Low Noise Retractor With Elastomeric Boundary Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retraction devices often produce audible impact noises when the driver element contacts the driver, which is a concern for both durability and noise reduction.
Innovation Solution
The retraction device features boundary layers with a thickness of at least 1.5 millimeters, made from thermoplastic materials with specific hardness and modulus of elasticity ranges, or elastomeric materials, to absorb and distribute contact forces without generating noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the insert shell is made of hard material to achieve high durability, then strength is improved, but impact noises occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses composite materials by combining a hard base body (for durability) with an elastomeric or thermoplastic elastomer coating layer (for noise reduction). This multi-layer composite structure allows the hard insert shell to maintain its strength while the softer outer layer absorbs impact noises, resolving the contradiction between durability and noise generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameters by selecting elastomeric materials or thermoplastic elastomers with specific properties (hardness between 40 and 90 Shore A, elongation at break between 50% and 500%) for the coating layer. This parameter optimization allows the coating to provide sufficient cushioning against impact noises while maintaining the overall structural integrity required for durability.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the boundary layer thickness is increased to reduce noise, then noise reduction is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies a relatively thin elastomeric or thermoplastic elastomer coating layer (boundary layer) on the insert shell rather than using thick cushioning materials. This thin flexible film approach effectively reduces impact noises through material damping properties while minimizing the increase in device complexity and maintaining a compact structure.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If elastomeric material is used for the insert shell to avoid impact noises, then noise reduction is improved, but durability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a composite structure where the hard base body provides the necessary durability and structural strength, while the elastomeric or thermoplastic elastomer coating layer provides noise reduction. This division of functions within the composite material system resolves the contradiction between using soft materials for noise reduction and hard materials for durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies different material qualities to different parts of the insert shell: the core remains hard for structural integrity and durability, while only the outer contact surface (coating layer) is made of elastomeric material for noise reduction. This local differentiation of material properties allows simultaneous achievement of durability and noise reduction.
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 reduces impact noise by ensuring that the boundary layers deform elastically upon contact, preventing the transmission of noise and maintaining the device's durability.
Implementation Method 1
the boundary layers deform elastically upon contact, preventing the transmission of noise
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a retraction device with a drive element that can be moved from a force-locked and/or form-locked parking position to an end position and back, and with a coupling device to which it can be coupled. The coupled coupling device has a stop pin facing the end position with a drive surface, and the drive element has a push pin facing away from the parking position, which can be contacted with the stop pin and has a push surface. The invention also relates to a sliding door assembly with such a retraction device. The drive pin has a boundary layer on the drive element side that includes at least the drive surface. The push pin has a boundary layer on the drive element side that includes the push surface. Both boundary layers have a thickness of at least 1.5 millimeters. Furthermore, the average value of the elastic moduli of these boundary layers at room temperature is between 700 Newtons per square millimeter and 1600 Newtons per square millimeter.The present invention develops a low-noise retraction device.