Integrated Piston Bearing for End-of-Stroke Hydraulic Cushioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic systems in work machines face challenges in providing controlled motion at the ends of the piston stroke, leading to abrupt stoppages and potential damage, as traditional snubbing systems often occupy valuable axial space.
Innovation Solution
An integrated piston and bearing design with a specific surface contour, featuring a setback region, a full region, and a snubbing chamfer, is used within the hydraulic cylinder to provide hydraulic cushioning without increasing the cylinder's length, allowing for gradual fluid flow restriction as the piston approaches the end of its stroke.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional snubbing system is added to provide controlled motion at the end of piston stroke, then cushioning performance is improved, but the axial length of the hydraulic cylinder increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the snubbing function with the piston structure by integrating a snubbing ring directly onto the piston body. The snubbing ring features a specific surface contour with a setback region and full region that interact with the cylinder wall to provide cushioning. This merging of functions eliminates the need for a separate snubbing system, thereby maintaining cushioning performance while avoiding additional axial length.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a separate axial component to a radial surface contour solution. The snubbing ring's surface contour includes a setback region with a first thickness and a full region with a second thickness greater than the first thickness, creating a three-dimensional profile that provides cushioning through radial interaction with the cylinder wall rather than through axial extension.
2Ease of operation
If a snubbing system is positioned to provide cushioning, then controlled motion is achieved, but space along the axial direction is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The snubbing function is merged into the piston structure itself through the integrated snubbing ring. This eliminates the need for separate axial space allocation for a dedicated snubbing system, as the cushioning function is now part of the piston's own structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The snubbing ring features a localized surface contour with varying thickness (setback region with first thickness, full region with second thickness) that provides cushioning only in the specific zone where needed during piston stroke termination, rather than requiring extended axial structure throughout.
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 enables controlled piston motion and cushioning without adding length to the hydraulic cylinder, effectively preventing abrupt stoppages and reducing the risk of damage by gradually restricting fluid flow through the port areas as the piston reaches its stroke limits.
Implementation Method 1
a bearing arranged on the outer peripheral surface and having a surface contour including a setback region with a first thickness and a full region with a second thickness, thicker than the first thickness. The bearing may also include a snubbing chamfer transitioning between the first and second thicknesses.
Implementation Method 2
gradually transitioning from restricting fluid flow to/from a port on the cylinder to restricting an area of the port so as to cushion the piston as it approaches an end of its stroke length
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated piston and bearing may include a piston having an outer peripheral surface and a first end and a second end and a bearing arranged on the outer peripheral surface. The bearing may include a surface contour including a setback region with a first thickness and a full region with a second thickness, thicker than the first thickness. The bearing may also include a snubbing chamfer transitioning between the first and second thicknesses.