Reinforced Air Bellows Structure for Crane-Loaded Air Springs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air springs for commercial vehicles are not suitable for loading by crane or train, as the weight of the axle causes the air bellows to unroll completely, leading to negative pressure and potential damage due to folding or tilting, necessitating additional safety devices or complex designs to maintain the air bellows in a rolled state.
Innovation Solution
An air bellows with a reinforced and stiffened central section that remains unchanged during compression and rebound movements, preventing folding or tilting and ensuring reliable rolling over the plunger, even under low internal pressure, without the need for additional safety devices or complex plunger designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the air bellows is allowed to unroll completely during crane loading, then the axle can be supported, but the air bellows folds inwards or tilts causing damage due to negative pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by reinforcing only the central section of the air bellows while leaving the axle-side and body-side areas flexible. This localized reinforcement provides structural stability during crane loading without interfering with the normal rolling function during vehicle operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The air bellows is segmented into three distinct areas: an axle-side area for rolling movement, a reinforced central section for stability, and a body-side area for connection. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function independently.
2Reliability
If tensioning devices or divided plungers are used to limit spring deflection, then the air bellows remains stable, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the stabilizing function from external safety devices and integrates it directly into the air bellows structure through the reinforced central section, eliminating the need for separate tensioning devices or divided plunger designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The air bellows provides its own stability during crane loading through the self-contained reinforcement in the central section, without requiring external safety devices or complex plunger mechanisms to prevent folding.
3Reliability
If the air spring is detachably connected with restoring elements, then the air bellows can be held in position, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for detachable connections and restoring elements by providing continuous reinforcement through the central section, allowing the air bellows to maintain stability throughout the entire operating range without requiring assembly changes.
4Reliability
If the central section is reinforced and stiffened, then the air bellows maintains stability during crane loading, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement is applied locally to only the central section of the air bellows rather than the entire structure, minimizing the additional material and manufacturing steps required while providing sufficient stability during crane loading.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an air bellows (14) for an air spring (10), in particular of a commercial vehicle, comprising an axle-side region (18), a body-side region (16), and a central section (17) adjacent to the body-side region (16), wherein the axle-side region (18) can be arranged on a plunger (12) and is movable between a first, compressed, position and a second, extended, position by means of a compression or rebound movement, wherein the central section (17) is not rolled in or out by the compression or rebound movement, and at least a part of the central section (17) is reinforced and/or stiffened. The invention also relates to an air spring (10) comprising an air bellows (14) and to a method for manufacturing an air bellows (14).