Damping Stopper with Radial Constraint for Energy Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing damping stoppers face challenges in increasing absorbable energy amount without enlarging size due to design space limitations and sharp rise in reaction force upon elastic body deformation.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a second member with higher rigidity attached to the outer periphery of the elastic body, restricting its expansion and generating resistance, thereby controlling the rise in reaction force and enhancing energy absorption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If the elastic body is allowed to expand radially outward freely, then the reaction force rises sharply, but the displacement amount decreases and energy absorption is inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereaction forceVSAvoiddisplacement amount
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The second member is attached to the elastic body in advance to restrict its radial expansion. This preliminary constraint modifies the deformation characteristics of the elastic body, causing the reaction force to increase gradually rather than sharply, thereby extending the displacement amount and improving energy absorption efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

By attaching the second member to the elastic body, the physical parameters of the system are changed. The elastic body's radial expansion is restricted, which alters the force-displacement relationship from a sharp rise to a gradual increase, enabling more efficient energy absorption over a longer displacement range

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If the stopper size is increased to achieve proper distortion and high reaction force, then the energy absorption capability improves, but the device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy absorption capabilityVSAvoidstopper size
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of uniformly increasing the entire stopper size, the second member is attached only to specific regions of the elastic body to restrict radial expansion locally. This localized modification achieves the desired gradual force increase and improved energy absorption without proportionally increasing the overall device size

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The damping stopper combines the elastic body with the second member to create a composite structure. This composite design leverages the elastic properties of the elastic body and the constraining properties of the second member, achieving enhanced energy absorption capability without simply scaling up the original component sizes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 second member restricts radial expansion, allowing for a gradual increase in reaction force, increasing the displacement amount before reaching maximum force, thus enhancing energy absorption efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the elastic body 82 containing a rubber material... configured to be axially compressed by the two members and expand radially outward... absorbing the kinetic energy by the weight and the speed of a movable object

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a second member attached to an outer periphery of the elastic body in one axial region of the elastic body and restricting the expansion of the elastic body in the one region... a resistance force by the second member is generated in an expansion process of the elastic body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3726091B1Damping stopper
Publication Date: 2025.06.25 NOK CORP
  • EP3726091B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3726091B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3726091B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The disclosure provides a damping stopper interposed between two members axially displaced relative to each other and is provided with an elastic body which, when the interval between the two members decreases, is axially compressed by the two members and expands radially outward. In the elastic body, a second member suppressing the expansion is located in one axial region and attached to the outer periphery. When axially compressed by the two members, the elastic body expands while receiving resistance by the second member. The expanding elastic body contacts the side wall of one of the two members.