Rolling Guide Damping Member for Axial Seismic Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing seismic isolation devices using rolling guide devices face challenges in enhancing damping force in the axial direction without increasing device size, particularly during strong earthquakes, and require easy integration with existing systems to manage vibration effectively.

Innovation Solution

A damping member is introduced, comprising a friction member with sliding contact pads and a fixing holder that can be easily mounted to the rolling guide device, providing increased damping force by pressing the pads against the track rail, thus enhancing axial direction damping without requiring additional space or disassembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If a brake unit with pressurized air is used to increase damping force in the axial direction, then damping force is improved, but device size and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamping forceVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the damping function from a complex pressurized air brake unit and implements it through a simple friction member with sliding contact pads that can be directly mounted on the track rail. This eliminates the need for air supply systems, pressure regulators, and control mechanisms, significantly reducing device complexity while maintaining damping capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The friction member is designed as a simple, inexpensive component with sliding contact pads that can be easily replaced. Instead of using complex, expensive pressurized air systems, the invention employs a straightforward friction-based damping mechanism that is cost-effective and simple to maintain

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Force

If a brake unit with pressurized air is used to increase damping force in the axial direction, then damping force is improved, but device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamping forceVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the bulky pressurized air system components (air cylinders, hoses, control valves) and replaces them with a compact friction member consisting of sliding contact pads mounted directly on the track rail, significantly reducing the overall device volume

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The friction member is designed to utilize the vertical space above the track rail by mounting sliding contact pads on the upper surface, allowing the damping function to be added without increasing the horizontal footprint of the device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If rolling elements are used to reduce sliding resistance, then ease of movement is improved, but damping force in axial direction deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of movementVSAvoiddamping force
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the interaction between the moving block and track rail into two distinct functions: rolling elements handle the primary load-bearing and movement facilitation, while separately mounted sliding contact pads provide the damping force. This segmentation allows both functions to coexist without interfering with each other

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sliding contact pads act as an intermediary element that introduces friction-based damping between the moving block and track rail, complementing the rolling elements rather than replacing them. This intermediary component enables damping without compromising the ease of movement provided by the rolling mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 damping member effectively increases axial direction damping force, allows for early-stage damping of input vibration energy, and maintains appropriate static stiffness, preventing excessive vibration of the upper table relative to the lower table during seismic events.

Implementation Method 1

a friction member (50) which includes sliding contact pads (50a) in contact with at least the track rail (40)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3591257B1Damping member for rolling guide device, and seismic isolation structure utilizing same
Publication Date: 2021.04.07 THK CO LTD
  • EP3591257B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3591257B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3591257B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Provided is a damping member which can be easily mounted to a rolling guide device already in use, can avoid an increase in size of the rolling guide device, and can easily enhance a damping force in an axial direction exerted by the rolling guide device. The damping member is applied to the rolling guide device in which a moving block (43, 44) is assembled to a track rail (40, 41) through intermediation of a plurality of rolling elements, is provided to the track rail in series with the moving block, and includes: a friction member (50) which includes a sliding contact pad (50a) in contact with at least the track rail; and a fixing holder (51), which includes a holding portion (52) configured to cover the friction member so as to press the sliding contact pad against the track rail, and is configured to couple the friction member (50) to the moving block (43, 44).