Wheel Damper Structure with Offset Hole for Sprocket Holder

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing wheel damper structures for vehicles, which differentiate damper members by shape for normal and reverse rotating directions, face challenges with increased size and weight due to the need for two distinct members, complicating mounting and reducing efficiency in shock absorption during acceleration and back torque.

Innovation Solution

A wheel damper structure featuring a cylindrical damper member with a hole offset in the normal rotating direction, differing in material hardness and thickness between sides, allowing for distinct damper characteristics with a single member, integrated rubber molding, and a through-hole design for enhanced durability and ease of mounting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If two kinds of damper members differing in shape are used for normal rotating direction and reverse rotating direction, then damper characteristics at acceleration and back torque can be differentiated, but workability at mounting is lowered and wheel hub size is enlarged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamper characteristic differentiationVSAvoidmounting workability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hole (73) in the cylindrical damper member (70) is positioned asymmetrically with respect to the damper center (C2), creating different damper characteristics for normal rotating direction and reverse rotating direction. This asymmetric hole positioning allows a single damper member to provide differentiated shock absorption characteristics without requiring two different shaped members, thereby maintaining mounting simplicity while achieving direction-dependent damper performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Adaptability or versatility

If two kinds of damper members differing in shape are used for normal rotating direction and reverse rotating direction, then damper characteristics at acceleration and back torque can be differentiated, but wheel hub size is enlarged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamper characteristic differentiationVSAvoidwheel hub size
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the functions of two different damper members into a single cylindrical damper member (70) with an asymmetrically positioned hole (73). This single integrated member provides both normal rotating direction damper characteristics and reverse rotating direction damper characteristics, eliminating the need for separate damper members and thereby preventing wheel hub enlargement while achieving differentiated damper performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If the hole is provided with an offset to a side of normal rotating direction, then acceleration feel is improved, but material distribution becomes asymmetric

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveacceleration feelVSAvoidmaterial distribution symmetry
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The hole (73) is intentionally positioned asymmetrically with an offset to the side of normal rotating direction relative to the damper center (C2). This asymmetric positioning creates different material distributions between normal rotating direction and reverse rotating direction, optimizing acceleration feel while maintaining adequate material thickness on both sides for structural integrity and shock absorption performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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 configuration allows for differentiated damper performance in both directions with a smaller, lighter design, improving acceleration feel and back torque absorption while simplifying the mounting process and enhancing durability.

Implementation Method 1

a damper member (70) accommodated in the damper chamber (63)... the damper member (70) is formed with a hole (73) in which a projection (56) extending in an axial direction from the sprocket holder (55) is inserted

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3533621B1Wheel damper structure
Publication Date: 2020.05.13 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP3533621B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3533621B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3533621B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In a saddled vehicle (1) which includes a damper chamber (63) provided in a wheel hub (60), a damper member (70) accommodated in the damper chamber (63), and a sprocket holder (55) supported by the wheel hub (60) through the damper member (70), the damper member (70) has a cylindrical shape being circular in side view of a vehicle body. The damper member (70) is formed with a hole (73) in which to insert a projection (56) extending in an axial direction from the sprocket holder (55). The hole (73) is provided with an offset from a damper center (C2) of the damper member (70) to the side of a normal rotating direction of a rear wheel (WR). The hole (73) is located on a circle (L) of which a radius (R) is a straight line interconnecting an axle center (C1) of an axle (24) and the damper center (C2) of the damper member (70).