Compressor Support Rubber With Adaptive Rigidity for Vibration and Impact

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing support rubber for compressors effectively damp small amplitude vibrations during normal operation but fail to adequately damp large amplitude vibrations and impacts during transportation and installation, leading to compressor displacement and potential pipe damage.

Innovation Solution

A rubber support member with a body portion featuring alternating first and second protrusions of different heights, which alternately compress and deform to provide both low and high rigidity responses to varying vibration amplitudes, effectively damping small amplitude vibrations and reducing displacement during large amplitude events.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the support rubber has reduced rigidity with protrusions, then vibration damping during normal operation is improved, but displacement reduction during transportation and installation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration dampingVSAvoiddisplacement reduction
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support member dynamically changes its rigidity based on the magnitude of applied load. During normal operation with small vibrations, the first protrusions deform elastically providing soft damping. During transportation with large impacts, the second protrusions engage to provide rigid support, preventing compressor displacement and pipe damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the support member have different structural properties. The first protrusions (taller) are located at specific positions to handle small vibrations, while the second protrusions (shorter) are positioned to engage during large impacts. This local differentiation allows the same component to provide both soft and hard support characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the support rubber has increased rigidity, then displacement reduction during transportation and installation is improved, but vibration damping during normal operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplacement reductionVSAvoidvibration damping
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The support member transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system that adapts its stiffness. Under normal operating conditions, the structure remains compliant for vibration damping. Under extreme loading conditions, the structure becomes rigid to prevent displacement, eliminating the need to choose between the two opposing requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If protrusions are formed on the bottom part of the support, then contact area with the base is reduced, but structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration transmissionVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the geometric parameters of the support member by adding protrusions with specific height relationships. The first protrusions have height H1 and the second protrusions have height H2 where H1 > H2. This parameter differentiation allows the structure to provide both vibration damping and impact resistance without requiring multiple separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 support member effectively performs vibration damping and displacement reduction for both small and large amplitude vibrations, enhancing compressor reliability by adjusting rigidity based on applied loads.

Implementation Method 1

a rubber support member that elastically supports the compressor body on a base

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The support member effectively performs vibration damping and displacement reduction for both small and large amplitude vibrations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Implementation Method 3

a first protrusion having a first height from a top or bottom surface of the body portion, and a second protrusion having a second height from the top or bottom surface of the body portion, the second height being smaller than the first height

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 4

the rigidity against load is reduced (reduced rigidity) and vibration that is transmitted to the base 3 is reduced

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectViscoelasticity: Viscoelasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3951177B1Compressor and support member for compressor
Publication Date: 2024.06.05 YAMAUCHI CORP
  • EP3951177B1 patent drawingFigure 1~1(c)
  • EP3951177B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3951177B1 patent drawingFigure 3~3(c)

AI summary

A support rubber (10) for a compressor includes: a body portion (20); an upper contact portion (30) that is located on an upper end of the body portion (20) and that contacts a bottom part of a compressor body from below; and a lower contact portion (40) that is located on a lower end of the body portion (20) and that contacts a top part of a base from above. Either or both of the upper contact portion (30) and the lower contact portion (40) have a first protrusion (31, 41) having a first height from a top surface (21) or bottom surface (22) of the body portion (20), and a second protrusion (32, 42) having a second height from the top surface (21) or bottom surface (22) of the body portion (20), the second height being smaller than the first height.