COMPACT VIBRATION DAMPING DEVICE AND VEHICLE

Abstract

A vibration damping device equipped with a resonator mechanism comprising at least one resonator, the at least one resonator having a first beater extending from an embedded end to a free beating end. The resonator consists of an elastically deformable base equipped with a first branch and a second branch connected by a central section, the embedded end being embedded at the first branch, the first branch extending from a first end to a second end each rigidly fastened to a mount, the second branch extending from a first end section to a second end section each rigidly fastened to a vibration source.

Claims

1. A vibration damping device equipped with a resonator mechanism comprising at least one resonator, the at least one resonator having at least one beater comprising a first beater extending from an embedded end to a beating free end, the at least one resonator comprising an elastically deformable base, wherein the base is equipped with a first branch and a second branch connected by a central section, the embedded end being embedded in the first branch, the first branch extending from a first end to a second end each of first end and second end is designed to be rigidly fastened to a mount, the second branch extending from a first end section to a second end section, each of first end section and second end section is designed to be rigidly fastened to a vibration source.

2. The vibration damping device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one resonator comprises at least two resonators, the two resonators are different.

3. A vibration damping device according to claim 1, wherein the resonator mechanism comprises at least one pair of two resonators, the two resonators in a pair being arranged in an inverse parallel configuration in a direction, the free end of the first beater of a resonator in a pair being arranged according to the direction between the base of this resonator and the free end of the first beater of the other resonator in that pair.

4. A vibration damping device according to claim 1, wherein the vibration damping device comprises at least one pair of two resonators, the first end and the second end of the first branch of one of the two resonators in a pair being respectively rigidly connected by two connecting stringers to the first end and to the second end of the first branch of the other resonator in that pair, at least one of the two connecting stringers having at least one fastener to rigidly attach it to the mount.

5. The vibration damping device according to claim 4, wherein the vibration damping device comprising at least two pairs of two resonators, a connecting stringer is common to the two pairs of two resonators.

6. A vibration damping device according to claim 1, wherein the vibration damping device comprises at least one pair of two resonators, the first end section of the second branch of a resonator in the pair being rigidly fastened by a link bar to the first end section of the second branch of the other resonator in that pair, the second end section of the second branch of a resonator in the pair being rigidly connected by a link bar to the second end section of the second branch of the other resonator in that pair or to the second end section of the second branch of a resonator in another pair.

7. A vibration damping device according to claim 1, wherein the vibration damping device comprises at least one stop to limit the beating at least of the first beater.

8. A vibration damping device according to claim 1, wherein the vibration damping device comprises at least one spacer to prevent contact between the mount and at least the first beater or between at least the first beater and the vibration source.

9. A vibration damping device according to claim 1, wherein the resonator mechanism forms a monolithic assembly.

10. A vibration damping device according to claim 1, wherein the resonator mechanism is flat if there is no deformation of the first beater, the resonator mechanism having a consistent thickness.

11. A vibration damping device according to claim 1, wherein the vibration damping device comprises the mount, the mount comprises at least one opening facing the free end.

12. A vibration damping device according to claim 1, wherein the vibration damping device comprises the vibration source, the vibration source comprises at least one cut facing the free end.

13. A vibration damping device according to claim 1, wherein the first branch and the second branch of the resonator are different or identical.

14. A vibration damping device according to claim 1, wherein the base is in the shape of an H.

15. A vibration damping device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one resonator comprises a second beater, the second beater extending from an embedded area to a free beating area, the embedded area being embedded in the second branch.

16. A vehicle, wherein the vehicle comprises a vibration damping device according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0080] The invention and its benefits will be shown in more detail in the following description with illustrative examples given in reference to annexed figures, which represent:

[0081] FIG. 1, an exploded view of a vibration damping device with one resonator,

[0082] FIG. 2, a top view of a resonator mechanism having two resonators,

[0083] FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, three-dimensional views of a vibration damping device,

[0084] FIG. 5, a three-dimensional view showing in particular the resonator mechanism of the vibration damping device in FIGS. 3 and 4,

[0085] FIGS. 6 and 7, views of a resonator having a first beater and a second beater.

[0086] FIG. 8, a diagram illustrating the operation of the vibration damping device according to FIGS. 3 and 4, and

[0087] FIGS. 9 through 11, diagrams illustrating possible uses of the invention.

[0088] Items shown in several separate figures are assigned with one reference.

[0089] Three directions X, Y and Z orthogonal to each other are shown in some figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0090] FIG. 1 shows a vibration damping device 1 according to the invention.

[0091] This vibration damping device 1 is equipped with a resonator mechanism 10 optionally monolithic. The resonator mechanism 10 comprises one or more resonators 20, and more precisely a single resonator 21 according to the non-restrictive example in FIG. 1.

[0092] Regardless of the number of resonators, each resonator comprises at least one beater and therefore a first beater 25 capable of performing, after a vibratory excitement, a beating motion in particular around a first rotation axis AX1. The first beater 25 has an arm 26 that extends in a longitudinal direction from an embedded end 27 to a free end 28. This free end 28 may bear a mass body 29. This mass body 29 may be built in or may be removable in whole or in part. For example, the mass body may comprise several masses stacked on each other. The mass body 29 and arm 26 can form a monolithic assembly. The mass body 29 may protrude above the arm.

[0093] In addition, the resonator 21 has an elastically deformable base 30. This base thus has a elastically deformable first branch 35 and a elastically deformable second branch 40 connected by an elastically deformable center section 45. The embedded end 27 of the first beater is thus embedded in the first branch 35.

[0094] The base 30 and at least the arm of the first beater 25 can form a monolithic assembly of a single flat unit, i.e., having a thickness 90 that is consistent between one face facing a mount 4 and one face facing a vibration source 2 as described later. Optionally, only the mass body has a raised surface compared to the rest of the mechanism

[0095] According to one embodiment, the first branch 35 may be in the shape of a slab or a more complex shape, e.g. a U shape.

[0096] The first branch 35 extends according to its length along a first rotation axis AX1 from a first end 36 to a second end 37. Thus, the first branch 35 may include a first section 351 comprising the first end 36 extended by a second section 352 secured to the first beater 25, the second section 352 being itself extended by a third section 353 comprising the second end 37.

[0097] The first branch 35, in particular the first section 351 and the third section 353 are at least elastically deformable in rotation around the first rotation axis AX1.

[0098] The second branch 40 can be a more complex slab or shape. The second branch extends according to its length along a second rotation axis AX2 from a first end section 41 to a second end section 42. Thus, the second branch may comprise a first part 401 comprising the first end section 41 extended by a second part 402, the second part 402 being itself extended by a third part 403 comprising the second end section 42.

[0099] The second branch 40, and in particular the first part 401 as well as the third part 403 are at least elastically deformable around the second rotation axis AX2.

[0100] The central section 45 is attached to the first branch and to the second branch to move them away from each other in the longitudinal direction. Optionally, the central section 45 is attached to the second section 352 and to the second part 402. The central section 45 can be a more complex slab or shape.

[0101] The first branch 35 and the second branch 40 can be identical. Alternatively, the first branch 35 and the second branch 40 can be completely different or partially different, with, in particular, different lengths depending on their rotation axes AX1, AX2, or different cuts in perpendicular planes to their transverse directions.

[0102] According to one embodiment, the first branch 35 and the second branch 40 can be parallel to each other.

[0103] Optionally, the first branch 35 and the second branch 40 can be arranged symmetrically on either side of a symmetrical axis AXSYM passing through the central section.

[0104] Seen from above along the substantially octagonal raised axis Z in the resting longitudinal direction, the base shown in the example is in the shape of an H. More complex shapes are possible based on the shape of the first branch and/or the second branch.

[0105] According to another embodiment, the first end and the second end are designed to be directly or indirectly fastened to a mount 4. The mount 4 may comprise an opening 5, i.e. an opening/window, facing each beater, in particular the free end 28 of the first beater of each resonator.

[0106] Additionally, the first end section 41 and the second end section 42 are designed to be directly or indirectly fastened to a vibration source 2. The vibration source 2 may comprise a cut 3 facing the free end 28 of each resonator.

[0107] Optionally, the mount 4 and/or vibration source 2 form parts of the vibration damping device 1. The mount 4 and/or the vibration source 2 can be made from composite materials for minimal thickness, this minimal thickness being optionally less than that of the resonator mechanism.

[0108] According to one embodiment, the vibration damping device 1 may comprise at least one stop 80 to limit the beat of the beater(s). According to the example in FIG. 1, a stop can be a buffer, for example arranged on the vibration source 2 or separate from that vibration source.

[0109] According to one embodiment, the vibration damping device 1 may comprise at least one spacer 85. Each spacer can help create a clearance between a resonator and the mount or the vibration source.

[0110] According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the vibration damping device 1 may comprise a single resonator.

[0111] According to other embodiments, the vibration damping device may comprise several resonators, optionally identical or different, two resonators optionally forming a particular resonator pair.

[0112] Thus, as shown in FIG. 2 the vibration damping device 1 may comprise a single pair 51 of resonators 21, 22.

[0113] The first resonator 21 and the second resonator 22 in a pair 51 can be arranged in an inverse parallel configuration in the direction DIR. Therefore, the free end of the first beater of the first resonator 21 is arranged according to the direction DIR between the base of this first resonator 21 and the free end of the first beater of the second resonator 22 of that pair 51. The first beaters of the two resonators can be aligned.

[0114] Additionally, the first end and the second end of the first branch of the first resonator 21 can be rigidly connected, respectively, by two connecting stringers 61, 62 to the first end and to the second end of the first branch of the second resonator 22. Optionally, one or more cross stringers 65 connect the two connecting stringers 61, 62 for example by extending between the two resonators 21, 22. The first branch and the second branch of the first resonator can be parallel to the first branch and the second branch of the second resonator.

[0115] In addition, at least one of the connecting stringers 61, 62 is equipped with at least one fastener 70. Such a fastener may be a fastening hole. Optionally, a wedge spacer is attached to the top face of each connecting stringer, with such a top face facing the mount. Such a spacer may be glued and/or screwed onto the connecting stringer and/or the mount.

[0116] Likewise, the first end section of the second branch of the first resonator 21 is rigidly connected by a link bar 71 to the first end section of the second branch of the second resonator 22.

[0117] In this dual-resonator configuration, the second end section of the second branch of the first resonator of the said pair 51 can be rigidly connected by a link bar 72 to the second end section of the second branch of the second resonator 22. Optionally, a wedge spacer is attached to the bottom face of each link bar, with such a bottom face facing the vibration source. Such a spacer may be glued and/or screwed to the link bar and/or the vibration source.

[0118] FIG. 2 shows that the resonator mechanism 10 can form a monolithic assembly. In addition, the resonator mechanism 10 is flat when the beater(s) is (are) not beating, the resonator mechanism 10 having a consistent thickness 90 with the possible exception of each mass body.

[0119] According to FIGS. 3 and 4, the vibration damping device 1 may comprise two pairs of resonators 21-22, 23-24. In FIG. 4, the mount 4 is transparent to show the resonators.

[0120] Like the mechanism in FIG. 2, the resonator mechanism 10 can form a monolithic assembly. In addition, the resonator mechanism 10 is flat when the beater(s) is (are) not beating, the resonator mechanism 10 having a consistent thickness 90. Only the mass bodies protrude above this consistently thick portion.

[0121] FIG. 5 shows the resonator mechanism 10 of this vibration damping device.

[0122] As in FIG. 2, the two resonators 21-22, 23-24 in each pair can be arranged in an inverse parallel configuration.

[0123] In addition, each pair may comprise two connecting stringers 61-62, 62-63. However, a stringer may be common to both pairs.

[0124] Thus, a first connecting stringer 61 can connect the first end of the first branch of a first resonator 21 in a first pair to the first end of the first branch of the second resonator 22 in that first pair.

[0125] A third connecting stringer 63 can connect the first end of the first branch of a third resonator 23 in a second pair to the first end of the first branch of the fourth resonator 24 in that second pair.

[0126] Additionally, a second connecting stringer can connect the second end of the first branch of the third resonator 23, the second end of the first branch of the fourth resonator 24, the second end of the first branch of the first resonator 21, and the second end of the first branch of the second resonator 22.

[0127] Each connecting stringer can carry a spacer 85, for example a wedge.

[0128] Optionally, the first branch of the first resonator and the first branch of the third resonator are aligned. Likewise, the first branch of the second resonator and the first branch of the fourth resonator can be aligned.

[0129] According to one embodiment, a first link bar 71 can connect the first end section of the second branch of a first resonator 21 in a first pair to the first end section of the second branch of the second resonator 22 in that first pair.

[0130] A fourth link bar 74 can connect the first end section of the second branch of a third resonator 23 in a second pair to the first end section of the second branch of the fourth resonator 24 in that second pair.

[0131] Additionally, a second link bar 72 can connect the second end section of the second branch of the third resonator 23 to the second end section of the second branch to the first resonator 21. A third link bar 73 can connect the second end section of the second branch of the second resonator 22 to the second end section of the second branch of the fourth resonator 24.

[0132] Each link bar can carry a spacer 85, for example a wedge.

[0133] Optionally, the second branch of the first resonator and the second branch of the third resonator are aligned. Likewise, the second branch of the second resonator and the second branch of the fourth resonator can be aligned.

[0134] FIGS. 1 through 5 illustrate resonators comprising a single beater.

[0135] However, according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a resonator may comprise a second beater 250. This second beater 250 extends from an embedded area to a free beating area, the embedded area of the second beater being embedded in the second branch 40. The second beater may comprise one or more of the characteristics of the first beater described previously. The second beater can be fitted in line with the first beater.

[0136] As shown in FIG. 7, a pair of resonators may comprise one or two resonators equipped with a second beater as shown in FIG. 6.

[0137] FIG. 8 shows a diagram illustrating the operation of a vibration damping device according to FIG. 3. The resonator mechanism has a thickness of five millimeters, which enables it to be cut from an aluminum plate 2017 using a more cost-effective water-jet cutting method. Each branch is in the shape of a tile five millimeters wide and fifty millimeters long. Each first beater carries a 150-gram weight sized to filter vibrations occurring at 25 Hz. Stiffness is approximately 20 daN/mm with static stress of approximately 140 MPa (MegaPascals) and a mass of 20 kg.

[0138] The diagram in FIG. 8 illustrates the antiresonance obtained at around 25 Hz when a 100-kilogram person sits on a seat and places his/her feet on a vibration damping device according to the invention. This diagram shows a ratio of the vibration amplitude in decibels of the source to the vibration amplitude of the mount as a function of the frequencies in Hertz.

[0139] FIGS. 9 through 11 illustrate various possible uses of the invention, particularly in a vehicle.

[0140] According to FIG. 9, a cabin in a vehicle 95 may comprise a seat 96 attached to a floor 98 by a seat vibration damping system 97, for example of the type disclosed in patent FR 2951700. Optionally, a portion of the floor theoretically located under the feet of an individual sitting on this seat is replaced by a vibration damping device according to the invention. The mount 4 can be arranged in line with the top side of the floor.

[0141] According to FIG. 10, the entire floor can be replaced by a vibration damping device according to the invention. The vibration damping systems 97 in FIG. 7 may optionally be omitted.

[0142] According to FIG. 11, a vibration damping device according to the invention is placed on a shelf 99 attached to a wall 100. Some equipment 101 can then be placed on the support 4.

[0143] Of course, this invention is subject to a wide variety of uses. Although several embodiments have been described, it is understood that it is impossible to fully identify all possible modes. It is of course possible to replace a means described by an equivalent means without departing from the context of this invention.