Damping Valve Elastomer Support Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing damping valves face challenges in achieving improved outflow behavior and damping force characteristics, particularly when subjected to sudden peak loads, which can result in acoustic noise and inefficient medium flow due to rigid valve disks and limited support mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates multiple flow cross-sections between individual support elements, such as balls, arranged on different pitch circles to provide multiple support points and a stop plane for the valve disk, allowing for controlled lifting movement and enhanced outflow paths through axial openings, enabling flexible installation and varying spring rates for optimized damping performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a simple annular supporting disk is used to limit valve disk lifting, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but acoustic noise occurs due to beating during sudden peak loads

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupporting disk structureVSAvoidacoustic noise
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The supporting disk is segmented into multiple individual support elements (balls) arranged on pitch circles, replacing the simple annular disk design. This segmentation allows the support function to be distributed across multiple elements that can accommodate valve disk lifting more smoothly, reducing beating and acoustic noise while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized ball components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the geometric parameters of the supporting disk by introducing multiple pitch circles with different radii and arranging support elements at specific angular intervals. This parameter optimization enables controlled valve disk lifting behavior that reduces impact and acoustic noise during sudden peak loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If multiple valve disks are stacked to provide support function, then support characteristics improve, but damping force characteristic curve increases when valve disks are rigid

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport functionVSAvoiddamping force
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

Individual support elements (balls) act as intermediaries between the valve disk and the supporting disk structure. These ball elements provide the necessary support function while allowing controlled movement and reducing the transmission of impact forces, thereby maintaining reliable support without excessively increasing the damping force characteristic curve.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If rigid valve disks are used, then structural strength is maintained, but outflow behavior deteriorates during sudden peak loads

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve disk strengthVSAvoidoutflow behavior
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces dynamic elements (individual support balls) that allow the valve disk to lift and move axially in response to flow conditions. This dynamic capability improves outflow behavior during sudden peak loads by enabling the valve to adapt its position, while the rigid valve disk material maintains structural strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 enhances the damping valve's outflow behavior by providing a more efficient and controlled lifting mechanism, reducing acoustic noise and improving damping force characteristics, while allowing for easy production and alignment of support elements.

Implementation Method 1

an elastomeric support in the form of an elastomeric ring which counteracts an impact movement of the valve disk on a support ring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the valve disk is elastically deformable within limits or is mounted so that it can move axially against a spring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3277976B1Damping valve for a vibration damper
Publication Date: 2019.06.12 ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
  • EP3277976B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3277976B1 patent drawingFigure 2~5

AI summary

Disclosed is a damping valve (1) for a vibration damper, comprising a damping valve body (3) that has at least one duct (13; 15), the discharge side of which is at least partially covered by at least one valve disk (17; 19). When fluid flows against the at least one valve disk (17; 19) via the duct (13; 15), the valve disk lifts off of a valve seat surface (21), the lifting movement being limited by a supporting disk (23) as a stop; on the side facing the valve disk (17; 19), said supporting disk (23) is equipped with an elastomer support (24) formed by a plurality of individual supporting elements (25).