Flexible Shaft Damping Assembly for Instantaneous Torque Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering gear systems in vehicles lack effective means to absorb instantaneous external forces, leading to damage and wear, particularly in complex environments where vehicles encounter frequent external impacts, due to their rigid connections and complex, costly, or inefficient coaxial devices.
Innovation Solution
A flexible damping device comprising multiple flexible shock-absorbing parts made of materials like spring steel plate, arranged radially between mechanical shafts to absorb torque and maintain coaxial rotation, reducing the impact of external forces on the motor and gearbox components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid connections are used in steering gear systems, then structural strength is improved, but the system becomes vulnerable to damage from instantaneous external forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mechanical parameter of connection rigidity from rigid to flexible by introducing elastic elements. These elastic elements allow the system to maintain structural strength while gaining the ability to absorb instantaneous external forces through elastic deformation, thus improving reliability without sacrificing strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by pre-installing elastic elements in the steering gear system that are designed to absorb instantaneous external forces before they can cause damage. These elements act as a protective buffer that activates when external impacts occur, preventing direct transmission of shock forces to critical components.
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional coaxial devices are used to maintain shaft alignment under external forces, then coaxial rotation is maintained, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces elastic elements as intermediary components between the shafts and the external environment. These intermediaries absorb the destabilizing effect of external forces through elastic deformation, allowing the shafts to maintain coaxial rotation without requiring complex active alignment devices. The elastic elements mediate between the external forces and the rotational system.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic elements provide self-service by automatically adjusting to external forces through their inherent elastic properties. When external forces cause misalignment, the elastic elements deform to compensate, maintaining coaxial rotation without requiring external control systems, sensors, or complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms. The system self-corrects through the physical properties of the elastic materials.
3Reliability
If protective devices are added to withstand instantaneous forces, then component protection is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from rigid to elastic, creating protective elements that are simpler to manufacture than complex mechanical protective devices. The elastic elements can be produced using standard manufacturing processes for elastic components, avoiding the need for complex assemblies of multiple parts, fasteners, and adjustment mechanisms that would increase manufacturing cost and complexity.
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 flexible damping device effectively absorbs and redistributes external forces, protecting the steering gear and motor components, while being simpler, lighter, and less costly to manufacture, with reduced need for screws and nuts, ensuring normal operation and extended component lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
the flexible shock-absorbing parts will be deformed to absorb the impact caused by the external force
Implementation Method 2
A flexible damping device comprising multiple flexible shock-absorbing parts made of materials like spring steel plate, arranged radially between mechanical shafts to absorb torque
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Flexible damping pieces, which used in a flexible damping device, is construted for connecting to two different mechanical shafts. The Flexible damping pieces can absorb extra torque which is made by the external force, and these makes the different two machines be coaxial-rotating. The flexible damping pieces is arranged between the two machines and it is attached to the two machines and the flexible damping pieces is arranged radially on the first plane. The first plane is composed of the X-axis and the Y-axis in the Cartesian coordinate system. When the flexible damping pieces is installed in the vehicle, it makes the vehicle absorb the larger instantaneous external force received by the wheels when the vehicle is travelling so that the impact of the external forces to the structure of the motor and the second gear inside the gearbox can be reduced. Therefore, those parts can be protected.