Brake Cylinder Piston Guide for Non-Rotatable Nut Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spring-type brake cylinders for pneumatic brakes in commercial vehicles face challenges in compact design and efficient operation, particularly in transitioning between assembly and drive positions without affecting the compression spring's functionality.
Innovation Solution
A spring-type brake cylinder design featuring a piston with a guide for a non-rotatable nut, a support structure that moves from an assembly to a drive position using retaining structures, and a pressure chamber that inflates to position the support structure, allowing for a compact and operational design without interfering with the compression spring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a compact brake cylinder design is implemented, then the volume is reduced and stiffness is improved, but the support structure cannot be properly positioned during assembly without interfering with the compression spring
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into two functional states: an assembly position where it is held by a first retaining structure to allow easy positioning during manufacturing, and a drive position where it is held by a second retaining structure closer to the bottom of the piston. This segmentation allows the same component to serve different purposes during different phases of the product lifecycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The first retaining structure is designed to hold the support structure in a predetermined assembly position during the manufacturing process. This preliminary positioning action ensures that the support structure is correctly placed before the brake cylinder is assembled, making the assembly process easier while enabling the compact design.
2Length of moving object
If the support structure is positioned closer to the bottom of the piston in the drive position, then the brake cylinder achieves compact design, but the support structure may interfere with the compression spring functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The second retaining structure acts as an intermediary mechanism that holds the support structure in the drive position closer to the bottom of the piston. This retaining structure ensures that the support structure is positioned optimally for compact design while preventing it from interfering with the compression spring's functionality, as the spring remains in its pressure chamber separated by a dividing wall.
3Ease of operation
If the nut is allowed to rotate in the piston, then the release bolt can be easily adjusted, but the nut cannot be properly guided along the longitudinal direction of the piston
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure for the nut is designed with an asymmetric cross-sectional shape that matches the corresponding guide feature in the piston. This asymmetric design allows the nut to move freely along the longitudinal direction of the piston while preventing rotation, as the asymmetric shapes are incompatible with rotational movement. This provides a simple yet effective solution without adding complex guidance mechanisms.
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 design enables a compact brake cylinder with reduced volume, improved stiffness, and minimized vibrations, while maintaining the functionality of the compression spring and allowing for both service and parking brake functions.
Implementation Method 1
a compression spring (20)
Implementation Method 2
a pressure chamber (21)
Data Source
AI summary
A spring-type brake cylinder that includes a compression spring, a pressure chamber, a dividing wall disposed between the compression spring and the pressure chamber, a piston having an inner wall and a bottom, and a nut disposed inside the piston and configured to be held on a release bolt. A support structure is disposed inside the piston and configured to abut against the nut while the release bolt is screwed into the nut. The piston comprises a first retaining structure and a second retaining structure, the first retaining structure configured to hold the support structure in an assembly position and the second retaining structure configured to hold the support structure in a drive position. The support structure is moveable from the assembly position to the drive position by a movement of the nut relative to the piston.