Steering Wheel Damper Assembly With Integrated Horn Spring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing frequency-tuned vibration dampers for steering wheels face challenges such as complex assembly, high manufacturing costs, frequency tuning difficulties, and limitations in maintaining desired spring characteristics, particularly during horn activation.
Innovation Solution
A damper unit with an elastomeric element featuring ribs and snap-lock protrusions, allowing for flexible frequency tuning and efficient assembly, which integrates a horn spring function, reducing assembly time and costs while maintaining effective vibration damping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional spiral spring and separate elastic damper element are used, then horn activation function is achieved, but assembly complexity increases and manufacturing time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the elastic damper element and horn spring into a single integrated elastomeric component. The elastomeric element includes both vibration damping functionality and horn spring functionality, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing assembly complexity while maintaining both functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric damper element is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides vibration damping through its elastic properties and simultaneously serves as a horn spring through its ability to compress and return. This multi-functional design reduces the number of components needed in the system.
2Reliability
If a rigid multi-part protector structure is used to encapsulate the elastic element, then protection is provided, but manufacturing cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible elastomeric element instead of a rigid multi-part protector structure. The elastomeric material itself provides the necessary protection and structural integrity while being simpler to manufacture as a single piece, reducing both cost and manufacturing time compared to rigid multi-part structures.
3Reliability
If traditional damper structures are used, then vibration damping is achieved, but frequency tuning flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables frequency tuning by modifying parameters of the elastomeric damper element such as its dimensions, material properties, and geometric features like ribs and protrusions. These parameter changes allow adjustment of the natural frequency of the damper to match different vibration frequencies, providing flexibility while maintaining effective vibration 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
The damper unit provides improved frequency tuning flexibility, efficient assembly, and reduced manufacturing time, while ensuring effective vibration damping and horn activation performance.
Implementation Method 1
the function of frequency-tuned vibration dampers is based on a dampened spring-mass system which counteracts and reduces vibrations in a structure or surface to which the damper is connected by using one or more elastic damper elements for transferring vibrations
Implementation Method 2
Vibrations in the steering wheel are transferred by the elastic damper element to the airbag assembly for dampening purposes
Implementation Method 3
at least some of the elastomeric ribs present a radially outward extending snap-lock protrusion configured to be inserted through the mounting opening to snap-lock the damper unit in its final mounting position
Implementation Method 4
said elastomeric support studs being flexible in all directions transverse to said axis, wherein said distal end surfaces of the support studs are configured, during assembly of the damper unit in the mounting opening of the horn plate, to be brought into contact with a rear side of the horn plate
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A damper unit (40) for use in a vibration-reducing assembly (6) for a steering wheel (2) is disclosed. An elastomeric damper element (70) is molded on an inner sleeve (52) and presents a plurality of elastomeric ribs (77) forming a radially outer engagement surface (75), and a plurality of elastomeric support studs, which are mutually spaced in a circumferential direction are flexible in all directions transverse to said axis. Methods for making a damper unit and a damper assembly are also disclosed.