Concentric Slave Cylinder Bellows Attachment via Axial Clipping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing concentric slave cylinders for motor vehicle clutch or brake systems face issues with the reliability of protective bellows attachment to the release bearing, leading to potential dirt ingress and increased assembly complexity, as known solutions either allow slippage or require additional assembly steps.
Innovation Solution
A concentric slave cylinder design where the protective bellows are clipped into a fastening ring on the release bearing side using an axial movement of the piston, with radially circumferential collars and shielding elements to ensure secure attachment without complex assembly, preventing contact between the bellows and release bearing during compression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the protective bellows are only guided and centered without fastening, then the assembly is simple, but the protective bellows can slip out of the mounts or fail to maintain its original shape
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening ring is segmented with multiple radially circumferential collars distributed around its circumference, allowing the protective bellows to be secured at multiple discrete points rather than requiring a continuous complex fastening structure
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening ring acts as an intermediary component between the protective bellows and the release bearing, providing a dedicated mounting structure that simplifies the attachment while ensuring reliable fixation through the collar-bellows interface
2Reliability
If additional fastening components are added to secure the protective bellows, then the attachment reliability is improved, but the assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening ring combines multiple functions into a single component: it provides structural support, serves as the mounting interface for the protective bellows, and integrates the fastening mechanism through its collars, eliminating the need for separate fastening operations
Solution Approach 2:
The collars on the fastening ring are designed to automatically engage with the protective bellows during assembly through axial movement of the piston, allowing the system to self-fasten without requiring additional manual assembly steps
3Reliability
If the protective bellows are clamped with fastening rings, then the attachment is secure, but mobility in the circumferential direction is restricted leading to tension and premature wear
Solution Approach 1:
The collars on the fastening ring are positioned to secure the protective bellows axially while leaving the circumferential direction free, allowing the bellows to expand and contract dynamically during operation without restriction, thereby preventing tension and extending service life
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 provides a functionally reliable and cost-effective attachment of the protective bellows to the release bearing, preventing dirt ingress and simplifying assembly by eliminating the need for additional steps, while maintaining mobility and preventing premature wear.
Implementation Method 1
the protective bellows can be clipped into the fastening ring by means of an axial movement of the piston
Implementation Method 2
at least one shielding element (7.2) which is directed radially outward and prevents contact between the protective bellows (6) and the release bearing (4)
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The application relates to a slave cylinder with a housing (1) arranged concentrically about a transmission input shaft, and with an annular piston (2) which is movable axially in said housing and is operatively connected to a disengagement bearing (4). The disengagement bearing obtains an axial prestress by means of an energy accumulator (5) which is supported on the housing and encloses the piston. The energy accumulator is surrounded by a protective bellows (6) which is held by one end (6.1) thereof on the housing and by the disengagement-bearing end (6.2) thereof by a fastening ring (7) connected to the disengagement bearing. According to the invention, the disengagement-bearing end (6.2) of the protective bellows (6) is clippable into the fastening ring (7) by means of an axial movement of the piston.