Spring Seat Pivot Structure for Anti-Ejection Vibration Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vibration damping devices in motor vehicles, such as friction clutch discs, suffer from seat ejection due to centrifugal forces, leading to wear and increased friction, which compromises the pivot joint function and reduces mechanical strength.

Innovation Solution

A vibration damping device with a new pivoting kinematic design featuring seats with recesses that accommodate protrusions on the torque transmission web and guide elements, reducing the risk of ejection by minimizing seat mass and maintaining mechanical strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If seats are designed with traditional pivot joints and bar segments, then the pivot joint function is achieved, but the seats are ejected from recesses due to centrifugal forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseat retentionVSAvoidcentrifugal force effect
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The seat is divided into two functional parts: a front section supporting the springs and a back section with a recess. The recess is further segmented to receive protrusions from both the torque transmission web and guide elements, creating a distributed support system that prevents ejection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protrusions from the torque transmission web and guide elements are nested within the recess of the seat back section. This nested configuration allows the protrusions to penetrate into the recess and form a stable pivot joint, preventing the seat from being ejected by centrifugal forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If seat mass is reduced to limit ejection risk, then ejection risk decreases, but mechanical strength may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveejection resistanceVSAvoidmechanical strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The seat utilizes a composite structure combining metal material with an optimized geometric design. The recess geometry is specifically designed to receive and distribute loads from the protrusions, allowing the seat to maintain adequate mechanical strength while minimizing mass to reduce ejection risk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If protrusions penetrate into recess to form pivot joint, then seat ejection is prevented, but wear occurs at contact interfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepivot joint stabilityVSAvoidcontact wear
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The pivot joint is designed to allow dynamic pivoting motion between the protrusions and recess during operation. This dynamic design accommodates the relative motion and centrifugal forces while maintaining stable contact, reducing wear at the interface compared to a rigid fixed connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Weight of moving object

If recess is enlarged to accommodate protrusions, then seat mass is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseat massVSAvoidrecess geometry
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The recess in the seat back section serves multiple functions simultaneously: it houses the protrusions from both the torque transmission web and guide elements, provides pivot joint functionality, and acts as a retaining feature to prevent ejection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.

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 new design significantly reduces seat ejection during low or high rotational speeds, enhances torque transmission capacity, and decreases wear at the interface, thereby improving the durability and efficiency of the vibration damping mechanism.

Implementation Method 1

helical compression springs bearing on the torque transmission web and the guide elements via seats arranged on the ends of the springs

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

each seat is supported on protrusions formed respectively on the torque transmission web and the two guide elements so as to cooperate according to a pivot joint

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4686855A1Vibration damping device
Publication Date: 2026.02.04 VALEO EMBRAYAGES SAS
  • EP4686855A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4686855A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4686855A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a vibration damping device (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising: - a torque transmission web (2); - two rotationally linked guide elements (3), coaxial along an axis of rotation (X) and arranged on either side of said torque transmission web (2); - helical compression springs (4) bearing on the torque transmission web and the guide elements by means of seats (10) arranged on the ends of the springs, in which each seat (10) comprises: - a front face (12) adapted to cooperate with the end of the springs comprising a centering rim (14) whose centering axis coincides with the axis of the springs (Y), - a back face (11) defining a geometric plane (P) against the front part, and - a recess (40) extending in a hollow from the back face.