Filtering Pulley Labyrinth Lip for Dust-Proof Vibration Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filtering pulleys face issues with relative rotation between the crown and hub, dust and debris ingress causing noise and reduced lifespan, and inadequate handling of torsional vibrations in internal combustion engines, particularly at low speeds and with systems like double clutch gearboxes or start-stop systems.

Innovation Solution

A filtering pulley design featuring a hub, annular crown, elastic groups, actuator, and dust protection lip, with a bush having an L-shaped section to manage relative rotation, prevent debris ingress, and absorb axial loads, enhancing sealing and durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a filtering pulley is used to reduce torsional vibrations, then vibration filtering is improved, but dust and debris can ingress between hub and crown causing noise and reduced lifespan

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration filteringVSAvoiddust and debris ingress
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A dust protection lip is introduced as an intermediary element between the hub and crown assembly and the external environment. This lip protrudes radially outward to intercept dust and debris before they can reach the critical interface between hub and crown, thereby protecting the filtering pulley mechanism while maintaining its vibration filtering function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The dust protection lip is made of elastomeric material, which provides flexibility to accommodate relative rotation between hub and crown while maintaining the sealing function. The elastomeric nature allows the lip to deform and return to its original position, ensuring continuous protection against dust ingress during operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Stability of the object's composition

If relative rotation between crown and hub is allowed for filtering function, then vibration filtering is improved, but overrunning moments and noise increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration filteringVSAvoidoverrunning moments and noise
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The dust protection lip is designed as a separate, removable component that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This allows the lip to be optimized for dust protection without compromising the relative rotation function between hub and crown, effectively separating the dust protection function from the filtering mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The dust protection lip is made of elastomeric material, combining the properties of flexibility (to allow relative rotation) and sealing (to prevent dust ingress). This composite material approach resolves the contradiction by providing both required functions simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-affected harmful factors

If sealing between hub and crown is enhanced to prevent dust ingress, then protection against contamination is improved, but assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against contaminationVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dust protection lip is designed as a separate segment that can be independently assembled into the filtering pulley. This segmentation allows for simplified manufacturing and assembly, as the lip can be installed as a discrete component rather than requiring complex integrated sealing structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The elastomeric dust protection lip automatically seals against the hub and crown through its inherent elasticity, without requiring additional fastening elements or complex assembly procedures. The lip self-adjusts to maintain contact and sealing effectiveness, reducing assembly complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 design effectively reduces noise, protects against contamination, and extends the pulley's lifespan by preventing debris entry and managing torsional vibrations, while ensuring smooth operation and easy assembly.

Implementation Method 1

one or more elastic elements through which the torque is transmitted from the hub to the crown

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a dust protection lip configured to prevent the contamination from the outside of the rotating support between hub and crown

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentEP4341581B1Improved filtering pulley
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 MUVIQ SRL
  • EP4341581B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4341581B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4341581B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Filtering pulley (1) comprising a hub (2) adapted to be fixed to a rotating shaft, a crown (3) mounted coaxially and rotationally free on the hub (2), at least one elastic group (30) arranged circumferentially with respect to the hub (2) and the crown (3) and interposed, each, between a pair of first elements (50) integral with the hub (2) and between a pair of second elements (16) integral with the crown (3), the pulley (1) comprising a dust protection lip (50) carried integrally by said hub (2) and configured to slide, in tight manner, with respect to an element (7, 8) integral with said crown (3), said dust protection lip (50) being a labyrinthine sealing lip.