Vibration absorber with adjustable elastic constant

Abstract

The invention relates to a vibration absorber with an adjustable elastic constant. The vibration absorber comprises a diaphragm spring and an adjusting system for adjusting the elastic constant of the diaphragm spring. The diaphragm spring includes at least one flexible circular crown tooth having at least two annular flexible arms, one continuous circular crown tooth adjacent and concentric to the flexible circular crown tooth, and a channel coupled to each annular flexible arm. Each channel is adjacent and concentric to the annular flexible arm along at least a portion of its length. The adjustment system also includes a fastening element inserted into each of the channels and configured to move along the respective channel, thereby changing the flexed portion of the length of the annular flexible arm adjacent the channel, thereby changing the elastic constant of the vibration absorber.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally belongs to the field of machinery, and more specifically, to the field of damping devices for absorbing vibrations generated or transmitted by any type of vibration generation or transmission source. Background Art

[0002] Vibrations occur in most industrial equipment, machinery or vehicles due to unbalanced rotating elements, misaligned couplings, component wear, etc. In addition, the vibration generation or transmission source can also be located outside the element or device to be protected or isolated from vibrations. For example, vibrations may be caused by natural phenomena such as earthquakes, or in the case of vehicles, vibrations may be transmitted through the road itself due to the presence of potholes or unevenness on its surface. These vibrations, regardless of their source, can cause a series of problems such as noise, fatigue and fracture of certain components, operational dysfunctions, etc. To prevent these problems, different types of damping devices are usually placed between the vibration generation or transmission source and the surface, element, device or system that will be isolated from the vibration to eliminate the vibration or at least minimize it.

[0003] The damping devices can be, among others, spring dampers, hydraulic dampers, gas dampers, rheological dampers, etc. The springs of the spring dampers can also be of different types, such as compression springs, torsion springs, traction springs, disc springs, diaphragm springs, etc. Many damping systems and devices on the market currently use helical springs.

[0004] In addition, these damping devices can be used for other functions, such as preloading, energy storage, acting as a mechanical low-pass filter, obtaining an elastic response to a given load, etc.

[0005] When the compactness of the design of the machinery is a highly regulated factor, diaphragm springs can be used, which have a very suitable ratio between their damping performance and overall dimensions. The more important the functional role played by the spring in its mechanical unit, the more critical this performance / dimension ratio becomes. Diaphragm springs, also known as leaf springs, are very compact and have high elasticity, which in any case depends on the material used to manufacture the spring, as well as the number, size and geometry of the available elastic arms.

[0006] The problem with conventional damping devices is that, regardless of their nature or type, each spring responds to a mechanical characteristic defined by its properties according to the function "F = -K*x", where "F" is the force exerted by the spring, "x" is the elongation or variation experienced by the spring length, and "K" is the spring constant. To measure the spring constant "K" of a spring, the deformation "x" caused when different values of force "F" are applied to the spring is measured. This means that each damping device will have a fixed type of natural vibration mode and, therefore, different damping devices need to be manufactured, where the "K" of the different damping devices is constant for each specific application. Additionally, in those applications where the amplitude of the generated vibrations varies, the damping devices tend to be oversized because they cannot adapt to the variations to absorb or minimize vibration peaks, even when the vibration peaks occur very sporadically. Such oversized damping devices - whose spring constant is too high for the vibrations they experience most of the time - may result in an inadequate response at certain times to low vibration loads on the surface or device to be isolated.

[0007] Therefore, in the context of the prior art, there is a need to develop a damping device that has a high performance / size ratio while at the same time allowing for a simple way to dynamically and very significantly adjust its spring constant "K" even before its installation or even after it has been installed "on-site". Summary of the Invention

[0008] A first object of the present invention relates to a damping device with an adjustable spring constant as described in claim 1. Specific embodiments of the present invention are described in the dependent claims.

[0009] The damped device object with an adjustable elastic constant according to the present invention includes a diaphragm spring and an adjustment system for adjusting the elastic constant of the diaphragm spring, and the adjustment system is coupled to the diaphragm spring itself. As described herein, a diaphragm spring refers to a sheet made of an elastic material, preferably elastic steel or other materials with elastic properties such as composite materials, plastics, graphene, etc. The sheet includes at least two flexible arms and is capable of absorbing energy generated by a vibration source or a vibration transmission source. The sheet is attached to or in contact with the vibration source or the vibration transmission source. The diaphragm spring is a flat element, and the flat element can have a very large variation in thickness, depending on the application in which it is installed. For example, the thickness (distance along the axial axis) of the diaphragm spring can vary from a few micrometers when the diaphragm spring is designed for the microelectronics field to several tens of centimeters or even several meters when the diaphragm spring is installed in a building foundation to absorb vibrations generated by an earthquake. Similarly, the dimensions of the diaphragm spring along the transverse axis can vary between a few millimeters and several meters, depending on the application for which the diaphragm spring is designed. In any case, the dimensions of the diaphragm spring will depend on the amplitude of the vibrations to be absorbed. In addition, the diaphragm spring can have different geometries, such as, for example, circular, rectangular, square, elliptical, etc. Preferably, the diaphragm spring will be disc-shaped. These diaphragm springs work in the following way: if a force is applied to the center of the diaphragm spring in the axial direction, the spring will deform and move in the axial direction due to the deformation along the entire length of its flexible arms.

[0010] The diaphragm spring of the present invention includes: at least one circular flexible crown, and the at least one circular flexible crown further includes at least two annular flexible arms (elastic arms), and the at least two annular flexible arms are preferably separated from each other by a radial cut; and a continuous circular crown adjacent and concentric to the at least one circular flexible crown. The continuous circular crown is a sheet made of continuous material, that is, without openings, deformations or cuts. The annular flexible arms are elements of the diaphragm spring that absorb the flexible stress transmitted in the axial direction by a source that generates vibrations to be damped or an element that transmits vibrations to be damped. Therefore, the sum of the characteristics of these annular flexible arms will constitute the overall elastic characteristics of the diaphragm spring and thus the overall elastic characteristics of the damping device. The characteristics of these annular flexible arms in turn depend on the elastic characteristics of the material used to manufacture them and their dimensions.

[0011] The diaphragm spring further includes channels associated with each annular flexible arm of each circular flexible crown. Each channel is adjacent and concentric to the annular flexible arm along at least a part of its length and is located at the edge of the at least one circular flexible crown opposite to the continuous circular crown. Preferably, the circular flexible crown defines one of the annular edges of the annular flexible arm, whether it is the inner edge or the outer edge, and the channel defines at least a part of the opposite edge of the annular flexible arm.

[0012] In addition, the adjustment system for adjusting the elastic constant includes fixing elements that are inserted into each of the channels and are configured to move along the respective channels, thereby changing the deflected portion of the length of the annular flexible arms adjacent to the channels, and thus changing the elastic constant of the damping device. In other words, these fixing elements will determine whether the entire arm or only a part of the arm can be axially deflected according to their positions fixed in the channels. When fixed at the end of the channel corresponding to the starting point of the arm (the end through which the arm connects the rest of the arm to the diaphragm spring), the fixing element does not limit the deflection of the arm. When the fixing element moves along the channel towards its opposite end, the deflectable portion of the arm becomes shorter. Only the portion of the annular flexible arm between the fixing element and the free end of the arm is the axially deflectable portion of the arm.

[0013] Preferably, one end (starting point) of the channel will be positioned corresponding to the portion of the annular flexible arm that connects to the rest of the diaphragm spring. Preferably, the channel will also have a length smaller than the length of the associated annular flexible arm, such that even when the fixing element is brought to the end opposite the starting point of the channel, there is always a deflectable portion of the arm. Alternatively, the lengths of the channel and the corresponding arm can be the same, such that the fixing element can completely prevent the axial deflection of the annular flexible arm at the end of the channel opposite the starting point of the arm.

[0014] In some embodiments, the relative lengths of the channels with respect to the annular flexible arms of each annular flexible crown are the same or can be different. In addition, for all the annular flexible crowns of the diaphragm spring, this relative length of the channel with respect to the annular flexible arm can be the same, or can be different among them. Preferably, for the entire diaphragm spring, the relative length of the channel with respect to the annular flexible arm will be constant.

[0015] In some embodiments, the width of the annular flexible arm corresponds to the width of the circular flexible crown and is defined between the respective notches formed annularly in the diaphragm spring.

[0016] In some embodiments, the diaphragm spring includes continuous circular crowns between every two circular flexible crowns. This continuous circular crown - which is a piece made of continuous material (i.e., without notches, deformation parts, or openings) - will act as a bridging part that makes the deflection of the annular flexible arms of each circular flexible crown independent.

[0017] In some embodiments, the fixing element has an H-shaped longitudinal cross-section and is formed by a rod inserted into the channel and two stoppers coupled to the respective ends of the rod, the stoppers having a width greater than the width of the channel. These fixing elements will form a physical bridge between the continuous material portion of the diaphragm spring and the annular flexible arm, such that the connection therebetween is strengthened, thereby changing the portion of the arm that can be flexed, and thus changing the elastic constant "K" of the damping device.

[0018] In some embodiments, the fixing element is formed by a screw, a bushing, and a nut. This configuration of the fixing element allows for easy adjustment and fixation of the position of the fixing element at the desired point in the respective channel.

[0019] In some embodiments, the fixing elements of the channels associated with the annular flexible arms of the same circular flexible crown are interconnected by means of an adjustment ring. The adjustment ring is configured to rotate clockwise as well as counterclockwise, thereby causing the same and synchronous circular movement of the fixing elements in their respective channels. In this way, the length of the axially-flexible portion of the annular flexible arms of the same circular flexible crown can be changed in the same manner and in a single step. In said embodiments, the fixing elements can be screwed onto the adjustment ring or can at least partially form part of the ring itself. For example, the rod or screw together with one of the stoppers can form part of the ring, while the lower stopper, such as a nut, can be coupled to the free end of the rod or screw when the rod or screw has been inserted into the channel. Alternatively, each of the fixing elements can be individually moved to a similar or different point in the respective channels associated with the same circular flexible crown.

[0020] In some embodiments, the channel and the corresponding fixing element include a fixing mechanism for fixing the position of the fixing element relative to the channel. Although fixing mechanisms such as using screws and nuts as part of the fixing element itself have been described above, it is also conceivable that the channel has internal corrugated or serrated edges such that the fixing element engages with the valleys of said edges. In this way, the fixing element can engage and disengage with different valleys of the internal edge, enabling the flexed portion of the arm to be changed in a quick and simple manner. Alternatively, the internal edge of the channel can have grooves or notches at predetermined positions along its entire length, into which the fixing element will be inserted and fixed.

[0021] In some embodiments, the fixing element is configured to move manually or automatically along the length of its respective channel. The operator may loosen or release the fixing element, relocate the fixing element in the channel to a new position of the fixing element and fix the fixing element. Alternatively, the controller may calculate the elastic constant "K" required to minimize or eliminate the measured vibration based on the measurement of the vibration amplitude transmitted to the damping device obtained by the vibration sensor, and determine the position of the fixing element along the corresponding channel to obtain the elastic constant "K". Once the position is calculated, the fixing element is manually or automatically positioned at the position. For example, the damping device may have a motor acting on each fixing element individually, or may have a motor acting on a group of fixing elements, for example, the motor may act on each adjusting ring.

[0022] In some embodiments, the diaphragm spring includes a central opening for fixing a shaft, which can be coupled to a vibration source. The vibration source may be a vibration generating or transmitting mass. Once inserted into the central opening of the diaphragm spring, the shaft can be fixed to the spring by means of a nut, a pin, threaded connection or welding to the spring. The vibration generating or transmitting mass may be any element, component, device or system that generates or transmits vibration, regardless of its nature.

[0023] In some embodiments, the diaphragm spring includes a plurality of openings through which the diaphragm spring is fixed to a support member, which can be coupled to a surface to be protected from vibration. In addition to other fixing elements, screws, bolts, studs or pins can be used to fix the diaphragm spring to the support member. The support member can in turn be fixed to the surface to be protected by bolts, screws, studs, pins, or can be directly welded to the surface to be protected. The surface to be protected from vibration can directly be the floor, can be the surface of a device, vehicle, system, machine, etc.

[0024] A second object of the present invention relates to a vibration damping system, which includes a damping device as described above, a diaphragm spring and a main support member to which the diaphragm spring is coupled, wherein the main support member can be coupled to a surface to be protected from vibration and a shaft coupled to the diaphragm spring through the central opening of the diaphragm spring, wherein the shaft can be coupled to a vibration generating or transmitting mass.

[0025] In some embodiments, the damping system includes a vibration measurement sensor coupled to the shaft and a controller configured to determine the position of the fixing element relative to the corresponding channel based on the vibration measured by the vibration sensor. In other words, the controller can calculate the elastic constant "K" required to minimize or eliminate the vibration measured at a specific time based on the measurements obtained from the vibration sensor, and determine the position of the fixing element along the corresponding channel to obtain the elastic constant "K". To this end, the system can have a motor for linearly moving the fixing elements along their corresponding channels and capable of moving the fixing elements individually or in groups (e.g., in the case where these fixing elements are linked by an adjusting ring). Once the position is calculated, the fixing elements are manually or automatically placed in that position. This adjustment of the elastic constant "K" can be carried out continuously or periodically. The controller can be at least one of a central processing unit (CPU), a semiconductor-based microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or another electronic circuit suitable for performing calculations and controlling the movement and fixing of the fixing elements.

[0026] The damping device object of the present invention has various advantages over the prior art. For example, the diaphragm spring can be manufactured in various geometries, sizes, and materials, and its design can incorporate an appropriate number of annular flexible crowns, where each of the crowns includes two or more annular flexible arms, thereby obtaining a damping device with a wide range of elastic characteristics in a simple manner. In addition, by changing the position of the fixing element in the channel, the deflectable portion of the annular flexible arm is modified, thereby dynamically adjusting the elastic constant "K". This enables the attenuation of a very wide range of vibrations. Once the damping device is installed, the elastic constant "K" of the damping device can be adjusted according to the response of the device on which the damping device is installed. The adjustment of the elastic constant can also be automatic, depending on the gradual changes that occur in the vibration mode of the system. The diaphragm spring works in a similar manner under tension and compression. The diaphragm spring is very easy to manufacture at low cost, thereby allowing the use of a wide range of plate thicknesses and sizes, which allows the design of a wide variety of device sizes, thus being suitable for a wide range of mass pieces to be controlled. In addition, compared with other springs such as helical springs, the ratio of the height to the working length of the damping device is very low. The working length of the diaphragm spring is very large relative to the thickness of the plate used to manufacture the diaphragm spring. Therefore, the damping device occupies less space compared to other similar devices of the prior art.

[0027] The damping device object of the present invention can be used for the anchoring of machines or machine components and can be installed in the damping system of a vehicle, thereby replacing a traditional helical spring or leaf spring with this damping device having an adjustable elastic constant. Description of the Drawings

[0028] To complete the description and to enhance the understanding of the present invention, a set of drawings is provided. The drawings form an integral part of the specification and illustrate different embodiments of the present invention, which should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention, but rather as examples of how the present invention may be implemented.

[0029] Figure 1A and Figure 1B respectively show a perspective view and an exploded view of a damping device according to a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 2 show Figure 1A and Figure 1B a plan view of a diaphragm spring.

[0031] Figure 3 show a plan view of a diaphragm spring having a single annular flexible crown according to a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 4 show a plan view of a diaphragm spring having two annular flexible crowns and four annular flexible arms located in each annular flexible crown according to a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figures 5A to 5C show three plan views and a perspective view of the damping device of FIG. 1, which is subjected to a force in the axial direction and the fixing elements are fixed at three different points of their respective channels.

[0034] Figure 6A , Figure 6B and Figure 6C respectively show a perspective view, an exploded view and a sectional side view of a vibration damping system according to a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 7 show a perspective view of a machine supported on four damping systems such as the damping system shown in Figures 6A to 6C .

[0036] Figure 8A and Figure 8B respectively show a perspective view and an exploded view of a damping device according to a specific embodiment of the present invention, which includes a fixing mechanism for fixing the position of a fixing element relative to a channel. Detailed Embodiment

[0037] Figure 1A and Figure 1B respectively show a perspective view and an exploded view of a damping device 1 according to a specific embodiment of the present invention. It should be understood that Figure 1A and Figure 1BThe damping device 1 depicted herein may include additional components, and some of the components described herein may be removed and / or modified without departing from the scope of the damping device 1.

[0038] The damping device 1 is formed by a diaphragm spring 2 having a circular or disc-shaped geometry and six fixing elements. Three outermost fixing elements 3a - 3c are inserted into three channels 4a - 4c associated with the outermost annular flexible crown 5a, and three innermost fixing elements 6a - 6c are inserted into three channels 7a - 7c associated with the innermost annular flexible crown 5b. The diaphragm spring 2 has a plurality of openings 8 near its outer peripheral edge through which screws, bolts, rods, studs or the like (not shown) may pass in order to fix the diaphragm spring directly or through an inserted support member (not shown) to a surface (not shown) to be vibration isolated. The spring 2 includes two circular flexible crowns 5a - 5b (shown shaded in a grid pattern) which are separated from each other by a continuous circular crown 9 (shown shaded in dots). The continuous circular crown 9 is a circular sheet made of the same material as the rest of the diaphragm spring 2, which has no cuts, openings or deformations, and separates the two circular flexible crowns 5a - 5b by means of bridging portions such that the flexures of the annular flexible arms 10a - 10c and 11a - 11c of the two circular flexible crowns 5a - 5b are independent of each other.

[0039] In this particular embodiment, the fixing elements 3a - 3c and 6a - 6c are formed by screws 12 (with washers) which pass through bushings 13 and are fixed at their lower ends by nuts 14 (with their respective washers) such that the bushings 13 and the bodies of the screws 12 together act as rods passing through the respective channels 4a - 4c and 7a - 7c, while the heads of the screws 12 and the nuts 14 act as stoppers which act as physical bridging portions between the continuous material portions of the diaphragm spring 2 (the outer ring 16 and the inner ring 17 of the spring 2 which have no openings, cuts or irregularities) and the annular flexible arms 10a - 10c and 11a - 11c, such that the connection between the two is strengthened, thereby changing the portions of the arms 10a - 10c and 11a - 11c that can flex and thus changing the elastic constant "K" of the damping device 1.

[0040] Figure 2A plan view of the diaphragm spring 2 of FIG. 1 is shown. The spring 2 includes two circular flexible crowns 5a-5b, which are respectively formed by three annular flexible arms 10a-10c and 11a-11c separated from each other by radial cuts. The outermost circular flexible crown 5a is defined by three annular channels 4a-4c at its outermost annular edge and by a continuous circular crown 9 at its innermost annular edge. Similarly, the innermost circular flexible crown 5b is defined by three annular channels 7a-7c at its innermost annular edge and by a continuous circular crown 9 at its outermost annular edge. In this embodiment, the annular flexible crowns 5a-5b, the continuous circular crown 9, and the channels 4a-4c and 7a-7c are concentric with each other. The diaphragm spring 2 also has a central opening 15 through which a shaft (not shown) attached to a vibration source passes. In addition, in this embodiment, the lengths of the channels 4a-4c and 7a-7c are slightly less than the lengths of the associated arms 10a-10c and 11a-11c.

[0041] Figure 3 A plan view of a diaphragm spring 20 having a single annular flexible crown 21 according to a specific embodiment of the present invention is shown. The diaphragm spring 20 is similar to Figure 2 the diaphragm spring shown, but only has a single annular flexible crown 21 similar to Figure 2 the circular flexible crown 5a, and wherein the continuous circular crown defining the innermost annular edge of the annular flexible crown 21 is integrally formed with the inner part 26 of the diaphragm spring 20, and the inner part 26 in turn defines the central opening 25. In addition, the annular flexible crown 21 is defined by channels 24a-24c at its outermost annular edge.

[0042] The spring 20 also has a circular or disc-shaped geometry and has a plurality of openings 22 near its outer peripheral edge for fixing to a surface to be vibration-isolated. The circular flexible crown 21 is formed by three flexible arms 23a-23c, which are separated from each other by radial cuts.

[0043] Figure 4 A plan view of a diaphragm spring 30 according to a specific embodiment of the present invention is shown. The diaphragm spring 30 has two annular flexible crowns 31a-31b and four annular flexible arms 32a-32d and 33a-33d located in each annular flexible crown 31a-31b. Except that each annular flexible crown 31a-31b is formed by four annular flexible arms 32a-32d and 33a-33d and thus there are four channels 34a-34d and 35a-35d associated with each annular flexible crown 31a-31b, this embodiment of the diaphragm spring 30 is very similar to the diaphragm spring 2 of FIG. 1 and Figure 2 the diaphragm spring of. Similar to FIG. 1 andFigure 2 In an embodiment, there is a continuous circular crown 36 between two annular flexible crowns 31a - 31b.

[0044] Although the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to Figure 4 show a diaphragm spring having one or two circular flexible crowns and three or four annular flexible arms in each circular flexible crown, in other embodiments, the diaphragm spring may have a different number of circular flexible crowns and annular flexible arms. Further, although the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to Figure 4 also show a constant ratio of the length of the channels to the length of the corresponding annular flexible arms in each circular flexible crown and, moreover, between the circular flexible crowns of the same diaphragm spring (when there is more than one circular flexible crown), in other embodiments, this ratio is variable within the same annular flexible crown or between the circular flexible crowns of the same diaphragm spring (when there is more than one circular flexible crown). Although in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to Figure 4 the width of the annular flexible crowns is always the same, in other embodiments, these annular flexible crowns may have different widths.

[0045] Figures 5A to 5C FIGS. 1 and Figure 1B show three perspective views of the damping device 1 which is acted upon by a force in the axial direction and the fixing elements 3a - 3c, 6a - 6c are fixed at three different points of their respective channels 4a - 4c, 7a - 7c.

[0046] If a force F is applied to the center of the diaphragm spring 2 corresponding to its central opening 15 and the outer peripheral edge of the diaphragm spring is fixed, for example, by a screw passing through the opening 8 and screwed onto a fixed surface, the diaphragm spring 2 undergoes axial deformation, as Figures 5A to 5C shown. It can be seen that the movement in the axial direction is generated by the deformation along at least a part of the length of the annular flexible arms 10a - 10c and 11a - 11c.

[0047] Figure 5AAn embodiment is shown in which the fixing elements 3a - 3c and 6a - 6c are located at the ends opposite to the starting points of the respective channels 4a - 4c and 7a - 7c, i.e., at the following ends corresponding to the annular flexible arms 10a - 10c and 11a - 11c: radial cuts separating the annular flexible arms 10a - 10c and 11a - 11c from adjacent annular flexible arms 10a - 10c and 11a - 11c are located at these ends. By placing the fixing elements 3a - 3c and 6a - 6c at these points, the flexing ability of the arms 10a - 10c and 11a - 11c is restricted as much as possible, and thus the elastic constant "K" of the damping device is minimized. Assuming that the lengths of the arms 10a - 10c and 11a - 11c are greater than the lengths of the channels 4a - 4c and 7a - 7c, even by restricting the flexing ability of the arms 10a - 10c and 11a - 11c as much as possible, the damping device 1 will flex slightly in the axial direction.

[0048] Figure 5B An embodiment is shown in which the fixing elements 3a - 3c and 6a - 6c are located at the mid - points of the respective channels 4a - 4c and 7a - 7c. In this way, the flexing of the portions of the annular flexible arms 10a - 10c and 11a - 11c located between the fixing elements 3a - 3c and 6a - 6c themselves and the starting points of the arms 10a - 10c and 11a - 11c is restricted, while the flexing of the portions of the annular flexible arms 10a - 10c and 11a - 11c located between the fixing elements 3a - 3c and 6a - 6c and the ends where the arms 10a - 10c and 11a - 11c have radial cuts is allowed.

[0049] Figure 5C An embodiment is shown in which the fixing elements 3a - 3c and 6a - 6c are located at the starting points of the respective channels 4a - 4c and 7a - 7c, i.e., at the following ends corresponding to the annular flexible arms 10a - 10c and 11a - 11c: the annular flexible arms 10a - 10c and 11a - 11c are connected to the outer ring 16 and the inner ring 17 of the spring 2 at these ends. Placing the fixing elements 3a - 3c and 6a - 6c at these points allows the maximum flexing of the arms 10a - 10c and 11a - 11c, and thus the elastic constant "K" of the damping device 1 is maximized.

[0050] In Figures 5A to 5C the three embodiments, the flexing ability of the damping device, i.e., its elastic constant "K", is determined by the elastic properties of the material for manufacturing the diaphragm spring, the number of annular flexible arms and their lengths (circumferential distance), widths (radial distance), and thicknesses (axial distance), as well as the positions of the fixing elements relative to their corresponding channels.

[0051] Figure 6A 、 Figure 6B and Figure 6CA perspective view, an exploded view, and a sectional side view of a vibration damping system 40 according to a particular embodiment of the present invention are shown respectively. It should be understood that Figures 6A to 6C The illustrated vibration damping system 40 may include additional components, and some of the components described herein may be removed and / or modified without departing from the scope of the vibration damping system 40.

[0052] The damping system 40 includes a damping device 1 such as the damping device shown in FIG. 1, a support member 41, and a shaft 43. The damping device 1 is coupled to the support member 41 by eight screws 42, and the shaft 43 is inserted into a central opening 15 of the diaphragm spring 2. The shaft 43 is a threaded screw that is inserted into the central opening from below and fixed to the central opening by a nut 44. Opposite ends of the shaft 43 are attached to a vibration generating or transmitting mass member (not shown). The support member 41 having a circular outer periphery has four flanges 45 in its side wall and corresponding to its lower edge. Thus, the support member is fixed to the surface to be vibration isolated (not shown) using screws, bolts, rods, studs, etc. From Figure 6A and Figure 6B As can be seen, the body of the support member 41 is a cylindrical portion having eight openings 46 into which the screws 42 are inserted, and the cylindrical portion has an outer flange 47 at its upper edge such that the diaphragm spring 2 is at least partially received within the support member 41. In this embodiment, the fixing elements 3a - 3c are connected to each other by an external adjustment ring 48, and the fixing elements 6a - 6c are connected to each other by an internal adjustment ring 49. These adjustment rings 48, 49 allow the three fixing elements associated with each annular flexible crown to move as a whole. In other embodiments, these rings 48, 49 may be connected to each other such that all the fixing elements of the damping device move as a whole.

[0053] Figure 7 A perspective view of a machine 50, particularly a compression device, is shown, which is fixed to the surface to be vibration isolated by inserting four damping systems 40, such as the damping system Figures 6A to 6C shown. In this embodiment, it is intended to prevent the vibrations generated during the operation of the compression device from being transmitted to the floor of the industrial facility. The shafts 43 of the four damping systems 40 are fixed to the respective legs by introducing the shafts 43 into corresponding openings in the respective legs of the compression device 50. For example, these shafts 43 may be threadedly connected or welded to the legs or fixed by bolts, etc.

[0054] Figure 8A and Figure 8B A perspective view and an exploded view of a vibration damping system 60 according to a particular embodiment of the present invention are shown, which includes a fixing mechanism for fixing the positions of the fixing elements 65a - 65d relative to the corresponding channels 62a - 62d. It should be understood that Figures 8A to 8BThe vibration damping system 60 shown may include additional components, and some of the components described herein may be removed and / or modified without departing from the scope of the vibration damping system 60.

[0055] In this embodiment, the vibration damping system 60 includes a diaphragm spring 61 such as Figure 3 the diaphragm spring shown, but the diaphragm spring 61 has four channels 62a - 62d and annular flexible arms 68a - 68d instead of three channels and annular flexible arms, and wherein the channels 62a - 62d have serrated outer edges 63a - 63d and elongated holes 64a - 64d corresponding to the starting points of the channels. Assuming that the fixing elements 65a - 65d are separate pieces that are also integrally connected to the adjusting ring 66 instead of a set of screws, bushings, and nuts, the elongated holes 64a - 64d also allow the fixing elements 65a - 65d to be removed and positioned relative to the corresponding channels 62a - 62d. These fixing elements 65a - 65d have an H-shaped axial cross-section and have protrusions (not shown) in their central recesses corresponding to the serrated outer edges 63a - 63d of the channels 62a - 62d, and the protrusions fit into the valleys of the outer edges 63a - 63d such that the fixing elements 65a - 65d are fixed therein. In this way, the operation of adjusting and fixing the position of the fixing elements 65a - 65d in the channels 62a - 62d is much faster than using other solutions.

[0056] Figure 8A and Figure 8B The vibration damping system 60 also shows a support 67, such as Figures 6A to 6C the support shown in, to which the diaphragm spring 61 is screwed, and the support 67 can be screwed onto the surface to be vibration-isolated.

Claims

1. A damping device with an adjustable spring constant, characterized in that, the damping device comprises: a diaphragm spring; and an adjustment system for adjusting the spring constant of the diaphragm spring, the adjustment system being coupled to the diaphragm spring; wherein, the diaphragm spring comprises: at least one circular flexible crown, the at least one circular flexible crown comprising at least two annular flexible arms; a continuous circular crown adjacent and concentric with the at least one circular flexible crown, the continuous circular crown being made of a continuous sheet of material; channels associated with each annular flexible arm of each circular flexible crown, wherein each channel is adjacent and concentric with the annular flexible arm along at least a portion of its length and is located at an edge of the at least one circular flexible crown opposite the continuous circular crown; and wherein, the adjustment system for adjusting the spring constant comprises a fixing element inserted into each of the channels and configured to move along the respective channel, thereby changing a flexed portion of the length of the annular flexible arm adjacent to the channel, and thus changing the spring constant of the damping device.

2. The damping device according to claim 1, wherein, each circular flexible crown is bounded at one of its edges by the continuous circular crown and at its other edge by a channel associated with each annular flexible arm of the circular flexible crown.

3. The damping device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, the width of the annular flexible arm corresponds to the width of the circular flexible crown and is defined between corresponding notches formed annularly in the diaphragm spring.

4. The damping device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, the diaphragm spring includes a continuous circular crown between every two circular flexible crowns.

5. The damping device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, the fixing element has an H-shaped longitudinal cross-section and is formed by a rod inserted into the channel and two stoppers coupled to respective ends of the rod, the stoppers having a width greater than the width of the channel.

6. The damping device according to claim 5, wherein, the fixing element is formed by a screw, a bushing and a nut.

7. The damping device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, the fixing elements of the channels associated with the annular flexible arms of the same circular flexible crown are connected to each other by an adjustment ring such that the adjustment ring is configured to rotate, thereby causing the same and synchronous annular movement of the fixing elements along the respective channels.

8. The damping device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, the channels and the corresponding fixing elements include a fixing mechanism for fixing the position of the fixing element relative to the channel.

9. The damping device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, the fixing element is configured to move along the length of its respective channel and is configured to be fixed manually or automatically in its respective channel.

10. The damping device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, the diaphragm spring includes a central opening for fixing a shaft, and the shaft can be coupled to a vibration generating and / or transmitting mass member.

11. The damping device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, the diaphragm spring has a disc shape.

12. The damping device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, the diaphragm spring includes a plurality of openings, and the diaphragm spring is fixed to a support member through the plurality of openings, and the support member can be coupled to a surface to be protected from vibration.

13. The damping device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, the diaphragm spring is made of an elastic material, preferably made of elastic steel.

14. A vibration damping system, comprising: the damping device according to any one of claims 1 to 13; a main support member to which the diaphragm spring is coupled, wherein the main support member can be coupled to a surface to be protected from vibration; and a shaft that is coupled to the diaphragm spring through a central opening of the diaphragm spring, wherein the shaft can be coupled to a vibration generating and / or transmitting mass member.

15. The vibration damping system according to claim 14, comprising at least one vibration sensor and a controller, the at least one vibration sensor being coupled to the shaft and configured to measure the amplitude of vibration transmitted from the vibration generating and / or transmitting mass member to the shaft, and the controller being configured to determine the position of the fixing element relative to the corresponding channel into which the fixing element is inserted based on the amplitude of vibration measured by the at least one vibration sensor.

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