Linear Damper Elastic Housing Assembly Maintenance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing linear dampers face challenges in assembly and maintenance due to the complexity of integrating a return elastic body within the inner chamber.

Innovation Solution

The linear damper features an elastic body housing portion within the inner chamber forming body, allowing for easy housing and removal of the return elastic body, along with a flow control valve to manage fluid flow and damp external forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the return elastic body is integrated within the inner chamber filled with fluid, then the damper structure is compact, but assembly and maintenance processes become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinner chamber volumeVSAvoidassembly and maintenance workability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The inner chamber is divided into a fluid housing portion and an elastic body housing portion. The elastic body housing portion is separated from the fluid-filled space, allowing the return elastic body to be independently installed and removed without disrupting the fluid system. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling easy maintenance while maintaining compact integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The return elastic body is extracted from the fluid-filled inner chamber and placed in a separate elastic body housing portion that communicates with the outside. This extraction allows the elastic body to be easily removed for maintenance without draining or disturbing the fluid system, solving the workability problem while keeping the overall structure compact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the return elastic body is housed within the sealed inner chamber, then the structure is integrated, but removal and installation of the elastic body becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrationVSAvoidelastic body removal and installation
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic body housing portion acts as an intermediary structure between the return elastic body and the sealed fluid chamber. It provides a dedicated access path through the communication opening, allowing easy installation and removal of the elastic body without compromising the sealed integration of the main inner chamber.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic body housing portion is pre-configured with a communication opening that allows the return elastic body to be installed before the final sealing of the system. This preliminary arrangement enables easy maintenance operations while maintaining the integrated structure during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 configuration enhances workability in assembly and maintenance by simplifying the integration of the return elastic body and effectively dampening external forces through controlled fluid flow.

Implementation Method 1

a flow control valve provided for at least one of the inner chamber forming body or the relative displacement body to allow the fluid to flow while limiting a flow of the fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow limitation: Valve

Implementation Method 2

a return elastic body configured to provide elastic force to the relative displacement body and elastically receive the external force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

an impact load caused between a rack end and a rack housing in a steering device of a self-propelled vehicle is reduced by damping force generated on the rack end displaceable relative to the rack housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact force reduction: Impact Force

Data Source

PatentEP4520630A1Linear-motion damper and steering device
Publication Date: 2025.03.12 SOMIC MANAGEMENT HLDG INC
  • EP4520630A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4520630A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4520630A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Provided are a linear damper capable of providing favorable workability in assembly and maintenance and a steering device including the linear damper. A steering device (100) includes a linear damper (120) between a rack bar (103) and a rack end (106). In the linear damper (120), a relative displacement body (140) is provided reciprocatably displaceable in an inner chamber forming body (121) formed in a cylindrical shape. In the inner chamber forming body (121), a first inner chamber (125a) and a second inner chamber (125b) are formed on both sides of a valve support portion (123) supporting first flow control valves (127) and a second flow control valve (128), and an elastic body housing portion (130) is formed adjacent to the second inner chamber (125b). The elastic body housing portion (130) is formed so as to communicate with the outside, and houses a return elastic body (131) therein.