Conical Piston Spring Unit for High-Force Compact Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing suspension devices with gas-filled foams are limited in absorbing high pressures due to the low compression modulus of gases, making them unsuitable for cushioning and damping in compact installations under high force conditions.

Innovation Solution

A suspension device with a piston and housing featuring a compressible solid-state spring element, where at least one surface of the piston is conically or concavely shaped to align force components inward, allowing for efficient compression and pressure distribution, enabling the absorption of higher forces without increasing the installation space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If gas-filled foam is used in the cavity, then the suspension device can cushion movements, but the maximum pressure that can be absorbed is limited to below 1 MPa

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaximum pressure absorptionVSAvoidsuitability for high force conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameter of the damping medium from gas (in foam) to solid material. This parameter change results in a significantly higher compression modulus, enabling the suspension device to absorb maximum pressures exceeding 1 MPa and making it suitable for high force cushioning applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a pneumatic damping system (gas-filled foam bubbles) to a solid-state elastic damping system. By replacing the compressible gas medium with a solid material that has elastic properties, the system achieves higher pressure absorption capability while maintaining the cushioning function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Force

If the cavity size is increased to cushion higher forces, then more force can be absorbed, but the installation space increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce cushioning capabilityVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By changing the compression modulus parameter from gas to solid material, the patent achieves higher force cushioning capability within the same cavity volume. The solid material's higher bulk modulus allows it to absorb greater forces without requiring an increase in the installation space of the suspension device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If a flat piston surface is used, then the structure is simple, but the pressure distribution is not optimized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepiston structureVSAvoidpressure distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a concave spherical surface to the piston instead of a flat surface. This curvature causes the force components during compression to be aligned inward toward the center of the solid-state spring element, optimizing the pressure distribution both in the spring element and at the piston-housing interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The concave surface creates an asymmetric geometry that directs forces toward the center, improving pressure distribution. This asymmetric shape ensures that force components act inward during compression, maximizing the efficiency of the solid-state spring element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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 solid-state spring element with a higher bulk modulus allows for effective cushioning of high forces, maintaining minimal temperature increase and providing precise pressure distribution, enabling the suspension device to handle high forces within a compact design.

Implementation Method 1

a solid material compressible by the piston... the solid material of the solid-state spring element is compressed... the solid-state spring element has a higher bulk modulus

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3414468B1Resilient unit and mounting unit for the mounting of a machine part as well as use
Publication Date: 2021.06.16 THYSSENKRUPP AG
  • EP3414468B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3414468B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3414468B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a spring device (1) comprising a piston (3) and a housing (2), into which the piston (3) can be introduced along a direction of movement (B), a cavity being formed between the piston (3) and the housing (2), in which a compressible solid body spring element (4) is arranged, which consists of a solid body that can be compressed by the piston (3), at least one surface (5) of the piston, facing the solid body spring element (4), having a conical or concave embodiment. The invention also relates to a securing device (10) comprising such a spring device (1) and to the use thereof, particularly for a container stopper.