Mounting Assembly for Gas Spring and Damper with Rotational Bearings
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle suspension systems with gas spring and damper assemblies face issues with relative rotation between components, leading to performance degradation due to twist in the flexible wall of the gas spring assembly, which is undesirable and limits broader adoption.
Innovation Solution
A mounting assembly that securely connects a gas spring and damper assembly to a vehicle structure, allowing bi-directional axial rigidity while accommodating relative rotation through a connector housing supported by bearing assemblies, ensuring axial loads are transferred effectively while allowing rotational movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional mounting assembly is used to connect the gas spring and damper assembly to the vehicle structure, then the assembly is simple and easy to manufacture, but relative rotation occurs between components causing twist in the flexible wall of the gas spring assembly and performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
A connector housing is introduced as an intermediary component between the gas spring assembly and the vehicle structure. The connector housing includes a bearing assembly that mediates the connection, allowing rotational movement to occur at the bearing interface rather than being transmitted to the gas spring flexible wall, thereby preventing twist while maintaining structural connection
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: a first end plate for vehicle structure attachment, a second end plate for gas spring attachment, and a connector housing with bearing assemblies linking them. This segmentation allows the rotational freedom to be isolated to the bearing interfaces while maintaining rigid axial connection for load transfer
2Adaptability or versatility
If the mounting assembly allows rotational movement to prevent twist, then the gas spring performance is maintained, but the axial rigidity and load transfer capability must be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the mounting assembly have different mechanical properties: the end plates and connector housing provide rigid axial load transfer paths, while the bearing assemblies provide localized rotational freedom. This local differentiation of stiffness characteristics allows simultaneous achievement of axial strength and rotational adaptability
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
This solution enhances the performance of gas spring and damper assemblies by preventing twist and maintaining performance under jounce and rebound conditions, thereby improving the overall stability and efficiency of vehicle suspension systems.
Implementation Method 1
a first bearing assembly operatively disposed between the connector housing and the first end plate and transferring forces acting therebetween, and a second bearing assembly operatively disposed between the connector housing and the second end plate and transferring forces acting therebetween
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Mounting assembly (400) dimensioned for securement between a vehicle structure (BDY;USC) and a gas spring and damper assembly (102;ASM) include a first end plate (404) securable to the vehicle structure (BDY;USC). A second end plate (406) is attached in substantially fixed relation to the first end plate (404) such that a mounting cavity (408) is disposed therebetween. A connector housing (410) is disposed within the mounting cavity (408) and operatively connectable to the gas spring and damper assembly (102;ASM). A first bearing assembly (414) is disposed between the connector housing (410) and the first end plate (404) and permits rotation of the connector housing (410) relative to the first end plate (404) while transferring forces acting longitudinally therebetween. A second bearing assembly (412) is disposed between the connector housing (410) and the second end plate (406) and permits rotation of the connector housing (410) relative to the second end plate (406) while transferring forces acting longitudinally therebetween. Gas spring and damper assemblies (102;ASM) are also included.