Steering Damper Volume Compensation for Magnetic Fluid Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steering dampers for vehicles face issues with magnetic fluid expansion causing internal pressure increases, leading to potential separation of casings and air entrainment, which affects damping characteristics, and the manufacturing process is complex due to the need for vacuuming to prevent air inclusion.
Innovation Solution
A steering damper design incorporating a volume compensating unit that communicates with the magnetic fluid chamber to absorb volume variations and collect air bubbles, featuring an elastically deformable membrane to manage pressure changes and prevent leakage, along with a simplified manufacturing method that fills the magnetic fluid chamber without vacuuming by using working bores to expel air.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the magnetic fluid chamber is sealed tightly to prevent leakage, then sealing performance is improved, but volume expansion of magnetic fluid causes internal pressure increase leading to casing separation
Solution Approach 1:
The sealed space is divided into two parts: the magnetic fluid chamber and the expansion chamber separated by a partition wall. This segmentation allows the magnetic fluid chamber to maintain sealing while the expansion chamber accommodates volume changes, resolving the contradiction between tight sealing and pressure management.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition wall acts as an intermediary structure between the magnetic fluid chamber and expansion chamber. It transmits magnetic fields while physically separating the two spaces, allowing pressure equalization without compromising the sealing of the magnetic fluid chamber.
2Manufacturing precision
If vacuuming is used during manufacturing to prevent air inclusion, then manufacturing precision is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The expansion chamber is pre-formed as part of the casing structure during manufacturing, eliminating the need for post-assembly vacuuming operations. This preliminary design feature simplifies the manufacturing process while ensuring air-free magnetic fluid filling.
Solution Approach 2:
The expansion chamber automatically absorbs excess magnetic fluid and trapped air during the filling process without requiring external vacuum equipment. The system self-regulates the filling process, simplifying manufacturing operations.
3Reliability
If the magnetic fluid chamber volume is increased to accommodate expansion, then reliability is improved, but the amount of magnetic fluid required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The total volume is segmented into the operational magnetic fluid chamber and the expansion chamber. Only the necessary amount of magnetic fluid for operation is placed in the magnetic fluid chamber, while the expansion chamber serves as a reservoir for volume changes, reducing the total magnetic fluid requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The expansion chamber temporarily stores excess magnetic fluid during thermal expansion or when air is present, and returns it when conditions normalize. This recovering mechanism maintains consistent damping characteristics without requiring excessive magnetic fluid.
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 prevents characteristic variations in the steering damper due to magnetic fluid expansion and air entrainment, ensuring consistent performance and reducing manufacturing complexity by eliminating the need for vacuuming, while maintaining excellent sealing and reducing the amount of magnetic fluid required.
Implementation Method 1
when the volume of the magnetic fluid expands with temperature increase, the internal pressure of the fluid receiving chamber will increase
Implementation Method 2
an elastically deformable membrane to manage pressure changes
Implementation Method 3
a coil wound around in this groove of the casing main body (32b)... when a magnetic field is generated by the electromagnet, the viscosity of the magnetic fluid will increase
Implementation Method 4
the viscosity of the magnetic fluid will increase. Therefore, it can provide an effect of being able to inhibit vibration and wobbling
Data Source
AI summary
A steering damper is configured to adjust a damping force of a rotor covered by a lower casing and an upper casing by changing the viscosity of a magnetic fluid with an electromagnet. Since a magnetic fluid chamber is provided with a volume compensating unit, even when the volume of the magnetic fluid expands, or air entrainment occurs, air bubbles lighter than the magnetic fluid are collected in the volume compensating unit. Thus, characteristic variations of the steering damper due to volume expansion or air entrainment of the magnetic fluid are prevented.