Piston Assembly Elastic Ring Segmentation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional piston assemblies for pneumatic braking systems are difficult to assemble and disassemble efficiently, complicating the process due to complex interactions between multiple components.

Innovation Solution

A piston assembly design featuring an elastic ring with protruding end portions that fit into circumferential grooves on a plunger and outer piston, allowing for easy attachment and detachment, along with a spring for axial pressure and abutment portions to limit movement, facilitating quick assembly and disassembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple interacting components (pistons, plunger, damper, force limiter, spring elements) are used to achieve functional requirements, then the braking system performance is improved, but the assembly becomes difficult to assemble and disassemble

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking system performanceVSAvoidassembly and disassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The piston assembly is divided into separable components (outer piston, plunger, elastic ring) that can be easily assembled and disassembled. The elastic ring acts as a removable fastening element that secures components during operation but allows quick separation when removed, resolving the contradiction between functional complexity and assembly ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic ring serves as an intermediary fastening element between the plunger and outer piston. It provides secure mechanical connection during braking operation while allowing simple removal by pulling the protruding end portions, thus enabling easy assembly and disassembly without compromising the functional integrity of the multiple components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If conventional piston assemblies with multiple components are used, then functional requirements are met, but assembly time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional requirementsVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The design segments the piston assembly into modular components that can be independently manufactured and quickly assembled. The elastic ring with its protruding end portions enables rapid assembly by simply inserting components and securing with the elastic ring, significantly reducing assembly time compared to conventional multi-step assembly processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic ring design allows the assembly to be self-securing through its elastic properties. Once the plunger and outer piston are positioned, the elastic ring automatically secures them together through its elastic deformation and engagement with the grooves, eliminating the need for additional fastening operations or tools during assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If components are securely attached to maintain axial pressure control, then braking performance is maintained, but disassembly for maintenance becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaxial pressure controlVSAvoiddisassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic ring provides a dynamic fastening solution that adapts to operational requirements. During braking, the elastic ring maintains secure attachment through its elastic properties, ensuring reliable axial pressure control. For maintenance, the same elastic ring allows easy disassembly by simply pulling the protruding end portions, which releases the elastic constraint and enables component separation without special tools or procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables fast and cost-efficient assembly and disassembly of the piston group, improving the operational efficiency of pneumatic braking systems by simplifying the attachment and detachment process while maintaining axial pressure control.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic ring (110) with outward protruding end portions (111, 112), wherein the elastic ring is adapted to attach the plunger (120) to the outer piston (130) in a default state of the elastic ring (110)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The piston assembly may include a spring that couples between the plunger and the inner piston to provide an axial pressure force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3620671B1Piston assembly
Publication Date: 2023.04.19 KNORR BREMSE SYSTEME FUER NUTZFAHIZEUGE GMBH
  • EP3620671B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3620671B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3620671B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A piston assembly for a cylinder of a pneumatic braking system is disclosed. The piston assembly includes: an elastic ring (110) with outward protruding end portions (111, 112); a plunger (120) with an outer circumferential groove (122) for receiving at least partly the elastic ring (110); an outer piston (130) with an inner circumferential groove (132) and an opening (134), the inner circumferential groove (132) being adapted for receiving at least partly the elastic ring (110) while the protruding end portions (111, 112) are placed in the opening (134). The elastic ring (110) is adapted to attach the plunger (120) to the outer piston (130) in a default state of the elastic ring (110) and, upon moving the outward protruding end portions (131, 132) relative to each other, the elastic ring (130) moves so far into the inner circumferential groove (132) or into the other circumferential groove (122) that plunger (110) and the outer piston (120) are detachable from each other.