Hydraulic Device Non-Metallic Materials Design Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic devices for human-powered vehicles lack flexibility in design and strength due to limitations in materials and structural configurations, particularly in the use of non-metallic materials for base members and hydraulic cylinders.
Innovation Solution
The hydraulic device incorporates a piston and a hydraulic cylinder made of different non-metallic materials, with varying resin and fiber compositions, and a direct attachment method without adhesives, enhancing design flexibility and strength by using a coupling layer and optimizing the dimensions of the cylinder bore and radial thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the base member and hydraulic cylinder are made of the same non-metallic material, then manufacturing is simpler, but design flexibility and strength are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using different non-metallic materials for different components - the base member uses a first non-metallic material while the hydraulic cylinder uses a second non-metallic material. This allows each component to be optimized for its specific functional requirements, improving overall design flexibility without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining different non-metallic materials (first and second non-metallic materials with different resin and fiber compositions) in the same hydraulic device. This enables tailored material properties for specific application needs while maintaining the non-metallic advantage throughout the device.
2Strength
If adhesive members are used to attach the hydraulic cylinder to the base member, then connection strength is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the hydraulic cylinder and base member into an integrated structure where the cylinder is directly formed on the base member without separate adhesive connections. This reduces structural complexity while maintaining connection strength through the unified non-metallic material construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the adhesive member from the assembly process, eliminating the need for separate adhesive layers and associated manufacturing steps. The direct formation of the cylinder on the base member removes this intermediate element, simplifying the overall structure.
3Strength
If the radial thickness of the main portion is increased, then strength is improved, but volume and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the radial thickness parameter of the main portion to achieve the minimum required strength while minimizing volume. By carefully selecting and controlling this dimensional parameter, the design balances strength requirements with volume reduction, avoiding excessive material usage.
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulic device is provided for a human powered vehicle. The hydraulic device includes a piston, a base member, and a hydraulic cylinder. The base member is made of a first non-metallic material. The hydraulic cylinder is provided to the base member and defines a cylinder bore. The hydraulic cylinder includes a main portion in which the piston is movably arranged. The main portion is made of a second non-metallic material that is different from the first non-metallic material.