Elastomeric Compression Spring Geometry for Tuned Vibration Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manufacturing elastomeric compression springs to achieve specific load-displacement performance is challenging due to excessive trial-and-error iterations in current methods, making it difficult to achieve desired vibration isolation characteristics.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a tube with grooves or ribs on its outer surface, which create localized changes in thickness and stiffness, allowing for customizable load-displacement performance by adjusting the depth, length, and circumferential distance of these features to achieve desired vibration isolation characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional elastomeric compression spring manufacturing methods are used, then production can be achieved, but excessive trial-and-error iterations are required to achieve desired load-displacement performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying groove parameters (depth, length, circumferential distance from initial contact line) to precisely control the load-displacement performance. By changing these geometric parameters, the stiffness distribution along the tube is adjusted, enabling predictable tuning of vibration isolation characteristics without requiring multiple physical prototypes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If grooves are added to the tube outer surface, then load-displacement performance can be tuned, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating localized stiffness variations through grooves at specific positions on the tube outer surface. The grooves are strategically placed at predetermined circumferential distances from the initial contact line, creating localized reductions in wall thickness that selectively influence the load-displacement behavior at specific compression stages, thereby achieving complex performance tuning with simple geometric modifications.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple grooves are formed at different positions, then precise vibration isolation characteristics can be achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and pre-positioning the grooves at specific circumferential distances from the initial contact line based on the desired vibration isolation characteristics. The groove parameters (depth, length, position) are determined in advance through design calculations, allowing the manufacturing process to directly produce the final optimized geometry without requiring iterative adjustments or post-processing modifications.
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
This approach enables precise tuning of load-displacement behavior, reducing design and manufacturing iterations, increasing efficiency, and promoting cost savings by allowing for predictable achievement of desired vibration isolation performance.
Implementation Method 1
The tube is configured to compress in the direction. The at least one groove creates a localized reduction in a thickness of the tube and a stiffness of the elastomeric compression spring
Implementation Method 2
The at least one groove creates a localized reduction in a thickness of the tube and a stiffness of the elastomeric compression spring at the at least one groove
Data Source
AI summary
An elastomeric compression spring for isolating vibrations between a first part and a second part. The first part is movable in a direction relative to the second part. The elastomeric compression spring comprises a tube elongated along a central axis of the tube. The central axis of the tube is perpendicular to the direction. The tube is configured to compress in the direction. The tube comprises an outer surface comprising an initial contact line configured to initially receive contact from the first part. The tube further comprises at least one load tuning feature in the outer surface, parallel to the central axis, and circumferentially spaced apart from the initial contact line. The at least one load tuning feature creates a localized change in a thickness of the tube and a stiffness of the elastomeric compression spring at the at least one load tuning feature.