Vehicle Suspension Stop Device with Annular Labyrinth Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional suspension thrust bearings in vehicle suspension struts experience drag torque due to friction, leading to poor sealing and contamination issues, especially in applications like guiding wheels, where existing contact-free baffle devices are complex and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A suspension stop device with a rigid thrust bearing, a synthetic material support part, and a cover with an annular labyrinth seal comprising multiple head losses to minimize friction and ensure a good seal, while maintaining low axial and radial bulk, using a design with elastic hooks for assembly and a specific geometry to restrict capillary rise and contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sealing lips are used to seal the bearing housing, then sealing is provided, but friction torque (drag torque) is generated between rotating parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the sealing function from the rotating bearing assembly and relocates it to the stationary housing structure. The sealing lips are attached to the housing rather than rotating with the bearing, eliminating friction while maintaining sealing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a synthetic material support part as an intermediary element between the rotating lower washer and the stationary housing. This support part transmits forces while the stationary sealing lips seal against it, mediating between rotating and stationary components to eliminate drag torque.
2Loss of energy
If contact-free baffle devices are used to eliminate drag torque, then friction is reduced, but the device becomes complex and sealing quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the support function and sealing function into a single integrated structure. The synthetic material support part serves both to transmit forces from the spring to the bearing and to provide a sealing surface, while the housing simultaneously provides structural support and sealing, eliminating the need for separate complex baffle devices.
3Loss of energy
If contact-free baffle devices are used to eliminate drag torque, then friction is reduced, but capillary rise occurs and sealing quality becomes poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of capillary action by designing the sealing interface with the synthetic material support part and stationary sealing lips to prevent capillary rise. The contact-free baffle device eliminates drag torque while the specific geometry and material selection prevent unwanted capillary effects, turning a potential weakness into a controlled feature.
4Reliability
If multiple labyrinth seals are used to improve sealing, then sealing quality improves, but the device becomes extremely complex and requires intermediate drainage chambers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sealing function from complex multi-chamber labyrinth structures and concentrates it into a single effective sealing interface between the stationary sealing lips and the synthetic material support part. This eliminates the need for multiple seals and intermediate drainage chambers while maintaining or improving sealing effectiveness.
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 reduces friction and ensures a high-quality seal without increasing the device's size, maintaining low play levels and preventing contamination, thus enhancing the sealing efficiency and reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
rising of liquid by capillarity is not ruled out and the seal is not of good quality
Implementation Method 2
an initial annular head loss of radial play P1, a second annular head loss of axial play P2 and a third annular head loss of radial play P3
Data Source
AI summary
A suspension stop for a suspension strut of a vehicle equipped with a coil spring (10) comprises a rigid thrust bearing (24) equipped with a lower metal washer (28) rotating with respect to an upper metal washer (26), a synthetic material support part (38) designed to transmit the forces exerted by the spring to the lower washer and a cover (22) covering the upper washer and delimiting together with the support part a housing (54) for the bearing. The cover is equipped with a skirt (22) delimiting with the peripheral area of the support part an annular labyrinth (60), arranged radially outside the housing and connecting the housing to the outside, with the annular labyrinth successively comprising, from the housing towards the outside, an initial annular head loss of radial play P1, a second annular head loss of axial play P2, followed by a third annular head loss of radial play P3.