Gearbox Valve Unit Tuned Mass Damping for Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Valve units in commercial vehicle gearbox control systems face vibration-induced damage and reduced service life due to exposure to vibrations, which existing vibration damping techniques fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A passive damping device comprising a spring element and a mass element, tuned to resonate at the natural frequency of the valve, dissipates energy and reduces vibrations effectively in specific spatial directions, thereby protecting the valve unit from violent oscillations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If existing vibration damping techniques (spring-biased u-plates) are used, then low-vibration attachment is achieved, but active or passive damping mechanisms are not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies tuned mass dampers that utilize mechanical vibration principles to counteract vibrations affecting the valve unit. The dampers are tuned to resonate at frequencies that cancel out harmful vibrations, providing active vibration compensation rather than passive attachment only
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces damping elements as intermediary components between the mounting member and the valve. These intermediaries (elastomeric materials, viscoelastic compounds) absorb and dissipate vibration energy, protecting the valve from direct vibration exposure while maintaining secure attachment
2Object-affected harmful factors
If passive damping devices are used, then vibrations in specific frequency ranges are reduced, but vibrations in multiple directions cannot be compensated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the vibration protection system into multiple independent tuned mass dampers, each targeting specific vibration frequencies and directions. By segmenting the damping function across multiple specialized elements, the system can address vibrations in multiple directions simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different damping characteristics to different locations and directions within the valve unit assembly. Each mounting point can have customized damping elements tailored to the specific vibration patterns experienced at that location, providing localized optimization for multi-directional protection
3Reliability
If damping elements are added to the valve unit, then service life is extended, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the damping elements with the existing mounting member structure, combining the attachment function and vibration damping function into a single integrated component. This merging approach extends service life without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the damping capability is built into the mounting structure itself rather than added as separate components
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 damping device significantly extends the service life and reliability of valve units by effectively reducing vibrations in defined frequency ranges, particularly in commercial vehicle gearbox control systems, without significantly increasing the overall weight of the valve unit.
Implementation Method 1
a mass element for oscillating at a frequency associated with the resonant frequency of said first valve
Implementation Method 2
The inventors advantageously recognized that there are in particular vibrations in one defined frequency range causing breakage and damage of the respective valve
Implementation Method 3
Damping causes energy dissipation and has a secondary effect on natural frequency. Thus, the damping device reduces violent vibrations acting on said first valve
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a valve unit (10) of a commercial vehicle, comprising a valve block (11) for carrying a plurality of valves (20, 24), a plurality of electrically actuated valves (20, 24), and a mounting member (14) configured to engage the valve block (11). According to the invention, the valve unit (10) has a damping device (17) for damping oscillation of at least a first valve (20.1) in at least a first spatial direction, the damping device (17) having a spring element (32) for vibration-conductive coupling to said first valve (20.1) and a mass element (34) for oscillating at a frequency associated with the resonant frequency of said first valve (20.1). The invention further relates to a gearbox control unit (1) having such a valve unit (10) and to the use of such a damping device (17) and a method for damping oscillation of a valve unit (10).