Pneumatic Support Damping via Segmented Air Chambers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pneumatic supports face challenges in limiting volume without saturation, affecting damping performance due to varying thickness and undulations in the second spring means, leading to high force variation when the first chamber's volume is zero.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatic support design with a second spring means having a globally flat middle and opposite transverse faces, varying in thickness up to 2:1 ratio, allowing for free and secured states during deformation, and a continuous second chamber for increased elasticity and damping, with holes for air communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the second spring means has significant undulations with recesses and protrusions and varying thickness, then the elasticity of the second spring means is increased when pressure is applied, but the force variation becomes very high when the first chamber's volume is zero
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a second chamber with localized air pockets in specific regions of the second spring means. This allows different parts of the spring means to have different damping characteristics - the undulated regions provide elasticity while the localized air pockets in the second chamber moderate force variation, resolving the contradiction between needing high elasticity and avoiding excessive force variation.
2Volume of moving object
If the volume of the first working chamber is limited, then the pneumatic support achieves progressive saturation for large deformations, but the damping performance is affected when the volume reaches zero
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the working chamber into two separate chambers - the first working chamber with limited volume for progressive saturation, and the second chamber with localized air pockets for continued damping performance. This segmentation allows the system to maintain damping effectiveness even when the first chamber volume approaches zero, as the second chamber provides additional compliance.
3Strength
If the second spring means has a thickness varying from one to three, then the elasticity is increased, but the manufacturing precision becomes more difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the approach from controlling thickness variation to controlling the overall geometry and material properties. By specifying that the second spring means comprises an elastomeric material with controlled Shore A hardness (40-60) and defining the thickness variation ratio (1:3), the patent achieves the desired elasticity while maintaining manufacturability through material property control rather than strict dimensional control.
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 design enables effective damping for large deformations by limiting air volume and achieving progressive saturation, enhancing the pneumatic support's ability to absorb vibrations without excessive force variation.
Implementation Method 1
a first spring means (4), made of an elastomeric material, interposed between and made integral with, toward its side periphery, with the portion of the side wall, and toward its middle periphery, with the second carrier means (3)
Implementation Method 2
the two middle transverse faces (16, 19) of the first and second spring means (4, 5) are opposite each other and provide a first deformable working chamber (6)
Data Source
AI summary
A pneumatic support includes first and second carrier elements, and first and second spring elements. Two middle transverse faces of the first and second spring elements are opposite each other and form a first working chamber and the opposite transverse face and the portion of the transverse wall are opposite each other and form a second chamber. A first hole provides communication between the first working chamber and the outside atmosphere and a second hole in the portion of the transverse wall provides communication between the second chamber and the outside atmosphere. The second spring element has low rigidity and an overall thickness that varies in a ratio of 1 to 2 and, at rest, the middle transverse face is separated from the middle transverse face of the first spring element, whereas the opposite transverse face is separated from the inner face of the portion of the transverse wall.