Damper Apparatus Pre-Compression Spring Axial Position
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing damper apparatuses in steering systems face challenges in maintaining the movable range of a shaft while ensuring adequate shock absorption, as higher spring constants can lead to sudden stops and interference issues due to changes in the axial position of end contact over time.
Innovation Solution
A damper apparatus with a shock-absorbing member comprising a pre-compression spring and a shock-receiving member, where the pre-compression spring is compressed in advance to maintain the axial position of end contact and restrict movement, using a combination of elastic forces to absorb shocks and maintain the movable range of the shaft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the spring constant of the elastic body is set to be higher to restrict shaft movement, then the shaft movement can be restricted to a prescribed stroke, but the shock absorbing property deteriorates causing sudden stops and high loads on the internal mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The shock-absorbing member is divided into two distinct functional components: an elastic body for shock absorption and a pre-compression spring for movement restriction. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between movement restriction force and shock absorbing property.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static spring constant to a dynamic two-stage force application. The pre-compression spring provides initial urging force to maintain shaft position, while the elastic body engages to absorb shocks when the shaft moves beyond the prescribed position. This dynamic response allows the system to adapt its characteristics based on operational conditions.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the movable range of the shaft is set in advance to prevent interference, then interference between steered wheel and tire house cover is prevented, but the axial position of end contact changes over time due to elastic body deterioration causing movable range expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-compression spring is pre-compressed to a specific degree during assembly, establishing a predetermined urging force that maintains the shaft at the correct axial position. This preliminary action compensates for any deterioration of the elastic body over time, ensuring the end contact position remains consistent and the movable range stays within prescribed limits.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of spring compression from a single static state to a controlled pre-compressed state. By adjusting the pre-compression degree, the system can maintain optimal shaft positioning and end contact position consistency even as other components deteriorate, thereby stabilizing the movable range.
3Device complexity
If a single elastic body is used for both shock absorption and movement restriction, then the structure is simple, but it cannot simultaneously maintain shock absorbing property and movement restriction reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The shock-absorbing member is segmented into two specialized components: the elastic body dedicated to shock absorption and the pre-compression spring dedicated to movement restriction and position maintenance. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing each component to excel at its specific function while working together as an integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
While segmented, the two components work together to achieve multi-functionality within the shock-absorbing member. The elastic body absorbs shocks during normal operation, while the pre-compression spring maintains shaft position and restricts movement beyond the prescribed stroke. Together, they provide both shock absorption and movement restriction reliability in a single integrated member.
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 configuration effectively maintains the movable range of the shaft, prevents variations in end contact position, and ensures reliable restriction of shaft movement while maintaining high shock absorption properties, even when the elastic body deteriorates over time.
Implementation Method 1
a pre-compression spring configured to maintain the axial position of the shock-receiving member by constantly urging the shock-receiving member in the axial direction
Implementation Method 2
the shock-absorbing member being configured to restrict movement of the shaft relative to the housing and absorb a shock generated due to the restriction when the shaft is moved to an end of a movable range
Data Source
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AI summary
A damper apparatus (50) includes a shock-absorbing member (60) configured to absorb a shock while restricting movement of a shaft (20) relative to a housing (40). The shock-absorbing member (60) includes a shock-receiving member (61) configured to come into contact with one member, which is one of a large-diameter portion (24) of the shaft (20) and a restriction portion (42) of the housing (40), and a pre-compression spring (63) disposed between the other member, which is the other of the large-diameter portion (24) and the restriction portion (42), and the shock-receiving member (61) in a state where the pre-compression spring (63) is compressed in advance in an axial direction (A). The pre-compression spring (63) is configured to urge the one member in the axial direction (A) via the shock-receiving member (61) when the large-diameter portion (24) is relatively moved toward the restriction portion (42) beyond a prescribed position.