Smart Fluid Damper With Focused Magnetic Field for Lightweight Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing magnetorheological (MR) fluid dampers are heavy due to ferromagnetic particles, limiting their use in weight-sensitive applications, and require continuous power to maintain damping effect, making them impractical for applications without constant power sources.
Innovation Solution
A smart fluid damper design featuring a flow control element with an energizable coil and field barriers that focus a magnetic field within a fluid passage, allowing for adjustable damping without continuous power consumption and minimizing weight by optimizing magnetic field distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If MR fluid is used in the damper, then the damping effect is improved, but the weight of the damper increases due to ferromagnetic particles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential ferromagnetic particles needed for magnetic field interaction from the traditional MR fluid formulation. By using a minimal concentration of ferromagnetic particles in a conventional hydraulic fluid base, the damper achieves sufficient magnetic responsiveness for effective damping while dramatically reducing the overall weight compared to traditional MR fluids that require high concentrations of heavy ferromagnetic particles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies magnetic field locally and selectively within the fluid passage rather than requiring uniform MR fluid throughout the entire damper. The magnetic field is concentrated in specific zones where it interacts with the minimal ferromagnetic particles present in the hydraulic fluid, creating localized viscosity changes that provide effective damping without requiring heavy MR fluid throughout the entire system.
2Reliability
If continuous power is supplied to electromagnets, then the damping control is maintained, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic or pulsed magnetic field application rather than continuous power supply. The electromagnets are activated in cycles or pulses that are sufficient to maintain the desired damping effect, allowing the magnetic field to be reapplied periodically to sustain the viscosity changes in the hydraulic fluid without requiring constant electrical power input.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the inherent properties of the hydraulic fluid and magnetic field interaction to maintain damping control with minimal external energy input. Once the magnetic field is applied and the ferromagnetic particles are aligned, the system maintains its state through the physical properties of the fluid and field interaction, reducing the need for continuous power supply to maintain the damping effect.
3Adaptability or versatility
If MR fluid is used, then the viscosity can be controlled, but the density increases making the damper heavier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the base fluid from traditional MR fluid (high density carrier liquid with high ferromagnetic particle concentration) to conventional hydraulic fluid (low density with minimal ferromagnetic particles). This parameter change allows viscosity control to be achieved through magnetic field interaction with the minimal particles present, rather than relying on the inherent high density and high particle concentration of traditional MR fluids.
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 design achieves efficient, adjustable damping with reduced weight and power consumption, making it suitable for various applications, including bicycles, where weight and power sensitivity are concerns.
Implementation Method 1
an energizable coil operable to apply a field to the smart fluid in the fluid passage
Implementation Method 2
field barriers each operable to locally block the field generated by the energizable coil such that the field cannot pass therethrough
Implementation Method 3
The variable properties of such smart fluids may include, for example, viscosity... In the case of MR fluids, an applied magnetic field acts to manipulate the MR fluid, which has micron-sized ferromagnetic particles in a carrier liquid, such as silicone or hydrocarbon oil. Apparent viscosity of the MR fluid can accordingly be varied and thus controlled.
Data Source
AI summary
A bicycle with a suspension system for a wheel of the bicycle, the suspension system including a smart fluid damper for dampening a movement of the wheel relative to the frame. The smart fluid damper includes a flow control element disposed within a cavity of the damper and configured to apply a field to a smart fluid within a fluid passage extending through the flow control element. The flow control element includes field barriers proximate the fluid passage to locally block and/or divert the field such that the field cannot pass therethrough. The field barriers are arranged to cause the field to criss-cross the fluid passage at multiple axial intervals along the fluid passage, thereby focusing the field within the fluid passage.