Damper With External Actuator and Force Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dampers lack the ability to adjust damping effects efficiently, limiting their adaptability and performance in various applications.
Innovation Solution
A damper design featuring an adjustment unit with a spatially separate actuator and adjustment element, allowing for adjustable damping force through a force transmission device, enabling automatic adjustment of the piston rod and effective flow cross-sectional area, and allowing for different drive concepts such as electrical, hydraulic, or pneumatic actuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the adjustment actuator is integrated inside the damper housing, then the structure is compact, but the adjustability and accessibility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment unit is segmented into separate components: the adjustment actuator is positioned outside the housing while the adjustment element remains inside, connected through a force transmission device. This segmentation allows the actuator to be accessible for operation while maintaining a compact housing structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A force transmission device acts as an intermediary between the external adjustment actuator and the internal adjustment element. This mediator transfers the actuating force from the external actuator to the internal adjustment element, enabling adjustment functionality while maintaining spatial separation.
2Ease of operation
If the adjustment element is positioned outside the housing for easy access, then the adjustability is improved, but the housing structure becomes complex and larger
Solution Approach 1:
The force transmission device serves as a mediator that extends the adjustment element's functionality to the exterior through a mechanical connection, allowing external operation without requiring the adjustment element itself to be outside the housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanism operates across multiple dimensions: the adjustment element moves internally along the piston rod's longitudinal axis, while the force transmission device transmits force from the external actuator through a combination of axial and radial movements, effectively utilizing three-dimensional space.
3Power
If a mechanical force transmission device is used to connect the actuator and adjustment element, then power transmission is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The force transmission device utilizes dynamic movement of the piston rod, which can move axially and rotate, to transmit force from the actuator to the adjustment element. This dynamic transmission mechanism adapts to the operational requirements while maintaining relatively simple construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston rod serves multiple functions: it supports the adjustment element, transmits force from the actuator, and provides the mechanical advantage needed for effective force transmission. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated force transmission components.
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 adjustability and effectiveness of the damping effect, enabling improved power transmission and simplified retrofitting of existing dampers, with the ability to provide a range of damping settings from soft to hard, ensuring optimal performance across different conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The adjusting element can be designed as a screen that at least partially or partly covers or uncovers the through-flow openings
Implementation Method 2
A piston is fastened to the piston rod and divides a working chamber of the housing, in which damping fluid is located, into a first partial working chamber and a second partial working chamber
Implementation Method 3
a force transmission device for transferring an actuating force provided by the adjustment actuator to the adjustment element
Implementation Method 4
A piston is fastened to the piston rod and divides a working chamber of the housing, in which damping fluid is located
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A damper comprises a housing (4) having a working chamber (5), damping fluid (10) located in the working chamber (5), a piston unit (11) arranged in the working chamber (5) with a piston rod (12) having a longitudinal axis (7), a piston (13) attached to the piston rod (12) which divides the working chamber (5) into a first partial working chamber (17) and a second partial working chamber (19), a flow channel (71) connecting the first partial working chamber (17) and the second partial working chamber (19), an adjustment unit for adjusting the damping force of the damper (1) with an adjustment element (49) for adjusting the effective flow cross-sectional area of the flow channel (71), an adjustment actuator (89) for automatically adjusting an arrangement of the adjustment element (49) and the piston rod (12), and a force transmission device (87) for transmitting a force from the Adjusting actuator (89) provided actuating force,wherein the adjusting actuator (89) is arranged outside the housing (4).