Flywheel Damping Disc Structure for Axial Misalignment Recovery

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vibration damping devices in motorized vehicle transmissions face challenges in compensating for axial and angular tolerances between the combustion engine and gearbox, leading to potential damage from axial vibrations and inefficient torque transmission.

Innovation Solution

A vibration damping device featuring a torque transmission web with guide elements, helical compression springs, and an axial misalignment recovery disk with distributed anchoring and fixing zones connected by separate arms, which compensates for axial and angular misalignments while effectively damping vibrations and transmitting torque.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a vibration damping device is installed directly on the flywheel of the heat engine and connected to the gearbox, then axial and angular tolerances can be compensated, but the device complexity increases due to the large number of components used within the transmission

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetolerance compensationVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The disk for taking up axial misalignments is segmented into multiple fixing zones distributed angularly around the axis, with each zone connected to anchoring zones by separate connecting arms. This segmentation allows the disk to flex and accommodate tolerances while maintaining structural integrity and simplifying the overall design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting arms are designed with specific geometric parameters (length, cross-section, material properties) that enable them to flex elastically under axial loads. By optimizing these parameters, the disk can compensate for axial and angular tolerances between the flywheel and gearbox without requiring additional complex components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the disk for taking up axial misalignments is made flexible to compensate for tolerances, then tolerance compensation improves, but the torque transmission capability may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetolerance compensationVSAvoidtorque transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The disk exhibits different mechanical properties in different regions: the connecting arms are designed to be flexible in the axial direction to accommodate tolerances, while maintaining sufficient radial and tangential stiffness to transmit torque effectively. This local differentiation of mechanical properties resolves the contradiction between flexibility and strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The disk can be constructed using composite materials or optimized metal alloys that provide a favorable balance between flexibility and strength. The material selection and structural design ensure that the disk remains stiff enough for torque transmission while being flexible enough to compensate for axial and angular misalignments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If multiple fixing zones and anchoring zones are distributed angularly around the axis, then tolerance compensation improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetolerance compensationVSAvoiddisk fabrication
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The disk design serves multiple functions simultaneously: it transmits torque, compensates for axial and angular tolerances, and provides a mounting interface for the vibration damping device. The angularly distributed fixing and anchoring zones are arranged to achieve these multiple functions with a single integrated component, avoiding the need for separate parts and simplifying manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution provides improved compensation for axial and angular tolerances, effectively damps axial movements of the flywheel, and ensures reliable torque transmission to the gearbox, enhancing the durability and performance of the transmission system.

Implementation Method 1

helical compression springs bearing directly or indirectly on the torque transmission web and the guide elements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The vibration damping device also has the function of reducing these axial vibrations to avoid damaging the gearbox

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Implementation Method 3

each anchoring zone is connected to at least two fixing zones by separate connecting arms

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTorque transmission: Torque

Implementation Method 4

a disk for taking up axial misalignments of the transmission is attached to the torque transmission web or to one of the guide elements by means of fixing zones distributed angularly around the axis X and arranged to be fixed on a flywheel by means of anchoring zones distributed angularly around the axis X

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGeometric tolerance compensation: Geometry

Data Source

PatentEP4036437A1Vibratory damping device
Publication Date: 2022.08.03 VALEO EMBRAYAGES SAS
  • EP4036437A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4036437A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4036437A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a vibration damping device (10) for a motor vehicle transmission, comprising: - a torque transmission web (20); - two rotationally linked guide elements (30), coaxial along an axis (X) and arranged on either side of said torque transmission web (20); - helical compression springs (11) bearing on the torque transmission web and the guide elements; in which a disc (40) for absorbing axial misalignments of the transmission is attached to the torque transmission web (20) by means of six fixing zones (41) uniformly distributed angularly around the axis (X), said disc being arranged to be fixed on a flywheel.