Vehicle Suspension Fluid Spring Anti-Chafing Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Generic vehicle vibration devices require frequent maintenance and have stability issues, leading to premature wear of components.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a deformable fluid spring part with a flexible pressure chamber element and a deformation device, along with an additional anti-chafing element made of cellular polyurethane, such as Cellasto®, to reduce direct contact and prevent mechanical wear, allowing for longer maintenance intervals and increased durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the flexible pressure chamber element is used directly with deformation elements, then the device structure is simple, but the flexible pressure chamber element wears out quickly due to direct contact and friction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidcomponent durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an anti-chafing element as an intermediary component between the flexible pressure chamber element and the deformation elements. This anti-chafing element absorbs the direct contact and friction, preventing wear of the flexible pressure chamber element while maintaining the overall structural simplicity of the device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of time

If maintenance intervals are extended, then operational continuity is improved, but component wear increases over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance intervalVSAvoidcomponent wear
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The anti-chafing element serves as a pre-installed protective cushion that anticipates and prevents wear of the flexible pressure chamber element. By providing this protective layer in advance, the device can operate for extended periods without maintenance while the anti-chafing element absorbs the wear instead of the critical flexible pressure chamber element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If the flexible pressure chamber element is made more robust to prevent wear, then durability is improved, but the damping properties and flexibility are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent durabilityVSAvoiddamping capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the protective function into a separate anti-chafing element, allowing the flexible pressure chamber element to remain thin-walled and flexible for optimal damping performance. The anti-chafing element handles the wear protection function, while the flexible pressure chamber element focuses on providing spring characteristics and vibration damping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 extends maintenance intervals and enhances the durability and damping properties of the vehicle vibration device, while maintaining effective spring characteristics and preventing vibration and rocking.

Implementation Method 1

the spring device comprises a deformable fluid spring part with a flexible pressure chamber element... wherein the deformable fluid element is at least partially deformed by the deformation elements when the upper part is deflected relative to the lower part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the spring device can not only have a resilient but also a damping effect between the seat surface and the body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Implementation Method 3

an additional anti-chafing element is arranged between the flexible pressure chamber element and the deformation elements... the flexible pressure chamber element no longer comes into direct contact with the deformation elements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2803527B1Vehicle vibration device, vehicle seat and vehicle cab
Publication Date: 2016.10.05 GRAMMER AG
  • EP2803527B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2803527B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a vehicle vibration device (12) of a vehicle seat (1) or a vehicle cabin with a lower part (13) and with an upper part (14) that is deflectable relative to this lower part (13), in which the upper part (14) and the lower part (13) are resiliently connected to each other by means of at least one suspension device (16) and in which the suspension device (16) comprises a deformable fluid spring part (20) with a flexible pressure chamber element (22) and a deformation device (21) with deformation elements (24, 25), wherein the deformable fluid element (20) is at least partially deformed by the deformation elements (24, 25) when the upper part (14) is deflected relative to the lower part (13) and wherein, according to the invention, an additional abrasion protection element (40) is arranged between the flexible pressure chamber element (22) and the deformation elements (24, 25).