Torsional Vibration Damper Radial Support for Axial Offset Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Torsional vibration dampers in vehicle drive trains face challenges in compensating for axial offsets between rotating assemblies, leading to radial constraints and excessive force requirements due to centrifugal forces and pretension, which can result in bulging and frictional constraints during relative radial movement.

Innovation Solution

A torsional vibration damper arrangement that allows radial mobility between the primary and secondary sides with radially movable damper elements, featuring radial support surfaces and positive locking mechanisms, such as radial retaining projections and recesses, to accommodate axial offsets and enable deformation without constraint, thereby reducing the forces needed for relative displacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If damper element units are supported radially on a radial support surface to prevent bulging, then structural stability is improved, but radial constraints occur during relative radial movement between primary and secondary sides

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidradial movement capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support elements are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to adapt between providing radial support and permitting relative radial movement. The support elements can change their position and support characteristics dynamically based on the operational state of the torsional vibration damper.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If axial offset compensation is implemented with fixed support, then positioning accuracy is improved, but excessive forces are required due to centrifugal forces and pretension

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaxial offset compensationVSAvoidforce requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The support elements are designed with the capability to change their support parameters, including their radial position and support force characteristics. This allows the system to accommodate axial offsets while reducing the forces required by allowing controlled radial movement and deformation of the support elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If damper element units are held firmly in radial position, then radial displacement is prevented, but frictional constraints occur during relative radial movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradial position stabilityVSAvoidfrictional constraints
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The support elements transition from a static fixed support to a dynamic movable support that can adapt to radial movement requirements. This dynamic capability reduces frictional constraints by allowing the support elements to move with the damper element units during relative radial movement between primary and secondary sides.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Shape

If radial support surface is provided surrounding damper element units, then bulging is prevented, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebulging preventionVSAvoidsupport structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of providing continuous radial support surrounding all damper element units, the invention applies radial support only at specific locations where support elements are positioned. This localized support approach prevents bulging while reducing the overall complexity of the support structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 allows for permanent radial movement between the primary and secondary sides, effectively compensating for axial offsets with lower forces and preventing constraints, improving decoupling quality and vibration behavior in drive trains.

Implementation Method 1

the primary side and the secondary side are radially movable with respect to each other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadial movement:

Implementation Method 2

they are loaded radially outwards on the one hand due to their pretension and on the other hand due to centrifugal force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 3

they are loaded radially outwards on the one hand due to their pretension

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPretension: Tension

Implementation Method 4

positive locking mechanisms, such as radial retaining projections and recesses, to accommodate axial offsets

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPositive locking: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 5

enable deformation without constraint, thereby reducing the forces needed for relative displacement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2753845B1Torsional vibration damper arrangement, in particular for the drive train of a vehicle
Publication Date: 2018.04.25 ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
  • EP2753845B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2753845B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2753845B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A torsional vibration damper arrangement, in particular for the drive train of a vehicle, comprises at least one torsional vibration damper (98) with a primary side (16) and a secondary side (28) rotatable relative to the primary side (16) about an axis of rotation (A) against the force of a damper element arrangement (32), wherein the damper element arrangement (32) comprises at least one damper element unit (54), and peripheral support areas (74, 34) are provided on the primary side (16) and the secondary side (28) associated with each terminal peripheral area (58, 60) of each damper element unit (54), and wherein on one side (16) among primary side (16) and secondary side (28), at least in certain areas along the at least one damper unit (54), a radial support surface (66) extending in the peripheral direction is provided for radially supporting the at least one damper element unit (54), wherein the primary side (16) and the secondary side (28) are radially movable relative to one another and wherein at least one damper element unit (54) is retained in at least one of its terminal peripheral areas (58, 60) against radial displacement on the associated peripheral support area of the other side (28) among primary side (16) and secondary side (28) and is or can be supported at a radial distance (R) from the radial support surface (66).