Asymmetric Steering Wheel Damper Layout for Broad-Band Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle steering wheel vibration damping technologies are inadequate in effectively reducing vibrations across both low and high frequency bands, particularly failing to control high-frequency vibrations that occur in directions perpendicular to the steering shaft.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle steering wheel vibration damping structure featuring an airbag module with vibration damping parts positioned asymmetrically around the steering wheel center, where the first damping part is softer and positioned upward, and the second damping part is stiffer and positioned downward, supported by springs with varying spring constants, and optionally incorporating deadweight to adjust damping characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If dampers of the same performance are arranged symmetrically around the steering shaft, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but high-frequency vibrations in directions perpendicular to the steering shaft cannot be effectively controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by positioning vibration damping parts at different locations around the steering shaft (front, rear, left, right positions) with different spring constants. Specifically, the front and rear vibration damping parts have different spring constants from the left and right parts, creating an asymmetric configuration that effectively controls high-frequency vibrations in directions perpendicular to the steering shaft while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
2Device complexity
If a single spring constant is used for all vibration damping parts, then the device complexity is reduced, but vibrations in both low and high frequency bands cannot be effectively dampened simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different spring constants to vibration damping parts at different locations. The front and rear vibration damping parts have one spring constant value, while the left and right vibration damping parts have a different spring constant value. This localized differentiation enables effective damping of both low-frequency vibrations (30-50 Hz) and high-frequency vibrations (70-90 Hz) simultaneously.
3Ease of operation
If the airbag module is fixed rigidly to the steering wheel, then the horn switch operability is maintained, but vibration damping effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by using elastic mounting with springs to connect the airbag module to the steering wheel, allowing the airbag module to move dynamically. The vibration damping parts with different spring constants enable the system to adapt to different vibration frequencies while maintaining horn switch operability. The elastic connection allows the airbag module to function as a dynamic damper mass that responds to both low and high-frequency vibrations.
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 configuration effectively dampens vibrations in both low and high frequency bands, improving steering wheel stability and reducing operational vibrations across various frequency ranges.
Implementation Method 1
The first vibration damping part includes damping rubber arranged symmetrically on both left and right sides of the center of steering, the second vibration damping part includes damping rubber
Implementation Method 2
a spring is attached to the steering wheel and elastically supporting each of the vibration damping parts individually
Data Source
AI summary
An airbag module that serves as a damper mass mounted to the steering wheel surrounding the center of steering of the steering wheel via vibration damping parts, the vehicle steering wheel structure damping steering wheel vibration, wherein the vibration damping parts includes at least a first vibration damping part positioned upward from the center of steering and a second vibration damping part positioned downward from the center of steering with reference to a neutral position of the steering wheel and the spring constant or elastic modulus of the first vibration damping part is set lower than the spring constant or elastic modulus of the second vibration damping part.