Shoulder Support Damping for Engine Vibration Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shoulder supports for motorized gardening tools fail to effectively reduce the transmission of vibrations and recoils from the engine to the user, leading to discomfort and fatigue during use.

Innovation Solution

An L-shaped support frame with a damper element between the lumbar support and the support frame, and additional dampers between the shoulder straps and the support frame, along with a movable back-plate, to absorb and distribute the vibrations and weight of the engine.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a rigid support frame and wearable framework are used to support the engine, then structural strength and stability are improved, but vibrations and recoils are transmitted directly to the user causing discomfort and fatigue

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidvibrations transmitted to user
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A damper element is introduced as an intermediary component between the support frame and the wearable framework. This damper absorbs and dissipates vibrations and recoils generated by the engine, preventing their direct transmission to the user while maintaining the structural integrity of the support system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The support frame is designed with specific geometric parameters (lengths of vertical and horizontal portions, thicknesses) optimized to balance structural strength with vibration reduction. The damper element's damping coefficient is selected to effectively reduce vibrations at the operating frequency range of the engine.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the engine weight is supported directly on the shoulders through rigid shoulder straps, then ease of operation is improved, but user fatigue increases due to concentrated weight and vibrations on the shoulders

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidfatigue from weight and vibrations
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A second damper element is positioned between the shoulder strap and the support frame to specifically address vibrations transmitted to the shoulders. This intermediary component reduces the harmful vibrations while allowing the shoulder strap to continue supporting the engine weight, thereby reducing fatigue without compromising ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If a fixed back-plate is used to support the lumbar area, then stability is improved, but vibrations are transmitted to the lumbar region causing discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidvibrations transmitted to lumbar area
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A first damper element is positioned between the lumbar support and the support frame to specifically address vibrations transmitted to the lumbar region. This intermediary component reduces the harmful vibrations while allowing the back-plate to continue providing lumbar support and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple damper elements are added to reduce vibrations, then comfort is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibrations transmitted to userVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of adding dampers throughout the entire structure, the solution applies damping elements only at specific critical locations where vibrations are most harmful: between the lumbar support and frame, between the shoulder strap and frame, and within the back-plate assembly. This localized approach reduces vibrations effectively while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

Substantially reduces user fatigue and maintains correct spinal posture by minimizing the transmission of vibrations and weight to the torso and shoulders, enhancing comfort and usability.

Implementation Method 1

a damper element arranged (indirectly) between the support frame and at least one element of which the wearable framework consists

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

an L-shaped support frame having a vertical first portion and a horizontal second portion associated cantilevered with the first portion and to which the engine is connected

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3537921B1Power group
Publication Date: 2021.08.04 EMAK
  • EP3537921B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3537921B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3537921B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A power group comprising an engine (M) and a shoulder support (10) for the engine (M), wherein said shoulder support (10) comprises: a support frame (15) adapted for supporting the engine (M), a wearable framework (50) connected to the support frame (15), and a damper element (90, 125, 135) arranged between the support frame (15) and at least one element of which the wearable framework (50) consists.