Polygonal Anti-Vibration Insert for Flexible Workpiece Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing anti-vibration devices for machine tools, such as damping inserts and tubes, fail to provide high damping properties while minimizing material usage and production complexity, and often require high thicknesses that increase rigidity and environmental impact.

Innovation Solution

An anti-vibration device with a polygonal outer surface and an inner channel, made of elastomeric material, that is easily producible by molding, allowing for thinner wall portions and increased flexibility, thereby enhancing damping properties and reducing material consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If high thicknesses are used in anti-vibration tubes, then rigidity is improved, but damping properties deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproverigidityVSAvoiddamping properties
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The anti-vibration device employs a polygonal outer surface with varying wall thickness, where thinner portions are positioned at specific locations to maximize flexibility and damping effectiveness. This local variation in thickness allows the structure to be more flexible where needed for vibration absorption while maintaining overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If high thicknesses are used in anti-vibration tubes, then structural integrity is improved, but material consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidraw material consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The device uses non-uniform wall thickness distribution with thinner sections strategically positioned to reduce material consumption. The polygonal geometry allows for optimized material placement, using less material in areas where high strength is not critical while maintaining structural integrity where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The outer surface is segmented into multiple flat portions forming a polygonal cross-section, allowing different wall thicknesses in different segments. This segmentation enables precise control over material distribution, reducing overall material consumption while maintaining necessary structural properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If annular bulges are created on the outer surface, then flexibility is improved, but production complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidproduction process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of creating complex annular bulges, the invention uses a polygonal outer surface with flat portions that are simpler to manufacture. The varying thickness is achieved through the polygonal geometry itself rather than adding complex curved features, reducing production complexity while maintaining flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

4Stability of the object's composition

If material is removed by turning to create annular bulges, then flexibility is improved, but production waste increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidproduction waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the need for material removal by turning with a polygonal geometry that achieves flexibility through design rather than subtraction. The varying wall thickness is built-in during molding, eliminating the need for secondary turning operations and the associated material waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The wall thickness parameter is varied through the polygonal cross-section design rather than being uniform. This parameter variation is achieved during the molding process itself, eliminating the need for subsequent material removal operations that would generate waste.

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

The device effectively dampens vibrations and oscillations of the workpiece, improving machining quality, precision, and acoustic comfort while being environmentally friendly and cost-effective.

Implementation Method 1

configured to generate a dissipation adapted to dampen vibrations and oscillations induced in a workpiece during a mechanical machining process

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

The anti-vibration device is made of elastomeric material, which... allows for thinner wall portions and increased flexibility, thereby enhancing damping properties

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4574314A1Anti-vibration device and machine tool comprising such an Anti-vibration device
Publication Date: 2025.06.25 UNILOCK SRL
  • EP4574314A1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP4574314A1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP4574314A1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The present invention relates to an anti-vibration device (1) for a machine tool (100) configured to perform mechanical machining on a workpiece (P), and/or for a loader (200) configured to load the workpiece (P) into the machine tool (100). The anti-vibration device (1) has a conformation along a prevalent direction of extension (A-A) and comprises: - a channel (2) configured to receive and slide the workpiece (P) therein; - an outer surface (3), opposite to the inner channel (2), - a wall (4) delimited internally by the channel (2) and externally by the outer surface (3), A characteristic of the present invention is the fact that the outer surface (3) has a polygonal cross-section.