Vibration isolator with zero Poisson's ratio outer tube
AssigneeToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
InventorsPaul A. Gilmore, Umesh Gandhi, Ryohei Tsuruta, Brian J. Pinkelman
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Abstract
Systems and methods for limiting transmission of vibrations and forces causing vibrations from one element to another are provided. A vibration isolator may include a compressible inner member and an outer member compressible with the inner member. The outer member may be positioned at least partially around the inner member to provide lateral support to the inner member. The outer member may maintain a consistent diameter and compression force when in a compressed state. The outer member may include a tube with a zero or near-zero Poisson's ratio.
Claims20
A vibration isolator comprising:
- a compressible inner member;
- and
- an outer member compressible with the inner member and comprising a lattice structure positioned at least partially around the inner member to provide lateral support to the inner member, the outer member maintaining a consistent diameter and compression force when in a compressed state.
A vibration isolator comprising:
- a first compressible member having a first quasi-zero stiffness characteristic over a first displacement range;
- and
- a second compressible member having a second quasi-zero stiffness characteristic over a second displacement range overlapping at least partially with the first displacement range, wherein the second compressible member comprises a lattice structure positioned around the first compressible member to provide lateral support to the first compressible member.
A method of limiting vibration or shock loads imparted to an object, the method comprising:
- positioning a quasi-zero stiffness vibration isolator between a first element and a second element, the quasi-zero stiffness vibration isolator comprising:
- a compressible first member;
- and
- a second member compressible with the first member and comprising a lattice structure positioned around the first member to provide lateral support to the first member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.