Spoke Spring Crankshaft Damper for Temperature-Stable Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing crankshaft dampers face challenges in effectively damping vibrations across varying temperature conditions and are often costly, with elastomer-based solutions being temperature-dependent and viscous dampers being expensive, while spoke spring dampers provide insufficient damping behavior.
Innovation Solution
A vibration damper comprising multiple absorbers with different natural frequencies, each made of steel spoke springs, which are designed to minimize axial space and reduce the influence of aging and temperature, allowing for efficient damping of crankshaft vibrations by adapting to the shaft's natural frequency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If elastomer-based dampers are used, then damping effect is achieved, but temperature dependence reduces reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the elastomer-based mechanical damping system with a steel spoke spring system. The steel springs provide purely mechanical elastic deformation for vibration absorption, eliminating the temperature-dependent viscoelastic behavior of elastomers. This substitution maintains damping effectiveness across varying temperature conditions while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from elastomer to steel spring, fundamentally altering the physical properties of the damping element. Steel's elastic modulus and yield strength remain stable across temperature ranges, unlike elastomers whose properties vary significantly with temperature. This parameter change ensures consistent damping performance regardless of thermal conditions.
2Reliability
If viscous dampers are used, then better damping effect is achieved, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive steel spoke springs instead of costly viscous damping materials. The steel springs can be manufactured using conventional metalworking processes, making them significantly cheaper than viscous dampers while providing sufficient damping effectiveness for the application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the viscous fluid-based damping mechanism with a purely mechanical steel spring system. This eliminates the need for specialized viscous materials and complex sealing arrangements, simplifying manufacturing and reducing costs while maintaining acceptable damping performance.
3Reliability
If single-frequency absorbers are used, then specific frequency damping is achieved, but overall damping effectiveness is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the damping function into multiple independent absorbers, each targeting a specific natural frequency of the crankshaft. By segmenting the vibration control into multiple frequency-specific units, the system achieves comprehensive coverage of the crankshaft's vibration spectrum, overcoming the limitation of single-frequency absorbers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional damping system where multiple absorbers with different natural frequencies work together to address various vibration modes of the crankshaft. This universal approach allows a single damper assembly to effectively dampen multiple frequency ranges, enhancing overall damping effectiveness.
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 vibration damper achieves improved damping efficiency by tuning absorbers' natural frequencies to match the crankshaft's frequency response, reducing vibration amplitudes and minimizing the impact of temperature and aging, while being cost-effective and simple in design.
Implementation Method 1
each absorber has at least one spoke spring having the natural frequency of the absorber, wherein each spoke spring has a circular ring-like outer element radially on the outside and a connecting element for connecting to a shaft radially on the inside and has a plurality of spokes extending in the radial direction, which are designed to be elastic
Implementation Method 2
A vibration damper for damping torsional vibrations, in particular for use in the drive train of a motor vehicle, which is rotatable about an axis of rotation, comprising at least two absorbers, wherein each absorber has a natural frequency
Data Source
AI summary
A vibration damper with at least two absorbers, each having at least one spoke spring, enables efficient damping of the frequency response of a crankshaft. The absorbers preferably have different natural frequencies that are adapted to the frequency response of the crankshaft. The absorbers exhibit a frequency response, which is not or only insignificantly dependent on aging of the spoke springs and on the ambient temperature. The corresponding vibration dampers can be easily designed and mounted.