Two-Cylinder Linear Actuator for Vehicle Suspension Height Adjustment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing linear actuators for vehicle suspension damper and spring units are complex and inefficient, particularly in stopping the upward movement of the outer cylindrical element, making it difficult to adjust the vehicle height effectively and complicating the mounting of a top end-of-travel stop.
Innovation Solution
A linear actuator comprising only two cylindrical elements, an inner and an outer cylindrical element, where the outer element has a support flange to act as a bottom spring plate, with the working chamber wholly enclosed radially and axially, allowing for controlled vertical adjustment of the spring's position using fluid pressure, and incorporating a stop mechanism to prevent over-travel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a linear actuator is made up of three pieces (inner cylindrical element, outer cylindrical element, and annular piston), then the working chamber can be defined to adjust vehicle height, but the device complexity increases and the mounting of a top end-of-travel stop becomes very complicated or impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the inner cylindrical element and outer cylindrical element into a single integrated cylindrical element, eliminating the need for a separate annular piston. This simplification reduces the actuator from three pieces to two main components while maintaining the working chamber functionality for vehicle height adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the annular piston component from the traditional three-piece design. By removing this intermediate component, the design achieves direct interaction between the cylindrical element and the spring, simplifying the overall structure and facilitating easier mounting of stop mechanisms.
2Reliability
If the spring rests on a spring seat provided at the top end of the outer cylindrical element, then the spring is supported, but the movement of the outer cylindrical element in the upward direction cannot be stopped and mounting a top end-of-travel stop is very complicated or impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a stop mechanism that extends radially outward from the cylindrical element, creating a new dimensional approach to stopping upward movement. Instead of stopping at the top end of the cylindrical element, the stop protrudes laterally to engage with a corresponding stop surface on the inner cylindrical element or housing, providing an effective stop while maintaining structural simplicity.
3Ease of operation
If the outer cylindrical element is arranged to support the bottom end of the spring, then the spring position can be adjusted, but the structure becomes complicated when trying to prevent over-travel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a stop mechanism that is pre-positioned on the cylindrical element before operation begins. This stop protrusion is built into the structure in advance, ensuring that upward movement is automatically limited when the stop engages with its corresponding surface, preventing over-travel without requiring additional external components or complex control systems.
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 simplifies the actuator structure, enhances control over vehicle height adjustment, and facilitates easier integration of a stop mechanism, improving the practicality and effectiveness of vehicle height adjustment.
Implementation Method 1
A working chamber is provided between the inner cylindrical element and the outer cylindrical element and is supplied with oil under pressure through a fitting. The annular piston is slidably guided in the working chamber.
Implementation Method 2
the spring is arranged around the damper and rests at its bottom end against a spring plate attached to the damper and at its top end against the vehicle body
Data Source
AI summary
A damper with a cylinder and a rod, a spring arranged around the damper and a linear actuator arranged to change in a controlled manner the axial position of a bottom end of the spring relative to the cylinder of the damper. The actuator comprises an inner cylindrical element arranged to be mounted around the cylinder of the damper, an outer cylindrical element, which is mounted so as to be axially slidable relative to the inner cylindrical element and is arranged to support the bottom end of the spring, and a working chamber arranged to be filled with a fluid under pressure to adjust the axial position of the outer cylindrical element relative to the inner cylindrical element. The working chamber is delimited, both radially and axially, only by the inner cylindrical element and by the outer cylindrical element. The outer cylindrical element is provided with a support flange arranged to support the bottom end of the spring.