Gas Spring Assembly with Chemically-Bonded Restraining Cylinder
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Gas spring assemblies face challenges in balancing performance with size and space limitations, particularly in motorized vehicle applications where packaging constraints reduce available area, and they expand radially, making it difficult to achieve desired performance characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A gas spring assembly with a restraining cylinder secured to a flexible spring member via a permanent, chemically-bonded joint, which includes an external sleeve extending along the flexible spring member and a chemically-bonded connection using materials like metal for a stable and compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If gas spring assemblies expand radially to achieve desired performance characteristics, then performance is improved, but available space is reduced due to packaging constraints in motorized vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The restraining cylinder is positioned within or alongside the flexible spring member in a nested arrangement, allowing the gas spring to maintain compact dimensions while achieving the required performance characteristics through the coordinated action of nested components
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional restraining structures are used to constrain the flexible spring member, then structural stability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The restraining cylinder and flexible spring member are combined into an integrated assembly where the cylinder constrains the spring member through direct physical contact and chemical bonding, eliminating the need for separate restraining mechanisms and reducing overall structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The restraining cylinder and flexible spring member are chemically bonded together to form a composite structure that combines the rigidity of the cylinder with the flexibility of the spring member, achieving structural stability through material composition rather than complex mechanical constraints
3Ease of manufacture
If the restraining cylinder and flexible spring member are not chemically bonded, then manufacturing ease is improved, but joint stability and overall reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical connection between the restraining cylinder and flexible spring member is replaced with a chemical bond, eliminating the need for complex mechanical fastening systems while achieving superior joint stability and reliability through chemical adhesion
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 solution allows for compact and efficient gas spring assemblies that maintain performance while accommodating space constraints, providing a stable and reliable suspension system by utilizing a chemically-bonded joint for a secure and space-efficient design.
Implementation Method 1
a permanent, chemically-bonded joint
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Gas spring assemblies include a flexible spring member and a restraining cylinder. The flexible spring member includes a flexible wall extending longitudinally between first and second ends as well as peripherally about a longitudinal axis. The flexible wall includes an inside surface and an outside surface with the inside surface at least partially defining a spring chamber. The restraining cylinder includes a cylinder wall that extends longitudinally between first and second open ends as well as peripherally about the longitudinal axis. The cylinder wall includes an inside surface and an outside surface. The restraining cylinder is disposed longitudinally along the flexible spring member between the first and second ends thereof with at least a portion of the inside surface of the restraining cylinder permanently attached to the flexible wall along the outside surface thereof by way of a chemically-bonded joint. Methods of assembly are also included.