Rotary Damper Vane Valve Structure for Faster Oil Flow Response

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rotary dampers face limitations in improving valve responsiveness and reducing oil resistance on a vane when the valve body receives pressure from the opposite direction due to narrow gaps and restricted oil flow rates.

Innovation Solution

A rotary damper design featuring a valve body with a slope-based groove and an elastic body that maintains contact with the oil chamber wall, allowing for increased oil flow and reduced resistance by ensuring the valve body moves away from the wall surface when pressure is applied from the opposite direction, utilizing a triangular prism-shaped valve body and a spring-like elastic body for enhanced responsiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the valve body moves away from the one surface of the vane by receiving pressure from the opposite direction, then the valve responsiveness is improved, but the gap formed between the valve body and the one surface of the vane is narrow, limiting the oil flow rate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve responsivenessVSAvoidoil flow rate
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the movement direction of the valve body from a direction creating a narrow gap to a direction moving along the oil passage axis. The valve body is configured to move in the oil passage direction (parallel to oil flow) rather than perpendicular to it, allowing the elastic body to push the valve body along the groove toward the opposite surface of the vane, thereby opening the oil passage without creating restrictive gaps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having the valve body move away from the one surface of the vane to improve responsiveness, the invention inverts the approach by having the valve body move toward the opposite surface of the vane along the oil passage. This inversion allows the valve body to open the oil passage effectively while maintaining proper clearance, solving both responsiveness and flow rate issues simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Device complexity

If the gap between the valve body and the one surface of the vane is narrow, then the valve structure is compact, but the flow rate of oil passing through the groove is limited, increasing oil resistance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve structure compactnessVSAvoidoil resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention resolves the conflict between compact structure and low oil resistance by changing the dimension of valve body movement. Instead of moving perpendicular to the oil passage (which creates narrow gaps), the valve body moves parallel to the oil passage direction, opening the passage width without compromising structural compactness. The elastic body mechanism maintains a compact design while enabling sufficient oil flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If the elastic body deformation is limited, then the valve structure is simple, but the gap formed between the valve body and the one surface of the vane is narrow, restricting oil flow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelastic body mechanism simplicityVSAvoidoil flow rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the traditional elastic body mechanism configuration. Instead of the elastic body creating a narrow gap by limited deformation, the elastic body is configured to push the valve body in the opposite direction along the oil passage, effectively opening the passage. This inversion allows the same simple elastic body mechanism to achieve both structural simplicity and adequate oil flow rate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 enhances valve responsiveness and reduces oil resistance on the vane by allowing unobstructed oil flow, maintaining consistent performance across varying temperatures and rotational forces, thereby improving the rotary damper's efficiency and stability.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic body which applies elasticity to the valve body and causes the valve body to come into contact with a wall surface of the oil chamber when the oil does not flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the valve body which is in contact with the wall surface of the oil chamber when receiving pressure of the oil from one direction moves away from the wall surface of the oil chamber when receiving the pressure of the oil from an opposite direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP3872362B1Rotary damper
Publication Date: 2024.02.14 SOMIC MANAGEMENT HLDG INC
  • EP3872362B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3872362B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3872362B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Provided is a rotary damper having a first valve provided in a first oil passage, the rotary damper including an oil chamber filled with oil; a vane located in the oil chamber; a groove which is formed in the vane and functions as a valve box of the first valve; a valve body of the first valve which moves while being in contact with a bottom surface of the groove; and an elastic body which applies elasticity to the valve body, and causes the valve body to come into contact with a wall surface of the oil chamber when the oil does not flow, in which the bottom surface of the groove is a slope, and thereby the valve body which is in contact with the wall surface when receiving oil pressure from one direction moves away from the wall surface when receiving the oil pressure from an opposite direction.