Linear-Motion Damper Layout for Compact Steering Rack Ends
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing linear-motion dampers are limited in their attachment options due to their size, particularly length, which restricts their application to specific components, and require complex configurations that complicate maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A linear-motion damper design featuring a tubular inner chamber and a relative displacement body that can be positioned externally to the axis of the attachment target, incorporating a flow control valve and return elastic body to maximize stroke and simplify configuration, allowing for broader attachment compatibility and easier maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the linear-motion damper is attached to the tip end portion of the reciprocating component, then the damping function is achieved, but the device configuration becomes large (mainly long) and the attachment target is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The damper is repositioned from the axial direction (tip end) to the radial direction (outer peripheral portion), changing the attachment dimension. This allows the damper to function without extending the axial length of the attachment target, thus resolving the contradiction between achieving damping function and minimizing device length
2Reliability
If the linear-motion damper is attached to the tip end portion, then the damping function is achieved, but the type of attachment target is limited
Solution Approach 1:
By moving the attachment point from the axial tip to the radial outer periphery, the damper can be applied to various components (rack bar, tie rod, etc.) without being constrained by the need for axial tip attachment, thereby improving adaptability while maintaining damping function
Solution Approach 2:
The damper design with outer peripheral attachment creates a universal solution that can be applied to multiple different attachment targets in steering devices, making the damping function adaptable to various component types and configurations
3Reliability
If the flow control valve is positioned to maximize stroke, then the damping performance is optimized, but the configuration becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The flow control valve is integrated with the relative displacement body, merging two components into one. This simplification maintains the ability to optimize stroke for damping performance while reducing overall configuration complexity and improving ease of manufacture
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
This design reduces the size increase of the attachment target, broadens the range of attachable components, and enhances maintenance accessibility by positioning the damper externally and simplifying the configuration, while maintaining effective damping performance.
Implementation Method 1
a return elastic body that provides elastic force at least to one of the inner chamber forming body or the relative displacement body such that the flow control valve is arranged on an external force acting side with respect to the linear-motion damper
Implementation Method 2
damping external force received by the fluid by limiting a flow of the fluid
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are: a linear-motion damper which can avoid an increase in the size of a device configuration of an attachment target and broaden the type of attachment target to which the linear-motion damper is attachable; and a steering device including the linear-motion damper. A steering device (100) includes a linear-motion damper (120) between a rack bar (103) and a rack end (106). In the linear-motion damper (120), an inner chamber (121) is formed between an inner chamber forming body (130) and a socket main body (107) therein. The socket main body (107) is a shaft-shaped component forming the rack end (106) in the steering device (100). The socket main body (107) is slidably fitted in the inner chamber forming body (130). The inner chamber forming body (130) is formed in a tubular shape, and at an inner peripheral portion thereof, is formed with a circular ring-shaped flow control valve (140). The flow control valve (140) includes a first flow control valve (150), a second flow control valve (160), and a third flow control valve (170).