Rotary Damper Center-Supported Rotor for Compact Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotary dampers face challenges in reducing their size due to the conventional method of supporting the rotor at both ends, which limits their compactness and efficiency in kinetic energy damping applications.
Innovation Solution
The rotary damper design includes a housing with a cylindrical inner chamber, a rotor with a tubular support portion, and a lid that supports the rotor at its center, allowing for a reduced length and simplified configuration, along with additional features like a second rotor support portion, accumulator holding portion, and communication paths with filters, to enhance usability and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the rotor is supported at both end portions through shaft portions, then the rotor is stably supported, but the rotary damper cannot be reduced in size
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is segmented into two distinct portions: a first rotor support portion that supports the tubular support portion at the center of the movable vane, and a second rotor support portion that supports the protruding shaft portion. This segmentation allows each support portion to be optimized independently, enabling compact design while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure transitions from a conventional two-point end support to a distributed support system involving center support of the tubular portion and peripheral support of the shaft portion. This dimensional redistribution of support points enables reduced overall length while maintaining rotational stability.
2Length of moving object
If the first rotor support portion supports the tubular support portion at the center of the movable vane, then the rotor length is shortened, but the support structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The lid serves multiple functions: it closes the inner chamber, provides mounting for the first rotor support portion, and contributes to the overall structural framework. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated support components, simplifying the overall structure despite the innovative support arrangement.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the second rotor support portion supports the inner peripheral portion of the protruding shaft portion, then the rotor is stably supported, but the configuration becomes more complex and larger
Solution Approach 1:
The protruding shaft portion is pre-formed to extend axially from the rotor, anticipating the need for external support. This preliminary structural arrangement allows the second rotor support portion to engage at the outer peripheral portion, optimizing both support effectiveness and compactness without requiring complex internal support mechanisms.
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 configuration enables a significant reduction in size while maintaining stability and efficiency, allowing for improved kinetic energy damping and reduced risk of damage from vane collisions, and prevents fluid lock due to clogging, thereby enhancing the overall performance of the rotary damper.
Implementation Method 1
a rotary damper including: a housing (101) having a cylindrical inner chamber (103) for liquid-tightly housing fluid (150)
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a rotary damper of which size can be easily reduced. The rotary damper (100) includes a housing (101). The housing (101) includes a rotor (120) in a bottomed cylindrical housing body (102), and is closed by a lid (140). An inner chamber (103) in the housing body (102) is divided into three cells including a first cell R1, a second cell R2, and a third cell R3 by a fixed vane (104) and movable vanes (124, 125) of the rotor (120). At the rotor (120), a cylindrical tubular support portion (122) is formed inside the movable vanes (124, 125). The lid (140) is formed with a cylindrical first rotor support portion (141) turnably supporting the tubular support portion (122). The first rotor support portion (141) supports the tubular support portion (122) at a center portion of the length of each of the movable vanes (124, 125) in an axial direction of the rotor (120).