Locking Base Isolation Unit for Vertical Seismic Vibration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing base isolation technologies face challenges in isolating structures from vertical vibrations, particularly those with limited supportable portions, as they struggle to effectively decouple seismic vibrations in the direction where a load is applied, and existing damping systems do not implement base isolation by preventing vibration transmission.
Innovation Solution
A base isolation unit comprising a vibration-source connector, an isolated-object connector, a lock device, a distance recovery device with preloaded elastic bodies, and a vibration damper, which allows the isolated-object connector to move relative to the vibration-source connector, generating forces to manage distance changes and reduce vibration transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the isolated-object connector is fixed to the vibration-source connector, then the object is securely supported, but the object cannot move to isolate vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between fixed and movable states through the lock device. During normal operation, the lock device maintains a fixed connection for stability. Upon detection of seismic vibration, the lock device releases, allowing the isolated-object connector to move relative to the vibration-source connector, thereby enabling vibration isolation while maintaining structural stability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The isolation mechanism operates periodically by locking the object during calm periods to maintain stability and unlocking during seismic events to enable vibration isolation. This periodic switching between fixed and movable states allows the system to maintain stability when required while enabling vibration isolation when necessary.
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 effectively isolates structures from vibrations in the direction where a load is applied, even with limited supportable portions, by using a combination of lock mechanisms, preloaded springs, and dampers to manage distance changes and reduce acceleration, thereby enhancing seismic vibration mitigation.
Implementation Method 1
a tensile-side elastic body to which an external force is applied as a pressure along the base isolation direction in an orientation of increasing the distance
Implementation Method 2
a compressive-side elastic body to which a preload is applied, the preload being the external force applied to the compressive-side elastic body as a pressure in an orientation of decreasing the distance
Implementation Method 3
a vibration damper configured to generate a force in the orientation of decreasing the distance as the distance increases, and to generate a force in the orientation of increasing the distance as the distance decreases
Data Source
AI summary
A structure having limited supportable portions has been difficult to isolate from vibration in the direction in which a load is applied. A base isolation apparatus includes a Z-axis base isolation unit, an X-axis base isolation unit, and a Y-axis base isolation unit. The base isolation unit includes a vibration-source connector, an isolated-object connector, a lock device disposed between the isolated-object connector and the vibration-source connector for switching between a state of fixing the isolated-object connector and a state of making it movable, a distance recovery device for generating a force to cause an amount of change in distance to approach zero, depending on the amount of change, and a vibration damper for generating a force in an orientation of hindering the change, depending on the rate of change in distance.