VARIABLE RATE FRICTION DAMPER

摘要

A variable rate friction damper has variable torque dampening resistance without the use of oil. The variable rate friction damper uses interference friction to generate variable torque dampening resistance depending on the rotational position of the damper.

主权项

1. A variable rate friction damper comprising:
a housing having a recess; the recess being generally cylindrical and having an inside surface; a spring clip having a generally cylindrical shape portion that fits inside the recess but does not contact the inside surface of the recess; a rotor having a generally cylindrical shape and including a contact lobe; and the rotor rotatably attached to the housing and having a portion disposed inside the spring clip so that the contact lobe engages an interior surface of the spring clip as the rotor rotates causing the spring clip to expand or contract depending on the direction of rotation.