Integrated Valve Holder for Air Suspension Assembly Simplification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve mounting systems in components like air springs and air suspension dampers require multiple retaining rings, which complicate assembly, increase costs, and can lead to unnoticed replacement of valves, as they often necessitate complex injection mold designs with folding cores and circumferential grooves.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising fixedly connected fixing bodies and securing elements that securely hold and lock valves in place within components, reducing the number of parts needed, eliminating the need for multiple retaining rings and complex grooves, and allowing for efficient use of installation space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple retaining rings are used to secure valves, then the valves are securely held in place, but the number of parts increases and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple retaining rings into a single integrated device that holds multiple valves simultaneously. The device comprises a body with multiple arms, each arm containing a retaining ring, all fixedly connected to form one unified component that secures multiple valves at once, reducing the total number of separate parts while maintaining securing reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The device serves multiple functions: it simultaneously secures multiple valves in multiple valve seats, provides anti-tamper protection through destruction-resistant construction, and ensures proper valve positioning through integrated fixing bodies. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple separate retaining rings
2Reliability
If multiple retaining rings are used to secure valves, then the valves are securely held in place, but assembly time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple retaining rings into one integrated device with multiple arms, the assembly process is simplified from installing multiple separate components to installing a single unit, directly improving assembly speed and productivity while maintaining the same valve securing reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining rings are pre-assembled and fixedly connected to form a complete device before installation. This preliminary assembly means that during final installation, the entire multi-valve securing system is installed in one operation rather than assembling multiple separate rings individually, reducing assembly time
3Ease of manufacture
If circumferential grooves with folding cores are used in injection molds, then retaining rings can be formed, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple retaining rings into a single integrated device that can be manufactured as one piece using standard injection molding techniques. This eliminates the need for complex folding cores and circumferential grooves in the injection mold, as the device is formed in a single molding operation without requiring complex mold features
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the need for folding cores and circumferential grooves from the injection mold design. By redesigning the securing mechanism as a single integrated device, the complex mold features are removed entirely, simplifying mold manufacturing while still enabling production of the retaining structure
4Reliability
If valves are secured with individual retaining rings, then each valve is securely held, but installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual securing mechanisms into one compact integrated device. The body with multiple arms allows each valve to be secured individually while all securing elements are contained within a single compact structure, reducing the overall installation space required compared to multiple separate retaining rings distributed around the component
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a device for holding at least two valves within a component, such as, for example, an air spring, an air suspension strut, or an air suspension damper. In embodiments, a may device comprise at least two fixing bodies fixedly connected to each other for fixing the valves in valve seats of the component and at least two securing elements fixedly connected to the fixing bodies for securing the device in an assembly position on the component. Thus, the disclosure may provide an improved device for holding valves in which the number of parts may be reduced and/or which may be inexpensive.