Damper Housing Stiffening via Roller Press Preload

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing damper assemblies for vehicle suspension systems require welding or threaded connections to secure components, which can be cumbersome and may not provide adequate strength and stiffness, especially in dynamic conditions.

Innovation Solution

A damper assembly design that utilizes a press with rotatable rollers to bend and stiffen the housing middle portion, eliminating the need for welding or threaded connections by applying preload compression forces to maintain the body and components within the housing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If welding or threaded connections are used to secure components, then the assembly process is established, but the process becomes cumbersome and may not provide adequate strength and stiffness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrength and stiffness of component connectionVSAvoidcumbersome assembly process
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical connection methods (welding or threaded connections) with a preload compression force applied by a press. This mechanical substitution eliminates the need for complex assembly processes while providing adequate strength and stiffness through continuous compression force on the housing middle portion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If welding or threaded connections are used to secure components, then the assembly can be constructed, but the strength and stiffness may be inadequate in dynamic conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadequacy of connection strength in dynamic conditionsVSAvoidcomplexity of connection method
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the connection parameter from discrete mechanical joints (welds or threads) to a continuous compression force parameter. By applying preload compression force to the housing middle portion, the system achieves reliable connection in dynamic conditions through parameter optimization rather than complex structural design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If a press with rollers is used to bend and stiffen the housing, then welding is eliminated, but the mechanism becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelimination of welding processVSAvoidcomplexity of press and roller mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by using the press and rollers to bend and stiffen the housing middle portion before final assembly. This preliminary structural preparation eliminates the need for welding during assembly, as the housing is pre-formed to receive components and maintain them through compression force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution enhances the strength and stiffness of the damper assembly components, allowing for secure assembly without welding, thereby improving the durability and reliability of the damper assembly in controlling wheel movement relative to the vehicle body.

Implementation Method 1

a press with rotatable rollers to bend and stiffen the housing middle portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

applying preload compression forces to maintain the body and components within the housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4119249A1Roller press assembly and method
Publication Date: 2023.01.18 ADVANCED SUSPENSION TECHNOLOGY LLC
  • EP4119249A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4119249A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4119249A1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

An assembly for securing a component of a damper assembly includes a press movable along an axis from a retracted position to an extended position. The assembly includes a plurality of rollers rotatably supported at an end of the press. The rollers have an outer circumferential surface that includes a middle portion extending, in cross-section, transversely to the axis and linearly between an entry portion and a top portion of the outer circumferential surface.