Vehicle Flap Damping with Speed-Triggered Centrifugal Clutch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle flap damping systems, such as gas pressure springs, consume excessive energy and wear out quickly due to temperature dependence and unnecessary damping during normal operation, requiring stronger drives and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A damping system with linearly displaceable coupling elements and a spindle gear that translates movement into rotation, using a rotary damper and centrifugal clutch to dampen rapid movements, reducing energy consumption and wear by only engaging during high-speed events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a damping element (gas pressure spring) is attached to prevent rapid flap closing, then safety is improved, but energy consumption and wear of the drive increase
Solution Approach 1:
The damping system dynamically switches between damping and non-damping states based on operating conditions. The centrifugal clutch engages the damping device only when rotational speed exceeds a threshold, allowing the system to adapt its damping characteristics to match actual safety requirements while minimizing energy consumption during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the damping parameter (damping force) based on the rotational speed of the flap drive. At low speeds during normal operation, damping is disengaged; at high speeds during emergency closing, damping is engaged. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by providing safety only when needed.
2Reliability
If a gas pressure spring with high spring force is used to support the flap at low temperatures, then reliability is improved, but the drive must apply increased force and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damping system dynamically adjusts its engagement based on operational phase. During normal flap support and opening/closing operations, the damping device remains disengaged, allowing the drive to operate with minimal force requirements. The damping function is activated only during rapid closing events.
3Reliability
If continuous damping is applied to prevent rapid closing, then safety is improved, but wear of the drive increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damping system operates periodically rather than continuously. The centrifugal clutch engages the damping device only during high-speed closing events and disengages during normal operation. This periodic activation provides safety when needed while minimizing wear on the drive components.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful damping effect is extracted from continuous operation and applied only during specific emergency conditions. The centrifugal clutch separates the damping function from normal drive operation, engaging it only when rotational speed indicates a rapid closing event that requires safety intervention.
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 system provides safe, economical, and low-wear operation of vehicle flaps by minimizing energy use during normal operation and effectively damping high-speed movements, thus reducing material damage and personal injury risks.
Implementation Method 1
a centrifugal clutch configured to connect the rotary element to the damping device for damping the rotation of the rotary element when a speed of the rotary element exceeds a switching speed
Implementation Method 2
a spindle gear with a rotary element selected from a threaded spindle aligned along the longitudinal axis and a spindle nut guided on the threaded spindle, wherein the spindle gear is connected to a first of the two coupling elements in such a way that the spindle gear translates a translation of the first coupling element relative to the second coupling element along the longitudinal axis into a rotation of the rotary element about the longitudinal axis
Implementation Method 3
a damping device configured to dampen the rotation of the rotary element
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a damping system for damping a movement of a flap of a vehicle relative to a body of the vehicle. The damping system comprises two coupling elements for coupling the damping system to the flap and to the body, wherein the two coupling elements are connected to one another so as to be linearly displaceable relative to one another along a longitudinal axis of the damping system, and a spindle gear with a rotary element selected from a threaded spindle aligned along the longitudinal axis and a spindle nut guided on the threaded spindle. The spindle gear is connected to a first of the two coupling elements in such a way that the spindle gear translates a translation of the first coupling element relative to the second coupling element along the longitudinal axis into a rotation of the rotary element about the longitudinal axis. The damping system comprises a damping device and a centrifugal clutch, wherein the centrifugal clutch is configured to connect the rotary element to the damping device for damping the rotation of the rotary element when a speed of the rotary element exceeds a switching speed.