Damping Valve Spacer Positioning for Assembly Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of damping valves is complicated due to the spacer's ability to move freely in the radial direction, leading to positional deviations that can interfere with the piston rod, making it difficult to assemble the parts correctly.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a positioning part that restricts the radial positional deviation of the spacer relative to the valve disc, such as pawls, arms, or projections, to prevent significant movement and ensure proper alignment during assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the spacer is allowed to move freely in the radial direction between the piston and leaf valve, then the assembly process is simpler, but positional deviation of the spacer occurs which interferes with the piston rod assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning part acts as an intermediary element between the spacer and the piston/leaf valve assembly. It provides a mediating function by restricting the spacer's radial movement while still allowing the assembly to be performed on a retaining pin. The positioning part transfers and controls the positional relationship between components, preventing the spacer from deviating without requiring complex constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning part is provided locally at specific positions where radial deviation needs to be controlled, rather than constraining the entire spacer assembly globally. This localized approach restricts positional deviation only where necessary (at the spacer's location) while maintaining freedom of movement elsewhere in the assembly process.
2Manufacturing precision
If the spacer is interposed between the leaf valve and the piston, then the initial deflection amount can be adjusted, but the spacer is not visible from the outside making the assembly process troublesome
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning part provides visual indication (analogous to color changes in the principle) by becoming visible from the outside during assembly. This visual cue allows operators to track the spacer's position and status without disassembling components, making the assembly process more manageable while the spacer remains interposed for its functional purpose.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning part serves as a visible intermediary that communicates the state of the hidden spacer to the operator. It mediates between the need for the spacer to remain concealed for its damping function and the need for visibility during assembly, providing external indication of internal component positioning.
3Productivity
If numerous parts are used to constitute the leaf valve and damping valve, then the valve can be assembled efficiently on a retaining pin, but the assembly process becomes troublesome due to spacer positional deviation
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning part is an additional intermediary element that simplifies the overall assembly process despite increasing part count. It mediates the interaction between the spacer and other components, preventing positional deviations that would otherwise complicate assembly. This single addition reduces the complexity of handling numerous parts by providing a reference and constraint mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning part is provided in advance on the piston or leaf valve before assembly begins. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the spacer is installed, its position is immediately controlled, preventing deviation issues during the assembly of multiple components on the retaining pin.
Data Source
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AI summary
A damping valve includes an annular valve disc, the valve disc having an annular outer peripheral sheet that projects toward an axial direction of the valve disc, an inner peripheral sheet that is provided on an inside of the outer peripheral sheet and projects toward the axial direction, an annular window formed between the outer peripheral sheet and the inner peripheral sheet, and a port that communicates with the annular window. The damping valve comprises an annular leaf valve that is laminated on the valve disc and is seated/unseated on the outer peripheral sheet, an annular spacer that is interposed between the leaf valve and the inner peripheral sheet and sets an initial deflection amount of the leaf valve, and a positioning part that restricts positional deviation of the spacer in a radial direction relative to the valve disc.