Gas Spring Overtravel Indication Through Deformable Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas-operated springs with overtravel safety devices do not provide clear indication of overtravel occurrence, leading to undetected gas leakage and reduced operational efficiency, which can result in product defects and safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a plastically deformable ring and an annular safety body with a low relief region that breaks the seal upon overtravel, causing a visible deformation or breakage of the ring to indicate overtravel, allowing for immediate user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an overtravel safety device is incorporated into the gas-operated spring, then the safety against uncontrolled gas outflow is improved, but the visibility of overtravel occurrence deteriorates (the spring may appear to be in perfectly good condition even after overtravel)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a visibility enhancement mechanism that provides clear visual indication of overtravel occurrence. The device includes an indicator mechanism that changes its state (such as visual display) to clearly show when overtravel has occurred, resolving the contradiction by maintaining safety functionality while improving the visibility of the overtravel event.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary indicator mechanism that mediates between the overtravel safety device and the user. This indicator serves as a communication bridge, clearly signaling when the safety device has been activated, thus solving the information visibility problem while preserving the safety function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the piston rod is allowed to travel beyond the permitted stroke, then the operational flexibility is improved, but the risk of damage and uncontrolled gas outflow increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a preliminary anti-action mechanism through the overtravel safety device that prevents harmful effects before they occur. The device is designed to detect and respond to overtravel conditions, activating safety features that prevent uncontrolled gas outflow and damage, thus allowing operational flexibility while mitigating risks in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by incorporating a safety device that prepares protective measures before overtravel damage can occur. The mechanism includes pre-positioned components and predetermined safety responses that cushion against the harmful effects of excessive piston rod travel, preventing damage while maintaining operational adaptability.
3Reliability
If conventional overtravel safety devices are used, then the protection against overtravel damage is improved, but the operational efficiency deteriorates (undetected gas leakage leads to product defects and requires shutdown for replacement)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism through the visibility enhancement feature that provides real-time information about overtravel occurrence. This feedback allows operators to immediately detect when the safety device has been activated, enabling prompt intervention and restoration of full operational efficiency, thus resolving the contradiction between protection and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies self-service principles by enabling operators to quickly identify and respond to overtravel events through clear visual indication. This allows for rapid self-diagnosis and self-repair actions, minimizing downtime and maintaining high productivity while preserving the protective function of the overtravel safety device.
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
Enables clear visual indication of overtravel, facilitating rapid restoration of machine efficiency and preventing unexpected gas outflows, ensuring the gas-operated spring's functionality remains comparable to conventional designs.
Implementation Method 1
a plastically deformable ring (35) which is fixed between the annular safety body (18) and the inner rim (27) of the mouth (28) of the tubular jacket (11) into which the annular safety body (18) is inserted
Implementation Method 2
at least one region in low relief (25), designed to break the seal of the sealing ring (24) when the sealing ring (24) is arranged thereat; the low relief region (25) being provided in such a position as to define the limit of the retracting stroke
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
A gas-operated spring (10) with overtravel safety device, comprising: - a tubular containment jacket (11), - an end face (12), - an opposite annular portion (13) for closing the tubular jacket and for the passage of a piston rod (14), - a piston rod (14) arranged so as to pass through the annular portion (13), a chamber for pressurized gas (15) being defined between the tubular jacket, the end face, the annular portion and the piston rod, the gas-operated spring (10) comprising means (17) for clearly indicating that overtravel for the piston rod (14) has occurred.