Shock Absorber Dust Cover Segmentation for Mud Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shock absorbers face challenges in preventing mud and dust adhesion to the piston rod, which can lead to deterioration of the oil seal and require labor-intensive coating processes, while also risking the generation of unpainted areas that may rust.

Innovation Solution

A shock absorber design featuring a cylindrical dust cover and a collar attached to the outer shell, which prevents mud entry by extending the path for mud to reach the piston rod, thereby reducing adhesion and allowing for simpler coating without maintaining the absorber in a contracted state.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the length of the dust cover is increased to prevent mud adhesion to the piston rod, then the protection effect is improved, but the outer shell becomes unpainted in areas and rust resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection effectVSAvoidrust

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The dust cover is divided into two functional parts: a first dust cover portion that extends along the piston rod to prevent mud adhesion, and a second dust cover portion that extends along the outer shell to maintain paint coverage and prevent rust. This segmentation allows each part to specialize in its protective function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dust cover acts as an intermediary protective element between the external environment (mud, dust) and the piston rod, while the second dust cover portion simultaneously serves as an intermediary between the spray coating and the outer shell, ensuring complete coverage and preventing rust.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the entire length of the dust cover is set to prevent mud entry, then protection is improved, but the coating process becomes more complex and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection effectVSAvoidcoating process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The dust cover is segmented into a first portion attached to the piston rod and a second portion attached to the outer shell, allowing the spray coating to be applied continuously over the entire outer shell surface without interruption or special positioning requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of attaching the dust cover to the piston rod and having it interfere with the coating process, the invention attaches a second dust cover portion to the outer shell, reversing the conventional approach and eliminating coating process complications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If the dust cover is extended to fully protect the piston rod, then adhesion prevention is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadhesion preventionVSAvoiddust cover structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dust cover is divided into two portions with distinct attachment points and functions, where the first portion protects the piston rod and the second portion protects the outer shell, allowing each segment to be optimized for its specific protective role.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dust cover structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: preventing mud adhesion to the piston rod, maintaining spray coating coverage on the outer shell, and providing overall environmental protection, all within a single integrated component system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The solution effectively prevents mud adhesion to the piston rod, reduces the risk of rust, and simplifies the coating process by ensuring the outer periphery of the piston rod remains protected without extending the dust cover excessively, thus maintaining paintability and preventing rust on the outer shell.

Implementation Method 1

a dust cover connected to the piston rod and adapted to allow entry of the outer shell to an inside

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical barrier: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 2

a cylindrical collar attached to the outer shell and arranged on an outer periphery of the piston rod

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical barrier: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 3

The shock absorber exerts a damping force for suppressing relative movement of the piston rod with respect to the outer shell

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDamping force: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS9488242B2Shock absorber

Publication Date: 2016.11.08 KYB CORP

AI summary

A shock absorber includes a shock absorber body having a cylinder outer shell and a piston rod capable of going in/out of the outer shell and generating a damping force suppressing relative movement of the piston rod in an axial direction with respect to the outer shell, a cylindrical dust cover connected to the piston rod and allowing entry of the outer shell into an inside, and a cylindrical collar attached to the outer shell and arranged on an outer periphery of the piston rod.