Simulate Soft Closure Systems for Accurate Performance Analysis

Abstract

Soft closure systems, commonly found in furniture for smooth and silent operation, rely on deformable pistons moving in a viscous fluid for dampening. This study investigates the pressure forces acting on the damping sub-system by integrating fluid flow simulation (Particleworks) with flexible multi-body dynamics (RecurDyn). Using a coupled approach, the simulation results were compared against experimental data, demonstrating an approximately 20% deviation, validating the effectiveness of the methodology.

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Introduction

Soft closure systems enhance the longevity and comfort of furniture by providing controlled dampening. The system consists of a deformable piston, fluid-filled housing, and dampening mechanisms. This study aims to simulate the interaction of fluid dynamics and structural deformation to analyze performance under operating conditions.

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Methodology

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Simulation Setup:

  1. Fluid Simulation:

    • Viscous, non-Newtonian fluid flow modeled using Particleworks.
    • Open boundary conditions and particle size optimized for narrow gap simulation.

  2. Flexible Multi-Body Simulation:

    • Structural deformation of disks modeled in RecurDyn.
    • Coupling with Particleworks to compute forces and pressures dynamically.

  3. Coupled Analysis:

    • Iterative exchange of displacement, velocity, and pressure data between Particleworks and RecurDyn to simulate fluid-structure interaction accurately.

Simulation Parameters:

  • Piston velocity: 400 mm/s
  • Force response analyzed as a function of piston position.
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Results

  1. Simulated Force: ~110 N
  2. Experimental Force: ~90 N

The results demonstrated:

  • A good correlation between simulated and experimental data (~20% deviation).
  • Real-time feedback of fluid pressure and structural deformation improved simulation accuracy.
  • The piston’s x-load exhibited realistic behavior, validating the coupled simulation approach.

Discussion

The coupled simulation approach using Particleworks and RecurDyn provided valuable insights into the dynamics of soft closure systems:

  • Accurate representation of fluid-structure interactions.
  • Efficient identification of forces impacting the system performance.
  • Minor deviations attributed to material and fluid property assumptions in simulation.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the viability of simulating soft closure systems using a unique coupling approach. The results align closely with experimental data, showcasing the effectiveness of Particleworks and RecurDyn in capturing complex interactions. The methodology offers a reliable, cost-effective alternative to physical testing for optimizing dampening systems.

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