Pierceable Hydraulic Port Plugs for Clean Shock Absorber Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Shock absorbers are vulnerable to contamination during shipping, handling, and storage due to open hydraulic ports, which can also lead to leakage of residual oil, and traditional shipping plugs fail to address these issues effectively.
Innovation Solution
Hydraulic port protection plugs with a tubular body and a pierceable seal that can be inserted into the hydraulic ports to prevent contamination and oil leakage, remaining in place during installation and allowing for pressurization and movement of the shock absorber without disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hydraulic ports are left open for easy installation, then installation ease is improved, but contamination and leakage occur during shipping and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by installing protection plugs in the hydraulic ports before shipping and storage. These plugs pre-protect the ports from contamination and leakage during transit, allowing the ports to remain sealed until the moment of installation when the plugs are simply removed.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection plugs serve as an intermediary element between the hydraulic port and the external environment. They mediate by providing a temporary seal that blocks contaminants and prevents oil leakage, while being easily removable to allow hydraulic line connection during installation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If protection plugs are installed in hydraulic ports, then contamination is prevented, but the plugs must be removed before installation
Solution Approach 1:
The protection plugs are designed as disposable, low-cost components that serve their protective function only during shipping and storage. They are intentionally left in place or easily removed during installation, eliminating the need for time-consuming removal procedures while maintaining their protective function throughout the supply chain.
3Stress or pressure
If residual oil is allowed to leak during shipping, then pressure relief is achieved, but cleanliness standards are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the hydraulic port system by introducing separate protection plugs that can be independently installed in each hydraulic port. This segmentation allows each port to be individually sealed and protected, preventing residual oil from leaking during shipping while maintaining overall system integrity and cleanliness standards.
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
Prevents contamination and oil leakage during shipping and handling, facilitates easy installation of hydraulic fittings, and ensures the shock absorber is ready for immediate use by maintaining a clean and sealed environment.
Implementation Method 1
The pierceable seal is designed so that the inboard portion of the hydraulic fitting may be inserted through the pierceable seal of the hydraulic port protection plug and into the hydraulic port in the lower housing such that the hydraulic port protection plug does not have to be removed and seals the hydraulic fitting within the hydraulic port in the shock absorber in an installed position
Data Source
AI summary
Hydraulic port protection plugs for insertion into hydraulic ports in a shock absorber to prevent contaminants from entering the shock absorber and residual oil from draining out through the hydraulic ports during storage, shipping, and handling of the shock absorber. The hydraulic port protection plugs comprise a tubular body and a pierceable seal that is configured to receive an inboard portion of a hydraulic fitting. The pierceable seal is designed so that the inboard portion of the hydraulic fitting may be inserted through the pierceable seal of the hydraulic port protection plug and into the hydraulic port in the shock absorber such that the hydraulic port protection plug does not have to be removed and seals the hydraulic fitting within the hydraulic port in the shock absorber in an installed position.