Torsion Damper Guide Washer Inserts for Spring Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing torsion dampers for clutch discs or dual mass flywheels face issues with premature wear and high costs due to the need for specific springs and guide washers for different applications, as well as the challenge of limiting angular displacement to prevent excessive torque from crushing the springs.

Innovation Solution

A torsion damper design that includes inserts on the guide washers with end stops for elastic members, allowing for adjustable angular movement and separate stops for both rotation directions, enabling the use of the same guide washers and annular web for different applications, and allowing for easy replacement of worn parts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If the maximum angular displacement is reached when spring coils are contiguous, then the torque transmission is maximized, but the springs suffer from fatigue and premature wear due to crushing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque transmissionVSAvoidspring durability
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide washer is segmented into a fixed portion and a movable portion that can rotate relative to each other. This segmentation allows the system to limit the angular displacement of the springs while still transmitting torque effectively, preventing spring crushing and fatigue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the parameter of angular displacement by introducing a limit that prevents the springs from compressing beyond a safe threshold. This parameter control ensures that the springs operate within their elastic limits, avoiding permanent deformation and extending their service life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If specific springs and guide washers are designed for each application, then the performance is optimized for specific engine powers, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication-specific performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The guide washer assembly is designed with a movable portion that can be adjusted to different angular displacement limits. This universal design allows the same basic components to be used across multiple applications with different engine powers, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining optimized performance for each specific application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide washer incorporates a movable portion that can rotate to different positions, allowing the angular displacement limit to be dynamically adjusted for different applications. This dynamic capability enables a single component design to serve multiple purposes, eliminating the need for entirely different spring and guide washer sets for each engine power level.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the angular displacement is limited in both directions, then the spring protection is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespring protectionVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the functions of limiting angular displacement in both directions into a single integrated movable portion of the guide washer. This portion rotates to engage with stop means that provide bidirectional protection, eliminating the need for separate limiting mechanisms for each direction and thereby reducing overall structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 increases the clearance between guide washers and the annular disc, reduces costs by allowing the same components to be used across various applications, and extends the life of the damper by enabling easy replacement of worn parts, while adapting to different engine powers without requiring new components.

Implementation Method 1

elastic members mounted between the guide washers and the annular web to absorb and dampen vibrations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

friction means mounted between the guide washers and the annular disc to absorb and dampen vibrations and rotational acylisms

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 3

a viscous material arranged between the guide washers and the hub

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectViscous damping: Viscous Damping

Data Source

PatentEP2492539B1Torsion damper for a clutch
Publication Date: 2013.10.09 VALEO EMBRAYAGES SAS
  • EP2492539B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2492539B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2492539B1 patent drawingFigure 3~6

AI summary

The damper (1) has a cylindrical central hub (2) coupled to a radial annular shell (6), and a guide washer (11) and another guide washer that extend radially on both sides of the shell. The washers are movable in rotation with respect to the hub and the shell. The washers have inserts (18, 19) that are in the form of sheet metal pieces and are circumferentially mounted between elastic units i.e. helical springs (9). End stops (23, 24) for limiting compression stroke of the units in direct and reverse directions (D, R) are formed on the corresponding inserts.