Air Spring Snap-In Connection for Hose Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air springs face difficulties in mounting and servicing due to limited installation space, especially when bayonet locking mechanisms are used, as air connection elements are often hindered by other vehicle components, making it challenging to connect or replace air supply hoses.
Innovation Solution
The air spring incorporates a releasable snap-in or latching connection with integrated air connection elements, allowing for easier hose mounting and servicing by utilizing available installation space, and featuring a bayonet closure or plug-in connection for simplified assembly and maintenance, with optional multiple air connections for varying diameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If air connection elements are positioned in the air-spring cover or piston, then the air spring can be securely attached, but mounting air supply hoses becomes difficult due to limited access space
Solution Approach 1:
The air spring system is divided into separate functional modules: the air spring unit with bayonet locking mechanism and the air connection elements with hoses are positioned independently. This segmentation allows the air spring to be securely mounted first, then the air connections to be attached separately to the connection parts, resolving the space access problem.
Solution Approach 2:
Connection parts serve as intermediary elements between the air spring and the air supply system. These connection parts are specifically designed with integrated air connection elements that provide accessible mounting points for hoses, acting as mediators that solve the accessibility issue while maintaining secure attachment.
2Loss of time
If air supply hoses are connected before air spring installation, then the air connection is established early, but the hoses hinder manipulation of the assembled component
Solution Approach 1:
The installation process is segmented into distinct phases: first mounting the air spring body with bayonet locking, then separately connecting the air supply hoses to the connection parts. This segmentation eliminates the conflict between hose presence and manipulation ease, as hoses are only introduced when the air spring is already positioned.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection parts are pre-integrated with air connection elements during air spring manufacturing, so that when the air spring is installed, the air connection capability is already prepared and immediately available, eliminating the need for preliminary hose connection that would hinder manipulation.
3Device complexity
If air connection elements are integrated into the air-spring cover, then the structure is compact, but subsequent servicing or exchange of hoses becomes extremely laborious
Solution Approach 1:
The air connection system is segmented into removable connection parts that can be independently accessed and serviced. The connection parts with integrated air connection elements can be detached from the air spring body, allowing hoses to be exchanged without complex disassembly, thus maintaining structural compactness while enabling easy maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection parts are designed with dynamic, reversible connections that allow for easy attachment and detachment of hoses. This dynamic design enables the system to transition between compact operational state and maintenance state, where connection parts can be quickly removed to access air connection elements for hose exchange.
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 simplifies the mounting of air supply hoses in confined spaces, facilitates maintenance, and reduces production complexity by allowing the use of precision parts like bushings or cartridges, enhancing accessibility and vibrational comfort.
Implementation Method 1
an air-spring lobe made of elastomer material and having a first end and a second end; the air-spring lobe being clamped between a sprung mass and an unsprung mass
Implementation Method 2
at least one of the first connection part and the second connection part being connected to the corresponding fastening part by a releasable snap-in or latching connection
Data Source
AI summary
An air spring has an air-spring lobe made of elastomer material, which is clamped at the lobe ends thereof via connection parts between the sprung mass and the unsprung mass and is connected by way of the connection parts to the fastening parts of the sprung and the unsprung mass. The connection parts and the air-spring lobe enclose the working chamber that is under internal pressure and contains the air-spring volume. The working chamber is in connection with at least one air connection provided in the connection parts. At least one of the connection parts is connected to the associated fastening part by a releasable snap-in or latching connection and the snap-in or latching connection includes at least one air connection, to which a feed line or a hose for the compressed air supply is connected.