Centrifugal Pendulum Mechanism with Variable Axial Guide

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Solution Overview

Problem

Centrifugal pendulum devices in drive trains experience tilting of pendulum masses relative to the pendulum mass carrier, especially at low speeds, leading to instability and potential damage, due to a large gap distance that cannot be minimized without hindering movement.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of means to locally reduce the gap distance between the pendulum mass and the pendulum mass carrier, either through separate additional elements or integral design, maintains a minimum distance to prevent contact and tilting, while allowing for reduced axial distance to enhance stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the gap distance between pendulum mass and pendulum mass carrier is reduced to minimize tilting space, then tilting is reduced, but the rolling motion is impeded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetilting reductionVSAvoidrolling motion freedom
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The guide means is designed with different functional zones: a first region with larger axial width that provides guiding function while allowing rolling motion, and a second region with smaller axial width that reduces the gap distance to prevent tilting. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by providing different gap characteristics in different spatial locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If guide means with larger axial width is used to ensure guiding function, then guiding is improved, but gap distance increases causing tilting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguiding functionVSAvoidtilting prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The guide means incorporates a first region with larger axial width for effective guiding during rolling motion, and a second region with smaller axial width that reduces the gap distance to prevent tilting. This spatial differentiation allows the guide means to simultaneously provide adequate guiding function while minimizing tilting space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The guide means is designed with variable axial width along its length, transitioning from a first region with larger width to a second region with smaller width. This dimensional variation along the axial dimension allows the structure to provide guiding function where needed while reducing gap distance in other areas to prevent tilting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Strength

If minimum distance is maintained to avoid contact, then damage is prevented, but stability at low speeds is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamage preventionVSAvoidlow-speed stability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The guide means is designed with a first region having larger axial width that maintains a minimum distance to prevent contact and damage, and a second region with smaller axial width that reduces the gap distance to enhance stability at low speeds. This local differentiation allows the structure to simultaneously protect against damage while improving low-speed stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 solution reduces the tilting angle of pendulum masses and increases the overall stability of the centrifugal pendulum device, particularly at low speeds, by maintaining operational integrity without impairing movement.

Implementation Method 1

movable relative to the pendulum mass carrier by means of roller elements, which are movable within limited limits in raceways formed by recesses in the pendulum mass carrier and in the pendulum masses

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling motion: Roller

Implementation Method 2

They comprise a pendulum mass carrier that rotates about an axis of rotation and inertial or pendulum masses mounted on this carrier, oscillating about the axis of rotation. When a rotational movement is initiated, the individual pendulum masses tend to orbit the axis of rotation at the greatest possible distance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 3

means for at least locally limiting the gap distance between the pendulum mass and the pendulum mass carrier are provided in the gap between the pendulum mass and the pendulum mass carrier outside the raceways for the rolling element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical constraint: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP2516887B1Centrifugal pendulum mechanism
Publication Date: 2019.06.19 SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO KG
  • EP2516887B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~2c
  • EP2516887B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~4c
  • EP2516887B1 patent drawingFigure 5a~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a centrifugal pendulum mechanism, comprising at least one pendulum mass support and at least one pendulum mass arranged thereon, which pendulum mass can be moved to a limited extent radially relative to the pendulum mass support by means of at least one rolling element inside raceways formed by recesses in the pendulum mass support and the pendulum mass and in the circumferential direction, the rolling element having a guiding means formed in the gap between the individual pendulum mass and the pendulum mass support. The invention is characterized in that means for reducing the gap size between the pendulum mass and the pendulum mass support in an at least spatially limited manner are provided outside the raceways for the rolling element and outside the range of the intermediate space between the pendulum mass and the pendulum mass support that can be covered by the guiding means during the rolling motion of the rolling element.