Divided Outer Guide Air Spring for Torsion Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air spring units in motor vehicles face challenges in achieving improved transverse stiffness and effective torsion absorption, leading to increased wear and rapid failure of shock dampers due to unwanted forces and pivoting movements.
Innovation Solution
The air spring unit incorporates a divided, sleeve-shaped outer guide with two separate parts that pivot at different angles during inward deflection, reducing pressure on the air spring piston and incorporating a torsion fold formed by an axial bellows to enhance transverse stiffness and torsion absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a one-piece outer guide is used to support the rolling bellows, then the loadbearing capacity is improved, but transverse forces are transmitted to the shock damper causing increased wear and rapid failure
Solution Approach 1:
The outer guide is divided into two separate parts (first outer guide part and second outer guide part) that can pivot independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows the outer guide to maintain structural support while accommodating pivoting movements without transmitting transverse forces to the shock damper, thereby resolving the contradiction between loadbearing capacity and shock damper reliability
2Ease of operation
If the air spring is made to pivot relative to the rolling piston during inward deflection, then rolling comfort is improved, but unwanted forces act on the shock damper leading to increased friction and wear
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the outer guide into two independently pivoting parts, the system allows the air spring to pivot for comfort while the segmented outer guide absorbs the pivoting movements without transmitting harmful transverse forces to the shock damper
Solution Approach 2:
The divided outer guide acts as an intermediary element between the air spring and the shock damper, absorbing and isolating the harmful transverse forces generated during pivoting movements, thereby protecting the shock damper while maintaining the desired pivoting behavior for comfort
3Adaptability or versatility
If fabric reinforcements are aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis in the fold system region, then torsional stiffness is reduced for better torsion compensation, but transverse stiffness becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The segmentation of the outer guide into two parts provides additional transverse stiffness through the structural configuration and pivoting mechanism, compensating for the reduced torsional stiffness achieved by aligning fabric reinforcements parallel to the longitudinal axis in the fold system region
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 significantly reduces transverse forces on the shock damper, minimizes wear, and effectively absorbs torsion, leading to improved driving comfort and extended component lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
the rolling bellows rolls on the outside of the concentric rolling piston, on the one hand, and on the inner surface of the outer guide, on the other hand
Implementation Method 2
an airtightly secured rolling bellows made of elastomer material partially delimits a working chamber
Implementation Method 3
the two outer guide parts pivot at different angles to one another, as a result of which the lower rolling fold is pressed only slightly or not at all against the air spring piston
Implementation Method 4
a torsion fold formed by an axial bellows to enhance transverse stiffness and torsion absorption
Data Source
AI summary
An air spring unit for a chassis of a motor vehicle, includes an air spring cover and an air spring piston, wherein an airtightly secured rolling bellows made of elastomer material partially delimits a working chamber between the air spring cover and the air spring piston, which working chamber can be filled with compressed air, wherein the rolling bellows is surrounded by a divided, sleeve-shaped outer guide having a first outer guide part and a second outer guide part.