Spring Retainer Assembly for Damper Radial and Axial Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing damper assemblies require separate parts and additional fabrication steps for radial spring retention, torque transmission, and axial positioning, leading to increased complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A spring retainer assembly comprising a flange plate, springs, cover plates, and fastening devices that integrates radial restraint, smooth operation, and axial positioning functions into a single component, with protrusions and metal inert gas welding for simplified assembly and reduced parts count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate parts and extra fabrication steps are used for radial spring retention, torque transmission, and axial positioning, then each function can be performed reliably, but the device complexity and number of parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring retainer component merges multiple functions into a single part: it provides radial spring retention through its cylindrical body, transmits torque through keyways and key elements, and provides axial positioning through flats that interface with the drive shaft. This eliminates the need for separate retainers, washers, and positioning elements, reducing parts count while maintaining functional reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The spring retainer is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs radial restraint, torque transmission, and axial positioning. The cylindrical body retains springs radially, the keyways and keys transmit torque, and the flats provide axial positioning against the drive shaft, making a single component universal for multiple functions
2Reliability
If separate parts and extra fabrication steps are used for various functions, then each function can be implemented, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining multiple functions into the spring retainer component, the number of fabrication steps is reduced. Instead of manufacturing separate parts for radial retention, torque transmission, and axial positioning, a single component is manufactured with integrated features (cylindrical body, keyways, flats), simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing cost
3Device complexity
If a single multi-functional component is used, then parts count and fabrication complexity are reduced, but the component design and manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring retainer incorporates local quality variations to achieve different functions: the cylindrical body provides radial retention, keyways and keys provide torque transmission, and flats provide axial positioning. Each local feature is precision-engineered for its specific function, allowing the component to meet precision requirements locally rather than requiring the entire component to be uniformly precise
Data Source
AI summary
A spring retainer assembly, including: a flange plate; a plurality of springs in contact with a radially outer portion of the flange plate; a first cover plate; a second cover plate; a spring retainer; and at least one fastening device. The spring retainer and the first plate substantially surround respective outer circumferences of the plurality of springs; and the at least one fastening device is for fixedly connecting the spring retainer to a torque-transmitting device. In one embodiment, the spring retainer is axially fixed by the connection to the torque-transmitting device and includes a first portion, and contact of the first portion with the first plate positions the first plate in a desired axial position with respect to the plurality of springs. In one embodiment, the spring retainer includes a plurality of protrusions and a circumferential end for each spring is in contact with a respective protrusion.