Asymmetrical Isolator Torque Dampening for Vehicle Drivelines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing torque dampening compensators for vehicles face issues such as thrust loading, fixed damping rates, and performance trade-offs between low-torque and high-torque compensation, along with compression set leading to driveline lash, which complicates assembly and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
A torque dampening compensator design featuring an isolator member with asymmetrical surfaces and a draft angle between input and output members, which selectively absorbs torque and reduces thrust loads, providing a progressive damping rate and preventing compression set through a unique assembly process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If elastic material is compressed between input and output members to dampen torque pulsations, then torque dampening performance is improved, but thrust loading increases requiring expensive thrust bearings
Solution Approach 1:
The isolator member incorporates asymmetrical contact surfaces where one surface is angled at a first angle to the rotational axis while the opposing surface is angled at a second, different angle. This asymmetrical geometry creates a self-balancing effect that cancels out thrust loads generated during compression, eliminating the need for separate thrust bearings while maintaining effective torque dampening performance
2Reliability
If elastic material is oversized and preloaded to address compression set, then compression set is reduced, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The isolator member is pre-formed during manufacturing with built-in asymmetrical contact surfaces that create self-centering and self-aligning forces. This preliminary geometric configuration ensures proper positioning and load distribution during assembly without requiring complex preloading procedures or oversized dimensions, simplifying installation while maintaining resistance to compression set
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 reduces thrust loads on bearings, achieves balanced performance in both low-torque and high-torque compensation, and simplifies assembly by eliminating the need for thrust bearings and minimizing compression set, resulting in improved durability and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
The isolator member is operable to receive the input torque from the input member, to selectively absorb a portion of the input torque, and to transmit the output torque to the output member
Implementation Method 2
The first and second surfaces of the isolator member are asymmetrical, counteracting the thrust load
Data Source
AI summary
A torque dampening compensator for a vehicle including an isolator member disposed between an input member and an output member. The isolator member includes isolator elements disposed between corresponding lugs of the respective input and output members. The lugs of the output member have a draft angle, and the isolator elements have contact faces corresponding to the respective lugs with unequal axial depths to induce a moment on each isolator element that counteracts a thrust load between the input and output members initiated by the draft angle. One isolator element of the isolator member is formed to have a size corresponding to the space provided between adjacent lugs of the input and output members and a shape that is dissimilar from the space. The one isolator element is resiliently deformable into the space.