Base Isolation Unit With Dual Dampers for Seismic Impact Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing base isolation units face issues with rapid load changes and impact loads during seismic events due to the use of disc spring or coil springs, and liquid pressure springs are ineffective under tensile forces, requiring careful orientation and multiple units to function effectively.
Innovation Solution
A base isolation unit comprising a movement regulator with first and second damping devices, each with a compressible fluid and piston, and a coupling member to manage load and displacement, providing a resilient and damping effect to minimize impact loads and maintain stiffness during non-seismic conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a disc spring or coil spring is used as a resilient body in a preloaded spring unit, then the base isolation unit can maintain stiffness in non-earthquake conditions, but a large impact load is generated when the spring returns to its initial position after compression
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a damping device that incorporates a damper and a resilient body in parallel. The damper is designed to activate specifically when the resilient body returns to its initial position, providing cushioning force to suppress the impact load generated during recovery. This beforehand cushioning mechanism allows the system to maintain stiffness during normal operation while minimizing harmful impact loads during the recovery phase.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a liquid pressure spring is used to suppress impact load through damping, then the impact load is minimized, but the device does not operate in response to tensile force as the piston comes into contact with the cylinder
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges a damper and a resilient body in parallel within the damping device. The resilient body provides the necessary tensile force response when the piston contacts the cylinder, while the damper simultaneously provides damping to suppress impact loads during recovery. This combination allows the damping device to fulfill both functions that were previously mutually exclusive.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping device is designed to perform multiple functions: it maintains stiffness in non-earthquake conditions, suppresses impact loads during recovery, and responds to both compressive and tensile forces. By integrating the damper and resilient body in parallel, the device achieves multi-functionality, making it suitable for base isolation applications where both compression and tension responses are required.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple liquid pressure springs are disposed in appropriate directions to handle tensile and compressive forces, then the base isolation unit can respond to both force types, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a damper and a resilient body into a single damping device that operates in parallel. This merged structure allows the system to respond to both tensile and compressive forces through one integrated component rather than requiring multiple separate liquid pressure springs disposed in different directions, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
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 solution effectively isolates seismic vibrations while maintaining structural stiffness, minimizing impact loads during recovery and operating without power sources, suitable for precision instruments and environments without electricity.
Implementation Method 1
a compressible fluid sealed inside the cylinder and preloaded, and a piston penetrating through one end of the cylinder, having one end located inside the cylinder and the other end located outside the cylinder, and raising the fluid in pressure as the piston enters the cylinder
Implementation Method 2
a vibration damper provided between the first casing and the second casing and generating a force in a direction to decrease the distance between the first connector and the second connector when the distance increases and generating a force in a direction to increase the distance when the distance decreases
Data Source
AI summary
A base isolation unit comprises a first connector and a second connector disposed in a direction of base isolation with a predetermined distance therebetween, and a movement regulator provided between the first connector and the second connector and receiving an external force in the direction of base isolation. The movement regulator includes a first casing having one end connected to the first connector, a second casing having one end connected to the second connector, a first damping device accommodated inside the first casing, a second damping device accommodated inside the second casing, a vibration damper provided between the first casing and the second casing, and a coupling member coupling the first damping device and the second damping device together. The first damping device and the second damping device each have a cylinder, a compressible fluid and a piston.