Elastic Coupling Ring for Hydraulic Piston Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing piston units in hydraulic or pneumatic working cylinders face issues with minimal axial relative movements leading to abrasive wear and potential failure due to undersized coupling rings, which increase play and wear over time.
Innovation Solution
A piston unit design featuring a load-bearing coupling ring that is elastically tensionable and accommodated within annular grooves of the coupling partners, providing a form-fitting connection through radial deformation and a press fit, which absorbs axial forces and prevents twisting, combining non-positive and positive coupling mechanisms for enhanced fatigue strength and service life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a coupling ring with certain undersize compared to ring grooves is used, then the coupling ring can assume its end position in the ring grooves during assembly, but this results in minimal play leading to axial relative movements and abrasive wear of sealing elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the dimensional parameters of the coupling ring by providing an expansion space that allows the coupling ring to be compressed during assembly and then expand to fully engage the ring grooves of both coupling partners, eliminating play and preventing abrasive wear of sealing elements
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling ring is designed as a separable component with an expansion space that allows it to be divided into two functional states: a compressed state for easy insertion and an expanded state for secure engagement, resolving the contradiction between ease of assembly and reliability
2Ease of manufacture
If a coupling ring with certain undersize is used, then assembly is simplified, but the play increases due to dynamic processes and associated abrasion in the area of ring grooves and coupling ring
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling ring's dimensional parameters are designed to change during operation - it is compressed during assembly to fit through the expansion space, then expands to fully engage both ring grooves, eliminating play and preventing increased abrasion that would reduce service life
Solution Approach 2:
The expansion space is designed in advance to accommodate the coupling ring during assembly, allowing it to be compressed and inserted easily, after which it automatically expands to its final engaged position, preventing future play and wear issues
3Ease of operation
If the annular groove completely accommodates the coupling ring, then unimpeded insertion of the second coupling partner is guaranteed, but the coupling ring needs expansion space during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The annular groove is segmented into two distinct zones: an expansion space that accommodates the coupling ring during insertion, and an engagement zone that fully secures the coupling ring in its final position, allowing both smooth insertion and secure fixation without complex mechanisms
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 significantly reduces manufacturing and assembly costs, increases fatigue strength, and prevents axial migration of coupling partners, ensuring a durable and reliable connection with reduced wear and extended service life.
Implementation Method 1
In the event of elastic deformation in its radial clamping direction, this coupling ring can be completely accommodated by the annular groove of a coupling partner
Implementation Method 2
a press fit thus arises between the coupling partners in the assembly end position. The press fit creates a friction fit between the coupling partners. Forces acting axially can be absorbed via the frictional connection
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a piston unit of a working cylinder, in particular a hydraulic or pneumatic pressure current consumer, said unit having a first coupling partner and a second coupling partner. The first coupling partner is designed as a piston, the second coupling partner is designed as a piston rod and the second coupling partner is inserted axially into the first coupling partner. The piston unit is characterised in that each of the coupling partners has an annular groove, the annular groove of the inserted coupling partner being formed by an external groove, the annular groove of the other coupling partner being formed by an internal groove and the annular grooves of the coupling partners lying opposite one another so that they correspond. The unit is also characterised by a coupling ring which can be spring-loaded, which, when deformed in the tensioning direction, can be fully accommodated by the annular groove of one coupling partner and which, when deformed in the release direction, engages in the annular grooves of both coupling partners. The engagement of the coupling ring in the annular grooves of both coupling partners produces a form-locking connection between said partners. The piston unit is also characterised in that the inserted coupling partner is oversized in relation to the other coupling partner, thus providing an additional frictional connection.