Gas Spring Piston Retention Ridge for Tension Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas spring assemblies are poorly suited for tensioned conditions due to inadequate retention of the flexible wall on the piston, leading to undesirable separation and potential sealing issues, particularly in applications where the assembly is stretched.
Innovation Solution
A gas spring piston design featuring a retainment ridge and engagement feature on the second side wall that compressively engages the flexible wall, enhancing retention and sealing, while maintaining a simplified and cost-effective assembly process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a snap-on construction is used to attach the flexible wall to the piston, then manufacturing cost is reduced and assembly is simplified, but retention of the flexible wall under tension conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The piston surface is segmented into multiple functional zones: a retainment ridge that prevents axial detachment, and circumferential engagement features (grooves or ribs) that provide radial retention. This segmentation allows each zone to address specific retention requirements independently, maintaining reliability under tension while preserving the simple snap-on assembly process.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the piston surface are given different geometric properties tailored to specific retention needs. The retainment ridge provides axial positioning, while circumferential grooves or ribs provide radial engagement. This local differentiation of surface quality enables effective tension retention without requiring complex overall piston design, thus maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
2Device complexity
If a simple snap-on construction is used, then the number of components is reduced, but sealing between the flexible wall and piston deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The retainment ridge and engagement features are integrated directly into the piston body as monolithic features rather than separate components. This merging approach maintains device simplicity by avoiding additional parts while providing multiple retention functions (axial and radial) that collectively ensure effective sealing between the flexible wall and piston.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible wall itself is utilized as the sealing element, leveraging its inherent flexibility and compliance. By designing the piston engagement features to work in conjunction with the flexible wall's material properties, effective sealing is achieved without requiring rigid sealing components, thus maintaining low device complexity.
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 improved engagement between the flexible wall and piston provides enhanced retention and sealing during tensioned conditions, addressing the limitations of conventional designs while maintaining low manufacturing costs and ease of assembly.
Implementation Method 1
The outer surface can include an engagement feature dimensioned to compressively engage the associated flexible wall
Data Source
AI summary
A gas spring piston includes a piston body with an end wall and a side wall that projects longitudinally from the end wall. The side wall includes an outer surface and a retainment ridge spaced longitudinally from the end wall such that the outer surface is disposed between the retainment ridge and the end wall. The retainment ridge projects radially-outwardly beyond the outer surface such that a shoulder surface is formed adjacent the outer surface. The outer surface includes an engagement feature that is dimensioned to compressively engage an associated flexible wall. The engagement feature is positioned along the outer surface in spaced relation to the end wall and the shoulder surface of the retainment ridge. A gas spring assembly and a method of assembling a gas spring that include such a gas spring piston are also disclosed.