Linear Damper Housing With Soft Contact Zones for Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional linear dampers with rotation dampers in housings produce noise due to the engagement and disengagement of teeth with the housing, causing 'clicking' or 'clacking' sounds during changes in movement direction, which are perceived as annoying and result in a jerky movement sequence.
Innovation Solution
The housing of the linear damper incorporates a contact region made of a material with a lower modulus of elasticity than the surrounding housing, specifically designed for engagement with the rotation damper, to reduce noise and improve movement smoothness by using a thermoplastic elastomer for enhanced noise reduction and even compressive load distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the rotation damper engages with the housing teeth during movement, then the damping function is achieved, but noise is generated when the direction of movement is reversed or when reengaging after freewheeling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the housing contact region by integrating a softer material (lower modulus of elasticity) into the housing at the tooth engagement areas. This material parameter change allows the housing to better absorb impact energies and reduce noise during engagement while maintaining the mechanical function of the teeth engagement for reliable damping operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies a composite material structure where a softer material is integrated into the housing at the contact regions. This composite approach combines the structural integrity of the housing material with the noise-absorbing properties of the softer material, creating a multi-material solution that addresses both noise reduction and engagement reliability.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If a harder housing material is used for durability, then service life is extended, but noise is amplified during tooth engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing the housing with different material properties at different locations. The contact regions where teeth engage are made of softer material to reduce noise, while the rest of the housing maintains its original harder material for structural integrity and durability. This localized material differentiation resolves the contradiction between noise reduction and service life extension.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter (modulus of elasticity) locally at the contact regions of the housing. By making these specific areas softer while keeping the main housing structure hard, the patent achieves both noise reduction during engagement and maintained service life through the durable housing material.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the contact region is made of softer material for noise reduction, then noise is dampened, but material consumption and production complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the housing into different material zones: the contact regions are made of softer material while the rest of the housing uses the original material. This segmentation allows noise reduction only where needed (at the tooth engagement areas) rather than making the entire housing complex, thus reducing production complexity compared to a fully multi-material construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, guides the rotation damper, and reduces noise at engagement points. By integrating the noise reduction function directly into the housing through localized softer material zones, the patent eliminates the need for separate noise reduction components, thereby reducing overall device complexity and material consumption.
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 effectively dampens noise and enhances the smoothness of the movement sequence by using a softer material for the contact regions, ensuring secure engagement and prolonged service life while minimizing material consumption and production complexity.
Implementation Method 1
the tips of the teeth of the housing and the teeth of the rotation damper to come into contact prior to reengaging. This movement also produces a brief noise
Implementation Method 2
a contact region, in which the rotation damper (2) is in contact with the housing (1) during movement in a direction of movement, is made of a material having a lower modulus of elasticity than the housing (1)
Data Source
AI summary
During the transition from the opening to the closing movement of a glove compartment door, or vice versa, undesirable noises (“clicking”/“popping”) can be reduced by providing regions of a housing surrounding a rotation damper with a contact region made of a material having a lower modulus of elasticity than the material of the remainder of the housing.