Vibration isolator pre-load mechanism

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12523271-B2
Application number	US-202117205991-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 18, 2021
Priority date	Mar 18, 2021
Publication date	Jan 13, 2026
Grant date	Jan 13, 2026

Abstract

An apparatus includes a vibration isolator which incorporates at least two disk spring washers. Each disk spring washer has at least one ring-shaped outer spacer coupled to the outer edges of one or two of the disk spring washers, and at least one ring-shaped inner spacer coupled to the inner edges of one or two of the disk spring washers. A bottom attachment portion supports the disk spring washers, and a top attachment portion, with an application of a downward preload force, compresses the disk spring washers. A compression fixture applies and holds the preload force to the top attachment portion, and a second top attachment portion, with application of an additional downward force, further compresses the at least two disk spring washers.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An apparatus comprising:
a first quasi-zero-stiffness vibration isolator comprising:
at least two single, separate disk spring washers, wherein each single, separate disk spring washer comprises an inner edge, an outer edge, and a central opening;
at least one ring-shaped outer spacer having a central through-hole, wherein each outer spacer is coupled to and in contact with the outer edges of one or two single, separate disk spring washers of the at least two single, separate disk spring washers;
at least one ring-shaped inner spacer having a central through-hole, wherein each inner spacer is coupled to and in contact with the inner edges of one or two single, separate disk spring washers of the at least two single, separate disk spring washers,
wherein no two disk spring washers of the at least two single, separate disk spring washers are in contact with one another except through an outer spacer of the at least one outer spacer or an inner spacer of the at least one inner spacer;
a bottom attachment portion configured to support the at least two single, separate disk spring washers; and
a first top attachment portion configured to, with an application of a first downward force, compress the at least two single, separate disk spring washers;
a compression fixture configured to apply and hold the first downward force to the first top attachment portion, wherein the compression fixture comprises:
a bottom enclosure fixedly attached to the bottom attachment portion; and
a top enclosure configured to move vertically relative to the bottom enclosure and the bottom attachment portion; and

a second top attachment portion configured to, with application of a second downward force, additional to the first downward force, further compress the at least two single, separate disk spring washers.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first top attachment portion comprises a plate or platform.

3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second top attachment portion comprises a plate or platform.

4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second top attachment portion comprises a plunger coupling the first attachment portion to the second attachment portion through an opening in the top enclosure.

5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the bottom attachment portion comprises a plate or platform.

6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first downward force is a pre-load force selected to place the at least two separate disk spring washers in a quasi-zero-stiffness (QZS) range.

7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first downward force is a pre-load force selected to place the at least two separate disk spring washers in a quasi-zero-stiffness (QZS) range when the second downward force is applied.

8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the compression fixture further comprises a pin or bolt configured to fix a position of the top enclosure relative to the bottom enclosure after the first downward force is applied.

9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the compression fixture further comprises a motor configured to apply the first downward force.

10 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the compression fixture further comprises:
a sensor configured to measure the second downward force; and a controller configured to adjust the first downward force based on the second downward force.

11 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein adjusting the first downward force places the at least two disk spring washers in a quasi-zero-stiffness (QZS) range.

12 . The apparatus of claim 10 , further comprising a second vibration isolator positioned above the first top attachment portion,
such that the first downward force compresses the first vibration isolator and uncompresses the second vibration isolator, and such that the second downward force compresses both the first vibration isolator and the second vibration isolator, wherein adjusting the first downward force based on the second downward force places at least one of the first vibration isolator or the second vibration isolator in a quasi-zero-stiffness (QZS) range.

13 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a second vibration isolator positioned above the first top attachment portion,
such that the first downward force compresses the first vibration isolator and uncompresses the second vibration isolator, and such that the second downward force compresses both the first vibration isolator and the second vibration isolator.

14 . The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the plunger is non-threaded.

Assignees

• Toyota Eng & Mfg North America

Inventors

• Gilmore Paul A
• Gandhi Umesh
• Tsuruta Ryohei
• Pinkelman Brian J

Classifications

• B60N2/54

  using mechanical springs · CPC title

• F16F2228/063

  Negative stiffness · CPC title

• F16F15/002

  characterised by the control method or circuitry (control of mechanical oscillations per se G05D19/00) · CPC title

• F16F2228/004

  Force or pressure · CPC title

• F16F15/06

  with metal springs (with rubber springs also F16F15/08) · CPC title