Shock Absorber Assembly with Non-Circular Rods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current shock absorber assemblies for vehicles, particularly in aircraft landing gear, face challenges in simplicity, weight, strength, aerodynamic performance, and aeroacoustic performance due to the need for external elements like torque links to inhibit rotation, which can lead to unwanted rotation and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A shock absorber assembly with multiple elements, each with a housing and a rod slidably coupled within a bore, where the rods have non-circular profiles to inhibit rotation and can vary in length, allowing for different shock absorbing properties and fluid-filled chambers to adjust the shock absorption based on applied forces, eliminating the need for external elements like pitch trimmers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If external elements like torque links are used to inhibit rotation of the rod, then rotation is prevented, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the rotation inhibition function into the shock absorber element itself by providing a non-circular cross-section to either the rod or the bore. This eliminates the need for separate external torque links, as the asymmetric geometry inherently prevents rotation through geometric constraint during telescopic movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies asymmetry by giving the rod or bore a non-circular cross-section (such as rectangular, oval, or other asymmetric shapes). This asymmetric geometry ensures that the rod cannot rotate within the bore during telescopic movement, as the asymmetric profile would bind against the bore walls, thereby providing intrinsic rotation inhibition without external components.
2Reliability
If multiple shock absorber elements are used to inhibit rotation and provide shock absorption, then shock absorption capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shock absorber element performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides shock absorption through telescopic movement and prevents rotation through its non-circular cross-section. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate rotation inhibition components, achieving reliable shock absorption without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the shock absorption function and rotation inhibition function into a single integrated shock absorber element. The non-circular rod or bore design enables the same component to both absorb shocks through axial telescopic movement and prevent rotation through geometric constraint, thereby improving reliability without linearly increasing the number of components.
3Stability of the object's composition
If non-circular rod profile is used to inhibit rotation, then rotation is prevented, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric (non-circular) cross-sections for the rod or bore to prevent rotation. While this increases manufacturing complexity compared to circular profiles, it eliminates the need for additional external torque links or complex mechanical anti-rotation mechanisms, potentially offsetting the manufacturing complexity through overall system simplification.
Data Source
AI summary
A shock absorber assembly having a wheel assembly including first and second coupling points, and first and second shock absorber elements. Each shock absorber element includes a housing portion defining a bore, and a rod slidably coupled within the bore such that the shock absorber element has a variable length. Each rod is coupled to a respective coupling point of the wheel assembly. The shock absorber assembly is arranged to maintain the relative positions of the first and second housing portions such that the longitudinal axis of the first bore has a generally fixed relationship with respect to the longitudinal axis of the second bore.