Resettable Stiffness Damper With Self-Actuated Force Reset
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vibration control technologies for structures, such as buildings and bridges, face challenges in effectively and efficiently dissipating energy from dynamic loading, particularly in passive systems that lack external power sources.
Innovation Solution
The development of a passive resettable stiffness damper (PRSD) device, which includes a cylinder with a reciprocating piston and piston rods, coupled with a mechanically operated toggle valve and a gear train mechanism. This setup allows for the regulation of fluid flow and the resetting of damper force through a bypass loop, enabling efficient energy dissipation without external power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a passive damper is used to suppress vibrations, then energy dissipation is achieved without external power, but the damper force cannot be reset or adjusted dynamically
Solution Approach 1:
The damper system performs its own resetting operation automatically through the interaction between piston motion and the toggle valve mechanism. The piston rod motion directly actuates the toggle valve through the gear train, eliminating the need for external control systems or power sources to reset the damper force.
Solution Approach 2:
The damper transitions from a static force characteristic to a dynamic one by incorporating the toggle valve mechanism that automatically adjusts the damper force based on the direction of piston motion. The system adapts its stiffness characteristics in real-time响应振动方向的变化
2Adaptability or versatility
If a toggle valve mechanism is added to reset damper force, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resetting function is merged with the existing piston motion mechanism. The toggle valve is integrated into the bypass loop that is already part of the damper's fluid circulation system, and the actuation mechanism is combined with the piston rod motion through the gear train, eliminating the need for separate resetting components.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston rod serves multiple functions: it provides the damping force generation and simultaneously acts as the actuator for the toggle valve through the gear train. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated resetting components and simplifies the overall system architecture.
3Productivity
If fluid flow is regulated through a toggle valve, then energy dissipation efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damper utilizes fluid pressure and flow control mechanisms to achieve vibration suppression. The toggle valve regulates fluid flow between the cylinder chambers, leveraging hydraulic principles to generate and reset damping forces efficiently without requiring complex mechanical actuation systems.
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 PRSD device effectively suppresses vibrations by dynamically adjusting damper force in response to changing vibration directions, ensuring efficient energy dissipation and maintaining structural stability without the need for external power.
Implementation Method 1
The resetting mechanism includes a mechanically operated toggle valve with a spring return
Implementation Method 2
The toggle valve is open or closed depending on the position of a toggle that is coupled to the valve. The resetting mechanism is positioned relative to the cylinder such that a first disc of the gear train is in contact with the piston rod of the cylinder
Data Source
AI summary
Described and shown are passive resettable stiffness dampers, which are of compact and simplified design, and configured to produce a damping force that varies optimally with vibration-inducing loading.