Composite Spring Seat Reinforcement for Impact Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Composite spring seats for shock absorbers face challenges in maintaining strength and impact resistance, particularly at extreme temperatures, leading to potential disengagement and hazardous conditions due to brittleness and costly energy absorption solutions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a reinforcing element with spaced-apart reinforcing cords within the composite lower spring seat to enhance impact resistance without increasing weight or height, preventing disengagement from the strut assembly during spring failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the thickness of composite materials is increased to improve strength, then the strength and impact resistance is improved, but the cost increases due to additional material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by embedding steel reinforcing cords within a polymer matrix to create a hybrid structure. This composite approach provides the strength and impact resistance of metal while maintaining the weight and cost advantages of polymer materials, resolving the contradiction between strength improvement and material cost increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by strategically placing reinforcing cords only in specific high-stress regions of the spring seat rather than uniformly throughout the entire component. This localized reinforcement provides necessary strength where needed while minimizing material usage and cost in areas where full reinforcement is not required.
2Weight of moving object
If composite spring seats are used to reduce weight, then the weight is reduced, but the impact resistance and structural integrity at extreme cold temperatures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials combining polymer matrix with steel reinforcing cords to achieve a weight reduction compared to solid metal components while maintaining or improving impact resistance. The steel cords provide tensile strength and impact resistance at low temperatures, while the polymer matrix provides structural form and damping, resolving the contradiction between weight reduction and impact resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the material composition and structural properties of the spring seat through the addition of reinforcing cords. This changes the mechanical properties including impact resistance, tensile strength, and low-temperature performance, allowing the component to maintain integrity under extreme conditions while keeping weight low.
3Strength
If a steel or rubber pad is positioned on the entire surface of the spring seat to absorb energy, then the impact resistance is improved, but the cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the energy absorption function directly into the spring seat structure itself by embedding reinforcing cords within the polymer matrix during manufacturing. This integration eliminates the need for separate pads or additional components, reducing device complexity while maintaining energy absorption capability through the composite structure's inherent properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials to provide inherent energy absorption capability within the spring seat structure. The combination of polymer matrix and steel reinforcing cords creates a material system that can absorb impact energy through deformation of the cords and matrix, eliminating the need for separate energy-absorbing pads and simplifying the overall device structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A strut assembly including a spring to help absorb impacts and a shock absorber to help control motion of the spring is disclosed. The shock absorber includes a base assembly and is mounted between a top mount assembly and a knuckle. The top mount assembly mounts to the body of the vehicle and helps support the spring. An upper spring seat is adjacent the top mount assembly and receives one end of the spring. A lower spring seat formed of a composite material is supported by the base assembly and is adapted to support another end of the spring. The lower spring seat includes at least one reinforcing element having a plurality of reinforcing cords disposed between an upper surface and a lower surface for improving impact resistance thereof.