X-Shaped Vibration Suppression Handle for Jackhammers
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-vibration handheld machines, such as jackhammers, pose significant risks to operators due to prolonged exposure to vibrations, leading to discomfort, fatigue, and potential damage to sensory nerves, muscles, and joints. Existing vibration suppressors, like traditional springs or dampers, are inadequate in effectively mitigating these vibrations.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a vibration suppression handle structure featuring X-shaped support structures and an arrangement of resilient members, which provides multi-directional vibration suppression (three degrees-of-freedom) and adjustable stiffness. This design includes a mechanism for adjusting the stiffness of the vibration suppression system, allowing it to adapt to different operators and extend the quasi-zero stiffness region, thereby enhancing vibration suppression performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional springs or dampers are used for vibration suppression, then the structure is simple, but the vibration suppression performance is insufficient due to dramatically increasing stiffness under compression
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration suppression system uses a mechanism that dynamically adjusts stiffness characteristics based on operating conditions. The system transitions from high stiffness at small displacements to quasi-zero stiffness at larger displacements, allowing it to adapt to different vibration amplitudes and maintain effective suppression across varying operational states.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes its mechanical parameters (stiffness) as a function of displacement amplitude. By designing the mechanism to exhibit parameter variations - specifically transitioning from positive stiffness to quasi-zero stiffness - the system optimizes vibration suppression performance across different operating ranges without requiring multiple components.
2Productivity
If worker presses down to hold equipment tightly for high demolition efficiency, then productivity increases, but vibration transfer to worker increases causing discomfort and potential injury
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the harmful vibration energy and the downward pressing force into beneficial effects. The compression force from the worker's hand is utilized to engage the quasi-zero stiffness mechanism, which then absorbs and dissipates vibration energy that would otherwise be transmitted to the worker's body.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration suppression mechanism acts as an intermediary between the jackhammer body and the handle. It decouples the direct vibration transmission path while still allowing the worker to apply downward force for efficient operation, thereby protecting the worker from harmful vibrations without compromising productivity.
3Reliability
If traditional vibration suppressors are used, then the device complexity is low, but the system cannot achieve multi-directional vibration suppression
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration suppression system is divided into multiple independent modules, each handling specific degrees of freedom. By segmenting the suppression function across multiple mechanisms arranged in space, the system achieves multi-directional vibration control while keeping each individual module relatively simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extends vibration suppression from one-dimensional (vertical only) to three-dimensional by incorporating mechanisms that operate in multiple spatial dimensions. The arrangement of suppression elements in different orientations enables the system to address vibrations along multiple axes simultaneously.
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 handle structure effectively reduces operator exposure to vibrations, achieving improved vibration suppression by maintaining a low resonant frequency and allowing for large vibration displacements, thus enhancing operator comfort and reducing the risk of vibration-related injuries.
Implementation Method 1
an arrangement of at least one resilient member for vibration suppression
Implementation Method 2
results in low resonant frequency (e.g., near zero or equal to zero) of the vibration suppression system
Implementation Method 3
vibration suppression systems that include X-shaped support structures and an arrangement of at least one resilient member
Data Source
AI summary
Vibration suppression handle structures for high-vibration handheld machines (e.g., jackhammers) are provided that offer improved vibration suppression. The handle structures of examples include two handles that are rotatably connected to X-shaped structures for vibration suppression. For instance, one side of each of the first and second handles is rotatably connected to one of the X-shaped structures, and the other side of each of the first and second handles is rotatably connected to the second X-shaped structure. The X-shaped structures of examples are adjustable in size and stiffness and thus can be adapted for different sized or shaped handheld machines. Jackhammers are further provided that include the vibration suppression handle structures.