Air Spring Stopper Assembly Pivot Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air springs face high sliding resistance due to large contact areas between stoppers and inner cylindrical members, exacerbated by pressurized environments, which hampers their operational efficiency in applications like suspension and vibration isolation.

Innovation Solution

The air spring design incorporates a pivotable stopper assembly with a reduced contact area, utilizing a space portion between the stopper and inner cylindrical member, and an antifriction material to lower mechanical resistance, along with a diaphragm for hermetic sealing and pressurization, allowing for efficient vibration mitigation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If a stopper assembly with large contact area is used to suppress movement of the outer cylindrical member, then the suppression capability is improved, but the sliding resistance increases due to friction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement suppression capabilityVSAvoidpivot operation smoothness

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating the contact characteristics at different locations. The stopper assembly has a limited contact area with the inner cylindrical member, concentrating the suppression force at specific points rather than distributing it over a large area. This localized contact reduces friction while maintaining effective movement suppression.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs curvature by forming the contact surface between the stopper assembly and inner cylindrical member as an arc-shaped surface rather than a flat surface. This curved contact interface reduces the contact area and facilitates smoother pivot operation, transforming the friction characteristic from sliding to rolling-like motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Ease of operation

If antifriction material is applied to reduce sliding resistance, then the pivot operation smoothness is improved, but the contact area increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepivot operation smoothnessVSAvoidcontact area

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The antifriction material is applied locally only at the specific contact points between the stopper assembly and the inner cylindrical member, rather than covering the entire surface. This localized application reduces sliding resistance at critical interfaces while minimizing the overall contact area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If the stopper assembly is made pivotable to reduce resistance, then the pivot operation smoothness is improved, but the height control precision may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepivot operation smoothnessVSAvoidheight control precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The arc-shaped contact surface provides a geometric constraint that guides the pivot motion along a predetermined path. This curved geometry ensures that the stopper assembly pivots smoothly while maintaining precise height control, as the arc radius can be designed to match the required control characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The arc-shaped contact surface acts as an intermediary element between the stopper assembly and the inner cylindrical member. It mediates the interaction by providing a smooth transition surface that enables pivot motion while maintaining precise positional control through its geometric properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 design significantly reduces sliding resistance and enhances the air spring's ability to suppress unwanted movement, making it suitable for applications such as vehicle suspension and vibration isolation, while maintaining a sealed environment.

Implementation Method 1

a diaphragm (4) coupling the outer cylindrical member (1) and the inner cylindrical member (9) to each other and providing an internal space (27) between the outer cylindrical member (1) and the inner cylindrical member (9)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

An air spring making use of elasticity of compressed air has conventionally been known

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompressed air elasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10449979B2Air spring and bogie

Publication Date: 2019.10.22 SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES LTD

AI summary

An air spring includes an outer cylindrical member, an inner cylindrical member combined with the outer cylindrical member, a diaphragm coupling the outer cylindrical member and the inner cylindrical member to each other, the diaphragm providing an internal space between the outer cylindrical member and the inner cylindrical member, a stopper assembly arranged in the internal space as being pivotable over the inner cylindrical member, the stopper assembly allowing suppression of movement of the outer cylindrical member toward the inner cylindrical member more than necessary, a pivoting mechanism pivoting the stopper assembly over the inner cylindrical member, and a space portion provided between the stopper assembly and the inner cylindrical member, the space portion allowing lowering in resistance in pivot of the stopper assembly.