Integrated Friction-Viscous Damper for Speed-Dependent Braking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing damping devices face challenges in achieving a compact design with speed-dependent braking force while minimizing friction at low speeds and overcoming limitations such as low achievable braking forces, high frictional forces, and difficulty in adapting damping characteristics for various applications.
Innovation Solution
A damping device with a viscous damping medium in a gap between a driven and a secured damper surface, where the braking force of the second braking device influences the first braking device, allowing for a compact and cost-effective design with speed-dependent braking characteristics, and low empty friction, enabling damping over an unlimited path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a purely mechanically acting frictional damper is used, then the braking force is basically independent of speed, but the device structure is simple
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a first frictional braking device with a second viscous braking device into a single integrated damper unit. The frictional braking mechanism provides speed-independent braking force while the viscous braking mechanism provides speed-dependent braking force, merging both approaches to achieve comprehensive speed-dependent braking characteristics without requiring separate devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a viscous braking device that uses a viscous medium (hydraulic/pneumatic principle) to generate braking force dependent on the speed of movement. The viscous medium creates resistance proportional to velocity, providing the desired speed-dependent braking characteristic while maintaining a compact structure
2Speed
If hydraulic dampers are used to achieve speed-dependent braking force, then the braking force depends on speed, but high-quality seals are required which cause friction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sealing function from the braking mechanism by using a viscous medium contained in a chamber without requiring dynamic seals between moving parts. The viscous medium is contained within a sealed chamber, and the braking action occurs through the viscous resistance of the medium itself rather than through friction against seals, eliminating the harmful friction from seal contact
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the braking medium by using a highly viscous fluid or semi-solid material instead of traditional hydraulic fluid. This parameter change allows the medium to provide sufficient braking force at low speeds without requiring high pressure, thereby eliminating the need for high-quality seals and reducing friction
3Speed
If piston-cylinder units with air pressure difference are used, then the braking force depends on speed, but a pressure difference must be built up first causing time delay
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for pressure differential buildup by using a pre-loaded spring mechanism that immediately applies force to the viscous braking medium when movement begins. The spring is pre-compressed and ready to act instantaneously, removing the time delay associated with building up pressure differences in piston-cylinder systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a spring-loaded mechanism that dynamically adjusts the braking force based on the movement state. The spring provides immediate mechanical force transmission to the viscous medium, creating a dynamic response that eliminates the inertial delay characteristic of pneumatic piston systems while maintaining speed-dependent braking characteristics
4Adaptability or versatility
If linear dampers are used to achieve desired actuating distance, then the damping characteristics can be adapted, but the dimensions must correspond to the actuating distance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a compact nested structure where the frictional braking mechanism and viscous braking mechanism are arranged concentrically or in overlapping configurations. This nesting allows both braking mechanisms to occupy minimal space while providing adjustable damping characteristics through variable friction coefficients and viscous medium properties, decoupling the damping performance from the physical dimensions
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 a compact, cost-effective damper with advantageous braking characteristics that depend on the speed of the component, achieving high damping forces and low friction at low speeds, suitable for various applications including heavy-load pull-out mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
A viscous damping medium is arranged in at least one gap in the second braking device, which gap is formed between a driven damper surface, which is rotatable about an axis of the second braking device, and a secured damper surface which is secured with respect to rotation about the axis
Implementation Method 2
The braking force is brought about by said damping medium, which is subject to a shearing load
Implementation Method 3
a first, mechanically acting braking device which has at least one friction pairing, in which, in order to generate a braking force, a driven friction surface is rotatable about an axis of the first braking device in relation to a secured friction surface bearing against said driven friction surface
Data Source
AI summary
A device for damping the movement of a movably mounted component includes a first, mechanically acting braking device with at least one friction pair, wherein, in order to generate a braking force, a driven friction surface can be rotated about an axis of the first braking device relative to a secured friction surface resting thereon, and a second braking device which is coupled to the first braking device, wherein the friction surfaces of the friction pair, or of at least one of the friction pairs, are pressed against each other in response to a braking force exerted by the second braking device. The second braking device has at least one driven damper surface that can be rotated about an axis of the second braking device and cooperates with at least one secured damper surface to enclose at least one gap in which a viscous damping medium is present that causes a braking force of the second braking device when the at least one driven damper surface is rotated with respect to the at least one secured damper surface.