Movement Damping Unit with Radial Switching Friction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing movement damping units apply frictional force equally when moving towards and away from extreme positions, potentially causing damage and noise, as they do not differentiate between the two directions of movement.
Innovation Solution
A movement damping unit with a friction device featuring a switching element and elastically compressible friction elements, where the switching element expands radially to engage with the receiving tube, providing a lower damping force when moving away from the extreme position by disengaging from the friction element, and a varying diameter receiving tube to modulate frictional force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the friction device acts continuously in both directions, then the extreme position damping is effective, but the damping force is too high when moving away from extreme position causing damage and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The friction device transitions from a static continuous friction state to a dynamic state where the switching element can change position. The switching element is designed to move axially and radially expand/contract based on movement direction, enabling the system to adapt friction characteristics dynamically rather than maintaining constant friction in both directions
Solution Approach 2:
The friction device is segmented into a switching element and a friction element that can be independently controlled. The switching element with its engagement section can selectively engage or disengage from the friction element, creating distinct operational modes for approaching versus leaving extreme positions
2Force
If the switching element engages the friction element strongly, then the damping force increases for better extreme position control, but the friction force becomes excessive when moving away from extreme position
Solution Approach 1:
The friction engagement operates periodically rather than continuously. The switching element engages the friction element during approach to extreme position, then disengages during movement away, creating a periodic engagement pattern that provides damping only when needed without interfering with normal operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the friction parameter dynamically by altering the engagement state between switching and friction elements. When the switching element expands radially, it increases engagement with the friction element for high damping; when it contracts, it reduces engagement for low friction, thus changing the friction parameter based on movement phase
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
Reduces damping force when moving out of the extreme position, minimizing damage and noise, while maintaining effective damping when approaching, thus enhancing the operational safety and quietness of devices like vehicle flaps and sliding doors.
Implementation Method 1
a friction device acting between the receiving tube and the relative movement unit
Implementation Method 2
each switching element having at least one elastically compressible friction element
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a motion damping unit (30) comprising a receiving tube (32) with a longitudinal axis (A), a relative motion unit (34) received in the receiving tube (32), which is displaceable back and forth relative to the receiving tube (32) essentially in the direction of the longitudinal axis (A), and a friction device (41) acting between the receiving tube (32) and the relative motion unit (34). According to the invention, the friction device (41) comprises at least one switching element (44, 48) which is associated with the relative motion unit (34) and has an engagement section (48a) which widens radially in the direction of the longitudinal axis (A), wherein each switching element (44, 48) is associated with at least one elastically compressible friction element (46, 50) with a recess (50a) intended for engagement with the engagement section (48a), which is arranged on the longitudinal side of the smaller diameter of the switching element (44, 48).