Decelerating Device with Segmented Piston and Rod Springs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing decelerating devices for moving parts of cabinets are complex and costly due to the need for unidirectional valves and multiple springs, which complicate production and hinder smooth and silent operation, especially in bidirectional movements.

Innovation Solution

A decelerating device with a separate piston and piston rod, each actuated by independent elastic means, allowing for calibrated force control for fast return and slow movement, using viscous fluid for braking and a second spring for volume regulation, eliminating the need for unidirectional valves and simplifying production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If unidirectional valves are adopted on the piston to enable fast return and slow braking movement, then the bidirectional movement control is improved, but the device complexity and production cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebidirectional movement controlVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into two independent subsystems: a piston with first elastic means for controlled return movement, and a rod with second elastic means for fast return movement. This segmentation eliminates the need for unidirectional valves on a single piston, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining bidirectional movement control capabilities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Two separate elastic means (springs) are introduced as intermediary elements to independently control the piston and rod movements. The first elastic means mediates the piston's controlled return, while the second elastic means mediates the rod's fast return, replacing the complex valve mechanism with simpler elastic force mediation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple springs are used to actuate piston and rod separately, then the movement control precision is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemovement control precisionVSAvoidease of manufacture
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The single-piston-spring design is segmented into two independent piston-rod assemblies, each with its own elastic means. This allows independent calibration of each spring for optimal performance while using standardized components that can be manufactured separately and assembled, actually simplifying the manufacturing process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic characteristics of the two springs can be independently adjusted by changing parameters such as spring constant, coil diameter, and number of active coils. This allows precise control of movement characteristics while using standard spring manufacturing processes, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving high precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If a single spring acts on both piston and rod, then the device simplicity is maintained, but the independent movement control is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice simplicityVSAvoidindependent movement control
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The single spring system is segmented into two independent elastic means, each dedicated to controlling either the piston or the rod. This segmentation enables independent movement control while maintaining relative device simplicity through modular design and clear functional separation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rod serves multiple functions: it acts as a pusher during the braking stroke and as an extractor during the return stroke. The separate elastic means on the rod enables it to independently perform these dual functions without being coupled to the piston's movement, providing versatility while maintaining simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables smooth, silent, and economical operation by allowing independent calibration of reset springs for fast return and slow movement, improving the deceleration and pushing functions, and facilitating easy production.

Implementation Method 1

the speed of the viscous fluid, which flows in the calibrated passage of the piston, is the element that determines the braking action

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectViscous flow: Viscous Damping

Implementation Method 2

each of them is actuated separately by their respective elastic means, for example a reset spring, which pushes them in their direction of extraction from the cylinder

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic potential energy: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2419654B1Decelerating device
Publication Date: 2018.09.12 ARTURO SALICE SPA
  • EP2419654B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2419654B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4

AI summary

A decelerating device (1) comprises a cylinder (2) filled with a fluid, a bushing (3) for the closure of the cylinder (2) traversed by a rod (4) sliding in the cylinder (2), and a piston (5) guided to slide inside the cylinder (2) and fitted with means (7) for the calibrated through passage of the fluid, the piston (5) is separate from the rod (4) and there are also first elastic means (8) for the movement of the piston (5) in the direction of extraction from the cylinder (2) and second elastic means (9) independent of the first elastic means (8} for the movement of the rod (4) in the direction of extraction from the cylinder (2).