Offset Pendulum Mass Layout to Reduce Transmission Start-Stop Noise

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pendulum damping devices in motor vehicle transmission systems experience noise during stopping and starting phases due to a substantial radial drop height of pendulum masses when not under centrifugal force, and require complex shapes or additional bulk to prevent radial falls.

Innovation Solution

The pendulum damping device features two pendulum masses circumferentially offset from each other, with a connecting element and rolling elements guiding the movement, and stabilizing elements to prevent radial falls, allowing for simpler implementation and reduced bulk.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the two pendulum masses are exactly superimposed, then the radial drop height is minimized, but the device requires additional bulk or complex pendulum body shapes to prevent radial falls

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradial drop heightVSAvoidpendulum body shape complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by offsetting the two pendulum masses circumferentially relative to each other instead of superimposing them. This asymmetric arrangement allows the masses to be positioned at different radial locations, enabling the use of simple support organs (like pins or rollers) to prevent radial falls without requiring complex pendulum body shapes. The asymmetric positioning transforms the geometric relationship between masses and support structures, solving the contradiction between minimizing radial drop and avoiding complex geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Area of stationary object

If the two pendulum masses are exactly superimposed, then the radial space is optimized, but support organs become bulky or complex when multiple pendulum bodies are arranged circumferentially

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradial space utilizationVSAvoidsupport organ complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By offsetting pendulum masses circumferentially, the patent creates asymmetric radial positions for each mass. This allows support organs to be positioned at different radial depths for different masses, optimizing space utilization while keeping each support organ simple in shape. When multiple pendulum bodies are arranged circumferentially, this asymmetric configuration prevents interference between support organs and eliminates the need for bulky designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Ease of operation

If the opening in the support has significant radial dimension to accommodate rolling elements and connecting elements, then the pendulum body movement is enabled, but a substantial radial drop height exists causing noise during stopping and starting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvependulum body movement capabilityVSAvoidnoise during stopping and starting
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The circumferential offset of pendulum masses creates asymmetric radial positions, allowing the opening in the support to be designed with optimized dimensions. The offset configuration enables the use of compact support organs that prevent radial falls without requiring excessively large opening dimensions, thereby reducing the radial drop height and minimizing noise during stopping and starting while still enabling full pendulum body movement capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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 effectively prevents radial falls and reduces noise by facilitating the installation of support organs, while maintaining effective torsional oscillation filtering capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

two rolling members guiding the movement of the pendulum body relative to the support, each rolling member cooperating with a first rolling track fixed to the support and with a second rolling track fixed to the pendulum body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling: Roller

Implementation Method 2

at least one pendulum body, movable relative to the support and comprising two pendulum masses respectively arranged axially on one side of the support

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4445040B1Pendulum damping device
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 VALEO EMBRAYAGES SAS
  • EP4445040B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4445040B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4445040B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Pendulum damping device (1) comprising: - a support (2) rotatable about an axis (X), - at least one pendulum body (3), movable relative to the support (2) and comprising two pendulum masses (5) arranged axially on either side (4) of the support (2), these two pendulum masses (5) being secured to each other by at least one connection member (6), and - two rolling members (11) guiding the movement of the pendulum body relative to the support (2), each rolling member (11) cooperating with a first rolling track (12) integral with the support (2) and with a second rolling track (13) integral with the pendulum body and defined by the connection member, characterized in that the two pendulum masses (5) of the pendulum body (3) are circumferentially offset with respect to each other.