Rolling Pendulum Base Isolation With Low-Force Self-Centering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing base isolation systems for structures are costly and complex, limiting their adoption in building construction, especially in areas prone to seismic and wind forces, as they require significant lateral forces to activate and often lead to high manufacturing and construction costs, making them unsuitable for widespread use in residential and commercial projects.

Innovation Solution

A rolling pendulum base isolation system using a spherically shaped bearing plate with multiple bearings, which self-centers after lateral forces, reducing friction and manufacturing costs, allowing earlier activation and wider application in various building types, including light-framed wood structures, while maintaining energy dissipation and structural stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional base isolation systems (elastomeric, sliding, friction pendulum) are used to reduce structural damage from lateral forces, then energy dissipation and structural stability are improved, but manufacturing costs and construction complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidconstruction complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The base isolation system is divided into multiple independent rolling elements (spheres, cylinders, or cones) distributed across the base plate. Each rolling element acts as an independent isolator, simplifying the overall system design and construction while maintaining effective lateral force isolation through the collective action of multiple simple components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex elastomeric bearings, sliding mechanisms, and friction pendulum systems with a simpler rolling element mechanism. The rolling elements provide base isolation through pure rolling motion, eliminating the need for complex friction-based or elastomeric systems while reducing manufacturing and construction complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of energy

If traditional base isolation systems are used to reduce lateral force transmission, then energy dissipation is improved, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy dissipationVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The rolling elements are designed as simple, inexpensive components that can be easily manufactured from common materials. The system uses basic geometric shapes (spheres, cylinders, cones) that require minimal processing, making the isolation system cost-effective compared to expensive elastomeric or friction-based isolators

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The use of spherical, cylindrical, or conical rolling elements provides effective base isolation through rolling motion. The curved geometry naturally facilitates rolling while dissipating energy through friction and deformation, achieving effective isolation with simple, low-cost components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Reliability

If traditional base isolation systems are used to protect structures from lateral forces, then structural resiliency is improved, but the systems require significant lateral forces to activate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural resiliencyVSAvoidlateral force threshold

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The rolling elements provide dynamic base isolation that activates automatically when lateral forces are applied. The rolling mechanism responds immediately to lateral displacement, providing continuous isolation rather than requiring a threshold force to activate, thereby improving structural resiliency across a range of earthquake intensities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 rolling pendulum base isolation system provides effective lateral force isolation with lower resistance to movement, extending the life of structures and minimizing repair efforts during earthquakes and wind events, performing as well or better than existing systems in energy dissipation and re-centering, and is more cost-accessible for broader construction applications.

Implementation Method 1

A rolling pendulum base isolation system using a spherically shaped bearing plate with multiple bearings, which self-centers after lateral forces, reducing friction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRolling friction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS20240240486A1Systems, Methods and Apparatus for Rolling Pendulum Base Isolation

Publication Date: 2024.07.18 CAL POLY CORP

AI summary

A system and method of a rolling pendulum base system includes a base including a spherically shaped, concave upper base surface, multiple bearings supported within the spherically shaped, concave upper base surface, a slider including a slider body, a spherically shaped, convex upper slider surface on an upper end of the slider body and a convex lower slider surface on the lower end of the slider body, the convex lower slider surface disposed on the bearings, and a pedestal including a pedestal body, a spherically shaped, concave lower pedestal surface on a lower end of the pedestal body and a flat upper pedestal surface on an upper end of the pedestal body, the concave lower pedestal surface disposed on the convex upper slider surface.