Gas Spring Spacer Assembly Lateral Load Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas spring assemblies are inadequately designed to handle lateral loads, as they are primarily suited for axial loads, leading to issues with securement and structural integrity, especially in applications where end members are subjected to angle changes, resulting in insufficient robustness and increased component costs.
Innovation Solution
A cooperative mounting arrangement between the gas spring assembly and structural components, utilizing a projection and recess system that allows for secure interengagement without the need for fasteners extending through the structural component, effectively transferring laterally acting forces while maintaining the assembly's integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional threaded fasteners or snap-together connections are used to secure the gas spring assembly, then axial load support is sufficient, but lateral load resistance is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting arrangement is segmented into distinct functional elements: a mounting plate with mounting holes for axial attachment, and lateral load resisting features (protrusions or recesses) that engage with corresponding features on the structural member. This segmentation allows each element to specialize in resisting specific load directions, with the mounting plate handling axial loads and the lateral features handling shear loads, thereby improving lateral load resistance without requiring a completely complex new design.
Solution Approach 2:
The lateral load resisting features are nested within or integrated with the mounting plate structure. The protrusions or recesses are formed as part of the mounting plate assembly, allowing the lateral load resistance function to be embedded within the existing axial mounting structure. This nesting approach adds lateral load capability while minimizing overall complexity increase.
2Strength
If additional components such as extra fasteners or mounting brackets are added to withstand lateral loads, then lateral load resistance improves, but inventory costs and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into a single mounting plate component. The mounting plate simultaneously provides axial attachment (through mounting holes), lateral load resistance (through integrated protrusions or recesses), and positioning functions. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate lateral load resisting components, reducing inventory complexity and production costs while maintaining lateral strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting plate is designed as a universal component that performs multiple functions: it attaches the gas spring assembly axially to the structural member, resists lateral loads through its integrated features, and provides positioning alignment. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed, thereby lowering inventory and production costs while achieving the required lateral load resistance.
3Reliability
If fasteners extending through the structural component are used, then securement is achieved, but space constraints are violated and structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral load resisting features are extracted from the interior of the structural member and placed on the exterior surface. Instead of requiring fasteners or anchors that penetrate through the structural member (which would consume internal space and risk compromising structural integrity), the lateral engagement features are positioned on the outer surface, eliminating the need for through-component fasteners and preserving both space and structural integrity.
4Reliability
If the gas spring assembly is designed to handle both axial and lateral loads, then robustness improves, but component complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting arrangement is designed to dynamically respond to different load conditions. Under axial loads, the mounting plate functions as a simple attachment element. Under lateral loads, the protrusions or recesses engage to provide shear resistance. This dynamic adaptation to different loading scenarios allows the assembly to be robust under both axial and lateral loads without requiring a permanently complex design, as the lateral load features only become active when needed.
Data Source
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AI summary
A spacer (200), which is adapted to support an associated end member (208) of an associated gas spring assembly in spaced relation to an associated structural component (ASC) having an associated projection (204), comprises a first side (226) adapted to abuttingly interengage the associated end member (208) such that lateral loads acting on the associated end member (208) can be transferred to the spacer (200), an opposing second side (228) adapted to abuttingly engage the associated structural component (ASC), and a recess (206) accessible from along the second side (228) and adapted to cooperatively receive the associated projection (204) for transferring laterally-acting loads from the associated end member (208) to the associated structural component (ASC).