Vertical Seismic Isolation Apparatus Using Scott-Russell Guide Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vertical seismic isolation devices face challenges in providing smooth vertical movement while preventing rocking, leading to increased size and weight, and hindering easy handling due to the need for side walls and layered rubber pieces.

Innovation Solution

A vertical seismic isolation device featuring a support guide mechanism with a Scott-Russell mechanism, comprising a track rail, moving block, support leg, and auxiliary leg, which allows only vertical movement and maintains a constant distance between the movable and fixed frames, preventing rocking and enabling smooth vertical movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If side walls and layered rubber pieces are provided to prevent rocking, then the movable frame can be prevented from rocking, but the size and weight of the fixed frame increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverocking preventionVSAvoidfixed frame weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the rocking prevention function from the side walls and layered rubber pieces, and implements it through a guide mechanism consisting of guide rails and guide rollers. This separates the vertical movement guidance function from the structural support function, allowing the fixed frame to be smaller and lighter while still preventing rocking effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces guide rollers as an intermediary element between the movable frame and the fixed frame. These rollers interact with the guide rails to constrain horizontal movement and prevent rocking, while bearing the load of the movable frame. This intermediary mechanism achieves rocking prevention without requiring heavy side walls and layered rubber pieces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If side walls with layered rubber pieces are provided to prevent rocking, then the movable frame can be prevented from rocking, but the vertical movement becomes hindered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverocking preventionVSAvoidvertical movement smoothness
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical friction-based rocking prevention (layered rubber pieces) with a rolling contact system (guide rollers on guide rails). The guide rollers rotate along the guide rails, providing rocking prevention through geometric constraint rather than friction, thereby enabling smooth vertical movement without the hindrance caused by rubber piece abutment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the guide rollers rotatable, allowing them to dynamically adapt to the vertical movement of the movable frame. As the movable frame moves vertically, the guide rollers rotate along the guide rails, maintaining continuous contact for rocking prevention while facilitating smooth movement. This dynamic rolling contact replaces the static friction-based system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If a four-joint link structure is used for seismic isolation, then the structure can provide vibration isolation, but the movable frame cannot stand alone and requires additional support structures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration isolationVSAvoidsupport structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the vibration isolation function with the support and guidance functions into an integrated system. The guide mechanism (guide rails and guide rollers) simultaneously provides structural support, prevents rocking, and guides vertical movement, while the seismic isolation units provide vibration isolation. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate heavy side walls and layered rubber pieces, reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 device allows for smooth vertical movement of the movable frame without rocking, reducing size and weight, and facilitating easy handling while effectively isolating objects from vertical vibrations.

Implementation Method 1

a moving block, which is assembled to the track rail through intermediation of a large number of rolling elements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling friction: Roller

Implementation Method 2

a support leg, which has one end rotatably coupled to the moving block and another end rotatably coupled to the movable frame, and is configured to convert the vertical movement of the movable frame into a motion of the moving block along a longitudinal direction of the track rail

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical linkage: Lever

Implementation Method 3

a restoration member which is configured to urge the movable frame so as to maintain a constant distance between the movable frame and the fixed frame

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3339679B1Vertical seismic isolation apparatus
Publication Date: 2020.04.22 THK CO LTD
  • EP3339679B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3339679B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3339679B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Provided is a vertical seismic isolation device, which enables smooth vertical movement of a movable frame on which an object subjected to seismic isolation is placed, and is small in size and weight and enables easy handling, the vertical seismic isolation device including: a fixed frame (2); a movable frame (3), which is arranged on the fixed frame; a support guide mechanism (4) which allows only vertical movement of the movable frame; and a restoration member (5) which maintains a constant distance between the movable frame (3) and the fixed frame (2). The support guide mechanism (4) includes: a track rail (40) which is provided on the fixed frame (2) ; a moving block (41), which is assembled to the track rail through intermediation of a large number of rolling elements; a support leg (42), which has one end coupled to the moving block and another end coupled to the movable frame (3), and is configured to convert vertical movement of the movable frame into a motion of the moving block (41); and an auxiliary leg (43), which has a length set to one-half of a length of the support leg (42), and has one end coupled to the support leg (42) at an intermediate position in a longitudinal direction of the support leg (42) and another end coupled to the fixed frame (2).