Helical Spring Flapping Member Vibration Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spring damping devices, such as those used in vehicle suspensions, continue to experience vibratory modes that generate noise, particularly between the turns of the spring, necessitating a solution that effectively dampens these vibrations without increasing manufacturing costs or complexity.

Innovation Solution

A damping device featuring a localized flapping member integral with the coil portion of the spring between the ends, which oscillates independently to dampen vibratory frequencies, utilizing materials with elastic or semi-elastic properties for effective noise reduction, and can be secured through hot or cold adhesion or clamping to ensure strong fixation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a rubber ring or adhesive is used to form an interface between the spring end and bearing surface, then load transmission is limited and vibratory filtering is achieved at the spring end, but vibratory modes persist in the turns between the ends of the spring generating noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibratory filtering at spring endVSAvoidnoise from turns between spring ends
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The damping device is divided into multiple functional segments: interface dampers at the spring ends and flapping members on the coil turns. Each segment addresses specific vibratory modes independently, with interface dampers handling end vibrations and flapping members handling turn vibrations, thereby resolving the contradiction between end filtering and turn noise reduction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different damping mechanisms are applied to different locations of the spring based on local vibration characteristics. Interface dampers with specific material properties are used at the ends, while flapping members with mass elements are positioned on specific turns, creating localized damping solutions tailored to each region's vibratory behavior

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of energy

If a vibration damper with mass element and spring element is used to transfer oscillation energy, then oscillation energy is partially transferred at resonant frequency, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoscillation energy transferVSAvoiddamping device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flapping members are designed to oscillate mechanically at frequencies matching the spring's vibratory modes. The mass elements and elastic arms create a mechanical vibration system that naturally resonates with the spring turns, transferring oscillation energy through mechanical coupling rather than complex active control systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The flapping members with mass elements automatically tune themselves to the spring's resonant frequencies through their inherent mechanical properties. The system self-adjusts to vibratory modes without requiring external control or complex mechanisms, achieving energy transfer through passive mechanical resonance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If multiple flapping members are provided on different coil portions to damp multiple vibratory modes, then vibration damping coverage is improved, but the manufacturing cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration damping coverageVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The flapping members are designed as universal components that can be applied to different coil portions of the spring. Each flapping member serves multiple functions: providing mass for inertia, creating elastic arms for oscillation, and coupling to the spring turns. This multi-functionality allows a single design to address multiple vibratory modes across different locations, improving damping coverage without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 effectively dampens vibratory modes between the spring ends, reducing noise without significantly impacting the damping device's implementation or manufacturing costs, using materials that facilitate easy positioning and provide necessary rigidity for effective vibration damping.

Implementation Method 1

The beat member has an inherent resonant frequency dependent on the vibratory modes of the spring so as to damp the frequency of vibration of the turns of the spring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 2

the flapping member... can oscillate with respect to a central axis of the coil portion... to damp the frequency of vibration of the turns of the spring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 3

utilizing materials with elastic or semi-elastic properties for effective noise reduction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2857710B1Vibration absorber with a mass damper
Publication Date: 2019.08.28 ANVIS SD FRANCE
  • EP2857710B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2857710B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2857710B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A damping device (10), in particular a vehicle suspension, comprising a helical spring (12) having a compression axis (X) and a plurality of coils (18), and a support member (14) having a first seat (26) and a second seat (28). The device further comprises a beater member (16) capable of oscillating about a central axis (S) of a portion of a coil, the beater member (16) having a natural resonant frequency dependent on the vibrational modes of the spring (12) so as to dampen the vibration frequency of the coils of the spring (12).