Pendulum Torsion Damper with Single Rolling Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current pendulum-type torsion damping devices face a trade-off between complex construction for high performance and simple design for modest performance, with a need for a device that offers damping performance close to bifilar pendulums but with the simplicity of a single-wire pendulum.

Innovation Solution

A torsion damping device with a mobile support and pendular oscillating masses, where each mass is interposed between two adjacent masses, using a single rolling element for movement, achieving coordinated kinematic movement and reduced friction through circumferential sliding contact, allowing for increased overall pendulum mass and improved stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a bifilar pendulum (two rolling elements per oscillating mass) is used, then damping performance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamping performanceVSAvoidconstruction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts one rolling element from each oscillating mass assembly, reducing from two rolling elements (bifilar) to one rolling element per mass. This simplification is compensated by introducing circumferential sliding contact between adjacent masses, which provides the additional constraint function. The result is a monofilar pendulum configuration that achieves damping performance接近 to bifilar designs while reducing construction complexity and friction-induced hysteresis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Device complexity

If a monofilar pendulum (single rolling element per oscillating mass) is used, then device simplicity is improved, but damping performance decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstruction simplicityVSAvoiddamping performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the constraint functions previously provided by two separate rolling elements into a single rolling element combined with circumferential sliding contact between adjacent oscillating masses. The sliding contact between masses provides the additional radial constraint, effectively combining the roles of two rolling elements into one rolling element plus inter-mass contact. This merging achieves bifilar-level damping performance with monofilar simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Stability of the object's composition

If multiple rolling elements are used per oscillating mass, then radial retention is improved, but friction-induced hysteresis increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradial retentionVSAvoidfriction-induced hysteresis
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the potentially harmful circumferential sliding contact between adjacent masses into a beneficial element. While sliding contact typically generates friction and hysteresis, the invention designs the contact geometry and motion coordination such that the sliding occurs in a controlled manner that actually reduces overall friction losses compared to multiple rolling elements. The single rolling element combined with coordinated sliding contact converts what would be a source of energy loss into a mechanism that maintains radial retention with reduced hysteresis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 device achieves damping performance close to that of a bifilar pendulum while simplifying the construction, reducing friction-induced hysteresis, and increasing the overall pendulum mass, thereby enhancing stability and damping efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

for each of the oscillating masses, the rolling element is rolling on the support and on the oscillating mass

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling: Roller

Implementation Method 2

a first end edge capable, during a rotation of the device, of coming into substantially circumferential sliding contact with an end edge of the first adjacent mass

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSliding contact: Friction

Implementation Method 3

The oscillations of these oscillating masses generate an oscillating torque that opposes the oscillating torque from the motor, thus absorbing some of the motor's irregularities

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOscillation: Pendulum

Implementation Method 4

under the effect of centrifugal forces, the oscillation frequency of each of the oscillating masses is proportional to the speed of rotation of the drive shaft

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP3069045B1Simplified torsion damping device having a pendulum
Publication Date: 2019.08.28 VALEO EMBRAYAGES SAS
  • EP3069045B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3069045B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3069045B1 patent drawing

AI summary

This torsion damping device having a pendulum comprises oscillating masses (6, 8, 10) that are mounted in a movable manner on a holder (4). Each oscillating mass (6) is interposed circumferentially between a first adjacent oscillating mass (8) and a second adjacent oscillating mass (10). Each oscillating mass (6) is mounted in a movable manner on the holder (4) by means: - of a rolling contact that rolls via a single rolling bearing element (12) associated with this oscillating mass; - of a sliding contact that slides between one of the end edges (18) thereof and an end edge (20) of the adjacent second oscillating mass (10), which forms an edge for radially retaining this oscillating mass (6). The device makes it possible to achieve effective pendular damping with a limited number of rolling bearing elements.