Antivibration Mount With Segmented Elastomer Layers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional anti-vibration mounts with rigid metal structures and single-piece elastic masses are limited in their ability to absorb vibrations beyond the vertical axis and cannot offer varying rigidity responses based on material characteristics or application-specific geometries, restricting their effectiveness in diverse applications.

Innovation Solution

A customizable anti-vibration support design featuring a rigid metal structure with an elastic mass composed of microcellular elastomer pieces of varying rigidities, obtained through cutting operations, allowing for layered configurations and geometries that adapt to specific applications, including radial and torsional vibration absorption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single-piece elastic mass is used in traditional anti-vibration mounts, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is straightforward, but the vibration absorption capability is limited to the main axis only

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidvibration absorption capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic mass is divided into multiple pieces with different rigidities arranged in layers, where each piece can independently absorb vibrations in specific directions. This segmentation allows the mount to handle multi-directional vibrations while maintaining manageable complexity through modular assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the elastic mass have different rigidities tailored to specific vibration absorption needs. Softer materials are placed in directions requiring more vibration isolation, while stiffer materials are used where structural support is needed, creating localized properties that optimize overall performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If injection molding process is used to produce elastic mass, then production is efficient, but expensive molds are required and geometric flexibility is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidmold cost and geometric flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic mass is produced as separate cut pieces rather than as a single molded component. This allows standard cutting processes to be used instead of expensive custom molds, while the pieces are subsequently assembled into the final configuration, maintaining productivity without the mold cost burden

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The same cutting process can produce pieces for different applications and geometries without requiring new molds. The modular pieces can be reconfigured for various mount designs, making the manufacturing process universally applicable to multiple product variants

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

3Device complexity

If uniform material characteristics are used throughout the elastic mass, then material selection is simple, but the ability to provide varying rigidity responses is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial selection simplicityVSAvoidrigidity response variability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic mass incorporates pieces with different rigidities in specific locations to match the vibration characteristics of the supported equipment. Softer pieces absorb low-frequency vibrations while stiffer pieces handle high-frequency shocks, creating a graduated rigidity response throughout the structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic mass functions as a composite structure combining multiple elastomeric materials with different durometers and properties. This composite approach allows tailoring the overall vibration absorption characteristics by strategically placing different materials, achieving performance that no single uniform material could provide

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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

Enables tailored vibration absorption capabilities in multiple spatial directions and varying rigidity responses, enhancing the support's effectiveness across different applications while reducing production costs and increasing productivity by eliminating the need for expensive molds.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic mass which is housed in this metal support and which has a capacity to absorb vibrations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

boards made up of a microcellular elastomer material, these boards having varied elastic characteristics

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectViscoelasticity: Viscoelasticity

Implementation Method 3

metal partitions which are interposed between certain boards or all the boards which are contiguous to the horizontal and/or vertical parts

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical support: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP1717477B1Device for producing antivibration mounts
Publication Date: 2011.02.23 MAIZTARKOETXEA
  • EP1717477B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP1717477B1 patent drawingFigure 5~8

AI summary

The device has an elastic mass (2), with a vibration absorption capacity, placed in a metallic support (1). The elastic mass has ring plates (8) obtained by cutting operations from a continuous board which is formed of a microcellular elastomer material. The metallic support forms a transversal partition (4) extending between two layers of the material, and a metal core (3) forms a radial partition extending between two successive annular sectors.