Rotational Damper Wrap Spring Deflection Stop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotational dampers for motor vehicle suspensions lack a reliable means to limit the maximal deflection of the deflection lever during damping, leading to increased construction costs and reduced reliability.
Innovation Solution
A rotational damper with a wrap spring connected to the flexible unit, which blocks the strain wave gear mechanism at a predetermined pivoting angle by deforming the flexible unit, providing a high blocking effect without the need for external actuators, and is securely supported on the rigid unit and housing cover.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If no stop mechanism is provided in the rotational damper, then the damper can operate freely without movement limits, but the maximal deflection of the deflection lever cannot be limited leading to increased construction costs and reduced reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The stop mechanism is integrated into the existing strain wave gear mechanism by utilizing the flexible unit and wrap spring already present in the damper structure. The wrap spring serves dual purposes: providing the blocking effect at predetermined pivoting angles and maintaining the structural integrity of the strain wave gear mechanism, thereby limiting maximal deflection without adding separate external stop components.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible unit and wrap spring system automatically limits the maximal deflection of the deflection lever through its own structural properties. When the coupling lever reaches the predetermined pivoting angle, the wrap spring deforms the flexible unit to create a blocking effect, preventing further movement without requiring external actuators or additional control systems.
2Device complexity
If external actuators are used to limit deflection movement, then precise control of the stopping point can be achieved, but construction complexity increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The strain wave gear mechanism with its flexible unit and wrap spring automatically performs the deflection limiting function without requiring external actuators. The system uses its own structural components to create the blocking effect at predetermined angles, eliminating the need for separate motors, sensors, or control systems that would increase complexity and potential failure points.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention removes the need for external actuator systems by extracting the deflection limiting function and implementing it directly within the strain wave gear mechanism itself. The wrap spring and flexible unit combination provides the stopping capability inherently, eliminating redundant external components.
3Force
If a wrap spring is added to block the strain wave gear mechanism at predetermined pivoting, then deflection movement is effectively limited with high jamming force, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The wrap spring is integrated as part of the strain wave gear mechanism structure, combining the blocking function with the existing flexible unit. The wrap spring works together with the flexible unit's deformation characteristics to create the high jamming force effect, merging multiple functions into a unified structural system rather than adding separate blocking components.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible unit with its elastic properties serves as the blocking medium when deformed by the wrap spring. The flexible unit's ability to deform and store elastic energy provides the high jamming force effect, utilizing flexible material properties rather than rigid mechanical stops to achieve the blocking function.
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 limits deflection movement with a defined stopping point, achieving a high jamming force through deformation of the flexible unit, reducing construction complexity and enhancing reliability compared to conventional braking devices.
Implementation Method 1
the flexible unit undergoes a dynamic elastic deformation so that the spline of the flexible unit is brought into engagement with the spline of the rigid unit always in separate regions
Implementation Method 2
magnetic fluxes flowing via the flux-conducting region cause magnetic forces which act on the flux-conducting region and with this act directly on the flexible unit
Implementation Method 3
the wrap spring is configured to block the strain wave gear mechanism at a predetermined pivoting of the coupling lever relative to the fastening element by deformation of the flexible unit
Data Source
AI summary
A rotational damper includes a damper housing surrounding an electromagnetic damper motor and connected to a first mass via a fastening part; a coupling lever supported for pivoting relative to the damper housing and connected with a second mass; a strain wave gear mechanism for damping vibrations and including a rigid unit having an internal spline and being connected with the damper housing, and a flexible unit having an external spline and being fastened with the fastening part, wherein the first and second units are coupled with each other via the internal and external splines; a wave generator rotatably supported in the flexible unit, wherein a rotation of the wave generator causes a deformation of the flexible unit; and a wrap spring connected on one side in rotative fixed relationship with the coupling lever, and on another side connected in rotative fixed relationship with the fastening part, wherein at a predetermined pivoting of the coupling lever relative to the fastening part the wrap spring deforms the flexible unit thereby blocking the strain wave gear mechanism.