Axial Roller Track Structure for Lightweight Centrifugal Pendulums
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing centrifugal pendulum designs for motor vehicle drivetrains are costly due to high material requirements and increased weight, as they necessitate thick sheet-metal for roller tracks, which also complicate production and increase manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
The roller tracks are formed using axially projecting sheet-metal portions, reducing the need for post-processing of cut surfaces and increasing wear resistance by using a wider, curved surface area, with the option to case-harden for further robustness, allowing for thinner sheet-metal usage and simplified production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If thick sheet-metal is used for roller tracks to withstand high loads, then the strength and load-bearing capacity are improved, but the weight and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The roller track is formed by locally bending and shaping a specific portion of the sheet-metal carrier, creating a reinforced track structure only where needed for load-bearing, rather than using thick sheet-metal throughout the entire component. This localized reinforcement maintains strength while reducing overall weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The roller track is created by bending the sheet-metal in the axial direction to form a three-dimensional curved surface, transforming a two-dimensional flat sheet into a load-bearing structural feature. This dimensional transformation allows thin sheet-metal to achieve the structural integrity normally requiring thick material.
2Reliability
If thick sheet-metal is used for roller tracks to increase surface area, then the wear resistance is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier is divided into a base portion and a separately formed roller track portion. The roller track is created as a distinct bent section of sheet-metal that can be formed and attached independently, simplifying the manufacturing process compared to working with thick sheet-metal throughout.
Solution Approach 2:
The roller track is formed with a curved, cylindrical surface by bending the sheet-metal portion. This curvature provides the necessary wear-resistant rolling surface while being achievable through standard sheet-metal forming processes, avoiding the need for complex machining of thick material.
3Ease of manufacture
If roller tracks are formed by cutting surfaces, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the wear resistance and load-bearing capacity are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The roller track portion is pre-formed by bending and shaping the sheet-metal before final assembly. This preliminary forming creates the durable curved surface needed for rolling contact, and the bent portion can then be securely attached to the carrier, combining ease of manufacture with high reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using flat cut surfaces, the roller track is formed with a curved cylindrical surface by bending the sheet-metal. This curvature is essential for proper roller contact and durability, while the bending process remains simpler than machining complex three-dimensional surfaces from thick material.
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
This design reduces manufacturing costs and weight while enhancing the wear resistance and robustness of the centrifugal pendulum, allowing for more efficient torque transmission in motor vehicle drivetrains.
Implementation Method 1
a first rolling region of the at least one roller body is accommodated in a (first) roller track of the carrier and a second rolling region of the at least one roller body is accommodated in a (second) roller track of the pendulum mass
Implementation Method 2
Centrifugal pendulum having a roller track projecting axially outward, and torque transmission device
Data Source
AI summary
A centrifugal pendulum for a motor vehicle drivetrain includes a carrier, a pendulum mass, mounting for pivoting relative to the carrier, and a roller body. The carrier has a carrier roller track and the pendulum mass has a pendulum mass roller track. The roller body has a first rolling region arranged in the carrier roller track and a second rolling region arranged in the pendulum mass roller track. The carrier roller track is formed at least partially by an axially formed sheet-metal portion having a free edge, and the free edge faces away from the pendulum mass.