Nested Gas Spring Structure for Wide-Range Temperature Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas springs with temperature compensation are complex in design, require significant installation space, and often fail to compensate for temperature dependence over the entire application-relevant temperature range.
Innovation Solution
A gas spring design featuring a working piston and compensating cylinder with a single seal between the working and compensating cylinders, utilizing a compensating piston that separates chambers and is guided by a guide element, with a compensating medium and restoring means to maintain consistent spring force across varying temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a compensating medium is used to compensate for temperature dependence, then temperature compensation is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the compensating piston with the working piston into a single integrated component that performs both working and temperature compensation functions. The compensating piston has a first end that interacts with the working chamber and a second end that interacts with the compensating medium, eliminating the need for separate compensating piston components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining temperature compensation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The compensating piston serves multiple functions: it separates the working chamber from the compensating medium chamber, transmits working forces, and responds to temperature changes through the compensating medium. This multi-functional design reduces the number of components needed and simplifies the overall gas spring structure
2Temperature
If a compensating cylinder surrounds the working cylinder, then temperature compensation is achieved, but installation space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compensating cylinder is arranged to surround the working cylinder in a nested configuration, with the compensating piston operating within the annular space between the two cylinders. This nested arrangement allows both compensation chambers to coexist in a compact radial configuration, minimizing the overall footprint and installation space required for the gas spring
3Reliability
If multiple seals are used to seal the compensating piston, then sealing reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a single seal that simultaneously seals both the working chamber and the compensating medium chamber at the compensating piston. This single seal is positioned and dimensioned to create effective sealing interfaces with both chambers, eliminating the need for multiple separate seals and reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining sealing reliability
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 design achieves a cost-effective, compact, and reliable gas spring with temperature-independent spring force over a wide temperature range, simplifying manufacturing and reducing leakage points.
Implementation Method 1
The annular space formed between the working cylinder and a compensating cylinder is filled with a compensating medium that expands when the temperature rises
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a gas pressure spring (50), comprising a working piston (2) which is guided displaceably in a working cylinder (1) along a stroke axis (H), a compensating cylinder (12) which encloses the working cylinder (1), and a compensating piston (10) which is of hollow-cylindrical shape and is guided displaceably in the compensating cylinder (12) along the stroke axis (H). The working cylinder (1) has an open end (1b), at which the compensating cylinder (12) forms a projection (15) beyond the working cylinder (1) with a closed end (15b). The compensating piston (10) separates a working chamber (1a) which is arranged in the working cylinder (1), a compensating chamber (12a) which is arranged between the working cylinder (1) and the compensating cylinder (12), and a restoring chamber (15a) which is arranged in the projection (15) from one another and is open at an upper side (10a) of the balancing piston (10) facing the working chamber (1a). The gas spring (50) comprises a seal (8) arranged on the upper side (10a) of the balance piston (10), which seals the balance piston (10) to the working cylinder (1) and to the balance cylinder (12).