Compact Vibration Damper Using Linear-to-Rotary Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vibration dampers, such as linear dampers and elastomerically-suspended masses, face challenges in compactness and tunability, requiring significant space and involving cumbersome fluid changes or material replacements, limiting their applicability in various structural applications.
Innovation Solution
A compact vibration damper design featuring a rigid base with a mass for linear movement, dual springs for directional compression, a converter for rotational movement, and a rotary damper for damping, allowing for adjustable tuning through spring rates, mass adjustment, and damping force control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a linear damper is designed to provide sufficient damping movement range (e.g., ±2 inches), then the damping performance is improved, but the overall length of the damper increases significantly (at least 8 inches)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the linear movement of the piston into rotational movement of a shaft. The piston connects to a crank mechanism that transforms linear reciprocating motion into rotational motion of the shaft. This dimensional transformation allows the damping function to be achieved in a compact configuration, reducing the overall length from 8 inches to 3.5 inches while maintaining the required ±2 inches of damping movement capability.
2Reliability
If a linear damper is designed with sufficient stroke length to accommodate structural vibrations, then the damping effectiveness is improved, but the space required for construction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transforms the linear stroke space into rotational space. Instead of requiring a long cylindrical chamber to accommodate linear piston travel, the patent uses a crank mechanism where the piston's linear displacement is converted to rotational displacement of a shaft. This allows the same damping stroke to be achieved in a much more compact volume, reducing the overall damper length from 8 inches to 3.5 inches.
3Reliability
If the damper piston is designed for large amplitude movement, then the damping capability is improved, but the connecting rod length and overall structure size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the connecting rod function with the crank mechanism. Instead of a separate connecting rod coupling the piston to a fixed point, the piston directly connects to the crank shaft, which rotates about a fixed center. This integration eliminates the need for a long separate connecting rod, as the crank radius itself provides the necessary coupling while enabling rotational motion. The structure is consolidated into a more compact configuration.
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 provides a compact, adaptable vibration damping system that efficiently damps structural vibrations across various applications, offering easy tunability and reduced size requirements compared to traditional dampers.
Implementation Method 1
A first spring coupled to the mass compresses in response to the linear movement along a first direction
Implementation Method 2
A second spring coupled to the mass compresses in response to the linear movement along a second direction that is opposite to the first direction
Implementation Method 3
A rotary damper coupled to the converter damps the rotational movement
Data Source
AI summary
A vibration damper includes a rigid base with a mass coupled thereto for linear movement thereon. Springs coupled to the mass compress in response to the linear movement along either of two opposing directions. A converter coupled to the mass converts the linear movement to a corresponding rotational movement. A rotary damper coupled to the converter damps the rotational movement.