A constant quasi-zero stiffness isolator with tension springs to isolate vibrations with ultralow frequency

Abstract

Many types of quasi-zero stiffness (QZS) isolators have been developed to isolate vibrations with low frequencies. However, isolating vibrations with ultralow frequency as low as 1 Hz is still a great challenge even in laboratory tests due to the high damping of QZS prototypes. To address this issue, a novel isolator with intrinsically light damping is proposed by configurating tension springs and oblique bars. The linear or nonlinear negative stiffness generated by the horizontal tension springs and oblique bars counteracts the linear positive stiffness of the vertical tension springs to obtain the QZS-related features including nonlinear QZS, constant positive or negative dynamic stiffness, constant QZS, and constant zero stiffness. Two QZS conditions are derived and the influence of parameters on QZS is thoroughly studied. The proposed isolator with tension springs has obvious differences from the previous isolator with compression springs in terms of QZS conditions, as well as force and stiffness expressions. Then, the displacement transmissibility is calculated by using the increment harmonic balance method and the continuous arc-length algorithm, which is verified by the classical harmonic balance method. These methods have the same prediction result. Finally, a prototype is fabricated and tested. The smoother force curves with constant QZS and the higher transmissibility amplitude can be obtained in tests compared to the previous isolator with compression springs under the same configuration parameters, which verifies the theoretical formulations of the proposed isolator with light damping. The prototype is further improved by replacing linear bearings with sliders to reduce the frictional effects. As a result, vibrations with ultralow frequencies lower than 1 Hz are successfully isolated. The proposed isolator has a wider frequency band and lower transmissibility than the previous isolator with compression springs. This study offers an effective method of decreasing the large positive stiffness to obtain constant QZS for isolating vibrations with ultralow frequency.