Torsional Vibration Damper Wobble Decoupling

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vibration damper units in motor vehicle drive trains face challenges in effectively decoupling axial forces and vibrations, leading to wobbling of components and insufficient damping of engine vibrations, which affects the smooth operation of the drive train.

Innovation Solution

A vibration damper unit with a wobble decoupling structure that connects the guide structure to the output side in a non-rotatable and axially movable manner, using partial decoupling components like spring elements to reduce axial forces and friction, allowing for unrestricted torsion angles and minimizing axial movements, thereby improving damping efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the guide structure is rigidly connected to the output side, then structural stability is improved, but axial forces cause wobble and mispositioning of components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidaxial forces causing wobble
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The connection between the guide structure and output side is segmented into multiple functional elements: the guide structure, the first connecting element (spring element), the second connecting element (wobble decoupling structure), and the output side. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function - the spring element absorbs axial forces while the wobble decoupling structure prevents rotational misalignment, thereby resolving the contradiction between rigid stability and flexibility against axial forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first connecting element (spring element) acts as an intermediary between the guide structure and the wobble decoupling structure, absorbing and decoupling axial forces. The second connecting element (wobble decoupling structure) serves as another intermediary that mediates between axial movement and rotational fixation, allowing the system to maintain stability while accommodating axial force variations without causing wobble.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If axial forces are decoupled using spring elements, then wobble is reduced, but installation space increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewobble reductionVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of axial force decoupling and wobble prevention into a integrated connection system where the first connecting element (spring element) and the second connecting element (wobble decoupling structure) work together as a unified assembly. This merging allows both functions to be achieved within a compact space, avoiding the need for separate, space-consuming decoupling mechanisms for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring element functions as a flexible component that can deform axially to absorb forces while occupying minimal space. Its flexible nature allows it to provide significant force decoupling capability within a compact form factor, reducing the overall installation space required compared to rigid decoupling mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If the connection allows unrestricted rotation, then torsional flexibility is improved, but axial forces cause friction and wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorsional flexibilityVSAvoidfriction and wear
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system is segmented into distinct functional zones: the spring element handles axial force decoupling, the wobble decoupling structure manages rotational alignment, and the guide structure provides stable support. This segmentation ensures that each component operates within its optimal range, reducing unnecessary friction and wear while maintaining torsional flexibility where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 wobble decoupling structure effectively reduces axial forces and friction, ensuring the tuned mass vibration damper is insensitive to disturbances, improving vibration damping and reducing installation space while maintaining torque transmission.

Implementation Method 1

The vibration damper unit comprises a torsional damper having at least one primary side and at least one secondary side, between which at least one spring element is coupled such that torque is transmitted from the primary side to the secondary side via the at least one spring element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a damping element vibration damper comprising at least one damping mass and at least one guide structure, the guide structure being configured to movably guide the at least one damping mass in order to dampen a vibration component of a rotational motion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Implementation Method 3

the wobble decoupling structure configured to connect the guide structure to an output side of the vibration damper unit in a manner that is axially movable and rotationally fixed or without angular restriction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction reduction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3137786B1Torsional vibration damper
Publication Date: 2019.03.13 ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
  • EP3137786B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP3137786B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP3137786B1 patent drawingFigure 1c~1d

AI summary

The invention relates to a vibration damper unit (100), for example for a drive train of a motor vehicle, comprising a torsion damper (102), which has at least one primary side (104) and at least one secondary side (106), between which at least one spring element (108) is coupled in such a way that torque is transmitted from the primary side (104) to the secondary side (106) by means of the at least one spring element (108). Furthermore, the vibration damper unit (100) comprises a tuned mass damper (110), which comprises at least one damper mass (112) and at least one guiding structure (114), wherein the guiding structure (114) is designed to movably guide the at least one damper mass (112) in order to damp a vibration component of a rotational motion. The vibration damper unit (100) also comprises a wobble decoupling structure (116), which is designed to connect the at least one guiding structure (114) to an output side (118) of the vibration damper unit (100) in such a manner that movement in an axial direction is possible and in a rotationally fixed and/or rotionational-angle-unrestricted manner.