Liquid Composite Spring With Flow Channels for Rail Vibration Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rubber cone springs for rail vehicles suffer from reduced dynamic stiffness at high frequencies and limited damping performance due to the limitations of rubber material, leading to high-frequency dynamic softening and limited vibration energy dissipation.

Innovation Solution

A liquid composite spring with upper and lower liquid chambers connected by flow channels, featuring a metal-rubber main spring and flexible sealing member, allowing liquid circulation for variable stiffness and enhanced damping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If rubber cone springs are used for suspension, then different stiffness values in vertical, horizontal and longitudinal directions can be achieved with improved nonlinear characteristics, but the dynamic stiffness is reduced as vibration frequency increases and damping performance is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevariable stiffness in different directionsVSAvoidhigh-frequency dynamic stiffness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a composite structure combining rubber material and liquid filling. The rubber cone spring provides nonlinear characteristics and directional stiffness, while the liquid filling (oil or water) compensates for high-frequency stiffness loss and provides damping. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by integrating the advantages of both materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical state and parameters of the suspension system by introducing liquid filling that can flow and compress. The liquid's bulk modulus and viscosity parameters provide frequency-dependent stiffness and damping characteristics, counteracting the rubber's high-frequency softening behavior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If rubber cone springs are used for suspension, then nonlinear characteristics are improved, but the capability for dissipating vibration energy is limited due to small damping performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenonlinear characteristicsVSAvoidvibration energy dissipation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The rubber-liquid composite structure combines the nonlinear elastic characteristics of rubber with the viscous damping properties of liquid. The liquid filling dissipates vibration energy through internal friction and flow resistance, significantly enhancing energy dissipation while preserving the rubber's nonlinear suspension characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies hydraulic principles by filling the rubber cone spring with liquid. The liquid's incompressibility and viscosity provide damping forces that dissipate vibration energy, converting mechanical vibration energy into heat through fluid friction and compression cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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

The liquid composite spring provides improved vibration reduction and damping effects by changing stiffness and enhancing fluid circulation, effectively managing vibrations in rail vehicles.

Implementation Method 1

The flow channel is configured to provide liquid communication between the upper liquid chamber and the lower liquid chamber, and generate a certain damping force during flow of the liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectViscous damping: Viscous Damping

Implementation Method 2

The metal-rubber main spring includes a rubber body, a middle portion and an outside of which are connected to the core shaft and the outer wall, respectively

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3919773B1Liquid composite spring
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 ZHUZHOU TIMES NEW MATERIALTECHNOLOGY CO LTD
  • EP3919773B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3919773B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3919773B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A liquid composite spring for vehicles, in particular rail vehicles, includes: a core shaft (1); an outer sleeve (2) arranged on an upper portion of the core shaft (1), the upper portion of the core shaft (1) being located inside the outer sleeve (2) while the lower portion of the core shaft (1) being located outside the outer sleeve (2); an upper liquid chamber (4) formed in an upper portion of the outer sleeve (2), a lower end of the upper liquid chamber (4) being connected to a top of the core shaft (1); and a lower liquid chamber (5) formed in a lower portion of outer sleeve (2), the lower liquid chamber (5) and the upper liquid chamber (4) being connected with each other through a metal-rubber main spring (3). At least one flow channel body (31) is provided in the metal-rubber main spring (3), so that liquid in the upper liquid chamber (4) and liquid in the lower liquid chamber (5) are communicated with each other through the flow channel body (31). The liquid composite spring has the function of reducing vibration, and can provide variable rigidness and dampening effect.