Gas Spring End Member Valve Layout for Variable Spring Rate
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas spring constructions that aim to reduce spring rate by adding additional gas volumes face challenges in controlling the movement of air between volumes, affecting the performance and comfort of vehicle suspension systems.
Innovation Solution
A gas spring and damper assembly design that includes a flexible spring member with end member assemblies allowing selective fluid communication between the primary spring chamber and an additional volume, utilizing a control device to manage pressurized gas transfer, thereby optimizing spring rate and ride comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If additional gas volumes are added to reduce spring rate, then ride comfort is improved, but control of air movement between volumes becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A control valve is introduced as an intermediary device to manage air flow between the primary and secondary gas volumes. The valve selectively opens or closes passages to control communication between volumes, providing precise control over spring rate adjustment without requiring complex mechanical linkages or manual interventions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes pneumatic principles by employing a control valve that regulates gas flow through controlled passages. The valve mechanism uses pneumatic pressure differentials and sealed passages to control the communication between primary and secondary gas volumes, enabling smooth transition between different spring rates without mechanical complexity.
2Ease of operation
If lower spring rate elements are used, then ride comfort is improved, but ability to accommodate forces and loads is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic spring rate system where the spring characteristic can change based on operating conditions. By using a control valve to selectively communicate between primary and secondary gas volumes, the system adapts its spring rate in real-time, providing soft compliance during normal operation and increased stiffness when additional support is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameter of spring rate by varying the effective gas volume in communication with the primary chamber. The control valve regulates the amount of gas that can move between volumes, thereby dynamically adjusting the spring rate parameter to match different force accommodation requirements without changing the physical spring structure.
3Force
If higher spring rate elements are used, then force accommodation is improved, but ride comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between different spring rate characteristics by controlling the communication state between primary and secondary gas volumes. During normal operation, the valve maintains soft spring characteristics for comfort, and can transition to stiffer characteristics when force accommodation is prioritized, such as during dynamic vehicle operation or load-bearing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The control valve can periodically or conditionally open passages between gas volumes to provide bursts of additional force support when needed, while maintaining comfortable soft spring characteristics during sustained periods. This periodic activation of the secondary volume provides force accommodation only when required, preserving ride comfort during normal operation.
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 design enhances ride comfort by allowing for adjustable spring rate and efficient dissipation of kinetic energy, improving the overall performance of vehicle suspension systems.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible spring member extending peripherally about the longitudinal axis and longitudinally between opposing first and second ends such that a spring chamber is at least partially defined therebetween
Implementation Method 2
A control device can be disposed within the end member chamber and can be selectively operable between a first condition in which the first and second passages are open and a second condition in which at least one of the first and second passages is closed
Implementation Method 3
The damper rod assembly can be operatively interengaged with the damper housing for reciprocal displacement relative thereto with the damper piston disposed within the damping chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A gas spring and damper assembly includes a damper assembly and a gas spring assembly. The gas spring assembly is axially coextensive with the damper assembly and includes a flexible spring member, a first end member assembly and a second end member assembly. The first end member assembly includes a first wall portion that extends about a longitudinal axis and defines an end member chamber. A second wall portion projects outwardly beyond an outer peripheral surface portion of the first wall portion. The second wall portion at least partially defines an intermediate chamber in fluid communication with the end member chamber and is dimensioned to receive an associated control device. A third wall portion at least partially defines an end member passage through which the end member chamber can be selectively placed in fluid communication with the spring chamber by way of the intermediate chamber and the associated control device.