Vibration isolation mechanism, vibration isolation unit used for same, and method for mounting vibration isolation unit in vibration isolation mechanism

Abstract

[Problem] The present invention addresses the technical problem of providing a novel vibration isolation mechanism and the like capable of exhibiting excellent vibration isolation effects against exciting forces from three axial directions X, Y, and Z even when an exact mass characteristic of a vibration-isolated object, which is an object to be isolated from vibration, is unknown. [Solution] A vibration isolation mechanism according to the present invention comprises: a load vibration isolator that supports a vibration-isolated object; and a vibration isolation unit that is provided in a connection section between a vibratory substrate and the vibration-isolated object. A vibration isolation element body of the vibration isolation unit includes: a vibration isolation block employing a viscoelastic material; a fixed base that is fixed to the vibration isolation block and is connected to the vibratory substrate; and a support bracket that is fixed to the vibration isolation block and is connected to the vibration-isolated object. An installation embodiment of the vibration isolation unit is characterized in that at least three vibration isolation units are disposed in an inclined manner so that an axial center line of the vibration isolation block is convergently directed onto a center-of-gravity line in a vertical direction passing through the center of gravity of the vibration-isolated object.

Description

Anti-vibration mechanism, anti-vibration unit used therein, and method for assembling the anti-vibration unit in the anti-vibration mechanism

[0001] The present invention relates to an anti-vibration mechanism suitable for mounting precision measuring equipment on civil engineering construction vehicles or the like in vibration environments, and to an anti-vibration unit used therein, as well as a method for assembling the anti-vibration unit in the anti-vibration mechanism.

[0002] With the advancement of autonomous driving and unmanned operation at dangerous construction sites, 3D measurement technologies using optical 3D point cloud sensing technology, such as LiDAR, are becoming more common. Among these technologies are work vehicles that perform tasks such as breaking rock, which can cause severe vibrations that can damage measuring equipment. In recent years, there has been a growing need to perform accurate 3D measurements while protecting the equipment from vibrations, even in such work environments. For example, there is a demand for the development of a lightweight, compact, and easy-to-assemble retrofit mount (retrofit vibration-isolation mount) that can be retrofitted to existing civil engineering vehicles and isolates them from triaxial excitation forces.

[0003] When designing a vibration-isolation mount, the following must be taken into consideration: (1) to lower the natural frequency of the system (to isolate vibrations) against the vibration frequency bands input from three axial directions, (2) to be able to mount the object to be isolated (body to be isolated) prepared by the customer as is or with minimal modification, (3) to demonstrate sufficient vibration isolation performance even if the exact mass properties of the body to be isolated are unknown, and, depending on the usage environment, (4) to be compact (especially keeping the height as low as possible so as not to interfere with optical measurement, (5) to have a small number of parts and be easy to assemble, (6) to eliminate protrusions as much as possible to prevent injury and to take measures such as covering bolt tips (pointed ends) with rubber caps, and (7) to protect vibration-isolation blocks made of materials such as gel from being damaged when hit by flying stones, etc. In particular, since it is often the case that the mass characteristics of the object to be isolated, such as the center of gravity and moment of inertia, are not known in advance, it is necessary to design a vibration isolation mechanism that does not cause unnecessary pitching or bouncing even if the center of gravity of the object to be isolated is located higher than expected. Furthermore, the target resonance frequency in each axial direction is 20 Hz or less, and it is necessary to devise a vibration isolation structure that maintains a certain level of vertical rigidity to support the load, but does not exhibit unnecessary rigidity against the exciting force.

[0004] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 53-96799 Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 55-132493

[0005] The present invention was made in consideration of the above-mentioned background, and the technical object of the present invention is to develop a vibration isolation method that can satisfy the above-mentioned given conditions, and in particular to provide a vibration isolation mechanism or the like that can exert an excellent vibration isolation effect against excitation forces in the three axial directions (X, Y, and Z) even if the exact mass characteristics of the object to be isolated are unknown.

[0006] That is, the vibration isolation mechanism described in claim 1 is a vibration isolation mechanism for mounting a body to be vibration-isolated on a vibrating base in a vibration environment while reducing and avoiding vibration, and this vibration isolation mechanism comprises a load vibration isolation body that supports the weight of the body to be vibration-isolated, and three or more vibration isolation units that are provided at the connection between the vibrating base and the body to be vibration-isolated, and the vibration isolation units are configured to include vibration isolation elements, and this vibration isolation element comprises a vibration isolation block made of a viscoelastic material, a fixed base that is fixedly attached to the vibration isolation block and has a connection function with the vibrating base, and a support bracket that is fixedly attached to the vibration isolation block and has a connection function with the body to be vibration-isolated, and the installation mode of the vibration isolation units is characterized in that at least three of the vibration isolation units are arranged at an angle so that the axial line of the vibration isolation block is convergently directed on a vertical center of gravity line that passes through the center of gravity of the body to be vibration-isolated.

[0007] Furthermore, the vibration-damping mechanism described in claim 2 is characterized in that, in addition to the requirements of claim 1, the vibration-damping element body is fixed so as to support the body to be damped in an initial load-zero state, in which the load of the body to be damped hardly acts on the vibration-damping block.

[0008] Furthermore, the vibration-damping mechanism described in claim 3 is characterized in that, in addition to the requirements of claim 1 or 2, in the mounting manner of the vibration-damping unit, the convergence position of the axial lines of each vibration-damping block is on a vertical center of gravity line passing through the center of gravity of the body to be damped.

[0009] Furthermore, the vibration-damping mechanism described in claim 4 is characterized in that, in addition to the requirements of claim 1 or 2, in the mounting manner of the vibration-damping unit, the convergence position of the axial core lines of each vibration-damping block is the center of gravity of the body to be damped.

[0010] Furthermore, the vibration-damping mechanism described in claim 5 is characterized in that, in addition to the requirements of claim 1 or 2, the vibration-damping unit has a semi-enclosure-shaped casing portion attached to a fixed base or support bracket, and the vibration-damping element body is stored within this casing portion.

[0011] Furthermore, the vibration-damping mechanism described in claim 6 is characterized in that, in addition to the requirements of claim 1 or 2, the vibration-damping blocks in the vibration-damping unit are constructed by combining a pair of identically specified blocks back to back, and both ends of the combined vibration-damping blocks are fixed to the vibrating base via fixed bases, while a protruding support bracket is provided in the middle of the back-to-back combined vibration-damping blocks, and the blocks are fixed to the object to be damped via this support bracket.

[0012] The vibration isolation mechanism described in claim 7 is a vibration isolation mechanism for mounting a body to be vibration-isolated on a vibrating base in a vibration environment while reducing and avoiding vibration, the vibration isolation mechanism comprising: a load vibration isolator that supports the weight of the body to be vibration-isolated; and three or more vibration isolation units provided at the connection between the vibrating base and the body to be vibration-isolated, the load vibration isolator supports the body to be vibration-isolated from below, and the vibration isolation units comprise a semi-housing-shaped casing portion provided on the vibrating base side, and a vibration isolation element body provided within the casing portion so that its installation position can be freely adjusted, the vibration isolation element body having both axial ends of a vibration isolation block constituting the vibration isolation element fixed within the casing portion and supporting the body to be vibration-isolated on a support bracket provided in a protruding manner from an axial middle portion, Furthermore, when supporting this vibration-damped body, the load-damping body supports the weight of the body, so that the load of the body to be damped hardly acts on the vibration-damping blocks of the vibration-damping element body, and the body to be damped is supported in an initial load-zero state.

[0013] Furthermore, the vibration isolation mechanism described in claim 8 is characterized in that, in addition to the requirements of claim 7, the object to be isolated is a three-dimensional laser measurement sensor, and the vibration base is a self-propelled work vehicle or a base that is directly attached to the work vehicle.

[0014] Furthermore, the vibration isolation unit for use in a vibration isolation mechanism according to claim 9 is a vibration isolation unit applied to a vibration isolation mechanism for mounting an object to be vibration-isolated while reducing and avoiding vibrations on a vibrating base body in a vibration environment, and this vibration isolation unit comprises a vibration isolation element body, which is constituted by a vibration isolation block made of a viscoelastic material, and is characterized in that it comprises fixed bases provided at both axial ends of the vibration isolation block, and a support bracket provided in a protruding shape from the axial middle part of the vibration isolation block.

[0015] Furthermore, the vibration isolation unit used in the vibration isolation mechanism described in claim 10 is characterized in that, in addition to the requirements described in claim 9, the vibration base is provided with a casing portion formed in a semi-casing shape, and a vibration isolation element body is provided within this casing portion whose installation position can be freely adjusted.

[0016] Furthermore, the vibration isolation unit used in the vibration isolation mechanism described in claim 11, in addition to the requirements described in claim 9 or 10, is characterized in that the vibration isolation blocks in the vibration isolation element are constructed by combining pairs of identical specifications back to back, and are fixed to the vibrating base via fixed bases at both axial ends of the back-to-back combined vibration isolation blocks, while a protruding support bracket is provided at the middle part of the back-to-back combined vibration isolation blocks, and the blocks are fixed to the body to be vibration-isolated via this support bracket.

[0017] A method for assembling a vibration-isolating unit in a vibration-isolating mechanism according to claim 12 is a method for assembling a vibration-isolating unit in a vibration-isolating mechanism for mounting a body to be vibration-isolated on a vibrating base in a vibration environment while reducing and avoiding vibration, wherein the vibration-isolating mechanism to which this method is applied comprises a load vibration-isolating body that supports the weight of the body to be vibration-isolated, and three or more vibration-isolating units provided at the connection between the vibrating base and the body to be vibration-isolated, and the load vibration-isolating body supports the body to be vibration-isolated from below, while the vibration-isolating unit comprises a semi-housing-shaped casing portion provided on the vibrating base, and a vibration-isolating element body that is provided within the casing portion so that its installation position can be freely adjusted, and the vibration-isolating element body has both axial ends of a vibration-isolating block that constitutes the vibration-isolating element fixed within the casing portion, and supports the body to be vibration-isolated on support brackets that are provided to protrude from the axial middle portion, Furthermore, when the vibration-isolating unit is fixed to the object to be damped, the load-isolating body supports the weight of the object to be damped, so that the load of the object to be damped hardly acts on the vibration-isolating blocks of the vibration-isolating element body, and the vibration-isolating unit is fixed in a state of zero initial load.The above-mentioned problems are solved by the configurations described in each of the claims.

[0018] First, according to the inventions of claims 1, 3, 4, 7, and 12, because the system is equipped with a load-type vibration isolator and a vibration isolating unit, even if the exact mass characteristics of the object to be vibration-isolated, or even if the exciting force is unknown, it is possible to lower the natural frequency of the system including the vibration isolating mechanism and minimize the resonance response magnification for the vibration frequency bands input from three axial directions. In other words, vibration in the up and down direction can be isolated by the load-type vibration isolator and the vibration isolating unit, and vibration in other directions can be isolated by the vibration isolating unit, thereby achieving excellent vibration isolation effects.

[0019] Furthermore, according to the inventions described in claims 2, 7, and 12, the vibration-damping element body is provided in an initial load-free state, in which the load of the vibration-damping object acts almost unaffected on the vibration-damping block, and therefore excellent vibration-damping effects can be achieved over a wide vibration frequency range.

[0020] Furthermore, according to the inventions described in claims 5, 7, 10 and 11, the vibration-damping element is arranged to be stored within a semi-enclosed (semi-closed) casing portion, so that even if flying stones or the like are generated during rock drilling work, for example, damage to the vibration-damping element (vibration-damping block) can be prevented.

[0021] Furthermore, according to the inventions of claims 6, 9, and 11, the vibration isolation mechanism can be made compact, and in particular, the height can be kept as low as possible. This increases the applicability of the vibration isolation mechanism to various devices (equipment) that vibrate, and enables measurements without interfering with the laser light.

[0022] Furthermore, according to the invention described in claim 8, in a configuration in which a three-dimensional laser measurement sensor is attached as a vibration-damped body to a self-propelled work vehicle (vibration base) that vibrates, the vibration transmitted from the vehicle to the three-dimensional laser measurement sensor can be suppressed as much as possible, enabling precise three-dimensional measurements to be performed.

[0023]

[0023] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram (a) showing an example of a civil engineering construction vehicle (excavator) equipped with precision measuring equipment to which the vibration isolation unit and vibration isolation mechanism of the present invention are applied, and a perspective view (b) showing an example configuration in which the vibration isolation unit and vibration isolation mechanism are provided at the connection between a vibrating base and a body to be vibration-isolated (object to be vibration-isolated). Figure 2 is a plan view (a) of the same, and an enlarged explanatory view (b) of the vibration isolation unit as viewed from the side. Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the vibration isolation mechanism. Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram (a) showing schematically how the axial lines of at least three vibration isolation units (vibration isolation elements) converge to the center of gravity of the body to be vibration-isolated, and an explanatory view (b) showing how the axial lines are directed in a converging manner on the center of gravity. 1A is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example in which a fixed base, support bracket, and vibration-damped body are covered by a box-shaped housing that covers the vibrating base, and the vibration-damped body is suspended from the inside of the top of the housing by a hanging spring, and FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example in which the same hanging structure is used, but the vibration-damped body is upside down, so to speak, and is attached in an upside-down manner. 1A is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a vibration-damping unit in a basic embodiment, i.e., a casing portion is formed on the upper part of a fixed base that is fixed to the vibrating base side, and a vibration-damped element is housed inside this, and FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram showing a modified example in which a casing portion is formed on the lower part of a support bracket that is fixed to the vibrating base side, and a vibration-damped element is housed inside this. 1C is an explanatory diagram showing two modified examples in which the vibration-damped element is constructed from a single vibration-damping block piece.

[0024] The embodiments for carrying out the present invention are the preferred examples described below, and also include various modifications based on this technical concept.

[0025] The following provides a specific description of the vibration isolation mechanism 1 of the present invention, the vibration isolation unit 5 used therein, and a method for mounting the vibration isolation unit in the vibration isolation mechanism. First, as shown in Figures 1 to 3 as an example, the vibration isolation mechanism 1 is a mechanism for mounting a vibration-isolated object 3, which is an object to be vibration-isolated, on a vibrating base 2 in a vibration environment while reducing or avoiding vibration. This vibration isolation mechanism 1 includes a load vibration isolator 4 that supports the weight of the object to be vibration-isolated 3, and three or more vibration isolation units 5 provided at the connection between the vibrating base 2 and the object to be vibration-isolated 3. The vibration isolation unit 5 includes a vibration isolation element 6 (see Figure 2(b)). This vibration isolation element 6 minimizes vibrations that may be transmitted from the vibrating base 2 to the object to be vibration-isolated 3, and includes a vibration isolation block 60 made of a viscoelastic material such as a gel material. The vibration-isolating elements 6 (vibration-isolating blocks 60) are provided at the connection between the vibrating base 2 and the body to be vibration-isolated 3, and include a fixed base 7 and support brackets 8, which will be described later, with the fixed base 7 functioning to attach the vibration-isolating blocks 60 to the vibrating base 2 side, and the support brackets 8 functioning to attach the vibration-isolating blocks 60 to the body to be vibration-isolated 3 side. As shown in Figure 4, one example of the manner in which the vibration-isolating units 5 (vibration-isolating elements 6) are attached is that the axial lines L of at least three vibration-isolating elements 6 are arranged at an angle so as to converge onto a vertical center-of-gravity line GH that passes through the center of gravity G of the body to be vibration-isolated 3.

[0026] Each component will be described in detail below. The vibrating base 2 is a component that is inevitably subjected to external vibrations or that vibrates itself. For example, it may be a component that is fixedly mounted while vibrating, a component that is directly attached to a vibrating machine or vehicle, such as an excavator A, and vibrates as a result of the work environment. The vibration-damped body 3 is mounted on the vibrating base 2 in a manner that allows it to attenuate and insulate vibrations. The vibrating base 2 includes a mount base 21 at an appropriate position. The vibration-damped body 3 may be a measuring device that utilizes optical three-dimensional light point cloud sensing technology, such as LiDAR. This device is supported on a base plate 32 and includes a sensor probe 33, which senses the condition of the workpiece, such as the edge of a rock mass in tunnel construction (see FIG. 1( a)). The vibration-damping mechanism 1 of the present invention is used to protect the vibration-damped body 3 from the vibration environment.

[0027] The vibration isolation mechanism 1 first includes a load vibration isolator 4, which supports the weight of the vibration-isolating object 3 and contributes to vibration isolation in the load direction, and is disposed between the vibrating base 2 and the vibration-isolating object 3. The load vibration isolator 4 includes a vibration-isolating block 41 as the actual component for attenuating and isolating vibration. The load vibration isolator 4 is made of an appropriate material, such as a rubber block or a rubber block with a built-in spring, or a block made of a viscoelastic material. Of course, a vibration-isolating member can be obtained by combining various materials, regardless of whether they are the same or different, and this can be appropriately selected depending on the vibration isolation requirements. The shape and dimensions of the vibration-isolating block 41 can also be appropriately selected depending on the vibration isolation requirements. In this embodiment, the load vibration isolator 4 is, for example, a truncated cone-shaped vibration isolating block 41, as shown in FIG. 1 . This vibration-isolating block 41 is equipped with fixing members on the top and bottom. Specifically, a fixing flange 42 is provided on the bottom (the bottom surface side of the truncated cone shape), while a top bolt 44 is provided on the top (the top surface side of the truncated cone shape) via a top washer 43, and a nut 45 is screwed onto this top bolt 44 to fix it. Note that in the above explanation, the distinction between "top" and "bottom" refers to the side where the vibration base 2 is provided as "bottom" and the side where the vibration-isolating body 3 is provided as "top", but this is merely a distinction made for the sake of convenience in the embodiments (basic configuration examples) of Figures 1 to 3 above. In other words, in actual installation, the entire device including the vibration base 2 and the vibration-isolating body 3 may be installed upside down compared to the basic configuration example (see Figure 5(b)).

[0028] The load vibration isolators 4 are appropriately fixed and installed on the mount base 21 of the vibrating base 2, and as an example, since the base plate 32 of the body to be vibration-damped 3 is rectangular in plan view, the load vibration isolators 4 are provided in four places. When fixing the load vibration isolators 4, the fixing flange 42 side is fixed to the mount base 21 appropriately with bolts and nuts, and the top bolt 44 side is fixed by tightening a nut 45 onto the bolt part that passes through the base plate 32 of the body to be vibration-damped 3 (fixing via a top washer 43).

[0029] In addition to the load-type vibration isolator 4, the vibration-damping mechanism 1 of the present invention further includes a vibration-damping unit 5 that contributes to vibration damping in the load direction and in other directions, as described above. The vibration-damping unit 5 includes a vibration-damping element 6 as a constituent member, and the vibration-damping element 6 includes a vibration-damping block 60 that essentially performs the vibration-damping function. The vibration-damping block 60 can be appropriately set to a known shape such as a columnar, truncated cone, or barrel shape depending on the vibration-damping conditions. In this embodiment, the bottom surfaces (those with the larger circular surfaces) of vibration-damping block pieces 60p that are truncated cones and formed with the same specifications (same shape, same vibration-damping properties, and same material) are combined back to back, and the overall shape after being combined back to back is what could be called a barrel shape (see FIG. 2(b)). Here, in a configuration in which two vibration-damping blocks 60 are combined back to back, each vibration-damping block 60 is made of an appropriate vibration-damping material, such as a rubber block or a rubber block with a built-in spring (a so-called Eligo structure), or a block material made of a viscoelastic material, and is selected appropriately depending on the vibration-damping conditions.

[0030] Each truncated cone-shaped vibration-damping block piece 60p has a truncated top end plate 61 on the top side (the side that forms the small circle in the truncated cone shape). On the other hand, a truncated bottom end plate 62, which has an elliptical or diamond-like shape in plan view, is provided on the bottom side (the back-to-back side that forms the large circle in the truncated cone shape). Note that the truncated top end plate 61 is provided with stud bolts 61b that protrude outward in the axial direction of the vibration-damping block piece 60p. When viewed as vibration-damping blocks 60 arranged back-to-back, the stud bolts 61b protrude diagonally upward and diagonally downward, and are arranged coaxially.

[0031] Incidentally, it is preferable to provide a rubber cap CA, for example, on all exposed bolt heads, including the stud bolt 61b, to prevent the sharp tip of the bolt from being exposed. Each base end plate 62 is provided with a bolt hole 62h. Because the base end plate 62 is elliptical or roughly diamond-shaped in plan view, the bolt holes 62h are provided at two locations on both ends of the plate's long axis, which is elongated in plan view. Reference numerals 62b and 62n in the figure designate bolts and nuts used to attach the base end plate 62 to the block fixing portion 81 of the support bracket 8.

[0032] Such vibration-isolating block 60 is fixed to the mount base 21 of the vibrating base 2 and the base plate 32 of the body to be vibration-isolated 3 by means of a fixed base 7 and a support bracket 8. First, the fixed base 7 for attaching the vibration-isolating block 60 to the vibrating base 2 will be described. As shown in Figure 2(b) above, for example, the fixed base 7 comprises a base fixing portion 71 formed along the mount base 21 of the vibrating base 2, a lower block fixing portion 72 bent at a somewhat acute angle so as to be continuous with the base fixing portion 71 and formed in an inclined shape, and an upper block fixing portion 73 above the lower block fixing portion 72, which is generally parallel to the lower block fixing portion 72 and maintains a fixed distance therebetween so as to be able to hold the vibration-isolating element 6 therebetween, and these two block fixing portions (lower block fixing portion 72 and upper block fixing portion 73) are continuously formed by a connecting portion 74. That is, the lower block fixing portion 72 and the upper block fixing portion 73 are formed so as to bend each other at approximately 90 degrees with respect to the connecting portion 74, and the lower block fixing portion 72, connecting portion 74, and upper block fixing portion 73 are formed so as to have a U-shape in cross section, and the vibration-damping element 6 is provided so as to be housed inside the U-shaped space (casing portion C described below). More specifically, the fixed base 7 in this embodiment is formed such that the base body fixing portion 71, lower block fixing portion 72, connecting portion 74, and upper block fixing portion 73 are formed using the same plate-shaped material having a fixed width as the starting material, and is formed by bending this plate-shaped material (starting material) multiple times (so-called integral formation).

[0033] For mounting purposes, the fixed base 7 has a base mounting slit 71s formed in the base fixing portion 71 so as to extend continuously across the widthwise center (see FIG. 1). This base mounting slit 71s has the same width and extends continuously to the middle of the lower block fixing portion 72, and this slit formed in the lower block fixing portion 72 is referred to as the lower block mounting slit 72s. In other words, the base mounting slit 71s and the lower block mounting slit 72s are formed as a continuous slit, appearing as a single, continuous slit. Furthermore, an upper block mounting slit 73s is formed in the upper block fixing portion 73 over a certain range, from the free end (lower portion) to the middle of its upper portion (see FIGS. 1 and 3). The vibration-damping unit 5 (vibration-damping element 6) is attached to such a fixed base 7. During attachment, the stud bolts 61b formed to protrude diagonally above and below the vibration-damping element 6 (vibration-damping block 60) are inserted into the lower block mounting slits 72s and the upper block mounting slits 73s, and the nut 63 is then tightened to fix the vibration-damping element 6 to the fixed base 7.

[0034] In this fixed state, the vibration-isolating blocks 60 of the vibration-isolating element body 6 are installed in a state surrounded by the lower block fixing parts 72, the upper block fixing parts 73, and the connecting parts 74, as described above, and side panel parts 75 are further provided to close the side edges of this surrounded space. Therefore, the surrounded space is formed as a semi-enclosed (semi-housing) casing with only the bottom part open, and this part is referred to as the casing part C. The reason that the bottom of the casing part C is open (open state) and the casing part C is formed in a semi-enclosed shape is because the opening is used to pass the support bracket 8 up to the top of the body to be vibration-damped 3, connecting the vibration-isolating blocks 60 in the casing part C to the base plate 32 of the body to be vibration-damped 3. In this embodiment, the vibration-isolating blocks 60 of the vibration-isolating element 6 are held in a manner that allows them to be housed within the casing C formed by the fixed base 7, in order to prevent damage to the vibration-isolating element 6 (vibration-isolating blocks 60) from flying stones during excavation work, for example. The side panel 75 may be provided with an inspection notch 75a so that the condition of the vibration-isolating blocks 60 housed within the casing C can be easily observed, or the side panel 75 may be made of a transparent material.

[0035] Next, we will explain the support bracket 8 for connecting the vibration-isolating element body 6 in the vibration-isolating unit 5 to the body to be vibration-damped 3. Because the vibration-isolating blocks 60 are arranged back-to-back with their base sides (the bottom sides that form the large circle in the truncated cone shape), the support bracket 8 is equipped with a block fixing part 81 that is sandwiched between two base-side end plates 62 that are provided on the base side, and a body to be vibration-damped fixing part 82 that bends from this in a V-shape in cross section and is fixed to match the angle of the base plate 32 in the body to be vibration-damped 3 (see Figures 2(b) and 3). Specifically, since the base end plates 62 of each vibration-isolating block piece 60p of the vibration-isolating block 60 are elliptical or approximately diamond-shaped, the block fixing portion 81 of the support bracket 8 is fixed by tightening bolts 62b and nuts 62n into a total of four elongated bolt holes 81h while balancing by offsetting the bolt holes 62h of the upper and lower plates of the two base end plates 62. Meanwhile, the vibration-damped body fixing portion 82 is fixed to the base plate 32 of the vibration-damped body 3 with bolts 82b or the like. Note that the bolt holes 82h of the vibration-damped body fixing portion 82 are also preferably formed in an elongated hole shape, which allows the mounting position of the vibration-damped body fixing portion 82 (support bracket 8) relative to the base plate 32 of the vibration-damped body 3 to be appropriately adjusted. In addition, in this embodiment, it is preferable that the block fixing portion 81 of the support bracket 8 has a temporary fixing slit (not shown) in the center of its width, which makes it easier to fine-tune the mounting position of the vibration-damping block 60 of the vibration-damping element body 6 described later, and allows final positioning during setting to be done precisely and reliably.

[0036] As shown in Figure 4, one example of the mounting configuration of the vibration isolation unit 5 (vibration isolation elements 6) is that at least three vibration isolation elements 6 are tilted so that their axial lines L converge on a vertical center of gravity line GH that passes through the center of gravity G of the body to be vibration-damped 3, and the vibrating base 2 and the body to be vibration-damped 3 are connected in this state. By tilting the vibration isolation elements 6 of the vibration isolation unit 5 as described above, they exhibit vibration-damping properties against vibrations input from three axial directions: the load direction and other directions. Furthermore, even if the center of gravity position and mass characteristics such as the moment of inertia of the body to be vibration-damped 3 are not known in advance, adjusting the angle of the tilt arrangement according to the center of gravity G of the body to be vibration-damped 3 makes it possible to achieve vibration isolation without causing unnecessary pitching or bouncing or excessive shear deformation of the load vibration isolators 4, even if the center of gravity position is higher than expected. In particular, by installing the vibration isolation units 5 at the four corners of the vibration isolation mechanism 1, the number of vibration isolation materials required to absorb three-dimensional vibration forces can be reduced, making assembly easier (improving ease of assembly).

[0037] The vibration-damping mechanism 1 of the present invention has the basic structure described above, and by having the load vibration-damping body 4 and the vibration-damping unit 5 arranged at an angle work together, vibrations in the load direction, in which the weight of the body to be damped 3 acts, can be damped by the load vibration-damping body 4 and the vibration-damping unit 5, and vibrations in other directions can be damped by the vibration-damping unit 5.Even in cases where the exact mass characteristics of the body to be damped 3, which is the object to be damped, are unknown, or the excitation force is unknown, the natural frequency of the system including the vibration-damping mechanism 1 can be lowered for the vibration frequency bands input from three axial directions, and the resonance response magnification can be reduced, thereby providing an excellent vibration-damping effect.

[0038] Below, we will explain how to assemble the vibration-damping unit 5 used in this vibration-damping mechanism 1. Here, the vibration-damping element 6 and the support bracket 8 are attached in advance with bolts and nuts, etc., and are in an integrated, temporary assembled state. That is, the vibration-damping element 6 has vibration-damping block pieces 60p arranged back to back, and the block fixing portion 81 of the support bracket 8 is sandwiched between these opposing vibration-damping block pieces 60p (base bottom end surface plates 62).

[0039] (I-1) Mounting of the vibrating base 2 and the body to be vibration-damped 3 using the load vibration isolator 4 First, the body to be vibration-damped 3 is mounted on the vibrating base 2 using the load vibration isolator 4. Here, the load vibration isolator 4 appropriately supports the body to be vibration-damped 3 in a buffering manner relative to the vibrating base 2 by utilizing the elasticity of the vibration-damping blocks 41. Note that this mounting operation itself involves attaching the fixing flange 42 to the vibrating base 2, and then screwing appropriate bolts or the like into female threads formed in the mount base 21 of the vibrating base 2 to secure the body to the vibration damping. Meanwhile, to mount the load vibration isolator 4 and the body to be vibration-damped 3, the top bolt 44 of the load vibration isolator 4 is inserted into a bolt hole 32h formed in the base plate 32 of the body to be vibration-damped 3 in an internally fitted state, and then a nut 45 or the like is screwed onto the top bolt 44 protruding from the base plate 32 to secure the body to the vibration damping (see FIG. 6( a)). Since the setting of the fixed position of the load vibration isolator 4 itself does not require any special position setting, it is simply fixed in the specified position by tightening bolts and nuts, etc., and this tightening state can be in a fully tightened state.

[0040] (I-2) Attaching the vibration-isolating unit 5 (1) (Temporarily fixing the vibration-isolating element body 6 to the fixed base 7) Next, the vibration-isolating unit 5 is attached to the vibrating base 2 and the body to be vibration-isolated 3 that have been attached in an integrated state as described above. To do this, the vibration-isolating element body 6 is first temporarily fixed in a semi-fixed state to the fixed base 7. As described above, the vibration-isolating block 60 in the vibration-isolating element body 6 is temporarily assembled in such a state that the block fixing portion 81 of the support bracket 8 is sandwiched between each vibration-isolating block piece 60p (end surface plate 62 on the base bottom side). Then, the stud bolt 61b protruding downward in this vibration-damping element 6 (downward in the assembled state of the basic embodiment) is inserted into the lower block mounting slit 72s of the lower block fixing portion 72 of the fixed base 7, and the stud bolt 61b protruding upward in the vibration-damping element 6 (upward in the assembled state) is inserted into the upper block mounting slit 73s of the upper block fixing portion 73 of the fixed base 7, and appropriate nuts 63 or the like are screwed onto both stud bolts 61b to temporarily secure the vibration-damping element 6 to the fixed base 7 (see Figures 1(b) and 3).

[0041] (I-3) Attaching the Vibration-Isolating Unit 5 (2) As such, four vibration-isolating units 5, each with the vibration-isolating element 6 temporarily fixed to the fixed base 7, are provided, for example, and are fixed to the connection between the vibrating base 2 and the body to be vibration-damped 3. (i) Attaching the Support Bracket 8 to the Body to be Vibrated 3 To do this, for example, first, the support bracket 8, which is integrated with the vibration-isolating element 6, is attached to the body to be vibration-damped 3. At this time, the body to be vibration-damped 3 has already been installed in a state in which it is raised (floating) by a certain distance from the vibrating base 2 due to the action of the load vibration isolator 4, so the body to be vibration-damped fixing portion 82 of the support bracket 8 is positioned so as to contact the upper end surface of the base plate 32 of the body to be vibration-damped 3, and the support bracket 8 is temporarily fixed to the body to be vibration-damped 3.

[0042] (ii) Attaching the fixed base 7 to the vibration base 2 In addition, in conjunction with this work, it is preferable to temporarily fix the fixed base 7 to the vibration base 2 with bolts and nuts or the like using the base attachment slits 71s of the fixed base 7, and then adjust the positioning and then finally fix it. Note that the above steps (i) and (ii) can be reversed. Then, by this attachment work (temporary fixing work), the vibration isolation unit 5 is temporarily fixed to the connection part between the vibration base 2 and the vibration-isolated body 3.

[0043] (iii) Adjustment 1 (position adjustment) of vibration-isolating elements 6 Then, adjustment (position adjustment) of the vibration-isolating elements 6 is performed. At this time, the position (posture) of the vibration-isolating elements 6 is adjusted so that at least three of the axial lines L (for example, L1, L2, L3, and L4) of the four inclined vibration-isolating elements 6 (stud bolts 61b) converge toward the center of gravity G of the object to be damped 3, as shown in Figure 4(a) as an example. Of course, the position at which the three axial lines L converge does not necessarily have to coincide with the center of gravity G, and they may converge to a single point on the center of gravity line GH, which is a vertical line passing through the center of gravity G. Furthermore, even if the three axial lines L do not converge at a single point on the center of gravity line GH, as long as the three axial lines L converge near a single point on the center of gravity line GH (see, for example, FIG. 4(b)) and can fully exhibit practical vibration-damping function, such a configuration is also encompassed by the present invention, and this specification includes such a configuration as "(each axial line L) directed convergingly on the center of gravity line GH." Furthermore, for example, it is possible that one or more of the three axial lines L do not strictly intersect with the center of gravity line GH (a so-called "twisted position"), and even in such a case, as long as the desired vibration-absorbing performance can be exhibited, this case is also encompassed by the state of "(each axial line L) directed convergingly on the center of gravity line GH."

[0044] (iv) Adjustment 2 of the Vibration-Isolating Element 6 (Final Adjustment) Furthermore, from the viewpoint of achieving excellent vibration-isolating effects over a wide vibration frequency range, it is preferable that the vibration-isolating element 6 is finally fixed in a state in which the load of the object to be vibration-isolated 3 hardly acts on the vibration-isolating block 60, that is, in a state where the initial load is as close to zero as possible. In other words, the vibration-isolating block 60 is fixed in a state in which it holds the object to be vibration-isolated 3 in a balanced floating state (static assembly state) in which the load of the object to be vibration-isolated 3 is eliminated as much as possible. The work of setting this state is essentially performed by utilizing various slits, such as the lower block mounting slit 72s and the upper block mounting slit 73s, which allow the installation positions of the vibration-isolating unit 5 and the vibration-isolating block 60 relative to the fixed base 7 to be freely adjusted. In particular, the installation position of the vibration-isolating element 6 that performs the vibration-isolating function is selected, and a position that minimizes the load on the vibration-isolating object 3 is selected. Once the position is determined, the vibration-isolating element 6, the fixed base 7, and the support bracket 8 are finally fixed (retightened). Fixing the vibration-isolating unit 5 with the initial load on the vibration-isolating object 3 as close to zero as possible enables vibration isolation over a wider vibration frequency range. The specific range in which the initial load must be as close to zero as possible is described below. The thickness of the vibration-isolating element 6 in the axial direction of tensile and compressive deformation in an unloaded state is taken as a reference value, and the deformation amount at the time of installation is within a range of ±10%. This is referred to in the claims as a "zero initial load state." Here, a positive (+) deformation amount indicates tensile deformation, and a negative (-) deformation amount indicates compressive deformation.

[0045] In the vibration isolation mechanism 1 constructed as described above, even in situations where the vibrating base 2 is in an environment of extremely strong vibration, the load due to the weight of the body to be vibration-insulated 3 itself is absorbed by the load vibration isolators 4 in a buffering manner, and the vibration elements that cannot be absorbed by the load vibration isolators 4 are absorbed by the viscoelastic deformation of the vibration isolation blocks 60 of the vibration isolation unit 5, resulting in the greatest possible suppression of vibrations occurring in the body to be vibration-insulated 3. In particular, this effect is achieved by configuring at least three of the axial lines L of the multiple vibration-insulating elements 6 to be convergently oriented on the center of gravity G of the body to be vibration-insulated 3 or on the center of gravity line GH that passes through the center of gravity G, so that the body to be vibration-insulated 3 can be stably supported in a state with excellent vibration isolation or vibration prevention properties.

[0046] Other Embodiments The present invention is based on the basic technical concept of the above-described embodiments, but can be further modified as follows. First, in the basic embodiment described above, since the vibrating base 2 and the object to be vibration-damped 3 have a rectangular shape in plan view, the vibration-damping units 5 are basically disposed at the four corners. That is, in the basic embodiment, four vibration-damping units 5 are provided, in other words, four axial lines L are provided. However, three or more vibration-damping units 5 may be provided, and the number may be five or more depending on the size, weight, or vibration-damping characteristics of the object to be vibration-damped 3. Note that when four or more vibration-damping units 5 are provided, it is sufficient that the axial lines L of at least three of them (the axial lines L of the vibration-damping element bodies 6 (vibration-damping blocks 60)) are obliquely disposed so as to converge on the vertical center of gravity line GH passing through the center of gravity G of the object to be vibration-damped 3. Furthermore, the vibration isolation performance and inclination angle of the vibration isolation element body 6 may be different for each vibration isolation unit 5 depending on the shape of the object to be vibration-isolated 3, the center of gravity G, the load balance, and the like.

[0047] Furthermore, in the basic embodiment described above as an overall configuration, when the body to be vibration-damped 3 is supported by the load vibration-isolating body 4, the load vibration-isolating body 4 is attached in a state in which the body to be vibration-damped 3 is supported from below by the vibrating base 2, but as shown in Fig. 5(a), for example, a configuration in which the fixed base 7, support bracket 8, body to be vibration-damped 3, etc. are covered by a box-shaped housing B that covers the vibrating base 2, and the load vibration-isolating body 4 is provided so that the body to be vibration-damped 3 is suspended from the inside of the top of this housing B (a so-called ceiling-suspended type) can also be used, in which a hanging spring type load vibration-isolating body 4 can be applied. Furthermore, even if the load vibration-isolating body 4 is of the same hanging type, it can also be installed in an upside-down state, as shown in Fig. 5(b), for example. In addition, when a box-shaped housing B is provided to cover the vibration base 2 as described above and the vibration-damped body 3 and the like are housed within the housing B, a buffer material K having cushioning properties may be further provided between the vibration base 2 and the housing B, as also shown in Figure 5(b) above.

[0048] Furthermore, when mounting the vibration-damped body 3 in a static assembly state, the four load vibration-damping bodies 4 may be replaced by an airbag-type air suspension, a torsion bar, or a flat barrel-shaped leaf spring.

[0049] In the basic embodiment described above, as an example, as shown in Figure 6(a), the upper part of the fixed base 7 (the side facing the body to be vibration-damped 3) is bent into a U-shape in cross section, and both sides are closed with side panel parts 75 to form a casing part C, and the vibration-damping block 60 is housed in this casing part C. However, as shown in Figure 6(b), for example, it is also possible to bend the lower part of the support bracket 8 (the side facing the vibrating substrate 2) into a U-shape in cross section, and form a casing part C similar to the above here, and house the vibration-damping block 60 in this casing part C. In other words, the configuration example of Figure 6(b) is one in which the casing part C is formed integrally with the support bracket 8.

[0050] In the basic embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. 6( a), the vibration-isolating block 60 is provided with two back-to-back vibration-isolating block pieces 60p, and the block fixing portion 81 of the support bracket 8 is arranged to extend from the mating surface, which is the vertically middle position of the vibration-isolating block 60. However, the vibration-isolating block 60 does not necessarily have to be configured with two back-to-back vibration-isolating block pieces 60p. That is, the vibration-isolating block 60 may be configured with a single vibration-isolating block piece 60p, as shown in FIG. 7 as an example. In this case, for example, in the configuration example of FIG. 7( a), the bottom of the vibration-isolating block 60 may be fixed to the upper side of the fixed base 7, and the upper end of the vibration-isolating block 60 may be fixed to the block fixing portion 81 of the support bracket 8. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7( b), the upper part of the fixed base 7 may be formed in a U-shape in cross section, and the upper end of the vibration-isolating block 60 may be fixed to the upper part of the fixed base 7 (upper block fixing portion 73), and the bottom of the vibration-isolating block 60 may be fixed to the block fixing portion 81 of the support bracket 8.

[0051] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 vibration isolation mechanism 2 vibration base 21 mount base 3 vibration isolation body (vibration isolation target object) 32 base plate 32h bolt hole 33 sensor probe 4 load vibration isolation body 41 vibration isolation block 42 fixing flange 43 top washer 44 top bolt 45 nut 5 vibration isolation unit 6 vibration isolation element body 60 vibration isolation block 60p vibration isolation block piece 61 platform top end face plate 61b stud bolt 62 platform bottom end face plate 62b bolt 62n nut 62h bolt hole 63 nut 7 fixing base 71 base fixing portion 71s base mounting slit 72 lower block fixing portion 72s lower block mounting slit 73 upper block fixing portion 73s upper block mounting slit 74 connecting portion 75 side panel portion 75a Inspection notch 8 Support bracket 81 Block fixing part 81h Bolt hole 82 Vibration-damped body fixing part 82b Bolt 82h Bolt hole A Excavator (civil engineering construction vehicle) B Housing C Casing part CA Cap G Center of gravity GH Center of gravity line K Buffer material L Axial line

Claims

1. A vibration isolation mechanism for mounting an object to be isolated while reducing and avoiding vibration on a vibrating base in a vibration environment, the vibration isolation mechanism comprising: a load vibration isolation body that supports the weight of the object to be isolated; and three or more vibration isolation units provided at the connection between the vibrating base and the object to be isolated, the vibration isolation unit including a vibration isolation element, the vibration isolation element comprising: a vibration isolation block to which a viscoelastic material is applied; a fixed base that is fixedly attached to the vibration isolation block and has a connection function with the vibrating base; and a support bracket that is fixedly attached to the vibration isolation block and has a connection function with the object to be isolated, the vibration isolation mechanism being characterized in that at least three of the vibration isolation units are arranged at an angle so that the axis of the vibration isolation block is convergently directed on a vertical center of gravity line that passes through the center of gravity of the object to be isolated.

2. The vibration isolation mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said vibration isolation element body is fixed so as to support the body to be isolated in an initial load zero state in which the load of the body to be isolated hardly acts on the vibration isolation block.

3. An anti-vibration mechanism as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, in the mounting manner of the anti-vibration unit, the converging position of the axial lines of each anti-vibration block is a position on the vertical center of gravity line passing through the center of gravity of the body to be anti-vibration.

4. The vibration isolation mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, in the mounting manner of said vibration isolation unit, the convergence position of the axial core lines of each vibration isolation block is the center of gravity of the body to be isolated.

5. An anti-vibration mechanism as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the anti-vibration unit has a semi-housing-shaped casing portion attached to a fixed base or support bracket, and the anti-vibration element body is housed within this casing portion.

6. The vibration isolation mechanism of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the vibration isolation blocks in the vibration isolation unit are constructed by combining a pair of identical blocks back to back, with both ends of the combined vibration isolation blocks fixed to the vibrating base via fixed bases, and a protruding support bracket is provided in the middle of the back-to-back combined vibration isolation blocks, and the blocks are fixed to the body to be isolated via this support bracket.

7. A vibration isolation mechanism for mounting an object to be isolated while reducing and avoiding vibration on a vibrating base in a vibrating environment, the vibration isolation mechanism comprising: a load vibration isolation body supporting the weight of the object to be isolated; and three or more vibration isolation units provided at the connection between the vibrating base and the object to be isolated, the load vibration isolation body supporting the object from below, the vibration isolation units comprising a semi-housing-shaped casing portion provided on the vibrating base side, and a vibration isolation element body provided within the casing portion so that its installation position can be freely adjusted, the vibration isolation element body having both axial ends of a vibration isolation block constituting the vibration isolation element fixed within the casing portion and supporting the object to be isolated by a support bracket provided in a protruding manner from the axial middle portion, the load vibration isolation body supporting the weight of the object to be isolated, so that the load vibration isolation body supports the object to be isolated in an initial load zero state where the load vibration isolation body hardly acts on the vibration isolation blocks of the vibration isolation element.

8. The vibration isolation mechanism according to claim 7, characterized in that the object to be isolated is a three-dimensional laser measurement sensor, and the vibration base is a self-propelled work vehicle or a base directly attached to the work vehicle.

9. A vibration isolation unit applied to an anti-vibration mechanism for mounting an object to be isolated while reducing or avoiding vibration on a vibrating base in a vibration environment, the vibration isolation unit comprising an anti-vibration element body, the anti-vibration element body being constituted by an anti-vibration block made of a viscoelastic material, fixed bases provided at both axial ends of the anti-vibration block, and a support bracket protruding from the axial middle part of the anti-vibration block.

10. The vibration isolation unit for use in a vibration isolation mechanism according to claim 9, characterized in that the vibration base is provided with a casing portion formed in a semi-housing shape, and a vibration isolation element body is provided within the casing portion, the installation position of which can be freely adjusted.

11. The vibration isolation block in the vibration isolation element is constructed by combining a pair of identical specifications back to back, and both axial ends of the back-to-back vibration isolation blocks are fixed to the vibrating base via fixed bases, while a protruding support bracket is provided in the middle of the back-to-back vibration isolation blocks, and the blocks are fixed to the body to be isolated via this support bracket. A vibration isolation unit for use in a vibration isolation mechanism as described in claim 9 or 10.

12. A method for assembling an anti-vibration unit in an anti-vibration mechanism for mounting an object to be anti-vibrated while reducing and avoiding vibration on a vibrating base in a vibrating environment, the anti-vibration mechanism to which this method is applied comprises a load anti-vibration body supporting the weight of the object to be anti-vibrated, and three or more anti-vibration units provided at the connection between the vibrating base and the object to be anti-vibrated, the load anti-vibration body supporting the object to be anti-vibrated from below, the anti-vibration unit comprises a semi-housing-shaped casing part provided on the vibrating base, and an anti-vibration element body the installation position of which can be freely adjusted within the casing part, the anti-vibration element body has both axial ends of an anti-vibration block constituting the anti-vibration element body fixed within the casing part, and supports the object to be anti-vibrated by a support bracket provided to protrude from the axial middle part, Furthermore, the method for assembling an anti-vibration unit in a vibration-damping mechanism is characterized in that, when fixing the anti-vibration unit to the body to be damped, the load anti-vibration body supports the weight of the body to be damped, so that the load of the body to be damped hardly acts on the vibration-damping block of the vibration-damping element body, and the anti-vibration unit is fixed in an initial load zero state.