Centrifugal Pendulum Spring Arrangement for Torsional Vibration Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Centrifugal pendulums in existing technologies face challenges in effectively absorbing higher rotational irregularities and torsional vibrations, often resulting in noise due to the pendulum mass hitting the end of its tramway and limited ability to absorb kinetic energy within the same installation space.

Innovation Solution

A centrifugal pendulum design featuring a pendulum flange with a spring arrangement axially positioned between two flange parts, coupled to the pendulum mass for force transmission, which limits the pendulum trajectory and absorbs kinetic energy by transferring the pendulum mass from a deflected position to a rest position, enhancing its ability to handle higher rotational irregularities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the pendulum mass is allowed to swing freely along the full pendulum path, then the centrifugal pendulum can absorb rotational irregularities, but the pendulum mass strikes the end of its path causing clicking noises and inability to return to rest position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclicking noisesVSAvoidpendulum motion freedom
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The spring arrangement is pre-installed between the pendulum flange parts to cushion the pendulum mass before it reaches the end of its path. The spring absorbs kinetic energy and prevents direct impact, eliminating clicking noises while allowing free pendulum motion within the cushioning range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring arrangement acts as an intermediary element between the pendulum mass and the pendulum flange parts. It mediates the interaction by providing a compliant interface that allows force transmission while preventing direct hard contact at the path extremes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the spring arrangement limits the pendulum path, then the pendulum mass returns to rest position and noise is eliminated, but the ability to absorb higher rotational irregularities is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvependulum return to rest positionVSAvoidcentrifugal force for absorbing rotational irregularities
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The spring arrangement provides localized force transmission at specific positions (between pendulum flange parts) rather than uniformly constraining the entire pendulum path. This allows the pendulum mass to achieve rest position reliably while maintaining the ability to absorb higher rotational irregularities through controlled spring engagement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If multiple separate components are used to limit pendulum path and absorb energy, then reliable operation is achieved, but the number of components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvependulum path controlVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spring arrangement combines multiple functions (pendulum path limiting, kinetic energy absorption, and force transmission) into a single integrated component structure. This eliminates the need for separate path-limiting stops and energy-absorbing elements, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring arrangement serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it limits the pendulum path, absorbs kinetic energy, transmits forces between pendulum components, and enables the pendulum mass to return to its rest position. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed in the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 design prevents noise from the pendulum mass hitting the end of its tramway, allows for the absorption of higher rotational irregularities, particularly torsional vibrations, while maintaining the same installation space, and reduces the number of components, providing a quieter and more effective drive train.

Implementation Method 1

the spring assembly being designed to at least partially limit the pendulum path of the pendulum mass... At least some of the pendulum mass's kinetic energy is thereby introduced into the spring assembly and stored there and/or dissipated by friction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the spring assembly being designed to at least partially limit the pendulum path of the pendulum mass... kinetic energy is thereby introduced into the spring assembly and stored there and/or dissipated by friction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 3

This allows the spring assembly to increase the centrifugal force acting on the pendulum mass during operation of the centrifugal pendulum

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 4

the spring arrangement is coupled to the pendulum mass for force transmission between the pendulum mass and the spring arrangement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3123057B1Centrifugal pendulum with spring arrangement
Publication Date: 2021.10.06 SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO KG
  • EP3123057B1 patent drawingFigure 1~5
  • EP3123057B1 patent drawingFigure 6~11
  • EP3123057B1 patent drawingFigure 8~10

AI summary

The invention relates to a centrifugal force pendulum that can be mounted so as to rotate about a rotational axis, - comprising a pendulum flange and at least one pendulum weight, - the pendulum weight being coupled to said pendulum flange such that movement is restricted, - the pendulum flange comprising a first pendulum flange part and at least a second pendulum flange part, - the pendulum weight being arranged axially at least partially between the first pendulum flange part and the second pendulum flange part, - a spring arrangement being provided, - said spring arrangement being at least partially arranged axially between said pendulum flange parts, - and the spring arrangement being coupled to the pendulum weight for the purpose of transmitting forces between the pendulum weight and the spring arrangement.