Vehicle Height Adjustment Device Fluid Flow Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle height adjustment devices face challenges in efficiently managing vehicle height adjustments during travel and halt, particularly in preventing air bubbles from gathering and causing efficiency degradation in hydraulic systems.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle height adjustment device comprising a cylinder, piston, rod, spring, adjustor, storage chamber, and passage switch unit, which includes communication passages to manage fluid flow and prevent air bubbles from stagnating, allowing for efficient height adjustments by switching between supplying fluid to a storage chamber or an accommodation chamber based on piston movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the passage switch unit is designed with multiple communication passages to manage fluid flow, then the ability to switch between supplying fluid to storage chamber or accommodation chamber is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The passage switch unit is divided into multiple independent communication passages (first communication passage and second communication passage), each handling specific fluid flow paths. This segmentation allows the system to manage different fluid routing scenarios independently, improving adaptability while keeping each individual passage relatively simple in structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The passage switch unit is designed to perform multiple functions through its multiple communication passages - it can supply fluid from the cylinder to either the storage chamber or the accommodation chamber based on operational needs. This multi-functionality allows a single component to handle various fluid management tasks, reducing the need for additional separate components.
2Productivity
If the first communication passage is configured to force air bubbles to the reservoir chamber, then air bubble removal efficiency is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The design converts the harmful effect of air bubbles (which can cause efficiency degradation) into a beneficial outcome by configuring the first communication passage to naturally guide air bubbles toward the reservoir chamber. The passage geometry is designed so that air bubbles, being less dense than the hydraulic fluid, are forced upward and collected in the reservoir chamber where they can be safely vented or stored without affecting system operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the adjustor is designed to adjust spring length by controlling fluid amount in accommodation chamber, then the vehicle height adjustment capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustor utilizes hydraulic principles by controlling the amount of fluid in the accommodation chamber to adjust the spring length. The second communication passage enables fluid to be supplied from the cylinder to the accommodation chamber, where it acts on the spring mechanism. This hydraulic approach provides smooth, controlled adjustment of vehicle height without requiring complex mechanical linkages or multiple adjustment mechanisms.
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 device ensures quick and efficient vehicle height adjustments by preventing air bubble stagnation, maintaining system efficiency and facilitating smooth operation by directing fluid flow effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a jack chamber (60) of a hydraulic jack (500), and a hydraulic pump (600). The hydraulic jack utilizes Pascal's law to transmit and amplify force through hydraulic fluid
Implementation Method 2
a hydraulic pump (600) to perform pumping operation by compression and rebound strokes of a piston rod (150) with respect to a damper tube (230) so as to feed and discharge hydraulic fluid
Implementation Method 3
a spring (500) between the upper-side end support member (270) and the base member (260). The spring stores and releases mechanical energy through elastic deformation
Implementation Method 4
air bubbles in the oil gathered and stagnant in the upper portion of the passage switch unit are forced to the reservoir chamber
Data Source
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AI summary
A vehicle height adjustment device includes a cylinder (230), a piston (131), a rod (150), a spring (500), an adjustor (250), a storage chamber (40), and a passage switch unit (300). The piston (131) divides a space inside the cylinder (230). The rod (150) has one end in the axial direction holding the piston (131) and has the other end supported at a vehicle wheel side. The spring (500) has one end in the axial direction supported at the body side and has the other end supported at the wheel side. The adjustor (250) includes an accommodation chamber (60) of fluid and supports the one end of the spring (500) to adjust a length of the spring (500) in accordance with an amount of the fluid in the accommodation chamber (60). The passage switch unit (300) closes an opening of the cylinder and includes first (R1) and second (R2) communication passages to switch a passage for the fluid in accordance with a movement of the piston (131).