Hydropneumatic Impact Energy Conversion Device for Vehicle Bumpers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions fail to adequately mitigate the impact of high-speed collisions and sudden braking, and they do not effectively utilize impact energy to improve fuel efficiency or reduce emissions.
Innovation Solution
A device with cylinders and confusors that absorb and transfer impact energy from a hydraulic cylinder to a hydropneumatic cylinder, utilizing a non-return valve and a separator piston rod to accumulate and disperse energy, which can assist in engine crankshaft drive and compressor compression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional hydraulic bumpers are used, then some impact energy is absorbed, but the impact mitigation is insufficient at high speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a hydropneumatic system where a hydraulic cylinder receives impact energy from the bumper and transfers it to a hydropneumatic cylinder containing both liquid and gas. The gas chamber compresses to absorb impact energy, providing effective mitigation even at high vehicle speeds where conventional hydraulic systems fail.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state parameters of the working medium by using a two-phase hydropneumatic system. The gas phase compresses and expands to dynamically adjust the energy absorption capacity, allowing the bumper to effectively handle varying impact intensities from low-speed to high-speed collisions.
2Loss of energy
If impact energy is not recovered, then the bumper functions simply as a dampener, but energy that could assist engine operation is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes a feedback loop where impact energy absorbed during braking or collision is stored in the compressed gas chamber, then fed back to assist engine operation during acceleration. This closes the energy cycle by converting waste energy into useful work, reducing overall fuel consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of dissipating impact energy as heat through conventional dampers, the system recovers this energy by compressing gas in the hydropneumatic cylinder. The stored energy is then recovered and utilized to assist engine crankshaft operation, transforming what would be wasted energy into a useful resource.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a complex hydraulic system with multiple valves is used, then energy absorption capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the damping function and energy storage function into a single hydropneumatic cylinder. The non-return valve integrates the energy transfer direction control within the same hydraulic circuit, eliminating the need for separate complex valve assemblies and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effective energy absorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydropneumatic cylinder serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a shock absorber during impact, an energy storage device during braking, and an energy source to assist engine operation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, simplifying the overall system architecture.
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
The device significantly reduces inertial force impact, enhances fuel efficiency, and minimizes emissions by effectively converting and dispersing impact energy, ensuring safer collisions and improved engine performance.
Implementation Method 1
each confusor (4) is, at its inlet, connected to a hydraulic cylinder (6) fitted inside with the bearing of the main piston rod (7), which receives the impuls of the bump
Implementation Method 2
the confusor walls converge at 8° to 16°, and/or the ratio between the confusor cross-section area at the inlet and its cross-section area at the outlet ranges from 1:5 to 1:12
Implementation Method 3
at its outlet is, via a non-return valve (3), connected to a hydropneumatic cylinder (8, 10)
Implementation Method 4
its hydraulic section separated from the pneumatic section with a separator (9), which cooperates with the agent flowing through the confusor
Implementation Method 5
the converted energy of the impact is accumulated in the pneumatic section of the cylinder, and then dispersed
Implementation Method 6
accumulate the bump-released energy in the pneumatic section (10) of the cylinder
Implementation Method 7
the main piston rod and/or the piston rod serving as the separator inside the hydropneumatic cylinder, are sealed at their bearings with a resilient metal gasket
Implementation Method 8
a resilient metal gasket in the form of a cylindrical ring, L-shaped in cross-section, its inner edge finished with a sealing lip, which regulates the clearance between the sealed surfaces when under pressure
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
An impact energy conversion device, designed particularly for a car bumper comprises cylinders and at least one confusor (4), where each confusor (4) is, at its inlet, connected to the main hydraulic cylinder (6) fitted inside with the bearing of the main piston rod (7), which receives the impulse of the impact, and at its outlet is, via a non-return valve (3), connected to a hydropneumatic cylinder (8, 10), its hydraulic section (8) separated from the pneumatic section ( 10) with a separator, which preferably serves as the piston rod (9) between the hydraulic section and the pneumatic section and cooperates with the agent flowing through the confusor (4). The confusor (4), the main hydraulic cylinder (6), and the hydropneumatic cylinder (8,10) are arranged coaxially, or at an angle, preferably the right angle. The device may be used as a car brake mechanism receiving the impact of sudden braking, or a mechanism to assist the car engine crankshaft drive, or a mechanism to assist the compression in a compressor.