Pneumatic Suspension Piston Rod Angular Clearance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing suspension systems for vehicles, particularly those using helical springs, struggle to accommodate axial geometric deformations without interfering with the normal operation of the piston in the cylindrical cavity, and they often compromise the seal between gas-filled chambers when misalignments occur.

Innovation Solution

A suspension system with a cylindrical cavity and a piston rod that has an angular clearance, allowing for angular displacement around the longitudinal axis, which is achieved through a thick ring and O-ring configuration, maintaining the seal and mechanical characteristics of the system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the piston rod is rigidly aligned with the cylindrical cavity, then the seal between gas-filled chambers is maintained, but the system cannot accommodate axial geometric deformations and misalignments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccommodation of axial geometric deformationsVSAvoidseal between gas-filled chambers
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing angular clearance specifically at the piston rod connection point (through the thick ring and O-ring arrangement) while maintaining rigid alignment elsewhere in the suspension system. This localized flexibility allows the piston rod to accommodate misalignments without compromising the overall structural integrity or seal effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The thick ring with O-ring acts as an intermediary element between the piston rod and the cylindrical cavity. This intermediary component absorbs the misalignment through controlled angular movement while maintaining the seal, thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If angular clearance is provided between piston rod and cylindrical cavity, then misalignments can be corrected without disturbing sliding operation, but the assembly becomes non-hhyperstatic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesliding operation of pistonVSAvoidassembly configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the connection between the piston rod and cylindrical cavity by introducing the thick ring as a separate component with controlled clearance. This segmentation allows independent movement of the piston rod relative to the cavity while maintaining the functional connection, thereby enabling easy operation without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If the piston rod axis is coincident with the cylindrical cavity axis, then the assembly is hyperstatic and stable, but geometric deformations cannot be accommodated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly stabilityVSAvoidaccommodation of geometric deformations
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic capability to the previously static alignment by allowing controlled angular movement of the piston rod through the thick ring mechanism. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to adapt to geometric deformations while maintaining operational stability through the constrained movement paths.

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

This solution enables the piston rod to correct misalignments without disturbing the sliding operation and maintains a seal between gas-filled chambers, allowing for non-hyperstatic assembly and efficient operation despite angular play, ensuring the system's mechanical characteristics remain unchanged.

Implementation Method 1

an O-ring being jointly clamped between the transverse faces of the end pieces and of the thick ring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3098474B1Pneumatic suspension system
Publication Date: 2018.09.12 BOSSARD OLIVIER
  • EP3098474B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3098474B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2d
  • EP3098474B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3d

AI summary

The invention relates to a suspension system comprising a body (15) having a cylindrical cavity (2) in which a piston (1) is mounted to slide, dividing the cylindrical cavity into two working chambers: a lower chamber (10) and an upper chamber (11) each receiving a gas, the piston (1) being connected to a piston rod (7) exiting the cylindrical cavity (2) through a sealing ring (5), characterized in that the suspension system includes means for providing a lateral play of predetermined amplitude of the piston rod (7) relative to the cylindrical cavity (2).