Elastomeric Bellows With Sliding Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hollow bellows made of elastomeric material for lifting devices experience increased frictional wear and thermal stress under heavy loads and transverse forces, leading to material degradation and potential damage, especially when adjacent folds or bulges come into contact.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating ring-shaped sliding elements, such as sliding disks made of low-friction materials like PTFE or PE-UHMW, between adjacent bellows parts and connecting parts to reduce friction and prevent heat generation, allowing the sliding elements to adapt to the bellows and connecting parts, and optionally using asymmetrical designs to cover bellows areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If adjacent bellows parts are designed to be in direct contact under load, then the structure remains simple, but frictional wear and thermal stress increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces sliding elements as intermediary components between adjacent bellows parts. These sliding elements are made of low-friction materials such as PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) or PE-UHMW (ultra-high-density polyethylene), which significantly reduce the coefficient of friction compared to direct rubber-to-rubber contact. The sliding elements act as mediators that prevent direct contact between bellows parts, thereby eliminating the harmful frictional wear and thermal stress while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Reliability
If sliding elements made of low-friction materials are introduced between bellows parts, then frictional wear is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding elements are designed as thin, flexible rings or disks that can conform to the bellows structure. These thin-film-like components are integrated into the bellows assembly without requiring complex mounting mechanisms. The sliding elements are positioned in the natural gaps between adjacent bellows parts, allowing them to function as wear-reducing intermediaries while adding minimal structural complexity.
3Reliability
If sliding elements are added between bellows parts and connecting parts, then thermal stress is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding elements are designed as separate, modular components that can be independently manufactured and then assembled into the bellows structure. This segmentation allows for specialized manufacturing processes optimized for low-friction materials, while the modular design simplifies assembly. The sliding elements are positioned at specific locations between bellows parts and connecting parts, creating discrete intervention points that are easy to incorporate into the manufacturing process.
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
Significantly reduces frictional wear and thermal stress, extending the lifespan of the bellows material by minimizing contact between adjacent parts and preventing material degradation, while maintaining ease of production and installation without additional space or part requirements.
Implementation Method 1
Due to a greatly reduced coefficient of sliding friction, such sliding washers as sliding elements avoid heating and corresponding wear of the bellows material
Data Source
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AI summary
Flexible hollow bellows made of elastomeric material, which can be filled under pressure with a flowable medium, in particular a hydraulically or pneumatically operated actuator in the form of a lifting device or a height adjustment for loads or components, wherein annular sliding elements, in particular sliding elements designed as sliding discs, are arranged between adjacent bellows parts and/or between bellows parts and connecting parts.