Modular interface for damping mechanical vibrations

Abstract

Interfaces for damping mechanical vibrations are used, for example, for damping vibrations in the automotive or aerospace industry. The interfaces have a base connection element, a load connection element and a support element, with the support element being connected to the base connection element via a pretensioning device. A first energy converter system extends between engagement points on the base connection element and engagement points on the load connection element. A second energy converter system extends between engagement points on the support element and engagement points on the load connection element.

1 . An interface for reducing mechanical vibrations, comprising:
 a base connection element,   a load connection element   at least one support element,   at least a first energy converter system which is embodied as an actuator system extending between at least one engagement point located on the base connection element and at least one engagement point located on the load connection element;   at least one second energy converter system which is embodied as an actuator system extending between at least one engagement point located on the support element and at least one engagement point located on the load connection element;   at least one elastic pretensioning device connecting said base connection element to said support element for exerting a compressive preload on the first energy converter system and on the second energy converter system,   wherein the engagement points of said energy converter systems establish punctiform points of contact, and   wherein said pretensioning device is embodied in such a way that a defined adjustment of said preload exerted on said energy converter systems is possible.   
   
   
       2 . The interface as recited in  claim 1 , characterized in that the energy converter systems include at least one of the following elements:
 a piezoactuator,   a shape memory alloy actuator,   an electrorheological or magnetorheological fluid actuator or fluid damper, or   an electrostrictive or magnetostrictive actuator.   
   
   
       3 . The interface as recited in  claim 1 , characterized in that at least one sensor system is connected to the load connection element for determining at least one of the following parameters: travel, velocity, acceleration, force. 
   
   
       4 . An arrangement for reducing mechanical vibrations, characterized by
 an interface as recited in  claim 1 ,   at least one system which acts as at least one of the following: a movement sensor, an acceleration sensor, a velocity sensor, a force sensor, and   an electronic circuit which generates, from a signal developed by the at least one system, a target function for actuating the energy converter systems of the interface.   
   
   
       5 . An arrangement for reducing mechanical vibrations, characterized by
 an interface as recited in  claim 1 , and   an electronic circuit operatively associated with said interface for providing passive or semiactive vibration reduction.   
   
   
       6 . An arrangement for reducing mechanical vibrations, characterized in that a plurality of interfaces as recited in  claim 1  are connected in series, with the base connection element of each following interface being connected to the load connection element of the preceding interface. 
   
   
       7 . An interface for reducing mechanical vibrations, comprising:
 a base connection element;   a support element separated from the base connection element by an intermediate space;   a load connection element having a first part and a second part, said first part being located in said intermediate space and said second part being located outside of said intermediate space;   a first energy converter system extending between a first engagement point located on the base connection element and a second engagement point located on the load connection element, and   a second energy converter system extending between a third engagement point located on the support element and a fourth engagement point located on the load connection element; and   an elastic pretensioning device connecting the base connection element to the support element for exerting a compressive preload on the first energy converter system and on the second energy converter system, the pretensioning device being embodied as an elastic pipe which surrounds said first and second energy converter system.   
   
   
       8 . An interface as recited in  claim 7 , characterized in that said first and second energy converter systems include at least one active element selected from the group consisting of
 a piezoactuator,   a shape memory alloy actuator,   an electrorheological fluid actuator,   a magnetorheological fluid actuator,   a fluid damper,   an electrostrictive actuator, and   a magnetostrictive actuator.   
   
   
       9 . An interface as recited in  claim 7 , characterized in that at least one sensor system adapted to determine at least one physical quantity chosen from the group consisting of travel, velocity, acceleration and force is connected to the load connection element. 
   
   
       10 . An interface as recited in  claim 7 , characterized in that at least one of said first and second energy converter systems can convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. 
   
   
       11 . An arrangement for reducing mechanical vibrations, comprising:
 an interface as recited in  claim 7 ,   at least one system which acts as a movement sensor and/or acceleration sensor and/or velocity sensor and/or force sensor,   and an electronic circuit which generates, from a signal of said one system, a target function for actuating the energy converter systems of the interface.   
   
   
       12 . An arrangement for reducing mechanical vibrations, comprising:
 an interface as recited in  claim 11 ,   wherein said electronic circuit cooperates with said energy conversion systems to accomplish passive or semiactive vibration reduction.   
   
   
       13 . An arrangement for reducing mechanical vibrations, characterized in that a plurality of interfaces as recited in  claim 7  are connected in such a way that in each case the base connection element of the following interface is connected to the load connection element of the preceding interface. 
   
   
       14 . An interface for reducing mechanical vibrations, comprising:
 a base connection element;   a load connection element;   a first support element affixed to said base connection element by a first elastic pretensioning device;   a second support element affixed to said base connection element by a second elastic pretensioning device;   a first energy converter system supporting said load connection in a first direction and including at least one energy converter extending between an engagement point located on the base connection element and an engagement point located on the load connection element, and at least one energy converter extending between an engagement point located on the first support element and an engagement point located on the load connection element; and   a second energy converter system supporting said load connection in a second direction angularly disposed relative to said first direction and including at least one energy converter extending between an engagement point located on the base connection element and an engagement point located on the load connection element, and at least one energy converter extending between an engagement point located on the second support element and an engagement point located on the load connection element;   said first elastic pretensioning device being operative to exert a compressive preload on the first energy converter system, and said second elastic pretensioning device being operative to exert a compressive preload on the second energy converter system.   
   
   
       15 . An interface for reducing mechanical vibrations, comprising:
 a base connection element;   a load connection element;   a first support element affixed to said base connection element by a first elastic pretensioning device;   a second support element affixed to said base connection element by a second elastic pretensioning device;   a first energy converter system supporting said load connection in a first direction and including at least one energy converter extending between an engagement point located on the first support element and an engagement point located on the load connection element;   a second energy converter system supporting said load connection in a second direction angularly disposed relative to said first direction and including at least one energy converter extending between an engagement point located on the second support element and an engagement point located on the load connection element; and   a third energy converter system supporting said load connection in a third direction angularly disposed relative to said first and second directions and including at least one energy converter extending between an engagement point located on the base connection element and an engagement point located on the load connection element;   said first elastic pretensioning device being operative to exert a compressive preload on at least the first energy converter system, and said second elastic pretensioning device being operative to exert a compressive preload on at least the second energy converter system.