Linear Damper Bumper Structure for Steering Impact Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing linear dampers, such as those described in Patent Literature 1, generate significant collision sound and impact when the rack end rapidly approaches the rack housing, leading to excessive stress on the steering device.
Innovation Solution
A linear damper configuration featuring an inner chamber forming body, a relative displacement body, and a flow control valve, where the bumper portion includes an elastic body to absorb impacts and reduce collision sound, and a return elastic body to maximize the stroke of the relative displacement body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a linear damper is configured to damp motion energy by limiting fluid flow, then damping force is generated to reduce impact load, but great collision sound and impact are caused when the rack end rapidly approaches the rack housing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a bumper portion with an elastic body that is pre-positioned to cushion impacts before they reach the rigid rack housing. The elastic body acts as a preliminary buffer, deforming under impact to absorb energy and reduce collision sound, while the flow control valve continues to provide damping force through fluid flow limitation.
2Force
If the flow of fluid is limited to generate damping force, then impact load is reduced, but great load rapidly acting causes collision sound and impact
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic body in the bumper portion serves as an intermediary element between the rack end and the rack housing. It mediates the interaction by providing a compliant interface that absorbs impact energy through elastic deformation, while the fluid damping system continues to operate to control the motion and reduce impact loads.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the linear damper is provided between two attachment target objects to damp external force, then relative displacement is controlled, but collision sound and impact occur when rapid approach happens
Solution Approach 1:
The bumper portion with elastic body is pre-installed in the linear damper assembly to provide cushioning before the rack end can rapidly approach the rack housing. This preliminary cushioning mechanism reduces collision sound and impact while the flow control valve maintains control over relative displacement through fluid flow limitation.
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 proposed linear damper effectively reduces great collision sound or impact even under rapid load conditions, enhancing the operational stability and reducing wear on the steering device components.
Implementation Method 1
the bumper portion includes an elastic body elastically receiving bump of the other one of the two attachment target objects
Implementation Method 2
a return elastic body providing elastic force to at least one of the inner chamber forming body or the relative displacement body to elastically press the inner chamber forming body or the relative displacement body formed with no bumper portion in a direction apart from the bumper portion
Implementation Method 3
a flow control valve provided for at least one of the inner chamber forming body or the relative displacement body to allow the fluid to flow while limiting a flow of the fluid
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a linear damper capable of reducing great collision sound or impact even when a great load rapidly acts and a steering device including the linear damper. A steering device 100 includes a linear damper 120 between a rack bar 103 and a rack end 106. In the linear damper 120, a relative displacement body 140 is provided to be reciprocatably displaceable in an inner chamber forming body 121 formed in a cylindrical shape. In the inner chamber forming body 121, a first inner chamber 125a and a second inner chamber 125b are formed on both sides of a valve support portion 123 supporting first flow control valves 127 and a second flow control valve 128. An end portion of the inner chamber forming body 121 facing a rack housing 104 is provided with a bumper portion 131. The bumper portion 131 is produced in such a manner that an elastically-deformable elastic body is formed into a circular ring shape.