Damper device
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional damper devices for toilet lids and seats face a limitation in increasing torque without expanding the outer diameter of the case, leading to insufficient lifting force for heavy rotating bodies due to the small wire diameter of the coil spring.
Innovation Solution
A damper device design where a bearing member is positioned between the coil spring's winding portion and the damper chamber, allowing the coil spring's winding portion to be axially separated from the damper chamber, thereby increasing its outer diameter without enlarging the case, and preventing fluid leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the coil spring is arranged inside the annular damper chamber, then the case outer diameter can be kept small, but the torque of the coil spring cannot be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by moving the coil spring from a radial arrangement (inside the damper chamber) to an axial arrangement (outside the damper chamber in the axial direction). This allows the coil spring to be positioned in a different spatial dimension, increasing its outer diameter without increasing the case's outer diameter, thereby resolving the contradiction between increasing torque and maintaining compact case size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a bearing member as an intermediary element that serves multiple functions: it supports the shaft for rotation, forms a partition wall closing one end of the damper chamber, and provides a mounting surface for the coil spring. This intermediary structure enables the coil spring to be positioned outside the damper chamber while maintaining the compact case design, allowing increased torque without increasing case outer diameter.
2Force
If the wire diameter of the coil spring is reduced to fit inside the damper chamber, then the case outer diameter remains small, but the torque becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing member acts as an intermediary that enables the coil spring to be positioned outside the damper chamber. This intermediary structure provides a mounting surface for the coil spring while maintaining shaft support and damper chamber sealing, allowing the use of a larger wire diameter coil spring for increased torque without complicating the overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing member performs multiple functions: supporting shaft rotation, closing the damper chamber, and providing mounting for the coil spring. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate structures, allowing the coil spring to be positioned outside the damper chamber with increased wire diameter without increasing device complexity.
3Force
If the coil spring is positioned outside the damper chamber, then the torque can be increased, but fluid leakage may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing member serves as an intermediary partition wall that separates the damper chamber from the coil spring mounting area. It closes one end of the damper chamber while providing a surface for coil spring attachment, thereby preventing fluid leakage to the coil spring side while enabling the coil spring to be positioned outside the damper chamber for increased torque.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing member creates a segmented structure by forming a partition wall that divides the internal space into the damper chamber and the coil spring mounting area. This segmentation prevents fluid from the damper chamber from leaking to the coil spring side, ensuring reliability while allowing the coil spring to be positioned outside for increased torque.
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 design enhances the torque of the coil spring while maintaining stable damper performance and preventing fluid leakage, enabling effective lifting of heavy rotating bodies without increasing the case's outer diameter.
Implementation Method 1
A damper chamber between the case and the shaft is filled with a viscous fluid. When the shaft rotates with respect to the case, damper force that brakes the rotation of the shaft is generated due to resistance of fluid flowing through a flow path.
Implementation Method 2
a coil spring (a spring that generates a torsional moment and is also called a torsion spring) is incorporated in the case. The coil spring applies torque in the opening direction to the shaft with respect to the case so that the toilet lid or the toilet seat can be lifted lightly.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a damper device capable of increasing torque of a coil spring without increasing an outer diameter of a case. The damper device includes the case (2), a shaft (3) that is relatively rotatable with respect to the case (2), fluid filled in a damper chamber (5) formed between the case (2) and the shaft (3), a bearing member (4) that forms a partition wall (5a) that closes one end of the damper chamber (5) in an axial direction and is separate from the shaft (3), and a coil spring (9) having one end connected to a side of the case (2) and the other end connected to the shaft (3) or the bearing member (4) to apply torque to the shaft (3) with respect to the case (2). The bearing member (4) is arranged between a winding portion (9a) of the coil spring (9) and the damper chamber.