Elastomeric Shock Absorber Without Dynamic Seals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shock absorbers in high-cycle applications, such as blow molding machines, face premature failure of dynamic seals, leading to increased maintenance costs and downtime due to the need for frequent replacements, which complicates manufacturing schedules and reduces efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A shock absorbing apparatus featuring a flexible housing with elastomeric sections and pin members that create a variable orifice diameter, eliminating the need for sliding hydraulic seals and incorporating springs for additional biasing force, allowing for reliable and efficient absorption of impact loads without requiring reciprocating piston assemblies or dynamic seals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional shock absorbers with dynamic seals are used, then shock absorption function is achieved, but reliability deteriorates due to premature seal failure in high-cycle applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the dynamic seal component entirely from the shock absorber system. Instead of using a piston assembly with seals, the invention employs a simple orifice plate with fixed orifices that allows fluid passage without requiring any sealing mechanisms. This extraction of the problematic seal component directly resolves the reliability issue while simplifying the overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The shock absorber is segmented into distinct functional components: a housing, an orifice plate with multiple fixed orifices, and hydraulic fluid chambers. The orifice plate is separated from any moving piston assembly, allowing fluid flow control without mechanical seals. This segmentation eliminates the need for dynamic sealing between moving parts.
2Ease of manufacture
If dynamic seals are used in high-cycle applications, then fluid containment is achieved, but maintenance frequency increases due to seal failure
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the dynamic seal component entirely, the system eliminates the primary source of maintenance requirements. The sealless design using a fixed orifice plate means there are no wear-prone sealing surfaces that require periodic replacement, thereby eliminating maintenance downtime and simplifying the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixed orifice plate serves as a simple, replaceable component that can be manufactured economically without requiring precision sealing surfaces. If the orifice plate becomes damaged or clogged, it can be replaced as a simple, low-cost component rather than replacing an entire sealed piston assembly, reducing both manufacturing complexity and maintenance time.
3Reliability
If piston assemblies with seals are used, then shock absorption is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential shock absorption function from the complex piston-seal assembly and implements it through a simple orifice plate with fixed orifices. The orifice plate creates flow resistance that dissipates energy without requiring any moving parts or sealing mechanisms, dramatically reducing structural complexity while maintaining operational reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The shock absorber is divided into simple, static components: housing, orifice plate, and fluid chambers. The orifice plate with its fixed orifices provides the necessary flow control without requiring integration with a moving piston assembly. This segmentation into simple, non-interacting components eliminates the structural complexity of sealed moving assemblies.
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 provides a simpler, more reliable, and cost-effective shock absorption mechanism with a longer service life, reducing maintenance needs and improving throughput by eliminating the need for dynamic seals and associated failures, while being easier to assemble and manufacture.
Implementation Method 1
at least one elastomeric section bonded to at least one support plate
Implementation Method 2
absorb energy, such as from a transmitted load
Implementation Method 3
flow through at least one orifice that results in conversion of the applied kinetic energy to heat
Implementation Method 4
incorporating springs for additional biasing force
Data Source
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AI summary
A shock absorbing apparatus (200) includes a flexible membrane (204) defining an accumulator cavity, and a compression assembly defining a compression cavity. The compression assembly is disposed within the flexible membrane (204) such that viscous fluid contained within the cavities may be exchanged therebetween by a damping orifice (238), fluid conduit and or valve mechanism. The accumulator cavity deforms in response to the application of a transmitted impact load, and is capable of storing and releasing potential energy in response to the application and cessation of the transmitted impact load.