Air Spring Cylinder Layout for Chamber Pressure Equalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing air spring structures for two-wheeled vehicles require complex manufacturing and configuration to equalize internal pressures between chambers, complicating the process.
Innovation Solution
An air spring structure that uses a communication member with strategically positioned communication holes in the cylinder to allow equalization of internal pressures between chambers without the need for a groove or passage in the cylinder's inner peripheral surface, simplifying the configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a passage or annular groove is formed in the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder to equalize internal pressures, then the internal pressures of the first end chamber and second end chamber can be made equal, but the manufacture and configuration of the cylinder becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional inner surface solution (passage/groove in the inner peripheral surface) to a three-dimensional approach by adding a protrusion extending from the inner peripheral surface into the first end chamber. This protrusion creates a communication space that connects both end chambers, enabling pressure equalization without requiring complex passages or grooves in the inner surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusion acts as an intermediary structure that mediates between the first end chamber and the second end chamber. By creating a communication space around the protrusion, it facilitates pressure equalization without requiring direct passage formation in the inner peripheral surface, thus simplifying the cylinder configuration.
2Reliability
If a passage or annular groove is formed in the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder to equalize internal pressures, then the internal pressures of the first end chamber and second end chamber can be made equal, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention moves from modifying the inner surface (complex 2D passages/grooves) to adding a protrusion structure (3D feature), which can be more easily manufactured using standard molding or machining processes. The communication space is created by the protrusion's presence rather than by complex cavity formation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of removing material to create passages or grooves in the inner surface, the invention adds material in the form of a protrusion. This inverted approach (adding rather than removing) simplifies the manufacturing process while achieving the same pressure equalization function.
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 solution enables equalization of internal pressures between chambers in a simple configuration, reducing manufacturing complexity and allowing for adjustable air reaction force characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
a first communication hole 9a and a second communication hole 9b are formed in the peripheral surface of the cylinder 21... the inner chamber 50 and the balance chamber 70 are permitted to communicate with each other... to make internal pressures of the inner chamber 50 and the balance chamber 70 equal
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
An air spring structure (11A) has a first communication hole (9A) formed in a peripheral surface of a cylinder (21) and a second communication hole (9B) formed in the peripheral surface at a position closer to an axle (14S) than the first communication hole (9A). A piston (23) has a sliding portion (23E) that comes into contact with an inner peripheral surface of the cylinder (21) and partitions the cylinder (21) into an inner chamber (50) and a balance chamber (70). The sliding portion has an axial length (J1) shorter than an axial length(L1) between the first communication hole (9A) and the second communication hole (9B). A communication member (8) has a communication path (8A) formed so as to pass through the first communication hole (9A) and the second communication hole (9B) to allow the inner chamber (50) and the balance chamber (70) to communicate with each other.