Adjustable Friction Lining Design for Variable Damping Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Friction dampers lack the ability to adjust frictional damping effectively, limiting their versatility and adaptability to varying conditions in applications such as washing devices and fitness equipment.

Innovation Solution

A friction device with an adjustable friction lining carrier and an adjusting element that allows for manual or motorized adjustment of the friction lining, enabling variable frictional force application through radial displacement and compression of the friction lining.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a friction damper uses a fixed friction lining, then the structure is simple, but the frictional damping cannot be adjusted to varying conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability of frictional dampingVSAvoidstructure of friction device
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The friction lining is made adjustable through an adjusting element that can radially displace the friction lining relative to the friction lining carrier. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the frictional damping to be adapted to varying conditions while maintaining a relatively simple structure through the use of a friction lining carrier and adjusting element mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the friction lining is made adjustable, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevariable frictional force adjustmentVSAvoidadjusting mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The friction device is segmented into distinct functional components: a friction lining carrier that holds the friction lining, and a separate adjusting element that controls the radial position of the friction lining. This segmentation allows for independent optimization of each component and simplifies the overall adjustment mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The adjusting element changes the frictional force by radially displacing the friction lining, thereby changing the contact pressure between the friction lining and the counterface. This parameter change approach allows continuous adjustment of frictional damping without requiring complex discrete adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables flexible and targeted adjustment of frictional force, enhancing the damper's performance in different applications by allowing customization of frictional effects to suit specific conditions, such as varying vibration levels or user requirements.

Implementation Method 1

The friction lining, which consists in particular of a compressible material, is at least partially compressed and thereby pressed radially outwards

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

Friction dampers are known for generating frictional damping between two movably connected components

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3336375B1Friction device and a friction damper comprising such a friction device
Publication Date: 2020.04.29 SUSPA
  • EP3336375B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3336375B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3336375B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A friction device for a friction damper comprises a friction lining carrier (11), at least one adjustable friction lining (12) arranged on the friction lining carrier (11) and an adjusting element (13) for the adjustably arranging of the at least one friction lining (12) on the friction lining carrier (11).