Vehicle Vibration Damper Helical Tube Assembly for Oil-Gas Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-tube vibration dampers with helical elements face challenges in assembly and maintenance, leading to potential mixing of hydraulic oil and gas, which limits their damping performance due to the lack of a separate gas chamber and requires a cost-effective and durable mounting solution.
Innovation Solution
A vibration damper design featuring a central tube with a tubular element and a helical element connected via a locking device, allowing for secure and play-free assembly, with the helical element being externally mounted on the tubular element and fixed using a snap-fit connection or clamping arms, ensuring axial and circumferential stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a helical element is used to calm hydraulic oil in multi-tube vibration dampers, then the damping performance is improved, but the assembly complexity and reliability deteriorate due to difficulty in secure mounting
Solution Approach 1:
The helical element is designed as a separate component that can be independently assembled onto the central tube, rather than being integrated into the tube structure. This segmentation allows for easier assembly and maintenance while maintaining the damping function.
Solution Approach 2:
The helical element is pre-formed with a specific geometry that allows it to be snap-fitted onto the central tube. This preliminary preparation of the helical element's shape enables quick and secure assembly without complex fastening operations.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the helical element is securely fixed without play, then the service life is extended, but the assembly cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The helical element is designed as a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily replaced if needed. Its straightforward geometry and material usage keep manufacturing costs low while providing sufficient service life for the application.
Solution Approach 2:
The helical element is extracted as a separate serviceable component from the vibration damper assembly. This allows it to be independently manufactured, tested, and replaced without affecting other components, reducing overall assembly complexity and cost.
3Device complexity
If no separate gas chamber is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to mixing of hydraulic oil and gas
Solution Approach 1:
The helical element acts as an intermediary structure within the compensation chamber that mediates between the hydraulic oil and gas phases. It provides a large surface area for gas absorption and prevents direct mixing while maintaining the simplified single-chamber structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The helical element creates localized regions within the compensation chamber where gas can be absorbed and held. Different portions of the compensation chamber serve different functions: areas near the helical element for gas absorption and other areas for hydraulic fluid compensation, maintaining functional reliability without separate chambers.
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 enables cost-effective and efficient assembly of the helical element within the vibration damper, preventing hydraulic oil and gas mixing, thereby maintaining the damping characteristic and extending the service life of the vibration damper.
Implementation Method 1
Piston rod movements or accelerations of the hydraulic fluid within the vibration damper lead to relatively powerful fluctuations of the hydraulic oil level. This often leads to a 'bursting' of the hydraulic oil column so that the hydraulic oil and the gas become mixed by a foaming action
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a vibration damper for a vehicle comprising: an external tube and an internal tube which is arranged coaxially relative thereto, wherein a compensation chamber for receiving hydraulic fluid is formed between the external tube and the internal tube, and a working piston which is connected to a piston rod and which is arranged so as to be movable back and forth inside the internal tube, wherein the internal space of the internal tube is subdivided by the working piston into a first working chamber and a second working chamber, a central tube which is arranged inside the compensation chamber and which is attached to the internal tube, wherein the central tube has a tubular element and a helical element which is connected to the tubular element.