Self-Regulating Damper With Inertial Flow Control for Occupant Weight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-regulating damper units, such as those used in vehicle safety systems, are not effectively adaptable to different occupant weights, leading to inadequate protection during crashes, as they require additional sensors to adjust force and damping accordingly.
Innovation Solution
A self-regulating damper unit with a switching weight mechanism that adjusts the passage cross-section between fluid-filled working spaces, allowing the damper unit to adapt to occupant weight by changing the flow rate of fluid, enabling occupant-sensitive damping without the need for electrical sensors or power supply, using a piston rod with a switching weight that shifts between rest and release positions based on inertia and spring forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional sensors are used to adjust damping force according to occupant weight, then adaptability to different occupant weights is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The damper unit automatically adjusts its damping characteristics based on the occupant's weight without requiring external sensors or control systems. The switching weight mechanism self-regulates by detecting the force applied to the piston rod and automatically changing the fluid flow passage cross-section, making the system both adaptive and sensorless.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the passage cross-section is fixed, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different occupant weights deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The passage cross-section for fluid flow is made dynamic rather than fixed. The switching weight can change position based on the applied force, thereby dynamically adjusting the cross-sectional area through which fluid flows. This allows the damping force to adapt to different occupant weights while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure.
3Measurement precision
If electrical sensors and power supply are used for adjustment, then measurement precision and control accuracy are improved, but reliability in power failure scenarios deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical sensing and control systems with a purely mechanical detection and adjustment mechanism. The switching weight detects occupant weight through mechanical force transmission and automatically adjusts the damping characteristics through mechanical movement, eliminating the need for electrical sensors, processors, or power supplies while maintaining reliability in all conditions.
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 damper unit maintains consistent acceleration and optimal utilization of the damper path regardless of occupant weight, ensuring effective protection by adjusting damping forces based on weight, and can operate independently without electrical sensors or power, ensuring functionality even in power failures.
Implementation Method 1
upon a first acceleration on the piston rod, the switching weight is held in its rest position
Implementation Method 2
an elastic element is connected to the switching weight and is designed to displace the switching weight from its rest position towards its release position
Implementation Method 3
a cylinder which is filled with a fluid, a piston which divides the interior of the cylinder into a first working chamber and a second working chamber
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a self-regulating damper unit (10), comprising a cylinder (12) having a first working chamber (18) and a second working chamber (20), a piston (14), a piston rod (22), and a through-hole (34, 36, 38, 40) between the first working chamber (18) and the second working chamber (20), wherein the damper unit (10) also comprises a shiftable weight (26) which modifies a passage cross section (42) of the through-hole (34, 36, 38, 40), wherein the shiftable weight (26) is movably mounted such that retardation of the piston (14) causes enlargement of the passage cross section (42). The invention also relates to a seat belt unit comprising a seat belt and a damper unit (10).