Torsion Spring Assembly with Nested Damping for Cam Phaser
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional torsion springs used in cam phasers and belt or chain tensioners experience undesired vibrations and high resonances, making them unsuitable for applications with dynamic loads.
Innovation Solution
A torsion spring assembly with a damping spring that abuts the torsion spring via frictional contact, reducing resonances and enhancing dimensional stability, operational stability, and durability by partially extending its windings between adjacent torsion spring windings and providing a radial bias.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional torsion spring is used, then the basic spring function is provided, but undesired vibrations and high resonances occur
Solution Approach 1:
The damping spring is nested inside the torsion spring, with its windings positioned in the spaces between adjacent torsion spring windings. This nested configuration allows the damping spring to occupy the internal space of the torsion spring without increasing the overall outer dimensions, while providing vibration damping through frictional contact with the torsion spring windings.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping spring acts as an intermediary element between the torsion spring windings, providing frictional contact that dampens vibrations and resonances. The damping spring windings extend into the spaces between torsion spring windings and abut against them, creating a mediating frictional interface that reduces harmful vibrations while maintaining the spring's operational function.
2Reliability
If a damping spring is added to reduce resonances, then operational stability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damping spring is nested inside the torsion spring structure, utilizing the internal space between the outer diameter of the torsion spring and its windings. This nesting approach adds the damping function without increasing the overall outer dimensions of the spring assembly, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity to the internal configuration rather than external expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping spring and torsion spring are merged into a single integrated assembly where the damping spring is positioned within the torsion spring's internal space. The two springs work together in a combined structure, with the damping spring providing vibration reduction while the torsion spring provides the primary spring function, creating a unified multi-functional component.
3Reliability
If the damping spring windings extend into the space between torsion spring windings, then frictional damping is achieved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The damping spring windings are designed to extend locally into specific spaces between adjacent torsion spring windings, rather than requiring uniform positioning throughout the entire spring structure. This local quality approach focuses the damping action at critical locations where frictional contact is most effective, reducing the overall manufacturing precision requirements compared to a uniform design.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping spring windings are nested within the spaces created by the torsion spring windings, utilizing the existing geometric structure of the torsion spring. This nesting configuration allows the damping spring to achieve proper positioning through the natural spacing provided by the torsion spring windings, thereby reducing the need for high-precision manufacturing tolerances for the damping spring's absolute positioning.
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 torsion spring assembly significantly reduces resonances, deformations, and stress, while maintaining the same outer dimensions as conventional springs, allowing for broader application in dynamic loads and improving service life and durability.
Implementation Method 1
frictional abutment of the damping spring windings on the torsion spring windings
Data Source
AI summary
A torsion spring assembly according to the invention includes a torsion spring having a cylindrical spring body of wound spring wire and with a plurality of torsion spring windings, and having first and second torsion spring ends for taking up forces in a direction of rotation, and a damping spring abutting the torsion spring on the inner side and having a cylindrical spring body of wound spring wire and with a plurality of damping spring windings, and having first and second damping spring wire ends, wherein the damping spring windings have their outer sides extending partially into the space formed between two respectively adjacent torsion spring windings and abutting in particular rounded, round or beveled inner abutment areas of respectively adjacent torsion spring windings with substantially radially outwardly directed bias.