A force-controlled piecewise variable damping viscous damper

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of vibration reduction and seismic resistance technology for bridges, and in particular to a force-controlled segmented variable damping viscous damper, comprising a left ball joint, a plugging component, a cylinder, a piston rod, a right ball joint, a damping medium, and a piston assembly. The piston rod is disposed inside the cylinder, with one end connected to the left ball joint, one end of the cylinder being movably connected to the left ball joint, and the other end being movably connected to the right ball joint. The two sides of the cylinder are connected to the piston rod via the plugging component to form a sealed cavity, which contains the damping medium. A piston assembly for adjusting the damping coefficient and damping index is disposed in the center of the sealed cavity and sleeved on the outside of the piston rod. The force-controlled segmented variable damping viscous damper of this invention has a simple structure, is easy to debug, and adds little to the cost. It can meet the vibration reduction requirements of bridges under various operating conditions and has good application prospects.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of vibration reduction and seismic resistance technology for bridges, and in particular to a force-controlled segmented variable damping viscous damper. Background Technology

[0002] The 12th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Earthquake Engineering (UTC-7) was held in Salt Lake City, USA, from June 28 to July 1, 2022. The theme of the meeting was "Reimaging Risk and Resilience". This invention, titled "Resilience," encapsulates the latest research findings in earthquake engineering from scholars worldwide over the past four years. It identifies "resilience" as the future direction of seismic design concepts. Viscous dampers, as a recognized seismic product emphasizing "resilience," have been widely used in bridges in recent years. However, due to the limited functionality of viscous dampers, designers hope manufacturers will develop more viscous dampers with special functions to help solve more practical problems, such as limiting dampers and fusible dampers. This invention primarily aims to meet the different vibration reduction effects of dampers under various bridge operating conditions. It generates virtually no damping force in bridge displacement caused by temperature changes, and can reduce vibration frequency and acceleration under normal vehicle and wind loads. However, during earthquakes, it can consume a large amount of energy to protect the bridge, making it suitable for the application requirements of most bridges and possessing very high application prospects. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the aforementioned problems, the present invention aims to provide a force-controlled segmented variable damping viscous damper that satisfies the different vibration reduction effects of a damper under various bridge operating conditions: it generates virtually no damping force in bridge displacement caused by temperature differences, can reduce vibration frequency and acceleration under normal vehicle and wind loads, and can consume a large amount of energy to protect the bridge during earthquakes.

[0004] The objective of this invention can be achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0005] This invention provides a force-controlled segmented variable damping viscous damper, comprising a left ball joint seat, a plug component, a cylinder, a piston rod, a right ball joint seat, a damping medium, and a piston assembly;

[0006] The piston rod is located inside the cylinder body, with one end connected to the left ball joint seat, one end of the cylinder body movably connected to the left ball joint seat, and the other end movably connected to the right ball joint seat;

[0007] The cylinder body is connected to the piston rod on both sides by plug components to form a sealed cavity. The sealed cavity contains a damping medium. A piston assembly for adjusting the damping coefficient and damping index is provided in the middle of the sealed cavity and sleeved on the outside of the piston rod.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, the piston assembly includes a left piston, a right piston, and a spring; the left piston and the right piston are sleeved on the outside of the piston rod and connected by a spring sleeved on the piston rod; the spring has a preload.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, an adjusting nut for restricting the movement of the left piston is provided on the side of the left piston away from the right piston, and an adjusting nut for restricting the movement of the right piston is provided on the side of the right piston away from the left piston.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, a protrusion is provided at the end of the left piston near the right piston, and a through hole penetrating the length direction of the left piston is provided at the center of the protrusion.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, a groove is provided on the side of the right piston near the left piston.

[0012] In one embodiment of the invention, the groove is aligned with the central axis of the protrusion and the through hole.

[0013] In one embodiment of the invention, the outer diameter of the protrusion is the same as the inner diameter of the groove.

[0014] In this invention, when there is a gap between the left and right pistons, the damping medium is allowed to flow through the through hole; when the set damping force is reached, the protrusion of the left piston and the groove of the right piston fit together, the through hole is blocked, and the damping medium can no longer flow through, thereby triggering different damping coefficients and damping indices.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, the left ball joint seat includes a left ball joint seat base and a left ball joint seat housing. The left ball joint seat base is connected to the piston rod on the side near the right ball joint seat. The left ball joint seat housing is disposed on the side of the left ball joint seat base near the right ball joint seat. The inner side of the left ball joint seat housing is movably connected to the outer side of the cylinder body.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, the right ball joint seat includes a right ball joint seat base, a right ball joint seat extension sleeve, and a right ball joint seat end cap. The right ball joint seat extension sleeve is disposed on the side of the right ball joint seat close to the left ball joint seat. The right ball joint seat end cap is disposed on the side of the right ball joint seat extension sleeve away from the right ball joint seat base. The right ball joint seat base, the right ball joint seat extension sleeve, and the right ball joint seat end cap form a cavity. A guide hole is provided at a new position in the right ball joint seat end cap to allow the piston rod to extend into the cavity.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, the inner diameter of the guide hole is the same as the outer diameter of the piston rod.

[0018] In this invention, when the left and right ball joints are relatively displaced, the piston rod can drive the left and right pistons to reciprocate within the cylinder through the adjusting nuts on both sides. By adjusting the adjusting nuts and the stiffness of the spring, the damping coefficient and damping index can be adjusted according to a set damping force as the dividing point.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0020] This invention features two pistons. By controlling the output damping force F0, different damping coefficients and damping exponents can be generated when the output damping force of the viscous damper is greater or less than F0. This allows it to adapt to various bridge operating conditions. For example, it generates virtually no damping force in bridge displacement caused by temperature changes; it reduces vibration frequency and acceleration under normal vehicle and wind loads; and it consumes a large amount of energy to protect the bridge during earthquakes. This invention has a simple structure, is easy to debug, adds little to the cost, and has high application prospects, meeting the vibration reduction requirements of bridges under various operating conditions. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This invention relates to a force-controlled segmented variable damping viscous damper;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view (through-hole state) of the piston in a force-controlled segmented variable damping viscous damper according to the present invention.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the piston in a force-controlled segmented variable damping viscous damper of the present invention (with the hole closed (right side));

[0024] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the piston in a force-controlled segmented variable damping viscous damper of the present invention (hole closed (left side));

[0025] The following are the labels in the diagram: 1. Left ball joint seat; 2. Plug component; 3. Cylinder body; 4. Right piston; 5. Piston rod; 6. Right ball joint seat extension sleeve; 7. Right ball joint seat; 8. Damping medium; 9. Adjusting nut; 10. Left piston; 11. Spring. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0027] In the description of this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected," "linked," and "fixed" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0028] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0029] In the description of this embodiment, the terms "upper," "lower," "left," and "right," etc., refer to the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for ease of description and simplification of operation, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the present invention. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used only for distinction in description and have no special meaning.

[0030] Example 1

[0031] This embodiment provides a force-controlled segmented variable damping viscous damper, such as... Figures 1-4 As shown, it includes a left ball joint seat 1, a plug component 2, a cylinder body 3, a piston rod 5, a right ball joint seat 7, a damping medium 8, and a piston assembly. The piston rod 5 is disposed inside the cylinder body 3, with one end connected to the left ball joint seat 1. One end of the cylinder body 3 is movably connected to the left ball joint seat 1, and the other end is movably connected to the right ball joint seat 7. The two sides of the cylinder body 3 are connected to the piston rod 5 through the plug component 2 to form a sealed cavity. The damping medium 8 is contained in the sealed cavity. A piston assembly for adjusting the damping coefficient and damping index is disposed in the middle of the sealed cavity and sleeved on the outside of the piston rod 5.

[0032] Furthermore, the piston assembly includes a left piston 10, a right piston 4, and a spring 11; the left piston 10 and the right piston 4 are sleeved on the outside of the piston rod 5 and connected by the spring 11 sleeved on the piston rod 5; the spring 11 has a preload. An adjusting nut 9 is provided on the side of the left piston 10 away from the right piston 4 to restrict the movement of the left piston 10, and an adjusting nut 9 is provided on the side of the right piston 4 away from the left piston 10 to restrict the movement of the right piston 4. A protrusion is provided on the end of the left piston 10 near the right piston 4, and a through hole penetrating the length of the left piston 10 is provided at the center of the protrusion; a groove is provided on the side of the right piston 4 near the left piston 10; wherein, the groove, the protrusion, and the through hole are aligned on the same central axis, and the outer diameter of the protrusion is the same as the inner diameter of the groove.

[0033] When there is a gap between the left piston 10 and the right piston 4, the damping medium 8 is allowed to flow through the through hole; when the set damping force is reached, the protrusion of the left piston 10 and the groove of the right piston 4 are engaged, the through hole is blocked, and the damping medium 8 can no longer flow through, thereby triggering different damping coefficients and damping indices.

[0034] Furthermore, the left ball joint seat 1 includes a left ball joint seat base and a left ball joint seat housing. The left ball joint seat base is connected to the piston rod 5 on the side near the right ball joint seat 7. The left ball joint seat housing is located on the side of the left ball joint seat base near the right ball joint seat 7. The inner side of the left ball joint seat housing is movably connected to the outer side of the cylinder body 3. The right ball joint seat 7 includes a right ball joint seat base, a right ball joint seat extension sleeve 6, and a right ball joint seat end cap. The right ball joint seat extension sleeve 6 is located on the side of the right ball joint seat 7 near the left ball joint seat 1. The right ball joint seat end cap is located on the side of the right ball joint seat extension sleeve 6 away from the right ball joint seat base. The right ball joint seat base, the right ball joint seat extension sleeve 6, and the right ball joint seat end cap form a cavity. A guide hole is provided in a new position in the right ball joint seat end cap to allow the piston rod 5 to extend into the cavity. The inner diameter of the guide hole is the same as the outer diameter of the piston rod 5.

[0035] In this invention, when the left ball joint seat 1 and the right ball joint seat 7 are relatively displaced, the piston rod 5 can drive the left piston 10 and the right piston 4 to reciprocate within the cylinder 3 through the adjusting nuts 9 on both sides. By adjusting the adjusting nuts 9 and adjusting the stiffness of the spring 11, the damping coefficient and damping index can be adjusted according to a certain damping force as the dividing point.

[0036] In practical applications, when the damping force is greater than the set value F0, the left piston 10 and the right piston 4 will close together on the left and right sides under the action of the damping force, until the protrusion of the left piston 10 and the groove of the right piston 4 are engaged, which will cause the through hole to be blocked. At this time, the parameters of the damper will change, resulting in different vibration reduction effects.

[0037] The force-controlled segmented variable damping viscous damper of this embodiment has a simple structure, is easy to debug, and adds little to the cost. It can meet the vibration reduction requirements of bridges under various operating conditions and has good application prospects.

[0038] The above description of the embodiments is provided to enable those skilled in the art to understand and use the invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to these embodiments, and the general principles described herein can be applied to other embodiments without inventive effort. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and any improvements and modifications made by those skilled in the art based on the interpretation of the present invention, without departing from the scope of the invention, should be within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A force controlled segmented variable-damping viscous damper, characterized by, It comprises a left spherical hinge base (1), a blocking component (2), a cylinder body (3), a piston rod (5), a right spherical hinge base (7), a damping medium (8) and a piston assembly; The piston rod (5) is arranged inside the cylinder body (3), one end of which is connected with the left spherical hinge base (1), one end of the cylinder body (3) is movably connected with the left spherical hinge base (1), and the other end is movably connected with the right spherical hinge base (7); The two sides of the cylinder body (3) are connected with the piston rod (5) through the blocking component (2) to form a sealed cavity, the sealed cavity contains the damping medium (8), and the middle part of the sealed cavity is provided with the piston assembly arranged outside the piston rod (5) for adjusting the damping coefficient and the damping index; The piston assembly comprises a left piston (10), a right piston (4) and a spring (11); the left piston (10) and the right piston (4) are arranged outside the piston rod (5) and are connected through the spring (11) arranged on the piston rod (5); The side of the left piston (10) away from the right piston (4) is provided with an adjusting nut (9) for limiting the movement of the left piston (10), and the side of the right piston (4) away from the left piston (10) is provided with an adjusting nut (9) for limiting the movement of the right piston (4); The side end of the left piston (10) close to the right piston (4) is provided with a protrusion, and the center of the protrusion is provided with a through hole penetrating the length direction of the left piston (10); The side of the right piston (4) close to the left piston (10) is provided with a groove; The groove has the same central axis as the protrusion and the through hole; The outer diameter of the protrusion is the same as the inner diameter of the groove.

2. A force controlled segmented variable-damper viscous damper according to claim 1, characterized in that, The left spherical hinge base (1) comprises a left spherical hinge base and a left spherical hinge shell, the side of the left spherical hinge base close to the right spherical hinge base (7) is connected with the piston rod (5), the left spherical hinge shell is arranged on the side of the left spherical hinge base close to the right spherical hinge base (7), and the inner side of the left spherical hinge shell is movably connected with the outer side of the cylinder body (3).

3. A force controlled segmented variable-damper viscous damper according to claim 1, wherein, The right spherical hinge base (7) comprises a right spherical hinge base, a right spherical hinge extension sleeve (6) and a right spherical hinge head, The right spherical hinge extension sleeve (6) is arranged on the side of the right spherical hinge base (7) close to the left spherical hinge base (1), the side of the right spherical hinge extension sleeve (6) away from the right spherical hinge base is provided with the right spherical hinge head, the right spherical hinge base, the right spherical hinge extension sleeve (6) and the right spherical hinge head form a cavity, and the center of the right spherical hinge head is provided with a guide hole allowing the piston rod (5) to extend into the cavity.

4. A force controlled, segmented variable-damper viscous damper according to claim 3, wherein, The inner diameter of the guide hole is the same as the outer diameter of the piston rod (5).

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