Gas Spring Seal-Release Bushing for Overstroke Failure Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas springs face safety concerns due to undetectable defects, pressure increases, and fatigue failures, leading to potential accidents, as existing safety mechanisms are inadequate for preventing sudden breakages and do not allow easy inspection for cracks without disassembly, which can result in dangerous situations.
Innovation Solution
A gas spring with a safety system featuring a guide and slider with a bushing that decouples when the slider exceeds the maximum stroke, ensuring the chamber loses tightness and gas escapes, preventing further use of a potentially damaged spring, and includes a safety element to prevent disengagement at the minimum expansion stroke.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the gas spring is designed to prevent detachment between sliding elements, then safety is improved, but the ability to detect cracks and defects is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a safety element as an intermediary component between the sliding elements. This safety element can detect cracks and defects by observing its own position or state changes, while still allowing the main sliding elements to remain connected and functional. The safety element acts as a mediator that provides detection capability without compromising the structural integrity or preventing detachment of the primary components.
2Reliability
If the bushing remains coupled to the slider during compression, then sealing is maintained, but negative pressure causes oil suction and efficiency loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the coupling between the bushing and slider dynamic rather than static. The bushing is designed to be removably coupled to the slider, allowing it to remain attached during normal operation for sealing purposes, but to detach automatically when the slider reaches maximum compression stroke. This dynamic coupling adapts to different operational phases: maintaining sealing during compression while preventing oil suction at maximum compression, and maintaining connection during expansion while allowing detachment at maximum extension.
3Force
If the spring operates at high pressure to support increased loads, then load capacity is improved, but the risk of sudden breakage and accidents increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary safety actions by incorporating a safety element that continuously monitors the condition of the gas spring before catastrophic failure can occur. The safety element is positioned and designed to detect cracks, defects, or abnormal conditions in advance, allowing for preventive maintenance or replacement before the high-pressure operation causes sudden breakage. This preliminary detection mechanism addresses the heightened breakage risk associated with high-pressure operation.
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 safety system effectively prevents accidents by ensuring the gas spring loses pressure and tightness when damaged, allowing for immediate identification and replacement, thereby enhancing safety and reducing the risk of unexpected failures.
Implementation Method 1
when the slider slides with respect to the guide beyond the maximum stroke, the bushing decouples from the slider, so as to eliminate the tightness of the chamber
Data Source
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AI summary
Described is a gas spring (200), comprising a guide (2), having an outer surface (212), a slider (1 ), defining with said guide (2) at least one chamber (11 ) containing pressurised gas, said slider (1 ) being slidably connected to said guide (2) in such a way as to have a maximum stroke, of expansion, wherein said guide (2) is partially extracted from said slider (1 ), and a maximum stroke, of compression, characterised in that it comprises a bushing (3), positioned between said slider (1 ) and said guide (2), comprising sealing means for the tightness of the chamber (11 ), and removably coupled and so as to move integrally with said slider (1 ) up to said maximum stroke, in such a way that, when said slider (1 ) slides with respect to said guide (2) beyond said maximum stroke, said bushing (3) decouples from said slider (1 ) so as to eliminate the seal of the chamber (11 ).