Plastic Shock Absorber Dirt Shield With Hinged Snap-Fit Bracket

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current metal dirt shields for shock absorbers are heavy, costly, require painting, and involve welding, and are prone to corrosion, which complicates their manufacturing and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A two-piece plastic dirt shield system comprising a hingedly connected plastic dirt shield bracket and a dirt shield tube, which provides a secure, lightweight, and corrosion-resistant solution by eliminating the need for welding and painting, with optional strengthening ribs for enhanced stiffness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If metal dirt shields are used, then strength and durability are improved, but weight increases and corrosion resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirt shield strengthVSAvoiddirt shield weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from metal to plastic (polymer), fundamentally altering the weight and corrosion properties while maintaining protective function. The plastic material provides sufficient strength for dirt shield application without the weight and corrosion issues of metal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The dirt shield is constructed as a composite structure with a plastic bracket and a plastic tube, both made from polymer materials. This composite plastic construction replaces traditional metal components, achieving weight reduction and corrosion resistance while maintaining structural integrity through the composite design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If metal dirt shields are used, then durability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to welding and painting requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirt shield durabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical joining process of welding with a snap-fit or press-fit mechanical connection system. The bracket includes engagement features that mechanically secure the tube without requiring thermal processes, eliminating welding complexity and painting requirements while maintaining structural reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Strength

If metal dirt shields are used, then structural integrity is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from expensive metal to cost-effective plastic, reducing material costs while maintaining sufficient structural integrity for the dirt shield application. The polymer material provides adequate strength and stiffness at lower cost than metal alternatives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11940033B2Two piece plastic dirt shield for shock absorbers

Publication Date: 2024.03.26 ADVANCED SUSPENSION TECHNOLOGY LLC

AI summary

A dirt shield for shock absorbers having a piston assembly and a cylinder member with a metal dirt shield cap connected to a rod of the piston assembly. A plastic dirt shield bracket is adapted to be fixed to the metal dirt shield cap and includes a first portion and a second portion hingedly connected to one another. A dirt shield tube is connected to the plastic dirt shield bracket.