Bellows Spring Damper for Storage Compartment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional damper mechanisms for motor vehicle storage compartments are complex, costly, and primarily designed for one-way operation, failing to effectively control the opening and closing of heavy or rotating bin-type storage compartments, which can lead to rapid opening and potential impact with occupants or inadvertent dislodgement of contents.
Innovation Solution
A bellows-type damper with adjustable air passage structures and a translatable lid valve that regulates air volume differently during extension and compression, slowing the opening and facilitating the closing of storage compartment closures by varying air pressure differentials and adaptive vents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional damper mechanisms are used, then the storage compartment closure can be controlled to open slowly, but the mechanism complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the damper function with the bellows structure itself, integrating the damping mechanism into the existing closure assembly. The bellows chamber and air passages are formed as part of the closure structure, eliminating the need for separate damper components while maintaining the slow-opening function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a pneumatic system with a bellows chamber that expands and contracts to control the closure motion. Air pressure differentials created during expansion and compression provide the damping effect, replacing complex mechanical linkages with a simpler pneumatic mechanism.
2Speed
If conventional damper mechanisms are used, then the opening rate can be controlled, but the reliability decreases due to more components
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the damper function into the bellows structure, the patent reduces the number of independent components that could fail. The air passages and valve mechanisms are incorporated directly into the closure assembly, minimizing potential failure points and improving overall reliability.
3Speed
If one-way damper operation is used, then the opening rate is controlled, but the closing function is not assisted for heavy closures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic damper system where the bellows chamber alternately expands and contracts during opening and closing cycles. The air pressure differentials automatically reverse direction based on the motion state, providing assistance during both opening and closing operations without requiring separate mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The damper system uses the natural expansion and contraction of the bellows chamber to generate the necessary air pressure differentials. The system self-regulates during opening and closing cycles, using the stored elastic energy in the bellows material to assist both directions of motion without external power or complex control systems.
4Device complexity
If simple damper construction is used, then the mechanism complexity decreases, but the ability to control both opening and closing rates is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a pneumatic bellows system that naturally provides bidirectional control through expansion and contraction cycles. The air pressure differentials generated during these cycles automatically regulate both opening and closing rates, achieving dual-directional speed control with a relatively simple construction.
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 simplifies the damper mechanism, reduces complexity and weight, and ensures smoother operation by controlling the opening and closing rates of storage compartment closures, enhancing safety and user convenience while maintaining reliability.
Implementation Method 1
A bellows chamber air pressure differential maintains the translatable lid in a closed configuration during the bellows chamber extension and in an open configuration during the bellows chamber compression
Implementation Method 2
a bellows chamber and a plurality of damper air passage structures each configured to provide an air volume intake during a bellows chamber extension that is less than an air volume expulsion during a bellows chamber compression
Data Source
AI summary
A damper for a storage compartment closure includes a bellows chamber and damper air passage structures each configured to provide an air volume intake during a bellows chamber extension that is less than an air volume expulsion during a bellows chamber compression. One damper air venting structure is a valve having a translatable lid including an aperture defined therethrough. A bellows chamber air pressure differential maintains the translatable lid in a closed configuration during the bellows chamber extension and in an open configuration during the bellows chamber compression. Another damper air venting structure is at least one bellows chamber vent including a cover configured whereby a bellows chamber extension incrementally transitions the cover to a closed configuration.