Gearshift Knob Vibration Damping via Viscoelastic Sheet

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle gearbox gearshift lever knobs experience shock phenomena and high-frequency noise due to elastic return mechanisms, which are amplified by large hollow components, leading to perceived malfunctions and quality issues.

Innovation Solution

A gearbox gearshift lever knob with a hollow body made of rigid material, featuring a gripping head and pommel with internal vibration damping means, comprising a viscoelastic adhesive material layer and a metal film, covering at least 70% of the inner surface to absorb vibrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the knob body is made large and hollow to improve gripping comfort, then the gripping head becomes more comfortable, but the knob amplifies vibrations and transmits high-frequency noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegripping comfortVSAvoidvibration amplification and noise transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A vibration damping sheet is introduced as an intermediary element between the lever rod and the knob body, and between internal components and the knob cavity. This damping sheet absorbs vibrations and prevents them from being amplified by the hollow knob structure, thereby reducing high-frequency noise transmission while preserving the large hollow body design for gripping comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The knob employs composite material construction by combining the rigid hollow body material with a vibration damping sheet material. This composite structure allows the knob to maintain its structural integrity and gripping comfort while the damping material suppresses vibration amplification and noise transmission through the hollow cavity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-generated harmful factors

If vibration-absorbing materials are interposed to decouple the knob from the lever rod, then vibration transmission is reduced, but the weight increases significantly and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration transmissionVSAvoidknob weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a thin vibration damping sheet as a flexible damping element instead of bulky vibration-absorbing materials. This thin film approach effectively decouples the knob from the lever rod to reduce vibration transmission while adding minimal weight and maintaining cost-effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The vibration damping sheet is implemented as a relatively simple, cost-effective component that can be easily integrated into the knob assembly. This approach provides effective vibration reduction without the significant weight and cost increases associated with traditional vibration-absorbing material solutions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If the knob design is completely redesigned to reduce vibrations, then vibration phenomena are reduced, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration phenomenaVSAvoiddesign and manufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration damping solution is segmented into a separate damping sheet component that can be independently manufactured and then integrated into the existing knob assembly. This segmentation allows the original knob design to be preserved while adding vibration damping functionality through a separate, easily manufactured component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The vibration damping sheet is pre-formed and prepared separately before being integrated into the knob assembly. This preliminary preparation simplifies the manufacturing process by allowing the damping element to be produced using standard techniques and then easily installed, avoiding the need for complete redesign of the knob manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Effectively reduces vibrations and noise transmission, improving the perceived quality and eliminating the need for significant weight or cost increases, while being adaptable to existing designs.

Implementation Method 1

a layer of viscoelastic adhesive material which is fixed by adhesion to the inner surface of the body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectViscoelastic damping: Viscoelasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3201496B1Motor vehicle gearshift lever knob and gearshift operating mechanism comprising such a knob
Publication Date: 2018.07.18 RENAULT SA
  • EP3201496B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3201496B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3201496B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a motor vehicle gearbox gearshift lever knob (10) comprising a hollow body (14) made of rigid material comprising an upper part forming a head for grasping and a lower part, the body being delimited by an interior surface (SI), the knob comprising internal vibration-damping means, characterized in that at least a portion of the interior surface (SI) of the body is provided with a piece (M3) of a vibration-damping sheet made of a layer of viscoelastic adhesive material which is adhesively bonded to the interior surface (SI) of the body, and of a metal film attached to said layer.