MacPherson Strut Spring Pre-Compression Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for assembling vehicle struts require significant tools and risk poor positioning and damage to suspension springs, especially when dealing with curved generatrices, making the process inefficient and prone to errors in pre-assembly by automotive suppliers.
Innovation Solution
Pre-compressing the suspension spring to a predetermined length and maintaining it with mechanical locking means before assembly, allowing for easier and safer assembly without the need for a press, and using hooks to adjust compression length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the suspension spring is compressed during assembly using significant tools, then the strut can be assembled, but the risk of poor positioning and damage to the suspension spring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-compressing the suspension spring to a predetermined length before assembly and maintaining this compression state with mechanical locking means during the assembly process. This allows the spring to be positioned accurately without requiring significant compression tools during assembly, thereby improving positioning accuracy while maintaining ease of manufacture.
2Ease of manufacture
If the suspension spring is compressed during assembly using significant tools, then the strut can be assembled, but the risk of damaging the suspension spring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension spring is pre-compressed to a predetermined length before assembly and this compression state is maintained using mechanical locking means during assembly. This preliminary action eliminates the need for significant compression tools during the assembly process, thereby preventing damage to the spring while maintaining ease of manufacture.
3Ease of manufacture
If the suspension spring is compressed during assembly, then the strut can be assembled, but the process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension spring is pre-compressed to a predetermined length before assembly and this compression state is maintained using mechanical locking means during assembly. This preliminary action simplifies the assembly process by eliminating the need for significant compression tools and complex compression mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining assembly feasibility.
4Ease of manufacture
If the suspension spring is compressed during assembly, then the strut can be assembled, but the assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension spring is pre-compressed to a predetermined length before assembly and this compression state is maintained using mechanical locking means during assembly. This preliminary action eliminates the need for time-consuming compression operations during assembly, thereby reducing assembly time while maintaining assembly feasibility.
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 method reduces tool requirements, minimizes risk of spring damage, and simplifies the assembly of struts with curved springs, leading to faster and higher-quality assembly processes in automotive workshops.
Implementation Method 1
the suspension spring is compressed before the assembly phase to a predetermined length and independently of the other constituent elements of the suspension strut. Then the suspension spring is kept compressed to this predetermined length by mechanical locking means in extension
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The method involves compressing a helical suspension spring (2) to a predetermined length before a phase of independently assembling other elements of a MacPherson strut i.e. pseudo MacPherson strut. The suspension spring is maintained in a compressed state by a hook (6), where the hook is made of metal or plastic. The MacPherson strut is assembled when the suspension spring is maintained in the compressed state by the hook. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a pre-assembled MacPherson strut comprising a shock absorber (2) a suspension spring for constituting a MacPherson strut.