GB2314399A - A device for damping the transmission of vibration - Google Patents

A device for damping the transmission of vibration Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2314399A
GB2314399A GB9612952A GB9612952A GB2314399A GB 2314399 A GB2314399 A GB 2314399A GB 9612952 A GB9612952 A GB 9612952A GB 9612952 A GB9612952 A GB 9612952A GB 2314399 A GB2314399 A GB 2314399A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
liquid
voltage
vibration
damping
vehicle
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB9612952A
Other versions
GB9612952D0 (en
Inventor
Gareth Adrian Phillip Thomas
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
MG Rover Group Ltd
Original Assignee
MG Rover Group Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by MG Rover Group Ltd filed Critical MG Rover Group Ltd
Priority to GB9612952A priority Critical patent/GB2314399A/en
Publication of GB9612952D0 publication Critical patent/GB9612952D0/en
Publication of GB2314399A publication Critical patent/GB2314399A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16F—SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
    • F16F13/00—Units comprising springs of the non-fluid type as well as vibration-dampers, shock-absorbers, or fluid springs
    • F16F13/04—Units comprising springs of the non-fluid type as well as vibration-dampers, shock-absorbers, or fluid springs comprising both a plastics spring and a damper, e.g. a friction damper
    • F16F13/26—Units comprising springs of the non-fluid type as well as vibration-dampers, shock-absorbers, or fluid springs comprising both a plastics spring and a damper, e.g. a friction damper characterised by adjusting or regulating devices responsive to exterior conditions
    • F16F13/30—Units comprising springs of the non-fluid type as well as vibration-dampers, shock-absorbers, or fluid springs comprising both a plastics spring and a damper, e.g. a friction damper characterised by adjusting or regulating devices responsive to exterior conditions comprising means for varying fluid viscosity, e.g. of magnetic or electrorheological fluids

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Combined Devices Of Dampers And Springs (AREA)

Abstract

The device comprises an elastomeric block 10 formed with a number of cavities 20 each of which is filled with a liquid 21 which varies in viscosity in response to the application of voltage thereto. A high voltage generator is provided for applying a voltage to the liquid to vary viscosity and thereby control the damping characteristics of the device.

Description

A DEVICE FOR DAMPING THE TRANSMISSION OF VIBRATION The invention relates to a device for damping the transmission of vibration and is particularly, but not exclusively, concerned with the damping of vibration in a vehicle.
Conventional vibration dampers such as resilient elastomeric mounts are fully effective only at a given frequency. Moreover their effectiveness can be adversely affected by variations in the tolerance of component parts making up the damper.
An object of the present invention is to provide an improved form of device for damping vibration which will be effective over a range of frequencies and less susceptible to the effects of variation in tolerance of its component parts.
According to the invention there is provided a device for damping the transmission of vibration comprising a first part formed from an elastomeric material, a second part contained in the first part and comprising a liquid which varies in viscosity in response to the application of a voltage and means for applying a voltage to the liquid so that the variation in viscosity controls the damping characteristics of the device.
With such a device, the application of voltag to vary the viscosity of the liquid enables the damping characteristics of the device to be tuned to damp particular frequencies. For example, if the device is used in a vehicle and the vehicle is subject to a varying vibrational input from different types of road surfaces, the applied voltage and hence the damping characteristics can be changed in response to the different frequencies of vibration generated by the various road surfaces.
Preferably, the elastomeric material completely surrounds the liquid. In a preferred embodiment, the elastomeric material is formed with a plurality of cavities containing the liquid. The elastomeric material may be in the form of block of material which defines one or more of the said cavities.
The device may be arranged in a system comprising a sensor for sensing vibration, the sensor being arranged to provide a signal which is used to control the voltage applied to the liquid.
The aforesaid means for applying voltage to the liquid may take the form of a high voltage generator.
The preferred use of the device is within a vehicle.
In such a case, the device may include a controller for receiving running parameters of the vehicle such as engine speed and engine load, the controller being arranged to control the means for applying the voltage whereby the voltage applied to the liquid can be varied in response to at least some of the running parameters of the vehicle.
A device in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a device in accordance with the invention as used in a vehicle and Fig 2 is a cross section through an elastomeric block used in Fig 1 and showing liquid-filled cavities therein.
Referring to Fig 1, the vibration sensing device comprises an elastomeric block 10 having a lower surface 12 mounted on a first member 14 and an upper surface 16 which carries a second member 18 in the form of a mass element.
When the device is used in a vehicle, the members 14, 18 take the form of spaced apart vehicle components and the elastomeric block 10 is intended to reduce the transmission of vibration from the member 14 to the member 18.
As shown in Fig 2, the elastomeric block 10 is formed with a plurality of cavities 20. Although three cavities are shown in Fig 2, any convenient number of cavities may be provided. Each cavity 20 is filled with an electro rheological liquid 21.
Each of the cavities 20 has two electrodes 22, 24 arranged therein. The electrodes 22 are immersed in the liquid 21 and are connected to a generator 26 capable of generating a high voltage. The electrodes 24 are connected to a suitable return, e.g. an earth such as a vehicle body.
The voltage generator 26 is controlled by a main control unit 28 which may comprise an engine control unit of the vehicle. The main control unit 28 receives running parameters such as engine speed A, engine load B, and may also receive other inputs indicated at C. A vibration sensor 30 is connected to the member 18 and is sensitive to changes in vibrational frequency and amplitude of the member 18.
In use, the vibration sensor 30 senses the vibrational frequency and amplitude of member 18 and provides a signal to the main control unit 28. The main control unit 28 then controls the voltage generator 26 so as to vary the voltage applied to the liquid 21 in the cavities 20. By applying voltage to the electro-rheological liquid, the viscosity of the liquid varies thereby stiffening or softening the elastomeric block 10 so as to minimise the vibration transmitted from the member 14 to the member 18.
Instead of using a vibration sensor 30, the generator 26 can be controlled simply on the basis of the information derived from the signals A, B and C. As it may be possible to determine the way in which the first member 14 will vibrate at, say, certain engine speeds and/or engine load, the control of the high voltage generator 26 can be preprogrammed within the main control unit 28 to vary viscosity of the fluid 21 appropriately to minimise transmission of vibration to the member 18.
It will be appreciated that by controlling the high voltage generator 26 the characteristics of the device can be fine tuned to damp various frequencies in the most effective way. The output of the generator 26 can be connected to a switching arrangement (not shown) connected to individual sets of electrodes 22, 24. The switching arrangement may be controlled by the main control unit 28 so that the viscosity of liquid 21 in selected cavities 20 may be varied.
The term "elastomeric" used herein covers materials which may be natural or synthetic and which have elastic properties similar to those of rubber.

Claims (8)

1. A device for damping the transmission of vibration, the device comprising a first part formed from an elastomeric material, a second part contained in the first part and comprising a liquid which varies in viscosity in response to the application of a voltage and means for applying a voltage to the liquid to vary viscosity and thereby control the damping characteristics of the device.
2. A device according to Claim 1 in which the elastomeric material completely surrounds the liquid.
3. A device according to Claim 1 or 2 in which the elastomeric material is formed with a plurality of cavities containing the liquid.
4. A device according to Claim 1, 2 or 3 in which the voltage is applied to the liquid through spaced apart electrodes immersed in the liquid.
5. A device according to any preceding Claim in which the device is arranged in a system comprising a sensor for sensing vibration, the sensor being arranged to provide a signal which is used to control the voltage applied to the liquid.
6. A device according to any preceding Claim in which the means for applying voltage to the liquid is a high voltage generator.
7. A device according to any preceding Claim installed in a vehicle, a controller being provided for receiving running parameters of the vehicle, the controller being arranged to control the means for applying the voltage whereby the voltage applied to the liquid can be varied in response to at least some of the running parameters of the vehicle.
8. A device for damping the transmission of vibration between first and second members constructed and arranged substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB9612952A 1996-06-20 1996-06-20 A device for damping the transmission of vibration Withdrawn GB2314399A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9612952A GB2314399A (en) 1996-06-20 1996-06-20 A device for damping the transmission of vibration

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9612952A GB2314399A (en) 1996-06-20 1996-06-20 A device for damping the transmission of vibration

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9612952D0 GB9612952D0 (en) 1996-08-21
GB2314399A true GB2314399A (en) 1997-12-24

Family

ID=10795627

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB9612952A Withdrawn GB2314399A (en) 1996-06-20 1996-06-20 A device for damping the transmission of vibration

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2314399A (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2001092754A1 (en) * 2000-05-31 2001-12-06 Ismans - Institut Superieur Des Materiaux Du Mans Variable or non-variable amplitude vibrating wave damping device

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0137112A2 (en) * 1983-10-11 1985-04-17 METZELER Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung Two space hydraulic damping support
EP0218202A2 (en) * 1985-10-08 1987-04-15 METZELER Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung Active twin chamber engine mounting
US4991826A (en) * 1989-10-02 1991-02-12 General Motors Corporation Hydraulic mount with voltage controlled fluid

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0137112A2 (en) * 1983-10-11 1985-04-17 METZELER Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung Two space hydraulic damping support
EP0218202A2 (en) * 1985-10-08 1987-04-15 METZELER Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung Active twin chamber engine mounting
US4991826A (en) * 1989-10-02 1991-02-12 General Motors Corporation Hydraulic mount with voltage controlled fluid

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2001092754A1 (en) * 2000-05-31 2001-12-06 Ismans - Institut Superieur Des Materiaux Du Mans Variable or non-variable amplitude vibrating wave damping device
FR2809785A1 (en) * 2000-05-31 2001-12-07 Inst Superieur Des Materiaux D VIBRATION WAVE DAMPER DEVICE WITH VARIABLE OR NON-VARIABLE AMPLITUDE

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9612952D0 (en) 1996-08-21

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)