Angled Multi-Spring Mounting for Vibration Damping in Coffee Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suspension systems for vibrating components in household appliances often fail to provide sufficient mechanical decoupling and stabilization, particularly in applications like coffee grinders and steam irons, leading to residual vibration forces and misalignment issues due to neglecting the six degrees of freedom of movement.
Innovation Solution
A suspension system using a set of at least three angled springs, where the top ends form an upper polygon and the bottom ends form a lower polygon, with the object's center of gravity aligned vertically through the lower polygon, creating a pendulum effect for stabilization and alignment without additional supports, reducing part count and enhancing suspension performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple rubber suspension component or single spring is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the mechanical decoupling and stabilization performance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system is segmented into multiple independent spring elements (at least three springs) arranged in a specific geometric configuration. Each spring handles specific degrees of freedom, providing comprehensive vibration isolation while maintaining manageable system complexity. The springs are arranged with their axes intersecting at a common point on the object's center of gravity, creating a coordinated segmentation of vibrational forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from simple single-dimensional spring mounting to a three-dimensional spatial arrangement of multiple springs. The springs are positioned at different locations and angles, with their axes intersecting at the center of gravity, creating a multi-dimensional suspension system that addresses all six degrees of freedom (three translational and three rotational movements).
2Reliability
If multiple springs are added to provide sufficient stabilization and alignment, then the mechanical decoupling performance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring arrangement employs asymmetric positioning relative to the object's geometry, with spring mounting points strategically located to create the desired center of gravity alignment. The springs are arranged with their axes intersecting at the center of gravity, creating an asymmetric but balanced configuration that provides optimal stabilization without requiring symmetric redundancy.
Solution Approach 2:
Each spring in the system serves multiple functions simultaneously: providing vertical support, resisting horizontal vibrations, and contributing to rotational stability. The coordinated arrangement of at least three springs creates a multi-functional suspension system that addresses all six degrees of freedom, reducing the need for separate stabilization components.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the object is suspended to reduce vibration forces, then the vibration transmission is reduced, but the alignment and positioning stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spring arrangement creates counterbalancing forces that stabilize the object's position. The springs are positioned and angled to provide restoring forces that counteract gravitational effects and vibrational disturbances, maintaining the object's alignment while allowing vibration isolation. The center of gravity alignment ensures that gravitational force is properly balanced by the spring forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension system is designed to automatically maintain alignment through the geometric arrangement of the springs. The springs' elastic properties and spatial configuration enable the system to self-correct positioning deviations without external control, providing both vibration isolation and stable alignment through its inherent mechanical design.
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
The system effectively reduces vibration and noise transmission by providing improved mechanical decoupling and stability, aligning the object correctly in the horizontal plane, and achieving noise reduction, as demonstrated in the mounting of a grinder motor in a coffee machine with a reduced part count.
Implementation Method 1
the mounting comprises a set of at least three springs
Implementation Method 2
In an intended operational orientation of the system, the center of gravity of the object is along a vertical line which passes through the lower polygon
Data Source
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AI summary
An object is mounted within a housing of a coffee machine by a mounting which is to provide vibration damping for the object. The mounting comprises a set of at least three springs, each having a top end coupled to the housing and a suspended bottom end at which the object is supported. The top ends define an upper polygon and the bottom ends define a lower polygon. A center of gravity of the object is along a vertical line which passes through the lower polygon, and springs are angled inwardly towards the lower polygon.