Steering Wheel Vibration Damper With Directional Frequency Tuning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing frequency-tuned vibration dampers for steering wheels often fail to adequately differentiate damping frequencies in different spatial directions, leading to insufficient vibration reduction and a need for more flexible damping solutions.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of elastomeric stiffening bridges that connect elastomeric damper portions to a mounting frame, restricting shear movement in specific directions while allowing compression-mode damping, thereby increasing stiffness and tuning frequency differences between horizontal and vertical axes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If elastomeric damper elements are designed with overall elongate or elliptic shape to dampen different vibration frequencies, then the damper assembly can be tuned to more than one vibration frequency, but the difference in damping frequency between directions remains insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by introducing elastomeric stiffening bridges at specific locations on the mounting frame. These bridges selectively stiffen only certain damper portions in specific spatial directions, creating directional differentiation in damping characteristics. The stiffening bridges are positioned to affect horizontal vibrations differently from vertical vibrations, thereby achieving sufficient frequency differentiation in different directions while maintaining effective vibration reduction.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a mounting frame with stiffening bridges is introduced to increase stiffness in specific directions, then tuning frequency differences between horizontal and vertical directions are substantially increased, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the stiffening function directly into the mounting frame structure by integrating elastomeric stiffening bridges as part of the frame assembly. This combination allows the mounting frame to simultaneously provide structural support and directional stiffening without requiring separate auxiliary components. The stiffening bridges are formed as integral parts of the mounting frame, reducing the number of discrete parts and simplifying assembly while achieving the desired directional stiffness control.
3Strength
If elastomeric stiffening bridges are used to restrict shear movement in specific directions, then compression-mode damping is allowed while increasing stiffness, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials by combining elastomeric damper portions with elastomeric stiffening bridges made from elastomeric material. This composite construction allows the stiffening bridges to be formed integrally with the damper portions through co-molding or bonding processes. The elastomeric nature of both components enables unified manufacturing methods while achieving the desired mechanical properties of restricted shear movement and allowed compression-mode damping.
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
This design achieves a substantial increase in tuning frequency differences between horizontal and vertical directions, enhancing vibration reduction effectiveness while maintaining flexibility in the damper assembly.
Implementation Method 1
each elastomeric damper portion presents a main part, which is located along the main axis between the base and the distal end of the elastomeric damper portion and is arranged to undergo primarily a shear deformation during damping operation of the damper device
Implementation Method 2
two or more elastomeric damper portions; and a mounting frame made from a more rigid material than the elastomeric damper portions
Implementation Method 3
each elastomeric stiffening bridge connects at least the main part of the associated damper portion to an associated one of said frame wall portions at a location along the main axis between the base and the distal end of the associated elastomeric damper portion, for stiffening the damper portion with respect to damping movements along said first axis
Implementation Method 4
When the vibrating structure vibrates at a target frequency, the mass or vibration body is caused to oscillate/resonate at essentially the same frequency as the structure but out of phase, such that the vibrations of the structure is substantially dampened
Implementation Method 5
A frequency-tuned vibration damper comprises a mass acting as a vibration body, and one or more elastomeric damper elements. The mass and the damper elements together provide a dampened spring-mass system
Data Source
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AI summary
There is disclosed a frequency-tuned vibration damper device (20) and assembly which may be used in steering wheels for motor vehicles. Elastomeric stiffening bridges (70) or connectors, integrally formed in elastomeric damper bodies (52), are used to obtain different damping frequencies in different spatial directions (y, z). Stiffening in specific direction(s) (y) allows larger frequency differences to be achieved. Asymmetric elastomeric damper bodies are arranged to operate with a combination of compression-mode damping and shear-mode damping along a first axis (y), and dominantly with a shear-mode damping along a different, second direction (z).