U-Shaped Leaf Spring Mount for Symmetric Shock Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shock mounts, such as the 'X type' mount, have asymmetric stiffness and natural frequency in the lateral direction, requiring multiple mounts for equal stiffness and damping in both directions, and are prone to 'bottoming' under high shock loads, leading to metal-to-metal contact and high accelerations.

Innovation Solution

A mount comprising multiple U-shaped leaf spring members arranged at equal angular spacing, with interleaved leafs and damping material, and a resilient cap to prevent bolt contact, providing symmetric stiffness and reduced high-frequency accelerations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If X type shock mounts are used, then shock isolation is provided, but asymmetric stiffness requires multiple mounts for equal performance in both directions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshock isolationVSAvoidnumber of mounts required

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mount is segmented into multiple U-shaped leaf spring members (typically three) arranged radially around a central axis, with each leaf spring providing isolation in a specific direction. This segmentation allows the system to achieve symmetric stiffness characteristics through proper angular spacing while using fewer individual mount units compared to traditional X-type mounts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite construction combining stainless steel leaf springs with viscous damping compound or steel mesh damping material between the leaves. This composite approach provides both elastic recovery and energy dissipation, achieving reliable shock isolation with improved symmetric stiffness characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Force

If X type mounts are pre-loaded at upper mass range, then supported mass capacity is maximized, but bottoming occurs under high shock loads causing metal-to-metal contact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupported mass capacityVSAvoidhigh frequency accelerations

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention incorporates a resilient cap or bumper element between the mounting bolt and the leaf spring assembly that provides cushioning before metal-to-metal contact can occur. This beforehand cushioning prevents bottoming under high shock loads, reducing harmful high frequency accelerations while allowing the mount to be pre-loaded to its full mass capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

A resilient cap or damping material acts as an intermediary element between the rigid mounting bolt and the leaf spring structure. This intermediary absorbs and dissipates impact energy, preventing direct metal-to-metal contact and the associated harmful accelerations during extreme shock events.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If multiple X type mounts are used for symmetric stiffness, then equal stiffness in both directions is achieved, but device footprint increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesymmetric stiffnessVSAvoidmounting footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges multiple isolation functions into a single integrated mount structure with three U-shaped leaf spring members arranged radially. This consolidation achieves symmetric stiffness characteristics in both lateral directions while occupying less space than multiple separate X-type mounts, reducing the overall device footprint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The mount transitions from the planar X-type configuration to a three-dimensional radial arrangement of leaf springs around a central axis. This dimensional change enables symmetric stiffness characteristics to be achieved with fewer components and a more compact footprint by utilizing spatial distribution of the leaf springs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 solution achieves symmetric lateral stiffness and damping, increased supported mass range, and reduced high-frequency accelerations, allowing a single mount to replace multiple 'X type' mounts with a reduced footprint and improved shock absorption.

Implementation Method 1

a mount comprising at least three substantially U-shaped leaf spring members

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

with a viscous damping compound located between the adjacent steel bands to provide constrained layer damping

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConstrained layer damping: Damping

Implementation Method 3

A further object of the present invention is to provide means to prevent bottoming of the mount where the mount is pre-loaded at the upper extremity of the advertised supported mass range

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViscoelasticity: Viscoelasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11168756B2Mounting

Publication Date: 2021.11.09 TAYLOR DEVICES INC

AI summary

An improved shock isolating mounting comprising at least three substantially U-shaped leaf spring members, each leaf spring member comprising at least two leafs arranged to define a space therebetween. In one arrangement, the respective at least three substantially U-shaped leaf spring members are arranged in an array having a substantially equal angular spacing between adjacent spring members.