Rooftop HVAC Vibration Absorber With Adjustable Rail Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rooftop air conditioning vibration absorption systems require on-site assembly and may not efficiently manage vibration damping, leading to inefficiencies in installation and performance.
Innovation Solution
A modular vibration absorption system comprising an upper and lower rail with integrally-formed sub-components, biasing devices, and an adjustable fastener system that allows for pre-assembly and easy installation, featuring elastically deformable biasing devices and a nut-adjustable fastener for varying compression and horizontal stiffness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a modular vibration absorption system with pre-assembled components is used, then installation time and complexity are reduced, but manufacturing and assembly precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system components including rails, biasing devices, and fasteners are pre-assembled into a complete vibration absorption assembly at the factory before delivery to the installation site. This preliminary assembly eliminates on-site assembly steps, reducing installation time while maintaining precision through controlled factory manufacturing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration absorption system is divided into modular components (upper rail, lower rail, biasing devices, fasteners) that can be pre-assembled as a complete unit. This segmentation allows factory pre-assembly of the entire assembly, ensuring precision while enabling rapid installation as a single module.
2Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable biasing devices are used to accommodate varying HVAC unit weights, then adaptability increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener system includes an adjustable nut that can be repositioned along the length of the fastener to vary the compression applied to the biasing device. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to adapt to different HVAC unit weights and center of gravity positions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing device compression parameter can be adjusted by repositioning the nut along the fastener, allowing the system to accommodate varying loads. This parameter adjustment provides adaptability to different HVAC unit weights without requiring multiple different components.
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
Enables efficient vibration damping and reduced installation complexity by allowing pre-assembly and quick mounting on-site, with adjustable biasing to accommodate varying HVAC unit weights and center of gravity, while preventing weather intrusion and enhancing assembly efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the biasing device is elastically deformable along a compression axis
Implementation Method 2
adjustment of the nut along the length of the fastener varies an extent of compression of the at least one biasing device
Data Source
AI summary
A vibration absorption system for a rooftop mounted air handling unit is disclosed herein. The vibration absorption system includes an upper rail. The vibration absorption system also includes a lower rail. The vibration absorption system also includes at least one biasing device disposed between the upper rail and the lower rail. The vibration absorption system also includes a fastener having a head and extending through at least a first portion of the upper rail and at least a first portion of the lower rail to interconnect the upper rail and the lower rail. The vibration absorption system also includes a nut releasably engaged with the fastener. The first portion of the upper rail and the first portion of the lower rail are disposed between the nut and the head. The nut is adjustably positionable along a length of the fastener wherein adjustment of the nut along the length of the fastener varies an extent of compression of the at least one biasing device. A method associated with the system is also disclosed.