DESC:Sealing Arrangement for Leak Detection

Field of the invention

The present invention generally relates to a suspension system and more particularly, to a sealing arrangement for leak detection in the suspension system.

Background of the invention

One of the main function of a suspension system is to ensure zero leak through-out its life, which otherwise will lose its function of providing suspension. Leakage is one of the major failures on functioning of any suspension system. One way of testing leak in the suspension system is to insert a tube sub-assembly into a water container, apply air by sealing a top end and visually check the bubbles in the container for minor leaks and little advanced method of air pressure drop measure through back pressure drop for major leaks.

As an advanced method of leak testing process, more sensitive sensors are in use to detect the minor leakages. But the challenge is to seal the open end and retain the applied air pressure to provide a stabilized pressure output to the sensor system for accurate measurement.

Figure 1 shows details of a front fork assembly (10). The front fork assembly (10) includes an inner tube (2), an oil seal (4), an outer tube (6) and a bottom bolt (8). The front fork usually fails due to two main reasons:
a) Wear-out or damage of the inner tube (2) after usage on field that in turn damages the oil seal (4) leading to leakage.
b) At initial stages, leakage at assembly joints in the areas of the bottom bolt (8) and the oil seal (6) while assembly operations or due to parts quality.
These leakages need to be checked and confirmed for further assembly operation hence leak testing of a limb sub-assembly is required to be conducted. Further, the system is required to confirm the no-leak condition.

Accordingly, there exists a need to provide a sealing arrangement for leak detection in a suspension system that overcomes the abovementioned drawbacks of the prior art.

Objects of the invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a zero leak arrangement and fixture to avoid the misinterpretation of testing process result.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fully assured leak proof arrangement for a safe driving experience of consumer.

Summary of the invention

Accordingly, the present invention provides a sealing arrangement for leak detection in a suspension system of a vehicle. The sealing arrangement comprises an air syringe, a flexible seal and a locator. The air syringe is capable of actuated by a retracting cylinder of the suspension system. The flexible seal is capable of compressed by the actuation of the air syringe. The flexible seal seals diameter of an inner tube upon compression. The locator inserts the inner tube along with the air syringe and the flexible seal. The retracting cylinder actuates and pulls the air syringe upwards causes the flexible seal to get compressed and sealed inside the inner tube diameter thereby ensuring the perfect seal. The present invention provides accurate feedback to the sensor as well as detects leak without any manual intervention.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 shows a front fork assembly, in accordance with the prior art; and

Figure 2 shows a sealing arrangement for leak detection in a suspension system, in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention

The foregoing objects of the present invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with the prior art, techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention as described below in the preferred embodiments.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a sealing arrangement for leak detection in a suspension system. The sealing arrangement arrests the leak and provides an accurate feedback to a sensor to decide the part leak confirmation. The sealing arrangement is useful for all assembled and welded tubes, especially suspension outer tube and limb sub-assembly of a vehicle.

This present invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, throughout which reference numbers indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. These reference numbers are shown in bracket in the following description.

Referring to figure 2, a sealing arrangement (50) for leak detection in a suspension system (100) of a vehicle in accordance with the present invention is shown. The suspension system (100) includes a retracting cylinder (55), an inner tube (60), a centralizing clamp (65), an air chamber (70) and an outer tube (75). Specifically, the sealing arrangement (50) is useful for all assembled and welded tubes, especially the outer tube (75) of the suspension system (100) and a limb sub-assembly (not shown) of the vehicle.

The sealing arrangement (50) comprises an air syringe (15), a locator (20) and a flexible seal (25). Also, the retracting cylinder (55) can be a part of sealing arrangement (50). The air syringe (15) along with the locator (20) and the flexible seal (25) is inserted into the inner tube (60) to a desired depth. Before insertion, the inner tube (60) is located to centralize the inner tube (60) to get the alignment between the locator (20) and the inner tube (60) inner diameter. The centralizing clamp (65) is used to fix the inner tube (60) at center using the locator (20). Once the position is confirmed by the in-built sealing arrangement, which gets actuated through the retracting cylinder (55) to first advance and get inserted into the inner tube (60) and then once the position is achieved, the retracting cylinder (55) in sequence to compress during sealing and releases after the sealing operation is complete. The retracting cylinder (55) actuates and pulls the air syringe (15) upwards causing the flexible seal (25) to get compressed and sealed inside the inner tube diameter thereby ensuring the perfect seal. Once the flexible seal (25) is compressed and packed, air is applied to fill the air chamber (70), stabilize and give feedback to a sensor (not shown).

Advantages of the invention:

1. The sealing arrangement (50) is useful for all assembled and welded tubes, especially the outer tube of the suspension system (100) and the limb sub-assembly of the vehicle.
2. The sealing arrangement (50) provides an accurate feedback to the sensor.
3. The sealing arrangement (50) eliminates the concern areas of unwanted sealing /applying pressure which can mislead the testing method.
4. Being fully automated, the sealing arrangement (50) detects leak without any manual intervention.
5. The sealing arrangement (50) overcomes several possibilities of misinterpreting the leak paths.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the scope of the present invention.
,CLAIMS:We claim:

1. A sealing arrangement (50) for leak detection in a suspension system (100) of a vehicle, the sealing arrangement (50) comprising:
an air syringe (15) capable of being actuated by a retracting cylinder (55) of the suspension system (100);
a flexible seal (25) capable of being compressed by the actuation of the air syringe (15), the flexible seal (25) upon compression sealing diameter of an inner tube (60); and
a locator (20) inserted the inner tube (60) along with the air syringe (15) and the flexible seal (25),
wherein, the retracting cylinder (55) actuates and pulls the air syringe
(15) upwards causing the flexible seal (25) to get compressed and sealed inside the inner tube diameter thereby ensuring the perfect seal.

2. The sealing arrangement (50) as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the inner tube (60) is surrounded by the locator (20).

3. The sealing arrangement (50) as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the inner tube (60) is positioned at the center using locator (20) and a centralized clamp (65).

Dated this on 27th day of June, 2020

Prafulla Wange
(Agent for Applicant)
IN-PA/2058