Viscous Torsional Damper Weld Layout for Axial Vibration Loads

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing torsional vibration dampers face challenges in producing a cost-effective and resilient connection between the cover and damper housing, as the weld seams are prone to failure under high forces due to axial vibrations, leading to potential bending stresses and seam failure.

Innovation Solution

A viscosity torsional vibration damper with a cover connected to the damper housing using a sequence of a butt seam and an overlap seam, where the overlap seam extends through the entire height of the cover and partially into the damper housing, providing mechanical relief and reducing bending stresses, while the butt seams ensure optimal sealing and moment support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a single weld seam is used to connect the cover to the damper housing, then the manufacturing process is simple and cost-effective, but the weld seam is prone to failure under high forces due to axial vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewelding process simplicityVSAvoidweld seam durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The single weld seam is segmented into two separate weld seams (first weld seam and second weld seam) positioned at different locations on the cover. This segmentation allows each weld seam to bear different types of stresses, with the first weld seam primarily handling sealing functions and the second weld seam providing additional mechanical strength, thereby preventing single-point failure under vibrational loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The two weld seams are arranged in different spatial dimensions and orientations relative to the cover and damper housing. This dimensional distribution ensures that the weld seams experience different stress distributions during axial vibrations, reducing the likelihood that both will fail simultaneously and improving overall connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the cover is rigidly connected to the damper housing, then sealing is improved, but bending stresses increase under axial vibrations leading to potential weld failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidweld seam strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the cover-damper housing connection are given different functional qualities through the two weld seams. The first weld seam is optimized for sealing (medium-tight connection), while the second weld seam is positioned to provide mechanical reinforcement. This local differentiation allows the connection to achieve both sealing reliability and vibration resistance without requiring uniform rigid connection throughout.

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

The proposed solution enhances the fatigue strength of the weld seams, allowing them to withstand higher axial accelerations before failure, while maintaining a cost-effective production process using materials like gray cast iron, ensuring reliable sealing and mechanical support.

Implementation Method 1

a damping medium, in particular a viscous damping medium, is assigned to the working chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectViscous damping: Viscous Damping

Implementation Method 2

a viscous fluid—for example, a silicone oil—that fills the narrow shear gap and couples it to the damper housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectViscous heating: Viscous Heating

Implementation Method 3

the cover is connected to the damper housing on one side by a sequence of a butt weld and an overlap weld

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWelding: Welding

Data Source

PatentEP3870875B1Viscous torsional vibration damper and method of manufacturing a viscous torsional vibration damper
Publication Date: 2024.05.08 HASSE & WREDE GMBH
  • EP3870875B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3870875B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3870875B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a viscous torsional-vibration damper (1) comprising a damper housing (2) having an axis of rotation (100), an annular working chamber (5) filled with a damping medium, an inertia ring (4) arranged inside the working chamber (5), and a cover (15) for media-tight closure of the working chamber (5), wherein the cover (15) is connected to the damper housing (2) peripherally on one side by a sequence of a butt seam (16) and an overlap seam (17). The invention also relates to a method for producing a viscous torsional-vibration damper.