Gas Spring End Member Assembly for Twist Isolation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas spring and damper assemblies in vehicle suspension systems face issues with relative rotation-induced twisting, leading to performance degradation, and known solutions often increase manufacturing complexity and costs.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an end member assembly with a torsional isolator supported on the damper housing, featuring a compliant body between rigid bodies to isolate rotational displacement and reduce lateral movement, using a combination of elastomeric and rigid components for a fixed rotational position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lower end member is rotatably supported on the damper housing using a friction-reducing bearing, then relative rotation-induced twisting is reduced, but lateral movement of the end member relative to the damper housing occurs
Solution Approach 1:
A seal member is introduced as an intermediary component between the end member and damper housing. This seal member simultaneously reduces friction to prevent twisting while maintaining positional stability to prevent lateral movement, resolving the contradiction between rotational freedom and lateral constraint
Solution Approach 2:
The seal member is constructed from composite materials or a composite structure combining friction-reducing properties with lateral constraint capabilities, enabling it to perform both functions of preventing twisting and controlling lateral movement
2Stability of the object's composition
If attempts are made to minimize lateral movements of the end member, then lateral stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The seal member is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: sealing, friction reduction, and lateral movement control. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components for each function, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and assembly time while maintaining lateral stability
3Reliability
If relative rotation is permitted between the end member and damper housing, then twisting of the flexible wall is reduced, but lateral movement control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The seal member acts as a mediator that enables rotational movement to prevent twisting while simultaneously constraining lateral movement through its geometric design and interaction with the damper housing, making the system easy to operate without compromising control
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
This solution effectively reduces relative rotation-induced stress on the flexible spring member, enhancing the durability and performance of gas spring and damper assemblies while simplifying manufacturing and reducing assembly time and costs.
Implementation Method 1
a torsional isolator supported on the damper housing and including a compliant body disposed between the rigid bodies and operative to isolate rotational displacement
Implementation Method 2
the configuration of the bearing element that supports the lower end member on the damper housing and the corresponding sealing arrangement can, in some cases, permit lateral movement of the second end member relative to the damper housing
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
End members (604) are supportable along a damper housing (200) and dimensioned for securement to flexible spring member (300). End members (604) include a wall (616) with a side wall portion (628) including an inner side surface portion (662). First projections (664) extend toward a first inner edge (668) with a first shoulder surface portion (666) faces a second end (612). Second projections (670) extend inward beyond the inner side surface portion (662) toward a second inner edge (674) with a second shoulder surface portion (672) facing a first end (610). Second projections (670) are spaced axially from first projections (664) such that a groove (676) is formed inward of the inner side surface portion (662) between first and second shoulder surface portions (666,668). End member assemblies (600) including such an end member (604) as well as gas spring and damper assemblies (AS1) and suspension systems (100) are also included.