Hydraulic Vibration Damper Line Block for Pre-Filled Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vibration dampers connected to hydraulic systems face challenges when assembled separately, as they cannot be filled within the usual time interval, leading to high equipment costs and potential check valve closure during operation due to bidirectional fluid flow.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an actuable shut-off valve in the line block allows for complete assembly and filling of the vibration damper as a closed unit, which can be connected to the hydraulic system later, with the shut-off valve and adjustable damping valve arranged on different planes and connected to a common fluid channel for improved accessibility and installation space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the vibration damper is assembled separately from the hydraulic system, then the assembly flexibility is improved, but the filling time increases and equipment expenditure becomes too high
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration damper is pre-filled with damping medium during manufacturing before delivery to the assembly site. The shut-off valve is pre-installed and pre-positioned in the closed position, allowing the damper to be completely prepared in advance. This preliminary action eliminates the need for time-consuming on-site filling operations while maintaining assembly flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The shut-off valve acts as an intermediary element that enables the separation of the filling process from the assembly process. By introducing this intermediate component, the damper can be hermetically sealed and pre-filled at the factory, then transported and assembled at the vehicle without requiring immediate filling operations.
2Device complexity
If check valves are installed in the connection openings, then the hydraulic connection is simplified, but the check valves may inadvertently close during operation due to bidirectional fluid flow
Solution Approach 1:
The check valve function is extracted and integrated into the shut-off valve mechanism itself. Rather than using separate check valves in the connection openings, the shut-off valve incorporates the one-way flow control function, eliminating the need for additional check valve components and their associated reliability issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The shut-off valve is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a shut-off mechanism for controlling volumetric flow and as a one-way valve (check valve) that prevents inadvertent closing during bidirectional fluid flow. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components and simplifies the hydraulic connection while maintaining reliability.
3Volume of stationary object
If the shut-off valve and damping valve device are arranged on the same plane, then the internal space is optimized, but the accessibility for adjustment from the vehicle exterior is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The shut-off valve and damping valve device are arranged on different axial planes rather than on the same plane. This dimensional reorganization allows both valves to be accessible from the exterior of the vibration damper through the line block, while still optimizing the internal space distribution. The axial separation creates distinct access paths for each valve.
4Ease of operation
If the connection opening and shut-off valve have different angular orientations, then the accessibility is improved, but the machining complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection opening and shut-off valve are designed with asymmetric angular orientations relative to the longitudinal axis of the vibration damper. This asymmetric arrangement optimizes the accessibility of the shut-off valve from the exterior while maintaining efficient internal fluid flow paths. The line block is specifically designed with asymmetric internal geometry to accommodate these different orientations.
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
Enables efficient assembly and connection of the vibration damper to the hydraulic system with reduced production complexity and enhanced accessibility, ensuring reliable operation and easy filling without inadvertently closing check valves.
Implementation Method 1
the line block has at least one shut-off valve (97; 99), which can be actuated in any way, for a volumetric flow through the connection openings (85; 87)
Implementation Method 2
both adjustable damping valve devices (25; 29) are connected, in the outflow direction, to a common compensation chamber (47)
Data Source
AI summary
A vibration damper (1), having a cylinder (3) in which a piston (7) on a piston rod (5) separates a working chamber on the piston rod side (13) from a working chamber remote from the piston rod (15), wherein both working chambers (13, 15) are connected, via fluid lines (23, 27) within a line block (19) connected to the cylinder (3), to at least one adjustable damping valve device (25, 29) and to a hydraulic system (81) connectable to at least one connection opening (85, 87) of the line block (19), wherein the line block (19) has at least one randomly actuatable check valve (97, 99) for a volume flow rate through the connection opening (85, 87).