Vehicle Vibration Damper Flow Elements to Prevent Oil Foaming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-tube vibration dampers lack a separate gas space, leading to uncontrolled mixing of hydraulic oil and gas due to piston rod movements, resulting in foaming and a compromised damping characteristic curve.
Innovation Solution
A vibration damper design featuring a central tube and flow elements arranged in a labyrinthine configuration within the compensation space to create local flow resistances, reducing hydraulic fluid kinetic energy and preventing foaming by ensuring a stable separation layer between oil and gas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a spiral element is used to calm the hydraulic oil, then the hydraulic oil flow is reduced, but the mounting of the spiral element within the vibration damper is problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The spiral element is segmented into multiple individual flow-calming elements (30) that can be independently mounted on the central tube (26). This segmentation allows for easier assembly and manufacturing compared to a single large spiral element, while still achieving the desired flow calming effect through the collective action of multiple smaller elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow-calming elements (30) are nested around the central tube (26) in a concentric arrangement within the compensation space (16). This nested configuration allows the flow-calming elements to be integrated into the existing vibration damper structure without requiring separate mounting spaces, simplifying the overall manufacturing process.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the hydraulic oil level fluctuates due to piston rod movements, then the separation layer between oil and gas moves, but this intensifies foaming and breaks up the hydraulic oil column
Solution Approach 1:
The central tube (26) with attached flow-calming elements (30) acts as an intermediary structure between the hydraulic oil and gas phases. This intermediary arrangement creates a stable separation layer by providing a physical barrier and flow-calming surfaces that prevent direct mixing, thereby reducing foaming even when the oil level fluctuates during piston rod movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow-calming elements (30) utilize hydraulic principles to manage the flow of hydraulic oil in the compensation space (16). By creating local flow resistances and calming the oil flow, these elements prevent the hydraulic oil column from breaking up and maintain proper separation between the oil and gas phases, reducing foaming.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If flow elements are arranged to create local flow resistances, then hydraulic fluid kinetic energy is reduced and foaming is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The central tube (26) serves multiple functions: it provides structural support within the compensation space (16), acts as a mounting platform for the flow-calming elements (30), and facilitates the desired flow calibration effect. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while still achieving effective foaming prevention.
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 prevents foaming and maintains the damping characteristic curve by reducing hydraulic fluid flow speed and ensuring a stable separation layer, enhancing the functionality of the vibration damper.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of flow elements which each have a pin-shaped region which extends in the radial direction are arranged within the compensation space
Implementation Method 2
lower the kinetic energy of the hydraulic fluid which flows in the compensation space
Data Source
AI summary
A vibration damper, for a vehicle, including an outer tube and an inner tube which is arranged coaxially with respect to the former, a compensation space for receiving hydraulic fluid being configured between the outer tube and the inner tube, and a working piston which is connected to a piston rod and is arranged such that it can be moved within the inner tube, the interior space of the inner tube being divided by way of the working piston into a first working space and a second working space, a plurality of flow elements which each have a pin-shaped region which extends in the radial direction being arranged within the compensation space.