Floating mass damper

Abstract

A floating mass damper designed for installation on a vehicle, comprising the following: a sleeve (10) having a first opening end (11) and a second opening end (12) opposite each other; two end elements (20) which are arranged at the first opening end (11) and at the second opening end (12) and each comprise the following: at least one end-section magnet element (23) arranged on the side of the corresponding end element (20) facing the interior of the sleeve (10); and a counterweight arrangement (30) which is movably arranged within the sleeve (10) and comprises at least the following: at least one counterweight magnetic element (31) which has a magnetically repulsive effect on the at least one end section magnetic element (23) of a respective end element (20).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a shock absorption device for bicycles and in particular to a floating mass damper which is able to adapt its damping effect depending on changing road conditions.

[0002] Conventional shock absorbers are damping devices that primarily work by compressing hydraulic oil with a piston to absorb larger shocks or impacts, such as those experienced when driving over potholes. However, these types of shock absorbers are ineffective at damping relatively small or high-frequency vibrations. Therefore, conventional shock absorbers often incorporate a damper to reduce vibrations. However, under high-frequency vehicle vibrations, the springs of both the shock absorber and the damper tend to be damaged, necessitating frequent replacement, which can be inconvenient.

[0003] The present invention provides a floating mass damper to solve the problem that conventional shock-absorbing devices cannot effectively improve vehicle stability.

[0004] To solve the above problem and to achieve the above advantageous effects, the present invention provides a suspended mass damper comprising: a sleeve, two end elements and a counterweight arrangement, wherein the sleeve has a first opening end and a second opening end opposite each other, the two end elements are each arranged at the first opening end and at the second opening end and each comprise at least one end section magnet element, each end section magnet element is arranged on the side of the respective end element facing the interior of the sleeve, the counterweight arrangement is movably arranged within the sleeve and comprises at least one counterweight magnet element, and the counterweight magnet element is magnetically repulsive to the end section magnet element of each respective end element.

[0005] Furthermore, in the case of the suspended mass damper, the counterweight arrangement comprises the following: a counterweight body; two counterweight receptacles formed on opposite sides of the counterweight body, the openings of the two counterweight receptacles each pointing towards the corresponding end elements; at least one counterweight magnet element, of which there are two, arranged in the corresponding counterweight receptacles; the two end elements, comprising: a first end element arranged at the first opening end of the sleeve, wherein one of the counterweight magnet elements is magnetically repulsive to the at least one end section magnet element of the first end element; and a second end element arranged at the second opening end of the sleeve, wherein the other counterweight magnet element is magnetically repulsive to the at least one end section magnet element of the second end element.

[0006] Furthermore, in the floating mass damper, the two end elements are movable and can be positioned and fixed in a plurality of positions within the sleeve.

[0007] Furthermore, in the case of the floating mass damper, the two end elements are screwed to the sleeve.

[0008] Furthermore, in the case of the suspended mass damper, the two end elements comprise the following: a first end element arranged at the first opening end of the sleeve; and a second end element arranged at the second opening end of the sleeve, comprising: a first segment projecting into the sleeve; and a second segment projecting out of the sleeve, wherein the outer diameter of the second segment is larger than the inner diameter of the sleeve and smaller than the outer diameter of the sleeve.

[0009] Furthermore, in the case of the suspended mass damper, the magnetic flux density of the at least one counterweight magnet element and the at least one end section magnet element is greater than 3000 Gauss.

[0010] Furthermore, in the case of the suspended mass damper, the weight of the counterweight arrangement is between 70 grams and 200 grams.

[0011] Furthermore, the suspended mass damper includes two sealing rings, with each sealing ring being arranged between the corresponding end element and the sleeve. Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view according to the present invention. Fig. Figure 2 shows an exploded view according to the present invention. Fig. Figure 3 shows a sectional view according to the present invention. Fig. Figure 4 shows a sectional view of the actuation according to the present invention. Fig. Figure 5 shows a schematic view of the adjustment of the two end elements according to the present invention. Fig. Figure 6 shows a side view of the present invention, mounted on a frame.

[0012] It will be directed to the Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. Reference is made to the invention. The floating mass damper according to the invention can be attached to a vehicle. In particular, in the present embodiment, the floating mass damper according to the invention can be combined with a shock absorber A to form a shock absorption device. The floating mass damper comprises a sleeve 10, two end elements 20, a counterweight arrangement 30, and preferably two sealing rings 40.

[0013] The sleeve 10 has a first opening end 11 and a second opening end 12 opposite each other. In the present embodiment, the sleeve 10 is designed as a hollow, elongated cylinder, with the two end elements 20 being arranged at the first opening end 11 and at the second opening end 12 respectively, the two end elements 20 preferably closing the first opening end 11 and the second opening end 12 respectively.

[0014] It will be directed to the Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. 6. In the present embodiment, the two end elements 20 are each a first end element 21 and a second end element 22. The first end element 21 is arranged at the first opening end 11 of the sleeve 10 and rests against the end surface of the sleeve 10. The first end element 21 has a first end section receptacle 211, the opening of which points towards the second opening end 12 of the sleeve 10.

[0015] The second end element 22 is arranged at the second opening end 12 of the sleeve 10 and has a second end section receptacle 221, a first segment 222, and a second segment 223. The opening of the second end section receptacle 221 points towards the first opening end 11 of the sleeve 10. The first segment 222 of the second end element 22 rests against the inner wall surface of the sleeve 10, i.e., the outer diameter of the first segment 222 corresponds to the inner diameter of the sleeve 10. The outer diameter of the second segment 223 of the second end element 22 is larger than the outer diameter of the first segment 222 and smaller than the outer diameter of the sleeve 10, with the second segment 223 being located outside the sleeve 10. In the present embodiment, the mass damper according to the invention, which is suspended, can be mounted on the frame B of a vehicle by means of the second segment 223 of the second end element 22. Fig. Reference is made to Section 5. In the present embodiment, the two end elements 20 are screwed to the sleeve 10; however, the present invention is not subject to any limitations in this respect. The two end elements 20 and the sleeve 10 can also be joined to each other by an interference fit.

[0016] Each end-section magnet element 23 is arranged on the side of the corresponding end element 20 facing the interior of the sleeve 10. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the two end-section magnet elements 23 are each arranged in the first end-section receptacle 211 of the first end element 21 and in the second end-section receptacle 221 of the second end element 22. In the present embodiment, each end-section magnet element 23 is located on the surface of the corresponding end element 20. In another embodiment, each end-section magnet element 23 need not be exposed on the surface of the corresponding end element 20, as long as a magnetic effect can be generated within the sleeve 10.

[0017] It will be directed to the Fig. Reference is made to sections 2 to 4. The counterweight assembly 30 is movably arranged within the sleeve 10 and comprises at least one counterweight magnet element 31. Preferably, the counterweight assembly 30 further comprises a counterweight body 32 and two counterweight receptacles 33. The counterweight magnet element 31 is movably arranged within the sleeve 10 and is magnetically repulsive to the end-section magnet elements 23 of the two end elements 20. In the present embodiment, the counterweight assembly 30 comprises two counterweight magnet elements 31. In another embodiment, however, the counterweight assembly 30 may also comprise only one counterweight magnet element 31, as long as it is magnetically repulsive to the adjacent end-section magnet element 23.

[0018] In the present embodiment, the counterweight body 32 is column-shaped, preferably cylindrical, and slides along the inner wall surface of the sleeve 10. The two counterweight receptacles 33 are formed on opposite sides of the counterweight body 32, with the openings of the two counterweight receptacles 33 each pointing towards the corresponding end elements 20. In the present embodiment, the two counterweight magnet elements 31 are each arranged in the corresponding counterweight receptacles 33 and each act magnetically repulsively with the corresponding end-section magnet elements 23 of the two end elements 20.Therefore, when the counterweight arrangement 30 moves towards the two ends of the sleeve 10, it tends to return to a central position inside the sleeve 10 (i.e., the distance to both ends of the sleeve 10 is the same) due to the repulsion between the like poles of a respective counterweight magnet element 31 and the corresponding end section magnet element 23.

[0019] It will be directed to the Fig.Reference is made to sections 2 to 5. The two end elements 20 are movably arranged in a plurality of positions within the sleeve 10. In the present embodiment, the two end elements 20 are screwed to the sleeve 10, and the distance between the respective end elements 20 and the counterweight assembly 30 can be adjusted by rotating the two end elements 20. In other words, the stroke of the counterweight assembly 30 can be adjusted by adjusting the distance between a respective counterweight magnet element 31 and the corresponding end section magnet element 23. Simultaneously, in the present embodiment, the magnetic flux density of a respective counterweight magnet element 31 and the corresponding end section magnet element 23 is greater than 3000 gauss, and the weight of the counterweight assembly 30 is between 70 grams and 200 grams, including 70 grams and 200 grams.However, the magnetic flux density of a respective counterweight magnet element and the corresponding end section magnet element 23, as well as the weight of the counterweight arrangement 30, are not limited to this, but can be adjusted accordingly depending on the user's operating conditions and the distance between a respective counterweight magnet element 31 and the corresponding end section magnet element 23.

[0020] A sealing ring 40 is arranged between the corresponding end element 20 and the sleeve 10 and serves to seal the interior of the sleeve 10. To ensure that the counterweight assembly 30 located inside the sleeve 10 is moved exclusively under the influence of the magnetic forces between a respective counterweight magnet element 31 and the corresponding end section magnet element 23, the interior of the sleeve 10 can be evacuated and sealed by means of the sealing rings 40. Alternatively, if the user adjusts the distance between a respective counterweight magnet element 31 and the corresponding end section magnet element 23 by screwing the two end elements 20 to the sleeve 10, the sealing rings 40 can be omitted and thread-locking adhesive used for sealing instead.When the vehicle is set into vibration by external forces, the movement of the counterweight assembly 30 of the suspended mass damper according to the invention is delayed due to its inertia. In other words, when the vehicle frame B moves upwards, the counterweight assembly 30 temporarily remains in its original position, namely in a lower position within the sleeve 10, due to inertia. In this state, the distance between each counterweight magnet element 31 and the corresponding end-section magnet element 23 arranged below it decreases, thereby increasing the magnetic repulsion force. As a result, the counterweight assembly 30 effectively exerts a downward force on the frame B, reducing the tendency of the frame B to move upwards and thus stabilizing the frame B.Subsequently, when frame B is moved downwards from its highest point, the counterweight arrangement 30 exerts a stabilizing effect on frame B again due to the magnetic repulsion between each counterweight magnet element 31 and the corresponding end-section magnet element 23, thereby achieving the goal of increasing the vehicle's stability during travel. In summary, the advantage of the present invention lies in the fact that the principle of magnetic repulsion between like-pole counterweight magnet elements 31 and end-section magnet elements 23 reduces the use of spring components, which contributes to a reduction in wear parts and simultaneously improves the vehicle's driving stability. Furthermore, even if the magnetic force of the counterweight magnet elements 31 and the end-section magnet elements 23 weakens, the magnetic force can be increased, which contributes to environmental friendliness and reusability. Reference symbol list A shock absorber B frame 10 sleeve 11 first opening end 12 second opening end 20 End element 21 first end element 211 first end section recording 22 second end element 221 second end section recording 222 first segment 223 second segment 23 End section magnet element 30 Counterweight arrangement 31 Counterweight magnetic element 32 counterweight bodies 33 Counterweight attachment 40 sealing rings

Claims

[1] Floating mass damper, designed for installation on a vehicle and comprising the following: a sleeve (10) having a first opening end (11) and a second opening end (12) opposite each other; two end elements (20) which are arranged at the first opening end (11) and at the second opening end (12) and each comprise the following: at least one end-section magnet element (23) arranged on the side of the corresponding end element (20) facing the interior of the sleeve (10); and a counterweight arrangement (30) which is movably arranged within the sleeve (10) and comprises at least the following: at least one counterweight magnetic element (31) which has a magnetically repulsive effect on the at least one end section magnetic element (23) of a respective end element (20). [2] Mass damper according to claim 1, wherein the counterweight arrangement (30) comprises: a counterweight body (32); two counterweight receptacles (33) formed on opposite sides of the counterweight body (32), the openings of the two counterweight receptacles (33) each pointing towards the corresponding end elements (20); at least one counterweight magnetic element (31), of which two are provided, which are arranged in the corresponding counterweight receptacles (33); the two end elements (20), comprising: a first end element (21) arranged at the first opening end (11) of the sleeve (10), wherein one of the counterweight magnet elements (31) is magnetically repulsive to the at least one end section magnet element (23) of the first end element (21); and a second end element (22) which is arranged at the second opening end (12) of the sleeve (10), wherein the other counterweight magnet element (31) has a magnetically repulsive effect with the at least one end section magnet element (23) of the second end element (22). [3] Mass damper according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the two end elements (20) are movable and can be positioned and fixed in a plurality of positions within the sleeve (10). [4] Mass damper according to claim 2, wherein the two end elements (20) are movable and can be positioned and fixed in a plurality of positions within the sleeve (10). [5] Mass damper according to claim 3, wherein the two end elements (20) are screwed to the sleeve (10). [6] r mass damper according to claim 4, wherein the two end elements (20) are screwed to the sleeve (10). [7] Mass damper according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the two end elements (20) comprise: a first end element (21) which is arranged at the first opening end (11) of the sleeve (10); and a second end element (22) which is arranged at the second opening end (12) of the sleeve (10) and has the following features: a first segment (222) that projects into the sleeve (10); and a second segment (223) extending from the sleeve (10), wherein the outer diameter of the second segment (223) is larger than the inner diameter of the sleeve (10) and smaller than the outer diameter of the sleeve (10). [8] Mass damper according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the magnetic flux density of the at least one counterweight magnet element (31) and of the at least one end section magnet element (23) of a respective end element (20) is greater than 3000 gauss. [9] Mass damper according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the weight of the counterweight arrangement (30) is between 70 grams and 200 grams. [10] Mass damper according to claim 2, wherein the weight of the counterweight arrangement (30) is between 70 grams and 200 grams. [11] Mass damper according to one of the preceding claims, comprising two sealing rings (40), wherein a respective sealing ring (40) is arranged between the corresponding end element (20) and the sleeve (10). [12] Mass damper according to claim 2, comprising two sealing rings (40), wherein each sealing ring (40) is arranged between the corresponding end element (20) and the sleeve (10).

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