Vibration Energy Absorber with Directional Damping Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vibrational energy absorbing apparatuses, such as viscous and friction dampers, increase the rigidity of structures when combined with spring devices, as they add resistance and restoring forces during vibrations, making it necessary to enhance the structural rigidity unnecessarily.
Innovation Solution
A vibrational energy absorbing apparatus with a reciprocating member and damping-force generating means, controlled by a system that generates damping force only during movement from maximum displacement to the origin position, minimizing structural rigidity by offsetting damping and restoring forces, using viscous, visco-elastic, or frictional resistance, and controlled via an orifice passage and valve system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vibrational energy absorbing apparatus such as a viscous damper or friction damper together with a spring device is applied to a structure, then vibration control is achieved, but the rigidity of the structure is inevitably increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a semi-active control system that dynamically adjusts the damping force based on real-time vibration conditions. The control unit activates the damping-force generating means only when vibration exceeds a predetermined threshold, transitioning the system from a static always-active damper to a dynamic condition-responsive system. This resolves the contradiction by providing vibration control only when needed, avoiding continuous rigidity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameter of the damping force from a constant state to a variable state controlled by vibration amplitude. By using a control unit that monitors vibration levels and adjusts the damping force accordingly (activating only when vibration exceeds threshold), the system achieves vibration control while minimizing the increase in structural rigidity compared to always-active dampers.
2Loss of energy
If damping-force generating means is continuously activated, then vibration damping is effective, but the force applied to the structure increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic activation of the damping-force generating means based on vibration cycles. The control unit monitors vibration amplitude and activates damping only during cycles when vibration exceeds the predetermined threshold, rather than continuously. This periodic action based on vibration conditions achieves energy absorption when needed while reducing unnecessary force application during low-vibration periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the damping function from continuous operation and applies it selectively only when vibration exceeds the threshold. The control unit separates the damping activation from continuous operation, extracting and applying the damping force only during necessary periods, thereby reducing unnecessary force on the structure while maintaining effective vibration energy absorption when required.
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
This solution allows for effective vibration control without increasing structural rigidity, as the damping force is only applied when needed, reducing the overall rigidity requirements and optimizing the structure's response to vibrations.
Implementation Method 1
damping-force generating means for generating a damping force with respect to the reciprocating motion of the reciprocating member
Implementation Method 2
damping-force generating means for generating a damping force with respect to the reciprocating motion of the reciprocating member
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
A vibrational energy absorbing apparatus 1 includes: a reciprocating member 2 which is reciprocatable in H directions between positive and negative maximum displacement positions D ± max with respect to an origin position O; a damping-force generating means 3 for generating a damping force R with respect to the reciprocating motion of the reciprocating member 2 in the H directions; and a controlling means 4 for controlling the damping-force generating means 3 so as to cause the damping-force generating means 3 to generate a fixed damping force R in the respective movement of the reciprocating member 2 in the H direction from the positive and negative maximum displacement position D ± max to the origin position O in the reciprocating motion thereof in the H directions, while causing the damping-force generating means 3 to substantially not generate the damping force R in the respective movement of the reciprocating member 2 in the H direction from the origin position O to the positive and negative maximum displacement position D ± max following that movement in the H direction.