Vehicle Torque Rod Spring Damping for Noise and Wear

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Solution Overview

Problem

Typical closure panels in vehicles experience unwanted noise and wear due to the contact between two torque rods, which deteriorates their opening and closing performance.

Innovation Solution

A torque rod design for a vehicle closure panel featuring a first and second end portion, a fixing portion, and first and second coiled spring portions, where the coiled spring portions are disposed between the end portions and the fixing portion to absorb and distribute forces, reducing noise and wear.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If two torque rods are used to facilitate opening and closing the closure panel, then the opening and closing function is improved, but noise and wear are generated due to contact between the torque rods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveopening and closing functionVSAvoidnoise and wear

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A rubber buffer is introduced as an intermediary element between the two torque rods. This buffer absorbs the contact forces and prevents direct metal-to-metal contact, thereby eliminating noise and wear while maintaining the opening and closing function of the closure panel

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The contact between torque rods, which originally causes harmful noise and wear, is converted into a beneficial force by using the rubber buffer to absorb and dampen the contact forces, transforming the harmful interaction into a useful damping mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Device complexity

If two torque rods contact each other during operation, then the structural simplicity is maintained, but the wear deteriorates the opening and closing performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidopening and closing performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The rubber buffer serves as a mediator between the torque rods, adding minimal structural complexity while dramatically improving reliability by preventing wear and maintaining consistent opening and closing performance throughout the component's service life

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 design minimizes noise and wear by allowing the coiled spring portions to unwind and wind as the closure panel moves, maintaining performance and reducing vibration and noise associated with opening and closing.

Implementation Method 1

first and second coiled spring portions, where the coiled spring portions are disposed between the end portions and the fixing portion to absorb and distribute forces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

maintaining performance and reducing vibration and noise associated with opening and closing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS11230868B2Torque rod for closure panel of vehicle

Publication Date: 2022.01.25 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A torque rod for a closure panel of a vehicle includes a first end portion, a second end portion, a fixing portion, and first and second coiled spring portions. The first end portion is configured to be connected to a first hinge member connected to the closure panel. The second end portion is configured to be connected to a second hinge member connected to the closure panel. The fixing portion is configured to be fixed to the vehicle body structure. A first coiled spring portion is disposed between the first end portion and the fixing portion. A second coiled spring portion is disposed between the second end portion and the fixing portion.