Modular Vibration Damper With Interchangeable Mass Parts

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vibration dampers for engines require individual customization based on the engine's size and running speed, making them costly and inflexible, as they cannot easily adjust dampening properties post-manufacture.

Innovation Solution

A vibration damper with a modular oscillating piece composed of removably fastened parts, allowing for adjustment of mass and dampening medium flow to achieve desired vibration reduction, using standard components and temperature control mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a vibration damper is customized for each engine size and running speed, then the dampening effectiveness is improved, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedampening effectivenessVSAvoidcustomization complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The oscillating piece is divided into a modular structure consisting of a body part and multiple interchangeable mass parts that can be selectively assembled. This segmentation allows the same damper housing to be used across different engine applications by simply changing the mass parts, thereby maintaining dampening effectiveness while reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The damper design incorporates a universal housing structure that can accommodate different mass configurations through interchangeable mass parts. This multi-functionality enables a single damper model to serve multiple engine types and applications, eliminating the need for completely customized dampers for each engine specification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Strength

If the oscillating piece is made as a single integrated component, then the structural strength is improved, but the adjustability of dampening properties after manufacture is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidadjustability of dampening properties

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The oscillating piece is segmented into a body part and separate mass parts that are removably fastened together. This segmentation maintains structural integrity through proper fastening mechanisms while enabling post-manufacture adjustment of dampening properties by adding or removing mass parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The oscillating piece transitions from a static integrated component to a dynamic configurable assembly. The removably fastened mass parts allow the system to adapt its mass characteristics after manufacture, enabling tuning of dampening properties without compromising the structural strength of the body part.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of manufacture

If standard engine components are used, then the cost is reduced, but the ability to control global vibration of the engine is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecost effectivenessVSAvoidvibration control capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the oscillating piece into a standardizable body part and interchangeable mass parts, the design enables use of standard engine components and manufacturing processes while maintaining the ability to control global vibrations through configurable mass arrangements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular mass parts enable changing the mass parameter of the oscillating piece to match different engine vibration characteristics. This parameter adjustability allows standard components to be adapted to control global vibrations of various engine types and sizes.

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

Enables flexible adjustment of dampening properties and cost-effective production, effectively reducing vibrations across various engine sizes and speeds without altering engine components, while maintaining temperature stability.

Implementation Method 1

an oscillating piece (20) supported to the body part (10) by at least one spring (29)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the movement of the oscillating piece (20) causes a flow of dampening medium via the space of the guide shaft (13) into the space of the body part (10) on different sides of the oscillating piece

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Implementation Method 3

a flow of dampening medium via the space of the guide shaft (13) into the space of the body part (10)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViscous damping: Viscous Damping

Data Source

PatentUS7681701B2Vibration damper, a method of producing a vibration damper and a dampening arrangement for dampening the vibrations of an engine

Publication Date: 2010.03.23 WARTSILA FINLAND OY

AI summary

A vibration damper comprising a body part via which the damper can be fastened to the object to be dampened, an oscillating piece movably arranged in the space of the body part and fastened by at least one spring to the body part, the oscillating piece consisting of more than one part, removably fastened to each other. The invention also relates to a method of producing a vibration damper and an arrangement of reducing the vibration in a piston engine.