Double Acting Locking Cylinder with Flow Divider
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid-operated, single-acting locking cylinders are limited in application to either pressure or tension, lacking the ability to operate effectively under both conditions, and they are not robust, space-efficient, or cost-effective for high-load applications with long-term reliability.
Innovation Solution
A double-acting locking cylinder design featuring a piston with two working chambers, non-rotatably connected to a spindle, utilizing self-locking cone bodies and fluid-axial plain bearings, and a flow divider to maintain a fluid-dynamic floating position, allowing operation under both pressure and tension without external drives or force accumulators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single-acting locking cylinder is used, then the construction is simpler, but it can only be locked under pressure or tension, not both
Solution Approach 1:
The locking cylinder is designed with two working chambers (first and second working chambers) that can independently receive pressure medium, enabling the piston to move bidirectionally. This allows the cylinder to function as both a pressure-locked and tension-locked device, achieving multi-functionality. The spindle with double-cone bodies can engage with corresponding receptacles in both directions, providing universal locking capability regardless of load direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is segmented into two independent locking systems: a first clamping double-cone body with first and second locking cone surfaces for pressure locking, and a second clamping double-cone body with third and fourth locking cone surfaces for tension locking. Each cone body can independently engage with its corresponding receptacle, allowing the system to handle both pressure and tension loads separately rather than requiring a completely different design.
2Reliability
If self-locking cone bodies are used for locking, then reliability under load is improved, but the piston cannot move freely without external drives
Solution Approach 1:
Fluid-axial plain bearings are introduced as intermediary elements between the spindle and the cylinder walls. These bearings facilitate smooth axial movement of the spindle during piston retraction and extension by reducing friction, while the self-locking cone bodies maintain reliable locking when engaged. The plain bearings act as a mediator that enables free movement during operation without compromising the locking reliability provided by the cone bodies.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically transitions between locked and unlocked states through controlled engagement and disengagement of the clamping double-cone bodies. During piston movement, the cone bodies are disengaged allowing dynamic motion facilitated by plain bearings. When locking is required, the cone bodies engage to provide static, reliable locking. This dynamic switching between movement and locking states resolves the contradiction.
3Strength
If the locking cylinder is designed to handle high loads, then strength is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The self-locking cone bodies utilize the applied load itself to generate the locking force. When pressure or tension is applied to the piston, the load automatically forces the corresponding clamping double-cone body into engagement with its receptacle, creating a self-service locking mechanism. This eliminates the need for additional powered locking devices or complex control systems, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining high load handling capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex mechanical locking mechanisms (such as powered clamps, hydraulic locks, or electric actuators) with a simpler friction-based self-locking cone system. The conical surfaces create friction locks that automatically engage under load, substituting complex mechanical systems with a more economical friction-based mechanism that provides equivalent or superior strength at lower manufacturing cost.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the piston is locked in position, then stability at standstill is improved, but fluid flow for movement is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The system operates in periodic cycles of locking and unlocking. Before piston movement, the clamping double-cone bodies are disengaged to unlock the position, allowing fluid flow to move the piston. Upon reaching the desired position, the cone bodies engage to lock the piston stable. This periodic switching between unlocked (fluid flow enabled) and locked (position stabilized) states resolves the contradiction between stability and fluid flow requirements.
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 enables reliable, long-term operation under varying loads and pressures, ensuring trouble-free piston movement and enhanced security, particularly at standstill conditions, with improved manufacturing efficiency and reduced costs.
Implementation Method 1
The piston can be supplied with fluid pressure medium into a first working chamber via a first working channel on a first side pointing away from a cylinder base of the cylinder in an axial direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cylinder in a second direction and into a second working chamber via a second working channel on a second side pointing towards the cylinder base in a first direction opposite to the second direction relative to the cylinder
Implementation Method 2
the first locking cone surfaces and the third locking cone surfaces form a clamp with one another in a first locking position, both against rotation about the axis of rotation of the second threaded body and against movement in the axial direction away from each other, self-locking, i.e. frictionally locked by static friction
Implementation Method 3
the second threaded body is mounted on at least two fluid-axial plain bearings, of which a first fluid-axial plain bearing is intended to absorb axial forces acting in the first direction on the second threaded body, and of which a second fluid-axial plain bearing is intended to absorb axial forces acting on the second threaded body in the second direction
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a double-acting locking cylinder (20). This cylinder comprises a cylinder (21) and a piston (22), which is movable in an axial direction (23) relative to the cylinder (21) by means of a fluid pressure medium, but is rotationally fixed to the cylinder (21). The piston (22) is coupled to a spindle (35.2) via a non-self-locking thread (37). The spindle (35.2) is rotatable about an axis of rotation (43) relative to the cylinder (21) and axially displaceable in the axial direction (23). A first clamping double-cone body (45.1) is attached to the spindle (35.2), and a second clamping double-cone body (45.2) is attached to the cylinder (21). The first clamping double-cone body (45.1) can be self-lockingly clamped to the second clamping double-cone body (45.2) in two locking positions (46.2) by moving the spindle (35.2) in the axial direction (23). The spindle (35.2) is connected via the first clamping double-cone body (45.1) is mounted on a first fluid axial sliding bearing (53.1), which can be supplied with the fluid pressure medium via a first pressure medium supply channel (54.1), and is mounted on a second fluid axial sliding bearing (53.2), which can be supplied with the fluid pressure medium via a second pressure medium supply channel (54.2). A flow divider (60) for dividing a main volume flow of the fluid pressure medium into a first partial volume flow and a second partial volume flow comprises a first pressure medium outlet channel (61.1) opening into the first pressure medium supply channel (54.1) for the first partial volume flow and a second pressure medium outlet channel (61.2) opening into the second pressure medium supply channel (54.2) for the second partial volume flow. The flow divider (60) makes it possible to mount the first clamping double cone body (45.1) in a fluid-dynamic floating position during movement of the piston (22) in the axial direction (23).The invention also relates to a method for operating the locking cylinder (20).