Piston Damper Actuator Segmentation for Alignment Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional piston and cylinder type dampers face issues with alignment and jamming due to piston rod flexure, and achieving precise control over the restricted flow path for damping fluid, which affects their performance in high-force and long-stroke applications.
Innovation Solution
The damper design features a piston assembly with a valve body and actuator, where the piston rod engages the actuator with a flange and a rounded surface, creating a restricted flow path separate from the abutting contact, allowing for controlled damping fluid flow and preventing alignment issues through the use of separate components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the piston rod directly engages the piston assembly with abutting contact, then the structure is simple, but alignment issues and jamming occur due to piston rod flexure
Solution Approach 1:
The piston assembly is segmented into a valve body and a separate actuator component. The actuator serves as an intermediary between the piston rod and the valve body, absorbing misalignment and flexure issues. This segmentation allows the piston rod to engage the actuator while the actuator translates this engagement to the valve body, preventing direct transmission of alignment errors and jamming.
2Volume of moving object
If the restricted flow path is integrated with the abutting contact area, then the structure is compact, but precise control over damping fluid flow is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The restricted flow path control function is extracted from the abutting contact area and relocated to the actuator component. The actuator contains the restricted flow path through which damping fluid must pass, separating the force transmission function (abutting contact) from the flow control function. This extraction enables precise control of damping fluid flow through the actuator's internal geometry without compromising the simplicity of the abutting contact mechanism.
3Ease of manufacture
If a flange with sharp edges is used for abutting engagement, then manufacturing is easier, but alignment issues and jamming are more likely
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator component features a rounded surface instead of sharp edges at its abutting engagement point. This curvature allows for gradual alignment during engagement, reducing the risk of jamming and improving reliability. The rounded surface maintains ease of manufacture while significantly enhancing the engagement process by accommodating minor misalignments and reducing stress concentrations.
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
This design enhances the damping performance by maintaining alignment and controlling the restricted flow path effectively, providing reliable damping force opposition during movement while minimizing damping during return strokes, suitable for high-force and long-stroke applications.
Implementation Method 1
The restricted flow of damping fluid that they allow thus provides a damping force to oppose the movement of the piston rod 11
Implementation Method 2
A compression spring 15 is mounted between the closed end of the cylinder 12 and the piston assembly 10 and biasses the piston assembly towards the inner end of the piston rod 11
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
A piston and cylinder type damper is provided having a cylinder (12) with a piston assembly (10) which is mounted for reciprocal linear movement therein. The piston assembly (10) divides the cylinder (12) into separate chambers with a restricted flow path extending therebetween for passage of damping fluid contained within it. A piston rod (11) is mounted for linear reciprocal movement with respect to the cylinder (12) and is arranged to engage the piston assembly (10) with abutting contact. The contact between the piston rod (11) and piston assembly (10) is arranged to be remote from the restricted flow path.