Elastomer Membrane Valve for Cavitation Prevention in Liquid-Sealed Antivibration Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid-sealed antivibration devices generate abnormal sounds and lose damping performance due to cavitation when subjected to large vibrations, as they rely on metal components that can cause collisions and require rust prevention, and may leak liquid, affecting their functionality.
Innovation Solution
A liquid-sealed antivibration device with an elastomer-based design featuring a partition element with a flexible membrane and a second diaphragm that includes a valve portion and a projection to manage pressure changes, preventing cavitation by allowing liquid flow from a second sub liquid chamber to the main liquid chamber when pressure drops, thus maintaining damping performance across various vibration frequencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a metal spring and partition member are used to prevent cavitation, then cavitation is prevented, but abnormal sounds are generated due to rigid body collisions and rust prevention treatment is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the metal spring-based mechanical valve system with an elastomer-based flexible membrane valve system. The flexible membrane is made of elastomer material that eliminates rigid body collisions when opening and closing, thereby preventing abnormal sound generation while maintaining cavitation prevention functionality. The elastomer material also eliminates the need for rust prevention treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a flexible membrane made of elastomer as the valve element instead of rigid metal components. This flexible membrane can deform elastically to open and close the flow passage, avoiding the collision noise associated with rigid metal parts while maintaining effective cavitation prevention through controlled liquid flow.
2Device complexity
If a slit-like opening portion is used as a valve element, then the structure is simplified, but liquid leakage occurs and damping performance is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible membrane made of elastomer that can dynamically seal the flow passage opening. The membrane's elasticity allows it to conform tightly to the opening, providing effective liquid sealing while maintaining structural simplicity. This resolves the contradiction between simple valve structure and reliable liquid sealing.
3Strength
If metal components are used in the antivibration device, then structural strength is maintained, but rust prevention treatment becomes necessary increasing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes elastomer material for the flexible membrane and valve components, replacing metal parts. The elastomer provides sufficient structural strength for the application while being inherently corrosion-resistant, thereby eliminating the need for expensive rust prevention treatments and reducing manufacturing costs.
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 device effectively attenuates cavitation and maintains damping performance across different vibration frequencies without generating abnormal sounds, reducing the need for rust prevention treatments and minimizing part count, leading to cost savings and improved reliability.
Implementation Method 1
Cavitation is a phenomenon where when large vibrations are inputted to an antivibration device, an orifice flow passage is clogged so that the inside of a main liquid chamber is brought into an excessive negative pressure state (that is, a state where a liquid pressure in the main liquid chamber is lower than a predetermined value) and the pressure in the main liquid chamber becomes lower than a saturated vapor pressure of a sealed liquid thus generating a large number of bubbles.
Implementation Method 2
a flexible membrane portion which is arranged inside the outer peripheral portion; a second sub liquid chamber which is divided from the main liquid chamber by way of the second diaphragm
Implementation Method 3
when normal vibrations are inputted, due to a liquid column resonance action brought about by the flow of a liquid in an orifice flow passage or a vibration control effect of the antivibration base body, the liquid-sealed antivibration device performs a vibration damping function and a vibration insulating function.
Data Source
AI summary
A partition element partitions a liquid-sealed chamber into a main liquid chamber and a first sub liquid chamber. A first orifice flow passage for connecting both liquid chambers is provided. A second diaphragm is formed in the partition element. The partition element includes a second sub liquid chamber partitioned from the main liquid chamber by the second diaphragm and a second orifice flow passage for connecting the first and second sub liquid chambers to each other. A valve portion brought into contact with a periphery around an opening of the second orifice flow passage is formed on a flexible membrane portion of the second diaphragm into a surrounding wall shape. A through hole is formed outside the valve portion, and a projection compressed by a counter wall is formed on a membrane surface of the flexible membrane portion on a main liquid chamber side.