Gas Spring Damper Assembly Nested Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas spring and gas damper assemblies face challenges in achieving targeted spring rates, damping performance, and travel capabilities, as well as manufacturing costs and design robustness, due to limitations in the incorporation of gas dampers within gas spring devices, which affect the overall height and operational efficiency of suspension systems.
Innovation Solution
A gas spring and gas damper assembly design featuring a rolling lobe-type construction with flexible wall sections and end members, where pressurized gas is transferred between spring chambers through passages, allowing for extension and compression actions, and a method of assembly involving a rod assembly, sealing elements, and pivot mounts to achieve a fluid-tight seal and fixed rotational positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If gas spring devices are designed to provide significant travel capability, then the difference between minimum and maximum heights becomes substantial, but this creates difficulties in incorporating gas dampers and housing components within the device
Solution Approach 1:
The gas damper assembly is nested within the gas spring device, with the damper rod and damping components housed inside the spring chamber. The piston element of the gas damper is positioned within the gas spring assembly, allowing the damping function to be integrated without significantly increasing the overall external dimensions of the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the radial dimension by positioning the piston element offset from the central axis of the gas spring. This allows the damper components to be arranged in a configuration that optimizes space utilization within the spring chamber, accommodating the travel requirements while maintaining compact housing.
2Reliability
If conventional shock absorbers are used for damping, then liquid-filled dampers are required, but this limits the ability to achieve targeted spring rates and damping performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a gas-filled spring chamber instead of liquid-filled conventional shock absorbers. The compressed gas provides both the spring function and the damping function through controlled gas flow between chambers, enabling adjustable spring rates and damping characteristics through gas pressure and flow path configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas spring assembly performs multiple functions: it provides the spring function through gas compression and expansion, and simultaneously provides damping function through controlled gas flow between chambers. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate liquid-filled shock absorbers and allows for integrated adjustment of both spring rate and damping performance.
3Length of stationary object
If components are housed within the gas spring device, then the minimum height limits the overall length of components, but the extended condition requires components to remain operatively connected between opposing end members
Solution Approach 1:
The piston element is designed to move dynamically between the opposing end members of the gas spring device during extension and compression. The rod assembly connects the piston to the first end member, maintaining operational connection throughout the full range of motion from minimum to maximum height, while the compact housing accommodates this dynamic movement.
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 design enhances the ability to achieve desired spring rates and damping performance while maintaining operational efficiency and reducing manufacturing costs, allowing for effective energy dissipation and improved vehicle ride quality.
Implementation Method 1
A first flexible wall section extending circumferentially about the axis and is operatively connected between the first and second ends members such that a first rolling lobe is formed along the second end member and at least partially defines a first spring chamber
Implementation Method 2
pressurized gas is transferred through at least the second passage of the fourth end member from the second spring chamber into said first spring chamber
Implementation Method 3
During an extension action, pressurized gas is transferred through at least the second passage of the fourth end member from the second spring chamber into said first spring chamber. During a compression action, pressurized gas is transferred through at least the second passage of the fourth end member from the first spring chamber into the second spring chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A gas spring and gas damper assembly (1000) includes a gas spring assembly (1002) and a gas damper assembly (1004). The gas spring assembly (1002) includes a first wall portion (1006), a second wall portion (1008) disposed in spaced relation to the first wall portion (1006), and a flexible wall section (1010) connected therebetween. The gas damper assembly (1004) includes a third wall portion (1094) disposed in longitudinally-spaced relation to the first wall portion (1006), and a second flexible wall section (1104) connected between the second wall portion (1008) and the third wall portion (1094). A fourth wall portion (1070) is disposed between the first (1006) and second (1008) wall sections to define two pressurized gas chambers (1012, 1004). A damper rod (1130) connects at least the first (1006) and third (1094) wall portions. Methods are also included.