Damper with Deformable Seal and Slider for Controlled Braking Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dampers face issues with controlling the movement of a braking object due to uneven braking force distribution, which can cause the object to halt or move backward unexpectedly, and are limited in size reduction due to dependence on cross-sectional area.
Innovation Solution
A damper design that generates braking force through a combination of pressure resistance and frictional resistance between a seal member and housing, with a slider contacting the inner wall and a pressure contact portion, allowing deformation of the seal member to adjust braking force in response to piston operation speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional rod-type or flapper-style dampers are used, then vibration damping function is provided, but bacteria can accumulate in the device and contaminate the breathable air
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traditional rod-type or flapper-style damper components that create accumulation zones for bacteria. Instead, it uses a bypass valve mechanism with a movable wall that opens during exhalation to allow breathables to bypass the filter media, preventing bacterial accumulation while maintaining damping function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs filter media with porous structure that allows breathables to pass through during normal operation. The porous material enables air flow while filtering contaminants, and the bypass mechanism ensures that exhaled breathables do not accumulate in stagnant zones where they could support bacterial growth.
2Reliability
If a bypass valve is added to prevent bacterial accumulation, then air quality improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the bypass valve functionality with the existing damper structure by using the movable wall as an integral component. The movable wall serves dual purposes: it controls the bypass flow during exhalation and maintains the damping function during inhalation, eliminating the need for separate complex valve mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable wall in the bypass valve is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as a flow control element during exhalation, maintains structural integrity during inhalation, and works in conjunction with the spring element to provide both bypass functionality and damping action, reducing the need for additional specialized components.
3Reliability
If the damper allows breathables to pass through during exhalation, then bacterial accumulation is prevented, but filtration efficiency may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a dynamic bypass mechanism where the movable wall automatically adjusts its position based on pressure differential. During exhalation, the positive pressure pushes the wall open to allow breathables to bypass the filter media, preventing accumulation. During inhalation, the pressure differential closes the bypass, ensuring all air passes through the filter media for optimal filtration.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass valve operates periodically in sync with the breathing cycle, opening during exhalation phases and closing during inhalation phases. This periodic operation ensures that bacterial accumulation is prevented during exhalation while filtration efficiency is maintained during inhalation, achieving both objectives through time-based separation of functions.
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 damper effectively controls the movement of the braking object throughout its process, reduces size and thickness, and simplifies structure by generating intended braking force without requiring precise size accuracy, preventing unexpected backward movement and allowing size reduction.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element positioned behind the movable wall and in compression against the movable wall
Implementation Method 2
Damper for a respiratory device... dampers in respiratory devices are used to dampen vibrations
Data Source
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AI summary
A damper includes a piston provided with a rod, and a housing storing the piston, and generates a braking force by an operation of the piston. The piston is provided with a seal member relative to an inner wall of the housing; and a slider provided slidably relative to the piston, and contacting the inner wall of the housing with a predetermined frictional force. When the braking force is generated, the slider presses against the seal member, and a portion contacting the inner wall of the housing in the seal member deforms outwardly toward the housing.