Spool-Shaped Elastomeric Plugs for Torsional Vibration Dampers

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Solution Overview

Problem

The high cost and complexity of mold bonding processes in manufacturing low frequency torsional vibration dampers for vehicle engines, which increases production costs.

Innovation Solution

Torsional vibration dampers with a hub and inertia member retained together by a plurality of spool-shaped elastomeric plugs, eliminating the need for mold bonding, and allowing for easier assembly and manufacturing through the use of concentrically disposed pockets and machined receptacles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mold bonding process is used to attach elastomeric material to metallic surfaces, then the damper achieves reliable vibration attenuation, but the manufacturing cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration attenuationVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The elastomeric material is divided into discrete plugs that are inserted into receptacles formed in the hub and inertia member. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex mold bonding processes while maintaining the functional integrity of the connection between metallic components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces expensive mold-bonded elastomeric material with simpler, less expensive elastomeric plugs that can be easily manufactured and installed. These plugs serve the same vibration attenuation function but at a lower cost, effectively substituting a cheaper component for the expensive bonded structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If mold bonding process is used to attach elastomeric material to metallic surfaces, then the damper achieves reliable vibration attenuation, but the assembly process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration attenuationVSAvoidassembly process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of bonding the elastomeric material to the metallic surfaces in a complex mold bonding process, the patent inverts the approach by inserting pre-formed elastomeric plugs into receptacles that are already formed in the hub and inertia member. This simplifies the assembly process while achieving the same reliable connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of manufacture

If elastomeric plugs with clearance gaps are used, then the assembly becomes easier and manufacturing cost decreases, but the compression fit is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly easeVSAvoidcompression fit

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The clearance gap is provided only in the radial direction to facilitate assembly, while the axial compression is maintained through the receptacle structure. This local differentiation allows easy assembly while preserving the necessary compression fit for vibration attenuation functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The clearance gap is introduced in the radial dimension to simplify assembly, while the axial dimension maintains the compression fit through the receptacle structure. This dimensional separation allows the plug to be easily inserted radially while still achieving the necessary axial compression for functional integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 reduces manufacturing costs and simplifies the assembly process while maintaining effective torsional vibration attenuation, making the dampers more economical and efficient to produce.

Implementation Method 1

A plurality of spool-shaped elastomeric plugs, one each, are seated in the spool-shaped receptacles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the spool-shaped elastomeric plugs include a first flange and a second flange relative to the core. The first flange and the second flange each have an outer diameter that is smaller than an inner diameter of the spool-shaped receptacle, thereby defining a clearance gap between the first and second flanges and the spool-shaped receptacle. However, at least the core of the spool-shaped elastomeric plugs is compressed between the hub and the inertia member after assembly.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViscoelasticity: Viscoelasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10208831B2Low frequency torsional vibration damper

Publication Date: 2019.02.19 MUVIQ SRL

AI summary

Torsional vibration dampers are disclosed that include a hub and an inertia member disposed concentric with and spaced radially outward or radially inward from the hub that together define a plurality of pockets therebetween each having a spool-shaped receptacle. A plurality of spool-shaped elastomeric plugs, one each, are seated in the spool-shaped receptacles. When the inertia member is spaced radially outward of the hub, the hub is mountable on a shaft, and when the inertia member is spaced radially inward of the hub, the hub is mountable inside a shaft. Methods of making the torsional vibration dampers are also disclosed.