Resilient Suspension Tuning for Acoustic and Vibration Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Consumer devices like oral irrigators generate unwanted noise and vibration due to moving components, which can limit their use and user satisfaction, and existing suspension systems are often bulky, expensive, and minimally effective in reducing these issues.
Innovation Solution
A suspension system comprising a rigid support and a resilient element, such as springs or magnets, that tunes the natural frequency of the system to be below the drive frequency of the operative element, effectively reducing the transmission of acoustic and vibrational energy, with the resonant frequency set to isolate vibrations easily heard by users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If prior art suspension systems are used to reduce noise and vibration, then vibration reduction is achieved, but the systems become bulky and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the resonant frequency parameter of the suspension system to be lower than the drive frequency of the pump. This parameter adjustment allows the system to achieve effective vibration isolation without requiring bulky or expensive components. By tuning the natural frequency of the suspension to be below the operating frequency, the system exploits the frequency separation to minimize vibration transmission while maintaining a compact and cost-effective design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes mechanical vibration principles by creating a suspension system with a specific resonant frequency that is lower than the pump's drive frequency. This frequency-based approach allows the suspension to effectively isolate vibrations through resonant tuning, achieving noise reduction without the need for complex or bulky mechanical structures.
2Stability of the object's composition
If suspension systems with high natural frequency are used, then structural stability is improved, but vibration transmission to external surfaces increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by setting the natural frequency parameter of the suspension to be lower than the drive frequency, rather than higher. This parameter change allows the system to maintain structural stability while simultaneously reducing vibration transmission. The low-frequency suspension acts as an effective isolator because the operating frequency falls above the resonant frequency, creating a natural frequency separation that reduces vibration transmission to external surfaces.
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 significantly reduces A-weighted sound power and provides a low-cost, practical means to minimize noise and vibration, ensuring the suspension system is compact, robust, and effective in reducing noise and vibration transmission.
Implementation Method 1
an internal suspension comprising a resilient element, such as a spring, engaging the rigid support and configured to create a resilient force against one or more degrees of freedom of vibrations generated by the operative element
Implementation Method 2
the natural frequency in one or more of the degrees of freedom of the suspension system are tuned into a narrow resonant frequency range by the suspension, such that the resonant frequency is less than the drive frequency
Data Source
AI summary
A suspension system (22) configured to minimize transmission of acoustic and vibrational energy in a device, comprising: (i) a rigid support (24); (ii) an operative element (16) positioned within the rigid support and comprising a drive frequency when the device is in operation; and (iii) a resilient element (26) engaging the rigid support and configured to create a resilient force against one or more degrees of freedom of vibrations generated by the operative element; wherein the natural frequency in one or more of the degrees of freedom of the suspension system, in the degrees of freedom of interest, are tuned into a narrow resonant frequency range by the suspension, and wherein the resonant frequency is less than the drive frequency.