Active Bearing Decoupling Unit for Vibration Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vibration damping technologies face a compromise between high damping for low-frequency vibrations and low damping for high-frequency vibrations, leading to ineffective vibration decoupling across a wide frequency range.

Innovation Solution

An active mount with a decoupling unit and an elastically deformable element arranged in series, where the decoupling unit has frequency-dependent dynamic stiffness and the elastically deformable element has largely frequency-independent stiffness, surrounded by a compressible medium, allowing for independent frequency-independent force introduction by a linear actuator.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a linear actuator is directly connected to support the dynamic load, then dynamic vibration forces are effectively counteracted, but the actuator is exposed to high-frequency amplitudes that can damage it

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedynamic vibration forcesVSAvoidactuator durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The decoupling unit acts as an intermediary between the interface and the linear actuator. It filters and attenuates high-frequency vibrations before they reach the actuator, while still allowing the actuator to effectively counteract dynamic vibration forces. This protective intermediary extends actuator life without compromising vibration control performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If static and dynamic loads are transmitted through the same force path, then the structure is simpler, but the actuator is exposed to static loads that reduce its effectiveness for vibration control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce path structureVSAvoidvibration control effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing explicitly segments the force transmission into two separate paths: the first force path handles static load support through the support element, while the second force path handles dynamic load control through the decoupling unit and linear actuator. This segmentation isolates the actuator from static loads, maximizing its effectiveness for vibration control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first force path with the support element serves the universal function of static load support, while the second force path with the decoupling unit and actuator handles dynamic vibration control. This functional separation allows each component to be optimized for its specific purpose without interference from the other load type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration effectively decouples static loads and introduces dynamic forces across a broader frequency range, enhancing the actuator's effectiveness in reducing vibrations, particularly at lower frequencies, while protecting the linear actuator from high-frequency amplitudes.

Implementation Method 1

the decoupling unit has frequency-dependent dynamic stiffness and the elastically deformable element has largely frequency-independent stiffness

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFrequency-dependent dynamic stiffness:

Implementation Method 2

at least one elastically deformable element is introduced along the second force path

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

the components of the active bearing contained along the two force paths are surrounded by a compressible medium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 4

the spurious vibrations acting on the bearing are compensated as completely as possible by counter-vibrations generated by the actuator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration compensation:

Data Source

PatentEP2615325B1Active bearing
Publication Date: 2019.10.02 FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG EV
  • EP2615325B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2615325B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP2615325B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The active bearing has an interface (7) for attachment to a load (8) to be supported. An elastically deformable element (2) along a force path is placed along the serial arrangement of a linear actuator (5), a transmission unit (4) and a decoupling unit (1). A supporting element (3) and the elastically deformable element are formed and arranged as separate unit, and are spatially separated from each other. The decoupling device has a dynamic stiffness that depends on the frequency of the dynamic load entry.