Compact vertical-motion isolator

摘要

A vertical-motion vibration isolator utilizes negative-stiffness-producing mechanism which includes a plurality of compressed flexures, each having a particular length in the compressed direction of the flexure and being oriented in a horizontal direction, wherein the plurality of compressed flexures are positioned relative to each other such that the length of each compressed flexure substantially overlaps the length of each of the other compressed flexures. At least some of the plurality of compressed flexures can be positioned in a stacked arrangement. The arrangement of compressed flexures forming a portion of the negative-stiffness mechanism can reduce the size of the isolator without compromising vibration isolation performance.

主权项

1. A vibration isolator having force-supporting capability in a vertical direction for supporting an object in an equilibrium position relative to a base while suppressing transmission of vibratory motion between the object and the base comprising:
a support spring for providing positive stiffness in the vertical direction and having force-supporting capability in the vertical direction for supporting the object; and a mechanism for producing negative stiffness in the vertical direction operatively connected with the support spring, wherein the support spring and the negative-stiffness-producing mechanism combine to produce the low vertical stiffness, the negative-stiffness-mechanism including a plurality of compressed flexures, each compressed flexure having a particular length in the compressed direction of the flexure and being oriented in a horizontal direction, wherein the plurality of compressed flexures are positioned relative to each other such that the length of each compressed flexure overlaps the length of each of the other compressed flexures.