Coil Spring Vibration Isolation for Construction Equipment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vibrating devices for construction machines, such as slipform pavers, face issues where grains from concrete aggregate settle between the springs, causing them to become immobile due to concrete caking, leading to vibration transmission to the machine frame and potential damage.

Innovation Solution

The use of elastic elements made from plastic materials, such as rubber, to fill the spaces between the coils of helical springs, preventing vibration transmission and maintaining spring properties even when immersed in concrete, combined with adaptations like molded parts and external elastic encasements to ensure effective decoupling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If helical springs are used for fastening the vibrating device, then vibration transmission to the machine frame is prevented, but concrete aggregate grains settle between the springs causing them to become immobile and lose spring properties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration decoupling reliabilityVSAvoidservice life of spring
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

A protective coating is applied to the helical springs to create an intermediary layer that prevents concrete aggregate grains from settling between the spring coils. This coating acts as a barrier while maintaining the spring's mechanical properties and vibration isolation function throughout the service life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

A flexible protective coating or thin film is applied to the spring surface to prevent concrete adhesion. The coating maintains the spring's flexibility and elastic properties while protecting against concrete aggregate infiltration and caking during prolonged immersion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Productivity

If the fastening device is immersed in concrete during operation, then the vibrating device can compact concrete effectively, but concrete cakes on the springs making them immobile

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconcrete compaction efficiencyVSAvoidconcrete caking on springs
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective coating serves as an intermediary barrier between the spring and concrete, allowing the spring to remain immersed in concrete for effective compaction while preventing concrete from adhering to and caking on the spring surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective coating is designed as a sacrificial layer that can be easily renewed or replaced. While the coating may degrade over time due to concrete exposure, it protects the spring and can be reapplied, providing a cost-effective solution to prevent concrete caking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If springs are used to decouple the vibrating device, then vibration transmission is reduced, but the fastening device and machine frame may be damaged due to vibration transmission after spring immobilization

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration isolationVSAvoidstructural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The protective coating is applied in advance to the spring surface before the spring is exposed to concrete. This preliminary protective measure prevents concrete aggregate infiltration and caking, ensuring the spring maintains its vibration isolation properties throughout operation and continues to protect the structural integrity of the fastening device and machine frame.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Prevents vibration transmission to the machine frame, maintains spring properties over time, and allows for easy disassembly and flushing out of debris, reducing the risk of damage to the fastening device and machine frame.

Implementation Method 1

the element consisting of an elastic plastic material, in particular rubber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the fastening device having at least one spring, in particular a coil spring, which largely or completely prevents the transmission of vibrations from the vibration exciter to the construction machine

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring vibration isolation: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP2067899B1Vibrating device
Publication Date: 2019.06.26 WIRTGEN GMBH
  • EP2067899B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2067899B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2067899B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3d

AI summary

The device (1) has a vibration exciter (19) arranged in a housing (18). A fastening device (10) is provided for fastening the housing to a construction vehicle i.e. slip form paver. Interspaces are inwardly closed or partially filled between spring coils of a coil spring (8) by a flexible element (22) e.g. heat shrink tube. The element is made of rubber and a molded part, which is inserted into the spring. Spring characteristics of the spring with the element are adapted to vibrations of the exciter such that the transmission of the vibrations is prevented on an engine frame (2).