Slave Cylinder Integrating Damping Element for Pressure Pulsations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hydraulic clutch actuators for motor vehicles experience vibration transmission issues due to pressure pulsations, which are not adequately addressed by existing vibration damping solutions that often require additional space and increase the risk of leaks, are complex, or increase system hysteresis.

Innovation Solution

A slave cylinder with an insert part equipped with a device for reducing pressure pulsations integrated into the pressure chamber, which is always open to the pressure medium, eliminating the need for additional vibration damping assemblies and reducing the axial length, thereby minimizing space requirements and the risk of leaks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If separate vibration damping assemblies are used in the hydraulic line, then pressure pulsations are dampened, but the risk of leaks increases due to additional connection points

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure pulsationsVSAvoidrisk of leaks
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration damping function is merged with the slave cylinder body by integrating a damping element (elastomeric material or spring) directly into the slave cylinder housing. This eliminates the need for separate vibration damping assemblies and their associated connection points, thereby reducing leak risks while maintaining pressure pulsation damping capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If separate vibration damping assemblies are used in the hydraulic line, then pressure pulsations are dampened, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure pulsationsVSAvoidnumber of assemblies
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration damping function is integrated into the slave cylinder housing through a damping element, combining multiple functions (cylinder operation and vibration damping) into a single component. This reduces the overall device complexity by eliminating separate vibration damping assemblies from the hydraulic line.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The slave cylinder housing is designed to serve multiple functions: it contains the piston and pressure medium while also incorporating a damping element to reduce pressure pulsations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, simplifying the overall system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If vibration damping assemblies are added to the hydraulic line, then pressure pulsations are dampened, but the space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure pulsationsVSAvoidspace requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration damping function is integrated into the existing slave cylinder housing, utilizing the available space within the cylinder body. This eliminates the need for additional space in the hydraulic line for separate vibration damping assemblies, thereby reducing overall space requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Length of moving object

If the slave cylinder axial length is reduced to save space, then installation space is minimized, but vibration damping capability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaxial lengthVSAvoidvibration damping
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The damping element (elastomeric material or spring) is nested within the slave cylinder housing, utilizing the internal volume of the existing structure. This allows vibration damping functionality to be incorporated without increasing the external axial length of the slave cylinder, maintaining compact dimensions while preserving damping capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 dampens pressure pulsations within the slave cylinder, reducing the need for additional pipe sections and enhancing the robustness and cost-effectiveness of the hydraulic clutch actuation system while maintaining efficient vibration damping.

Implementation Method 1

The damping element (500) is made of an elastomeric material and is designed to reduce pressure pulsations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a damping element (500) made of an elastomeric material and designed to reduce pressure pulsations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Implementation Method 3

a spring (501) whose damping characteristics are matched to the natural frequency of the liquid column

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 4

designed to reduce pressure pulsations... whose damping characteristics are matched to the natural frequency

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP2211062B1Slave cylinder for a vibration-dampened hydraulic power transmission system, in particular a hydraulic clutch actuation for motor vehicles
Publication Date: 2015.04.29 FTE AUTOMOTIVE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2211062B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2211062B1 patent drawingFigure 2~5
  • EP2211062B1 patent drawingFigure 6~9

AI summary

A slave cylinder (50) for a vibration-damped hydraulic power transmission system, in particular a hydraulic clutch actuation for motor vehicles, is disclosed, comprising a cylinder housing (52), a piston (56) longitudinally displaceable therein, and a pressure chamber (60) bounded by the cylinder housing and the piston and optionally pressurized with a pressure medium via a pressure port (66) provided in the cylinder housing to displace the piston in the cylinder housing. Furthermore, an insert (68) is provided in the pressure chamber and fastened in the pressure port, which is equipped with a device (70) that is always open to the pressure medium for reducing pressure pulsations. As a result, the vibration-damping measures or means are integrated into the slave cylinder in a very cost-effective and space-saving manner.