Block Copolymer Spring Hinge Dampener for High Torque
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotational spring dampeners are inadequate for high-torque applications, as they often require heavy materials to achieve desired torque, leading to increased mass and size, and are not suitable for extreme temperatures or quiet operation.
Innovation Solution
A rotational spring dampener with a compression limiter, first and second disks, and a tensile member composed of a modified block copolymer, which generates friction to control rotational velocity and torque resistance while maintaining low mass and being resistant to high temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If heavy materials are used to achieve desired torque in existing dampeners, then torque resistance is improved, but mass and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The dampener uses a composite structure combining a metal compression limiter with polymer tensile members and disks. This composite material approach allows the system to achieve high torque resistance through the metal component while the polymer components keep the overall mass low, resolving the contradiction between torque resistance and weight.
2Force
If heavy materials are used to achieve desired torque in existing dampeners, then torque resistance is improved, but volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The composite design allows concentrated torque resistance at the compression limiter location while keeping the overall volume compact. The tensile members provide structural connectivity with minimal volume, enabling high torque resistance without proportional volume increase.
3Force
If silicone dampeners are used, then low torque applications are satisfied, but high torque applications are not suitable
Solution Approach 1:
The dampener design allows parameter adjustment through selection of different tensile member materials, cross-sectional areas, and compression limiter properties. This enables the same structural design to be adapted across a wide torque range from low to high torque applications, resolving the limitation of silicone dampeners being restricted to low torque only.
4Ease of operation
If conventional dampeners are used, then operation is simple, but quiet operation is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces traditional mechanical friction-based dampening with a polymer tensile member system that provides dampening through material hysteresis and viscoelasticity. This substitution eliminates mechanical contact and friction between moving parts, achieving quiet operation while maintaining ease of operation.
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 provides high torque resistance with low weight and volume, suitable for applications like automotive seats, while avoiding undesirable annealing at high temperatures and maintaining quiet operation.
Implementation Method 1
A rotational spring dampener with a compression limiter, a first disk, a second disk, and a tensile member composed of a modified block copolymer, which generates friction to control rotational velocity and torque resistance
Implementation Method 2
maintaining low mass and being resistant to high temperatures... avoiding undesirable annealing at high temperatures
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a rotational spring dampener that has a compression limiter, a first disk, and a second disk. The first disk is disposed at a first end of the compression limiter and the second disk is disposed at a second end of the compression limiter, where the second end is opposite the first end. The rotational spring dampener also has a tensile member. The tensile member is connected to the first disk and the second disk. The tensile member is composed of a block copolymer.