Hybrid Air-Mechanical Spring System for Vibration Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vibration-isolating spring systems, such as steel, air, and viscous damping systems, face limitations in flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and vibration isolation efficiency, particularly in terms of adjustable damping and horizontal stiffness, with steel springs having low damping and manual height adjustment, air springs being expensive and maintenance-intensive, and viscous dampers lacking automatic control.
Innovation Solution
A combination of air spring systems, viscosity damping systems, and mechanical spring systems, where the mechanical springs bear the main load and air springs regulate variable loads, with a controlled compressed air supply for automatic height adjustment and enhanced damping capabilities, allowing for adjustable damping and stiffness characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If steel springs are used for suspension, then high load absorption and long service life are achieved, but the degree of damping is low (around 0.01) and height adjustment is manual only
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines steel springs with viscous dampers into a single integrated suspension system. The steel spring (element 3) provides load absorption and mechanical support, while the viscous damper (element 18) provides speed-proportional damping. This merging allows the system to achieve both high load-bearing capacity and enhanced damping capability (degree of damping between 0.03 and 0.9), resolving the contradiction between strength and damping reliability.
2Ease of operation
If air spring systems are used, then automatic height adjustment and higher damping (0.03-0.15) are achieved, but the system is more expensive and maintenance-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges air springs (element 4) with mechanical springs (element 3) in a hybrid configuration. The air spring system provides automatic height adjustment and moderate damping, while the mechanical spring system handles load-bearing and horizontal stabilization. This combination achieves the desired automatic control functionality while reducing overall system complexity and cost compared to using air springs alone, as the mechanical springs are simpler and more reliable.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical spring system serves multiple functions: it bears the main static load, provides horizontal stabilization, and supplements the air spring system for vertical load support. This multi-functionality allows the air spring system to be downsized and simplified, reducing complexity and maintenance requirements while maintaining automatic height adjustment capability.
3Ease of operation
If air spring systems are used, then automatic height adjustment is achieved, but horizontal stiffness is typically low compared to vertical stiffness
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical spring system is designed to perform multiple functions including horizontal stabilization. By assigning the horizontal stiffness requirement to the mechanical springs rather than the air springs, the system achieves adequate horizontal support while maintaining the air spring system's automatic height adjustment capability. The mechanical springs' inherent high stiffness characteristics effectively address the horizontal stiffness deficiency of air springs.
4Reliability
If a combination of air spring system and mechanical spring system is used, then controllability and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the suspension system into distinct functional modules: air springs for automatic height adjustment and variable load absorption, mechanical springs for main load bearing and horizontal stabilization, and viscous dampers for damping control. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system reliability. The modular structure actually reduces complexity by making the system more manageable and easier to maintain compared to a fully integrated system.
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 combined system provides a reliable, cost-effective, and flexible vibration-isolation solution with enhanced damping and stiffness, maintaining isolation even in case of compressed air failure, and optimizing damping and stiffness characteristics for improved vibration reduction.
Implementation Method 1
air spring systems, which are operated by means of supplied compressed air
Implementation Method 2
Viscosity dampers are also already known which enable speed-proportional damping by means of a viscous damping medium
Implementation Method 3
The coil springs are typically steel springs, but other material may be used, such as another metal
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a spring system (1) for vibration-isolating mounting, in particular of machines, installations, test benches, machine foundations and/or buildings, wherein the spring system is designed in the form of a combination of an air spring system with at least one air spring (4) and/or a viscosity damping system (18) and a mechanical spring system with at least one mechanical spring (3), in particular a steel spring, in particular a coil spring system.