Cylinder Bracket Hole Layout for Automated Protrusion Welding

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing cylinder devices face difficulties in welding a protrusion to the outer shell while maintaining automatic welding, as the protrusion protruding outward from the side portion interferes with the welding machine components, leading to increased costs or the need to abandon automated welding.

Innovation Solution

A cylinder device with a tubular portion having a C-shaped cross section and a slit in the front portion, featuring a hole that allows the protrusion to be inserted from the side to the back portion, enabling the protrusion to protrude outward without interference during welding, facilitating automatic welding by maintaining sufficient working space for the welding torch.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the protrusion protrudes outward from the side portion of the tubular portion, then the protrusion can avoid interference with peripheral components in the mounting state, but the mounting portion hinders welding operation and automatic welding becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting easeVSAvoidwelding ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The hole is formed in advance from the side portion to the back portion of the tubular portion, allowing the protrusion to be inserted and positioned before welding. This preliminary positioning enables the protrusion to protrude outward for mounting purposes while the pre-formed hole provides adequate welding space, resolving the conflict between mounting requirements and welding accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If a hole is provided in the bracket to permit insertion of the protrusion, then the protrusion can be welded to the outer shell, but the hole structure increases device complexity and welding space is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewelding feasibilityVSAvoidbracket structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hole is segmented into two portions: a first hole portion formed from the side portion and a second hole portion formed from the back portion. This segmentation allows the protrusion to be inserted and positioned accurately while providing sufficient welding space from both directions, reducing the need for complex single-hole structures and enabling simpler welding operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If the hole for inserting the protrusion is enlarged to facilitate welding, then welding operation becomes easier, but the structural integrity of the tubular portion is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewelding accessibilityVSAvoidtubular portion strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of enlarging the hole in a single dimension, the solution transitions to a multi-dimensional approach by forming the hole from both the side portion and back portion of the tubular portion. This allows adequate welding space to be created through spatial distribution rather than dimensional enlargement, maintaining the structural integrity of the tubular portion while facilitating welding operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3499085B1Cylinder device and method for manufacturing cylinder device
Publication Date: 2023.11.29 KYB CORP
  • EP3499085B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3499085B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3499085B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A bracket (B) of a cylinder device includes: a tubular portion (4) having a C-shaped cross section, holding an outer periphery of the outer shell, and having a slit (4a) in a front portion; and a pair of mounting portions (5) and (6) protruding outward in the radial direction from both ends of the tubular portion (4) in the circumferential direction. The tubular portion (4) includes a hole (8) formed to permit insertion of the protrusion (3), from at least one side portion to the back portion of the tubular portion (4).