them to be directly installed through press-fitting, eliminating time-consuming welding operations while maintaining structural integrity
3Ease of operation
If the frame is loosely fitted into ring-shaped members before air filling, then assembly is easier, but coupling stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the dimensional parameters of the ring-shaped members and cylinder frame interface to enable press-fitting with controlled interference. By precisely controlling the outer diameter of the ring-shaped members to be slightly larger than the inner diameter of the cylinder frame, the system achieves stable coupling through elastic deformation during press-fitting, while still allowing for relatively easy assembly compared to welding
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
This configuration significantly improves the coupling force between the sleeve and cylinder, as well as between the cylinder and dust cover, resulting in a more stable and efficient assembly process with enhanced manufacturing properties.
Implementation Method 1
a first fixing protrusion may be inserted into and coupled to the first fixing groove by press-fitting the sleeve into the cylinder
Data Source
AI summary
An air spring assembly may include: a sleeve having a space capable of filling air therein and including upper and lower openings formed respectively in upper and lower portions of the sleeve; an upper cap connected to the upper portion of the sleeve so as to close the upper opening of the sleeve; a piston connected to the lower portion of the sleeve so as to close the lower opening of the sleeve; and a cylinder coupled to the sleeve so as to enclose the sleeve. A first fixing protrusion may be formed on at least a portion of an outer peripheral surface of the sleeve, a first fixing groove may be formed in at least a portion of an inner peripheral surface of the cylinder, and the first fixing projection may be inserted into and coupled to the first fixing groove.