Sliding Polymer Shield for Shock Absorber Cylinder Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Off-road vehicles' shock absorbers face increased wear and shortened lifespan due to exposure to contaminants like mud, sand, and water, leading to potential failure.
Innovation Solution
A shock absorber design featuring a slidable shield made of a rigid polymer, such as high-density polyethylene resin, that protects the cylinder opening from contamination by overlapping it during piston movement, while maintaining flexibility to avoid interference with vehicle structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional shock absorber design is used without additional protective components, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability deteriorates due to exposure to contaminants like mud, sand, and water
Solution Approach 1:
A shield made of rigid polymer material is introduced as an intermediary component between the contaminants (mud, sand, water) and the shock absorber cylinder. The shield overlaps the cylinder opening and slides along with piston movement, preventing direct contact between contaminants and the seal, thereby protecting the shock absorber without significantly increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The shield is constructed from rigid polymer material that provides protective coverage while maintaining flexibility to accommodate piston movement. The shield overlaps the cylinder opening and slides along with piston motion, creating a flexible barrier against contaminants while preserving the functional movement of the shock absorber
2Reliability
If a shield is added to protect the cylinder opening, then the reliability improves by preventing contamination, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shield serves as a protective intermediary that overlaps the cylinder opening, preventing contaminants from reaching the seal. It slides along with piston movement, maintaining protection while integrating smoothly with the existing shock absorber structure
Solution Approach 2:
The shield is made of rigid polymer material that provides durable protection while allowing flexible movement with the piston. This material choice balances protection effectiveness with integration into the dynamic shock absorber system
3Reliability
If the shield is made rigid to prevent contamination, then the reliability improves, but the adaptability worsens due to potential interference with vehicle structures
Solution Approach 1:
The shield is designed to slide along with piston movement rather than being fixed rigidly. This dynamic design allows the shield to adapt to the changing position of the piston and avoid interference with vehicle structures while maintaining its protective function against contaminants
Data Source
AI summary
A shield is slidably mounted to a cylinder of a shock absorber and fastened to a piston shaft of the shock absorber. The shield may include a circumferential slot that fits over a disk formed on the piston shaft to secure the shield to the piston shaft. The shield may include a partial cylinder that extends over a point of entry of the piston shaft into the cylinder. For example, the shield may have a cross section that is a 200 to 270 degree arc. The shield may include a guide along an interior surface that engages a slider secured to the cylinder. The guide may be a slot and the slider is a post seated in the slot.