Split Flywheel with Centrifugal Pendulum for Vibration Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flywheel technologies for motor vehicle drive trains fail to effectively address axial mobility, deformation compensation, axial vibration damping, and torsional vibration eradication, leading to critical stresses and rotational irregularities.

Innovation Solution

A flywheel design incorporating a centrifugal pendulum device with a pivoting axis and an axial spring device, featuring a first and second flywheel part that are rotatable and axially elastically displaceable, along with a centrifugal pendulum mass carrier part that displaces pendulum masses under centrifugal force, to mitigate torsional vibrations and allow for axial mobility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a rigid flywheel structure is used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but axial mobility and deformation compensation are lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflywheel structural precisionVSAvoidaxial mobility
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The flywheel is divided into two separate flywheel parts (first flywheel part and second flywheel part) that can move axially relative to each other. This segmentation allows each part to maintain manufacturing precision while the relative movement between parts provides the necessary axial mobility and deformation compensation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The spring device introduces dynamic axial movement capability between the two flywheel parts. Instead of a rigid fixed structure, the spring allows controlled axial displacement that adapts to deformation requirements while maintaining rotational stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If axial mobility is introduced through spring devices, then deformation compensation is improved, but axial vibration damping is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeformation compensationVSAvoidaxial vibration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The spring device acts as an intermediary element between the two flywheel parts. It mediates the axial forces by providing both the necessary mobility for deformation compensation and inherent damping characteristics to reduce axial vibrations transmitted through the flywheel structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If a single rigid flywheel structure is used, then device complexity is reduced, but torsional vibration eradication is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflywheel structure complexityVSAvoidtorsional vibration
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flywheel is segmented into two parts connected by a spring device, creating a torsionally flexible structure. This segmentation allows the two parts to move independently in the axial direction, effectively counteracting torsional vibrations while maintaining relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The spring device introduces controlled mechanical compliance that creates opposing vibrational movements between the two flywheel parts. This mechanical vibration mechanism actively counteracts torsional vibrations from the crankshaft through the relative axial movement of the segmented structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

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 enables axial mobility, compensates for deformations, dampens axial vibrations, and eliminates torsional vibrations, thereby preventing critical stresses and reducing rotational irregularities in motor vehicle drive trains.

Implementation Method 1

an axial spring device acting between the first flywheel part and the second flywheel part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a centrifugal pendulum device with a pivoting axis and a pendulum mass arranged displaceably on the pendulum mass carrier part under the action of centrifugal force along an arc-shaped path

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP3209900B1Flywheel
Publication Date: 2021.03.31 SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO KG
  • EP3209900B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3209900B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a flywheel (100), in particular for a powertrain of a motor vehicle driven by an internal combustion engine, the flywheel (100) having a first flywheel part (104), a second flywheel part (106) and an axial spring device (108) that is active between the first flywheel part (104) and the second flywheel part (106). In order to improve the construction and/or functionality of the flywheel (100), said flywheel (100) has a centrifugal pendulum device (102) comprising a pendulum mass support part (122) and at least one pendulum mass (124) arranged on the pendulum mass support part (122) such that it can be displaced, under centrifugal action, along a pendulum path.