Viscoelastic Damper for Rotary Drive Vibration Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotary drive systems in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face challenges in accurately transmitting rotational force due to load fluctuations and vibrations, which complicates the system and increases costs, with existing vibration isolation methods being neither structurally simple nor effective.
Innovation Solution
A damper device incorporating a viscoelastic material between an input member and a passive member, with a flexible member or cylindrical inner wall preventing diametrical displacement while allowing rotational shaking, effectively damping vibrations by converting vibration energy into thermal energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex rotary drive system with multiple gears and motors is used, then the rotational force can be transmitted, but vibrations and load fluctuations occur that reduce transmission accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and isolates the vibration problem by introducing a dedicated damper device that separates the vibration isolation function from the main drive system. The damper removes harmful vibrations while allowing the drive system to remain relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the transmission interface by introducing a viscoelastic material with specific damping characteristics. This material transforms the rigid connection into a compliant one that filters vibrations while transmitting rotational force.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If vibration isolation measures are added to the rotary drive system, then vibration transmission is reduced, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a viscoelastic material layer as a flexible damping element between the input member and passive member. This thin film-like structure provides effective vibration isolation without adding significant structural complexity or bulk to the drive system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite construction by combining the rigid input member and passive member with a viscoelastic damping material in between. This composite structure integrates vibration isolation functionality into the existing drive components rather than adding separate isolation mechanisms.
3Device complexity
If a simple vibration isolation means is used, then the structure is simplified, but the vibration isolation effect is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves effective vibration isolation with a simple structure by carefully selecting and tuning the parameters of the viscoelastic material, such as its damping coefficient and stiffness. This allows a single-layer simple structure to provide superior vibration isolation compared to complex multi-component systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a viscoelastic material as an intermediary element between the input member and passive member. This mediator absorbs and dissipates vibration energy while still allowing efficient rotational force transmission, achieving both simplicity and effectiveness.
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 simplifies the rotary drive mechanism, reduces vibration transmission, and enhances the accuracy of rotational force transmission by using viscoelastic materials to suppress vibrations, thereby improving the overall efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the system.
Implementation Method 1
a viscoelastic material which is provided between the input member and the passive member
Implementation Method 2
converting vibration energy into thermal energy
Implementation Method 3
a flexible member which prevents displacement of the viscoelastic material in a diametrical direction while not preventing a shake of the viscoelastic material in a rotating direction
Data Source
AI summary
A damper device having: an input member into which a rotary drive force is inputted; a passive member which receives the rotary drive force inputted into the input member and rotates; a viscoelastic material which is provided between the input member and the passive member; and a flexible member which prevents displacement of the viscoelastic material in a diametrical direction while not preventing a shake of the viscoelastic material in a rotating direction.