Multi-Leg Isolator Assembly for Broad-Frequency Vibration Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing damping and isolator assemblies do not adequately damp or isolate vibrations across all frequencies, and may not be configured for specific applications.

Innovation Solution

The proposed isolator assembly includes a bracket connected to a first and second isolator via a mass, with the isolators featuring radial flanges and legs that are designed to limit movement and absorb vibrations, allowing for customizable frequency behavior by varying the number and configuration of legs and support members.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing damping or isolating designs are used, then the structure is simple, but they do not adequately damp or isolate vibration across all frequencies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration isolation effectivenessVSAvoidisolator structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The isolator is divided into multiple discrete legs (typically three or four) that extend radially from a central body. Each leg can be independently designed with specific dimensions and material properties to target different frequency ranges, allowing the overall isolator to effectively damp vibrations across a broader frequency spectrum while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the isolator structure are designed with different properties to optimize performance at specific frequencies. The legs may have varying lengths, thicknesses, or cross-sectional areas, and the central body may have non-uniform geometry, allowing each local region to contribute to damping specific frequency components of the vibration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the number and configuration of legs are increased to improve frequency behavior, then vibration damping improves, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency behavior controlVSAvoidisolator manufacturing ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple functional elements are combined into a single integrally formed isolator component. The central body and multiple legs are formed as one piece from a single material, eliminating the need for separate manufacturing and assembly steps for each leg. This allows optimization of leg configuration for frequency control while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through integral forming processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If radial flanges are designed with different outer diameters, then insertion control and removal force are improved, but the design complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsertion and removal controlVSAvoidflange configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The radial flanges are designed with asymmetric dimensions, where each flange has a different outer diameter tailored to its specific function. This asymmetric configuration provides optimized insertion control for some flanges while providing enhanced removal force for others, all within a relatively simple geometric framework that does not require complex multi-component assemblies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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

This configuration effectively absorbs and damps vibrations across a range of frequencies, providing improved isolation and movement limitation, suitable for various applications including vehicle components.

Implementation Method 1

an isolator assembly may include a bracket, a first isolator connected to the bracket, a second isolator connected to the bracket, and/or a mass connected to the bracket via the first isolator and the second isolator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

The first isolator and the second isolator may include a plurality of legs

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3591255B1Isolator assembly
Publication Date: 2024.01.03 VIBRACOUSTIC USA INC
  • EP3591255B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3591255B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3591255B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

An isolator assembly (10, 210) includes a bracket (12, 212), a first isolator (14, 214) connected to the bracket (12, 212), a second isolator (16, 216) connected to the bracket (12, 212), and/or a mass (18, 2218) connected to the bracket (21, 212) via the first isolator (14, 214) and the second isolator (16, 216). The first isolator (14, 214) and the second isolator (16, 216) may include a plurality of legs (80). The first isolator (14, 214) may include a first radial flange (62, 262) and a second radial flange (64, 264). The first radial flange (62, 262) and the second radial flange (64, 264) may be axially spaced from each other. An outer diameter (62D, 262D) of the first radial flange (62, 262) may be larger than an outer diameter (64D, 264D) of the second radial flange (64, 264). A distance (D1, D2) between the first radial flange (62, 262) and the second radial (64, 264) flange may correspond to a thickness of the bracket (12, 212).