Spring-Magnet Vibration Isolator for Broad-Range Audio Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vibration isolators for audio equipment are limited in their ability to dampen vibrations across a broad frequency range and are not easily adaptable to different types and weights of audio equipment, leading to reduced damping performance when not fully loaded.
Innovation Solution
A vibration isolator comprising a base and a top connected by an isolator assembly with springs and magnets, allowing for improved mechanical and magnetic oscillation damping to isolate vibrations across a wide frequency range, and adjustable to support various audio equipment weights.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single elastomer or rubber damper is used in vibration isolator feet, then the structure is simple, but the vibration damping is effective only in a narrow frequency range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple dampers with different material properties (first damper with first hardness, second damper with second hardness) within a single isolator foot. This merging of different damping characteristics enables the isolator to effectively dampen vibrations across a broad frequency range, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and wide-frequency effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite damping structures where multiple dampers with different material compositions are integrated together. The first damper and second damper have different hardness values and material properties, creating a composite system that addresses vibrations across multiple frequency ranges simultaneously.
2Ease of manufacture
If a single material is used for damping vibrations, then the manufacturing is simple, but it is hard to adjust or configure the feet to dampen a specific range of frequencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the damping function into multiple independent dampers (first damper, second damper) with different material properties. Each damper can be independently selected and positioned to target specific frequency ranges, allowing the isolator to be configured for different vibration scenarios while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different material qualities (different hardness values) to different dampers based on their specific functional requirements. The first damper has a first hardness optimized for certain frequencies, while the second damper has a second hardness optimized for other frequencies, allowing localized optimization of damping characteristics.
3Reliability
If the feet are designed for optimal damping at 90%-100% load capacity, then the damping performance is maximized at full load, but the damping performance is reduced when loaded below 90%
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a progressive spring mechanism that dynamically adjusts its stiffness characteristics based on the applied load. At lower loads, the spring provides softer damping characteristics, while at higher loads (90%-100% capacity), it transitions to stiffer characteristics, maintaining optimal damping performance across the full range of operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the effective stiffness parameter of the isolator based on load conditions through the progressive spring design. The spring's mechanical properties are engineered to vary with compression, allowing the isolator to adapt its damping characteristics to match the actual load, thereby maintaining reliable performance whether the equipment is lightly or fully loaded.
4Reliability
If vibration isolator feet are designed for specific load capacity, then optimal damping is achieved at that load, but the isolator cannot be easily adapted to support audio equipment of different types and weights
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the isolator foot with multiple dampers of different hardness values and a progressive spring mechanism that can accommodate a wide range of loads. This multi-functional design allows a single isolator model to effectively support various audio equipment types and weights, from lightweight to heavy equipment, maintaining reliable damping performance across different applications.
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 isolator effectively reduces vibration transfer between audio equipment and its support surface across a broad frequency range, providing enhanced sound quality and adaptability to different equipment types and weights.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one spring biases the top apart from the base in the axis direction
Implementation Method 2
the at least one magnet biases the top apart from the base, or the magnet biases the top together with the base, in the axis direction
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3d
Figure 4a~6
AI summary
A vibration isolator that supports an audio equipment that vibrates or is sensitive to vibrations, the vibration isolator comprising, a base and a top, and an isolator assembly that couples the top to the base and vibration isolates the top from the base, and at least partly inhibit the transfer of vibrations between the top and the base, and the isolator assembly comprises at least one spring and at least one magnet, wherein the at least one spring biases the top apart from the base in the axis direction, and the magnet biases the top apart from the base, or the magnet biases the top together with the base, in the axis direction.