Multi-cylinder Piston-rod Assembly Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of tandem cylinders is challenging due to the complexity of connecting pistons and a common output rod, making it difficult to achieve efficient movement and fluid management between hydraulic chambers.
Innovation Solution
A multi-cylinder assembly design featuring a piston-rod assembly with a piston rod, a piston-rod sleeve, and a retainer, where the piston-rod sleeve is slidably disposed within the cylinder assembly, and the retainer prevents axial movement, facilitating easier assembly and fluid management between chambers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional methods are used to connect pistons and common output rod in tandem cylinders, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the assembly process becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The piston rod assembly is divided into separate components: a piston rod, a piston-rod sleeve, and a retainer. These segmented parts can be assembled independently and then connected, simplifying the overall assembly process while maintaining structural integrity through the retainer that secures the sleeve to the rod extension.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston-rod sleeve is disposed about the rod extension, creating a nested configuration where one component fits within another. The retainer then secures this nested arrangement, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly while maintaining the connection between the piston rod components.
2Ease of operation
If pistons are connected to a common output rod for common movement, then the tandem cylinder functionality is achieved, but the assembly difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between pistons and the common output rod is achieved through segmented components (piston rod, sleeve, retainer) that can be assembled separately and then connected, reducing the complexity of the overall connection process while maintaining the required tandem functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston-rod sleeve acts as an intermediary component between the piston rod and the retainer, facilitating the connection while allowing for easier assembly. The sleeve provides a interface that simplifies the connection process compared to directly connecting the piston rod to the retainer.
3Ease of manufacture
If the piston-rod sleeve is freely movable on the rod extension, then assembly is easier, but axial movement cannot be controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer is designed to be engaged with the rod extension in a preliminary action that prohibits axial movement of the piston-rod sleeve. This preliminary securing step ensures that once assembled, the sleeve cannot move axially, providing reliable movement control while maintaining ease of initial assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer structure is designed to automatically secure the piston-rod sleeve to the rod extension through engagement features that self-lock or self-secure, eliminating the need for additional fastening operations while ensuring axial movement is prohibited.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-cylinder assembly includes a cylinder assembly defining a bore and a piston-rod assembly slidably disposed in the bore of the cylinder assembly. The piston-rod assembly includes a piston rod, a piston-rod sleeve and a retainer. The piston rod includes a piston head, a first rod extending outwardly from the piston head and a rod extension extending outwardly from the first rod. The piston-rod sleeve is disposed about the rod extension of the piston rod. The piston-rod sleeve includes a head portion and a rod portion. The retainer is engaged to the rod extension. The retainer prohibits axial movement of the piston-rod sleeve.