Torsional Vibration Damper Sealing for Tolerance Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing torsional vibration dampers with outwardly offset flywheels face manufacturing challenges due to the need for complex welding processes and static overdetermination, which complicates the assembly and increases production costs.
Innovation Solution
A torsional vibration damper design featuring a hub part and a flywheel ring with a fluid-filled gap, sealed by sealing devices comprising plastic rings connected to metal rings via a rubber-to-metal bond, utilizing elastically deformable axial projections to compensate for manufacturing tolerances and ensure even force distribution during assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sealing element is welded at different heights to compensate for manufacturing tolerances, then the sealing performance is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases due to static overdetermination and multiple independent welding operations
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element incorporates axial projections with varying wall thicknesses (50-150% greater in projection areas) to create elastically deformable regions. This parameter change allows the sealing element to adapt to height variations through elastic deformation rather than requiring complex multi-height welding operations, thus improving sealing performance while simplifying manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element transitions from a rigid structure requiring precise multi-height welding to a dynamic structure with elastically deformable axial projections. These projections can flex and adapt during assembly, compensating for manufacturing tolerances automatically and eliminating the need for static overdetermined welding operations
2Reliability
If the contact surfaces for pressing are pressed against metal surfaces during connection, then the material seal is ensured, but the force distribution becomes uneven due to height variations and manufacturing tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The axial projections are designed with increased wall thickness (50-150% greater) to create elastically deformable regions that can absorb height variations. This parameter change ensures that pressing forces are distributed evenly across the contact surfaces while maintaining reliable material sealing, eliminating the uneven force distribution caused by manufacturing tolerances
3Ease of manufacture
If the sealing element is made with uniform wall thickness, then the manufacturing is simplified, but the ability to compensate for height differences and manufacturing tolerances is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element features non-uniform wall thickness with localized thickening in the axial projection areas (50-150% greater than adjacent areas). This local quality change creates elastically deformable regions that provide tolerance compensation capability while keeping the overall manufacturing process relatively simple through a single molded component
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
Facilitates easier and more cost-effective manufacturing with improved sealing performance under high temperatures, reducing the complexity and cost of assembly while maintaining effective sealing and durability.
Implementation Method 1
the sealing element has at least one elastically deformable axial projection in the area of each of the fastening sections. This compensates for the undefined height difference of the fastening areas and the associated manufacturing tolerances
Implementation Method 2
a rubber-to-metal bond, which is created during an elastomer curing process
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A torsional vibration damper (1) with a hub part (2) (primary mass) that can be mounted on a drive shaft of a motor and a flywheel ring (3) (secondary mass) that encompasses the hub part (2) in its radially outer region, wherein a fluid-filled gap (4) and one or more sealing devices (5) are provided between the hub part (2) and the flywheel ring (3) to prevent the escape of the fluid, wherein the sealing devices (5) each comprise a first ring (6) tightly connected to the hub part (2) and each comprise a second ring (7) tightly connected to the flywheel ring (3) and each comprise a sealing element (12) made of a plastic, which is sealed on one side to the first ring (6) and on the other side to the second ring (7), wherein the respective sealing element (12) is connected by fastening sections (16, 17) to a respective outer axial side of the first and second ring (6,7) is materially bonded and wherein the sealing element (12) has at least one elastically deformable axial projection (19, 23) in the area of each of the fastening sections (16, 17).