Integrated Sealing Assembly for Mono-Tube Shock Absorber Rods
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing guiding and sealing units for mono-tube shock absorbers are cumbersome and complex to assemble, particularly due to the separate components required for the limit stop element, which increases dimensions and weight, and are costly to produce.
Innovation Solution
An integrated sealing assembly that combines the traditional limit stop element with the static seal and dynamic sealing lip, using higher-quality material for the sealing lip and more common, cost-effective material for other components, reducing axial dimensions and weight while maintaining performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate components are used for limit stop element, static seal, and dynamic sealing lip, then each component can be optimized independently, but the assembly becomes cumbersome and complex, increasing dimensions and weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the limit stop element, static seal, and dynamic sealing lip into a single integrated sealing assembly. The sealing assembly includes a first sealing portion for dynamic sealing of the rod, a second sealing portion for static sealing at the bush interface, and a limit stop portion integrated into the same component structure, eliminating the need for separate assembly operations and reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated sealing assembly performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides dynamic sealing of the rod, static sealing at the bush connection, and limit stopping for the piston. This multi-functional design reduces the number of separate components needed while maintaining independent optimization of each sealing function through specialized material selection for different portions.
2Reliability
If separate components are used for limit stop element, static seal, and dynamic sealing lip, then each component can be optimized independently, but the axial dimensions and weight of the shock absorber increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the limit stop element, static seal, and dynamic sealing lip into a single integrated sealing assembly. The sealing assembly includes a first sealing portion for dynamic sealing of the rod, a second sealing portion for static sealing at the bush interface, and a limit stop portion integrated into the same component structure, eliminating the need for separate assembly operations and reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated sealing assembly is designed to fit within the existing bush structure, with the limit stop portion and sealing portions nested within the same axial space. This nesting approach allows multiple functions to be achieved within compact dimensions without requiring additional axial length for separate components.
3Reliability
If high performance elastomeric material is used for the entire sealing assembly including static seal, then sealing performance is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different material qualities to different portions of the sealing assembly based on their specific functional requirements. The first sealing portion that contacts the rod uses high-performance elastomeric material for optimal dynamic sealing, while the second sealing portion for static sealing uses a more common, cost-effective material, thereby reducing overall production costs while maintaining necessary sealing performance at each location.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated sealing assembly is constructed as a composite structure with different material compositions for different portions. This allows optimization of material selection for each specific sealing function - high-performance elastomers where needed for dynamic sealing and more economical materials for static sealing applications - resulting in a cost-effective composite solution that maintains overall sealing reliability.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A guiding and sealing unit (1) for a shock absorber rod (2) including a bush (7) and a sealing assembly (8), integrally carried by an end of the bush (7) facing the piston of the shock absorber in use, and including a sealing ring (12) made of elastomeric material having at least one annular sealing lip (13) which radially and overhangingly protrudes towards a symmetry axis thereof to cooperate in use with the rod, and a metallic reinforcing structure (14), having a flange-shaped portion (15) abuttingly arranged against the end of the bush and a sleeve-shaped portion (16) operatively associated to the sealing lip; the sealing ring has a flange-shaped portion (18) which radially extends from a root portion (19) of the at least one annular lip, and an annular projection (20) integrally obtained in one piece with the flange-shaped portion (18), which axially and protrudingly extends from the latter, from the side facing the piston (5) in use and shaped so as to make, in use, a limit stop element for the piston (5); the flange-shaped portion of the reinforcing structure (15) is coupled to the flange-shaped portion of the sealing ring (18) and extends under the annular projection (20).