Abstract: A circular cylindrical container having sealed ends provides a device for dissipating mechanical forces. The container is filled with particulate material and has circular wheel-like structures having rims and spokes located in the interior of the container in which the rim circumferences of the wheel-like structures increase as they are located further and further away from the centroid of the container along the elongated axis of the container toward one of the sealed ends.

Abstract: A shock and vibration isolation system for mounting equipment to a base wall uses a semi-active damper in parallel with a spring arrangement to provide optimum isolation with respect to both shock and vibration. The system comprises a load plate configured for attachment of the equipment thereto and a base plate configured for attachment to the base wall. The base plate is substantially parallel to the load plate with a spring arrangement disposed intermediate the load plate and the base plate. The spring arrangement engages the load plate and the base plate to bias the load plate and the base plate in a separated relationship. The system also comprises a damping arrangement disposed intermediate the load plate and the base plate. The damping arrangement is adapted for providing a selectively variable reaction force to the load plate and the base plate responsive to a relative displacement of the load plate with respect to the base plate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for implementing an active vibration isolation system (AVIS) is provided. The AVIS includes a pneumatic control system and an electronic control system. The pneumatic control system supports a mass sensitive to vibration and isolates the mass from high frequency external disturbances. The electronic control system isolates the mass from low frequency external disturbances. The pneumatic control system includes a compliance chamber filled with a fluid to pneumatically support the mass, pressure sensor to measure the pressure level in the compliance chamber, and pneumatic actuator to control the pressure level to minimize the effects of pressure variation in the compliance chamber.

Abstract: A motion restraint system is disclosed for use in association with a vibratory apparatus, such as a vibratory conveyor. The motion restraint system comprises a flexible restraint member which is positioned to extend generally laterally of the associated vibratory apparatus. A connector member connects the vibratory apparatus to the flexible restraint member so that lateral motion of the vibratory apparatus is restrained. At the same time, horizontal and vertical vibratory motion of the apparatus is permitted. Elastomeric isolation elements are positioned for operative engagement with opposite ends of the flexible restraint member to absorb the horizontal and vertical motions imparted to the flexible restraint member by the vibratory apparatus.

Abstract: A damping system is disclosed which includes a housing that receives vibrations, a mounting platform movably disposed with respect to the housing, at least one bearing surface on or attached to one of the housing and the platform, and at least one frictional member on or attached to the other of the housing and the platform in contact with the bearing surface. The system frictionally dampens vibrations received by the housing and isolates the platform from vibrations.

Abstract: A shock damper includes a damper body installed in the frame of a structure and adapted to absorb earthquake shocks, and braces adapted to support the damper body in the frame of the structure, the damper body having a horizontal top plate, a horizontal bottom plate, and a vertical connecting device connected between the horizontal top plate and the horizontal bottom plate, the connecting device being a shaft formed of any of a variety of cross sections, or a plurality of plates of any of a variety of profiles.

Abstract: A shock and vibration isolator system that includes a frame in which a shock and vibration sensitive mass is suspended by double acting shock absorbers with vibration isolation capabilities. Wire rope isolators are also mounted between walls of the mass and adjacent walls of the frame so that shock and vibrations moving along the vertical, horizontal and longitudinal axes of the system are effectively attenuated.

Abstract: A sensor isolation system including a sensor, a package for the sensor, and a compliant interposer disposed between the sensor and the package and interconnecting the sensor to the package to isolate the sensor from thermal and mechanical stresses and yet at the same time providing a physical interconnect between the sensor and the package.

Abstract: Passive shock filtering apparatus that filters shock waves experienced by structural systems, such as spacecraft and its structures and components, for example. The shock filtering apparatus reflects energy back to a shock source, and generally reflects a propagating shock wave within the boundary of the apparatus. In general, the apparatus comprises a member disposed adjacent to the shock source that has a plurality of slots disposed therethrough that are configured to reflect energy back to the shock source. The plurality of slots typically comprise a set of partially-overlapping slots formed through the member. The apparatus may further comprise a reinforcing layer of material affixed to the member that has slots that overlay and match the slots the formed through the member. The apparatus may have a cylindrical or rectangular cross section and may include a raised rim disposed around the periphery thereof.

Abstract: A flexible sleeve for damping vibrations and suppressing noise is disclosed. The sleeve is corrugated for radial stiffness and bending flexibility and has one or more damping layers of non-woven felt adhered to a flexible, resilient tubular support layer. The damping layers may be on both the inside and outside surfaces of the support layer. The support layer defines an interior space for receiving elongate substrates, the sleeve being slit to provide access to the interior space. Manufacture of the sleeve is by wrapping elongate multilayer strips combining the damping and support layers helically around a convoluted mandrel and applying heat and pressure to join the strips and force them to conform to the convoluted shape of the mandrel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a passive vibration isolation device for broadband suppression of vibrations. The device preferably comprises either a vertical spring filter, a horizontal spring filter, or a combination of the two. The vertical spring filter comprises non-linear spring devices such as Belleville washers, ZK washers, crest-to-crest springs or the like stacked in series, in parallel, or any combination thereof. ZK washers are washers which comprise multiple integral concentric rings of varying conicity. The device further may optionally comprise a screw, belt or similar device for adjusting the aspect ratio of the vertical spring. The device further may optionally comprise a screw or similar device for adjusting the static load placed on the vertical spring. The horizontal spring filter may comprise any number of bearings retained within a conical raceway disposed between two cylindrical plates.

Abstract: A damper, such as a vehicle shock absorber, and a method for attaching a ring to a base cup of a damper. The method includes the step of autogenously welding the ring to the damper base cup. The damper includes a ring autogenously welded to the damper base cup. In one variation, the ring is continuous and the base cup has a substantially convex surface with an outward projection. In another variation, the ring is split and has an end portion having a tab which projects radially outward. In one implementation, the welding consists essentially of drawn arc welding.

Abstract: A mount for a powertrain component of a motor vehicle comprises first and second plates, and a controller. The first plate is connected to one of the powertrain component or a frame of the motor vehicle. The second plate is connected to the other of the powertrain component or the frame of the motor vehicle. The controller measures the capacitance between the first plate and the second plate.

Abstract: A vibration isolator with a flange that extends from a piston. The piston may be coupled to a housing by a diaphragm. The diaphragm and flange define a balancing chamber that is in fluid communication with a leveling port. The flange is separated from the housing by a gap that provides fluid communication between the balance chamber and an inner chamber within which the piston moves relative to the housing. The piston is coupled to a support plate that is attached to a payload. The leveling port may be coupled to a leveling valve that varies the pressure within the balancing chamber and inner chamber to compensate for a disturbance applied to the isolator. The flange will provide a force that is opposite to the movement of the piston. The counteracting force minimizes oscillations in the isolator caused by releveling the support plate.

Abstract: Damper for a full automatic washing machine including an upper buffering member fitted to an inside of an upper portion of a washing machine housing, an elastic member under the lower buffering member for elastic supporting of the lower buffering member, and a damper bar for passing through, and connecting the upper buffering member, the lower buffering member, and the elastic member in succession, for damping vibration and impact, wherein the upper buffering member has a through hole for passing the damper bar therethrough with an upper diameter equal to, or smaller than a diameter of the damper bar, a lower diameter greater than a diameter of the damper bar, and the lower buffering member has an extension projected upward from an upper surface, a plurality of reinforcing ribs in an upper portion of the extension, sloped guide ribs extended downward from a bottom thereof for preventing the lower buffering member from coming out of a top of the elastic member, and a hole for passing the damper bar therethroug

Abstract: Vibration damping device for vehicles includes: a rigid housing member having an accommodation space and fixed to a vibrative member; and an independent mass member having a rigid mass body and an elastic body layer bonded on the outer surface of the rigid mass body. The independent mass member is non-adhesively disposed in the accommodation space such that an outer surface of the independent mass member is opposed to the inner surface of the housing member with a predetermined gap distance therebetween, to thereby permit displacement of the independent mass member relative to the housing member. The independent mass member and the housing member is brought into elastic impact against each other, upon application of a vibrational load, at respective abutting surfaces thereof which are opposed to each other in a vibrational input direction.

Abstract: By virtue of the fact that the invention provides an apparatus that comprises at least one first vibration-isolating device, arranged between a load and a standing surface, for at least partially decoupling the static and dynamic forces acting between the load and the standing surface, and includes at least one second vibration-isolating device assigned to the first one and/or the load, for absorbing the substantially decoupled dynamic forces, the possibility arises for the first time that the dynamic forces acting on the apparatus and/or originating from the apparatus can be decoupled substantially from the static forces in a fashion actively isolating vibrations.

Abstract: A shock absorbing device for an electrical cable includes a resilient member attachable to two spaced-apart portions of the cable, so as to bias the spaced-apart portions toward one another and to impart an arcuate shape to the cable between the spaced apart portions. The device also includes a spacer member for location between the cable and the resilient member. The spacer member can ensure that the cable and the resilient member are maintained at a minimum distance, so that when tension is applied to the cable, the resilient member is deformed, thus producing a rising spring rate effect in the device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compact vibration isolation system for mounting an inertial sensor assembly (ISA) to an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) housing. The housing is mounted to a support that is subjected to shock and vibration. The vibration isolator assembly includes a ring shaped elastomeric member laminated between a ring shaped inner member and a ring shaped outer member. The inner member is securely mounted to the ISA, and the outer member is mounted to a support of the IMU housing. Because of the compact size of this system, the IMU housing contains and protects the elastomeric member from potential contamination and damage, as well as eliminates the need for delicate mechanical and electrical interfaces. The elastomeric member of the system isolates the ISA from shock, vibration, and acoustic energy that may otherwise be transmitted from the support to the ISA.

Abstract: A preloaded stabilizer mechanism in a dot matrix line printer having a reciprocating carriage is provided to: (1) establish a rigid reference point that prevents the print line of the dot matrix line printer from drifting; (2) eliminate backlash; and, (3) create a carriage resonance frequency that is greater than the carriage operating frequency to enhance printer system stability and the reduction of vibration. The stabilizer mechanism is mounted on a support frame of the dot matrix line printer and includes a modified c-shaped bracket member and a spring plate. The spring plate is attached to one end of the bracket member to form a slot. The slot of the stabilizer mechanism receives an offset shaft that is coupled to a shuttle mechanism that provides the carriage with reciprocating motion. The spring plate of the stabilizer mechanism, being slightly deflected, imposes a force against the offset shaft.

Abstract: An active suspension system for supporting a mass, such as a seat on a base of a vehicle, includes a hydraulic actuator coupled between the seat and the base, an pneumatic off-load device between the seat and the base, and a control system which actively controls the hydraulic actuator and which controls the off-load member. The control system actively controls the hydraulic actuator as a function of a seat position error signal. A flow control valve controls the extension and retraction of the actuator. A proportional pressure control valve is connected between a primary pressure reducing valve and an inlet of the flow control valve. During start up, the pressure control valve prevents the supply of pressurized fluid to the flow control valve until the flow control valve is driven to its center or null position. During an electrical power failure, the solenoid operated pressure control valve is spring driven to a shut off position preventing communication of pressure to the flow control valve.

Abstract: A cross elastomer mount comprising a body composed of an elastomer and having a plurality of legs, a first platform for supporting a first member and a second platform for supporting a second member, a plurality of rigid platform arms pivotally attached to the platforms, and a plurality of hinges pivotally attaching the rigid platform arms to the legs of the cross elastomer mount whereby the plurality of legs bow or arc under a shock and vibration force to allow the cross elastomer mount to attenuated the forces while providing a tension and shearing resistance to the shocks and vibrations.

Abstract: Control data such as an optimal filter coefficient or the like of an engine mount is obtained by adaptation control or the like with respect to a reference vehicle F provided with a reference engine mount 20k, and the control data is stored in a reference data map storage medium 35 as a reference data map. Mount characteristics of the reference engine mount and a mass-produced engine mount 20m are measured. A correction data map which is a deviation from the reference data map is obtained for the control data of the mass-produced engine mount from a difference between both the mount characteristics, and the correction data map is stored in the correction data map storage medium 36. Both the data map storage media are added to the active control apparatus of the mass-produced vehicle M. Using both the data maps, it is possible to appropriately and actively control the vibration of the mass-produced vehicle without variation.

Abstract: A mount that can be used to connect a vibration-generating substructure to a main structure. The mount uses vibration diverters to couple the vibration-generating substructure to the main structure. The vibration diverters can include passive elements, e.g., plates, ribs, notched plates, plates having wells, etc., active elements, e.g., actuators, sensor/actuators, etc., or a combination of passive and active elements. A vibration confiner interconnects the actuators. The vibration confiner can include a passive layer damping material for dissipating vibrations. The vibration diverters divert vibrations from the vibration-generating substructure to the vibration confiner.

Abstract: A damping apparatus for damping vibrations in a vibrating system including a piston which is reciprocally movable in a fluid filled chamber, piston movement in either direction of movement being resisted by fluid pressure in the chamber behind the piston, which resistance provides damping forces which act to oppose piston movement, the piston being connected to one component of the vibrating system and the chamber being connected to a second component of the vibrating system, characterised in that structure is provided to relieve the fluid pressure behind the piston to allow substantially unopposed piston movement in the chamber without damping forces being provided, during piston movements which occur in response to vibrations in the vibrating system at frequencies other than a fundamental frequency which the damping apparatus primarily is intended to damp.

Abstract: A vibration inhibiting mechanism for a scanner including a base installed in a chassis of the scanner for resiliently biasing a roller support formed with a roller assembling portion on the top thereof; a roller being mounted on the roller assembling portion for abutting against a glass panel disposed on a top side of casing for receiving the chassis by an upward urging force exerted by the roller support, so as to prevent the chassis from vibrating along a direction perpendicular to the glass panel during the movement of the chassis and to prevent damage to or dislocation of the chassis during a drop test.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved vibration cancellation device designed to overcome many of the shortcomings inherent in prior devices. In many embodiments, the vibration cancellation device is smaller in scale than prior designs, facilitating more versatility with respect to design options. The device of the present invention achieves a smaller size partly due to the use of suspension springs having an offset, rather than a parallel arrangement.

Abstract: A spring element used in a temporary package for testing semiconductors is provided. The spring element is compressed so as to press the semiconductor, either in the form of a bare semiconductor die or as part of a package, against an interconnect structure. The spring element is configured so that it provides sufficient pressure to keep the contacts on the semiconductor in electrical contact with the interconnect structure. Material is added and/or removed from the spring element so that it has the desired modulus of elasticity. The shape of the spring element may also be varied to change the modulus of elasticity, the spring constant, and the force transfer capabilities of the spring element.

Abstract: A vibration-preventive support device, in which an inner cylindrical body is disposed within an outer cylindrical body and a vibration absorbing body is disposed in such a manner that the two ends thereof are respectively connected to the lower end side end edge of the outer cylindrical body and the upper end side end edge of the inner cylindrical body. At this time, the outer cylindrical body, inner cylindrical body and vibration absorbing body are formed in an integrally united body by molding elastic material, that is, rubber. The vibration preventive support device is arranged such that, in a first condition, the inner cylindrical body is entirely outside a volume encompassed by the outer cylindrical body and, in a second condition, the inner cylindrical body is disposed within the encompassed volume of the outer cylindrical body.

Abstract: A system for the mitigation of cable stay vibrations, typically induced by wind and rain, utilizes a plurality of active damper bands positioned along the cable stay. Each damper band includes a shiftable mass and an energizing device for facilitating assisted shifting of the mass. A control assembly can actuate all or selected ones of the energizing devices in response to sensed magnitudes of cable stay vibration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spring supporting structure of a linear compressor which is capable of reducing the horizontal length of the compressor by reducing the overall length which adds the length of an inner resonance spring to the length of an outer resonance spring by placing at least three inner resonance springs and outer resonance springs so as to cross each other to the cylindrical direction vertical to the center line of a inner/outer spring supporters placed between an inner stator assembly and an outer stator assembly fixedly formed on a frame elastically installed inside of a casing in order to make the magnet assembly perform the linear reciprocating motion, and placing the part of the elastic region of the certain inner resonance spring so as to overlap with the elastic portion of the adjacent outer resonance spring.

Abstract: A shock and vibration absorption system and method include a first support device, a second support device, and one or more elastic members arranged within one or more cavities formed between the first support device and the second support device. External shock or vibration cause the first support device and the second support device to adjust relative to each other, thereby compressing the elastic members. Compression of the elastic members attenuates the shock and vibration. The system may be used in a wide variety of applications, either alone or in combination with track systems, positioning systems or other shock and vibration absorption mechanisms and methods.

Abstract: This invention is a shock absorber for a oil well pumping unit. When a oil well is being produced by means of a oil well pumping unit—the pumping unit sits on the ground surface and pumps in an upward and downward motion which works the sucker rod string that runs down the well bore with a oil pump attached to the bottom of the sucker rod string. The sucker rods are attached to the pumping unit by means of a polish rod. The polish rod is the top rod of the sucker rod string. This shock absorber fits over the polish rod and slides down to a desired position. It is attached to the pumping unit by either wire line clamps on the bridle arms or a carrier bar. It will fit any and all oil well pumping units. Other oil well shock absorbers will only fit oil well pumping units with special attachments. This shock absorber is to eliminate pounding and vibration from the pumping unit and sucker rod string.

Abstract: A vibration isolator (10) for isolating the vibration of two bodies that are connected together is disclosed. The vibration isolator (10) comprises an inner cylinder (16) and a pair of outer housings (12, 14) concentrically bonded together with elastomer structures (18, 20) to form two chambers (22, 26) that are joined by a tuning port (24). The elastomer structures (18, 20) may serve both as the seals for the chambers (22, 26) and the compliant spring members in the isolator (10). The isolator (10) connects to a vibrating body by a spherical bearing (28). The chambers (22, 26) and tuning port (24) are filled with an inviscid fluid (34) and pressurized to prevent cavitation. In certain embodiments, pressure within the isolator (10) is maintained by a volume compensating device (30) connected to the chambers (22, 26) via a small diameter orifice (36).

Abstract: An elastomer isolator mount that can provide both compressive support and shear support to enable the elastomer isolator mount to attenuate shock and vibration forces to an object carried by the elastomer isolator mount with the ratio of compressive support to shear support controllable by the diameter of a plurality of angled holes in relation to width of a top support surface and the dynamic response characteristics of the elastomer isolator mount further controllable by selecting the shape of the sidewalls of the elastomer isolator mount. A plurality of elastomer isolator mounts can be further arranged in a group to provide a support platform for an object.

Abstract: A cross elastomer mount comprising a body composed of an elastomer and having a plurality of legs, a first platform for supporting a first member and a second platform for supporting a second member, a plurality of rigid platform arms pivotally attached to the platforms, and a plurality of hinges pivotally attaching the rigid platform arms to the legs of the cross elastomer mount whereby the plurality of legs bow or arc under a shock and vibration force to allow the cross elastomer mount to attenuated the forces while providing a tension and shearing resistance to the shocks and vibrations.

Abstract: A shock isolator for use in a compressive mode comprising a pyramid-shaped elastomer having a cavity therein with the pyramid-shaped elastomer having a base supporting a set of triangular shaped sidewalls that each terminate in a apex with the triangular shaped sidewalls cantilevered from the base to jointly terminate at a pyramid-shaped apex to create a one-piece elastomer mount so that a force applied to the pyramid apex is transmitted to the base through an offset axis while shock and vibration forces are attenuated by the shear resistance of the shock isolator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vibration isolator for isolating vibrations generated between units (2, 3) of which at least one unit is an electronic unit (3), wherein the vibration isolator (1) includes a first member (4) which cooperates with a first one of the units (2, 3) and a second member (5) which cooperates with a second one of the units (2, 3) and wherein a device (6) is provided for isolating vibrations between the units (2, 3). The isolating device (6) includes isolating structures (7) which are freely suspended between the first and the second members (4, 5) such that the structures (7) can spring in a vertical plane (VP) and a horizontal plane (HP) as well as in other directions relative to the units (2, 3), whereby the isolating structures (7) isolate vibrations between the units (2, 3) in the vertical plane (VP), the horizontal plane (HP) and other planes.

Abstract: A manipulator comprising a linkage with at least two links (1, 4) which have ball joints (3, 6) at their ends, and a spring device (10) which exerts a tensile force between the links. The spring device (10) comprises a first drawing device (11) with a first angle device (18), a second drawing device (12) with a second angle device (19), which are arranged, displaceable in parallel, side-by-side, and a spring member (13) arranged between the angle devices. The tensile force arises by the spring member exerting a compressive force against the angle devices.

Abstract: A multi-sensor, multi-actuator control system for controlling vibration in a mechanical structure. The system employs feedforward and feedback control strategies in tandem. Outputs from adaptive feedforward and modal feedback control loops are added to each other. The control system may be dynamically adapted to the changing physical characteristics of the controlled structure. For example, the plant transfer function estimates for the feedforward unit and the gain for the feedback unit may be calculated as functions of sensed physical parameters (location, mass, etc.), and the plant transfer function estimates may be dynamically modified to reflect time-varying feedback control gains. If desired, the control system may be used to cancel low frequency vibrations (<20 Hz) in industrial processes. The actuators may be formed of electromagnets, fixed armatures and interposed flux sensors. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the robust actuators are sealed so as to be impervious to fluids and dust.

Abstract: Ina vibration preventing damper forming method and a vibration preventing damper integrally formed with a mechanical chassis according to the present invention, an opening side end portion 9e of a damper housing 9 and a vibration preventing damper forming portion of a mechanical chassis 6 are made of a resin. The damper housing 9 is mounted on the vibration preventing damper forming portion by the fixture of the resin portions. Thus, a vibration preventing damper 8 is integrally formed with the mechanical chassis 6. For this reason, in supporting in a vibration proof manner and in a floating matter the mechanical chassis 6 within an interior of a casing 10 by means of the vibration preventing damper 8, it is possible to improve the working efficiency in mounting the mechanical chassis 6 to the casing 10 and to cope with the requirement of miniaturization of a mounting space between the interior of the casing 10 and the mechanical chassis 6.

Abstract: A shock absorber for damping shock energy generated by downhole perforating guns or stimulation devices is described. The shock absorber includes a spring assembly including at least a first spring and a second spring, the first spring having a tension greater than the second spring; a damper assembly; and a housing retaining the spring assembly and the damper assembly and including ends adapted for connection into a casing perforation assembly. The provision of springs of increasing stiffness permits the force generated by the perforating gun to be absorbed gradually and smoothly.

Abstract: A method supporting a printed circuit board, including the step of causing a contact portion of at least one board supporting member including a vibration damping portion formed of a vibration damping rubber, to contact at least one portion of a lower surface of the printed circuit board and thereby support the printed circuit board on a side of the lower surface thereof.

Abstract: There are disclosed a vibration isolating apparatus and a vibration eliminating method imposed less restrictions on the positioning of components, such as active actuators, forming part of the vibration isolating apparatus. The vibration isolating apparatus can be implemented with a relatively simple controller (such as an analog circuit) and can limit the interference of control forces to a practically ignorable degree. The vibration isolating apparatus has a table for mounting thereon a device vulnerable to vibrations, a plurality of sensors 15-20 for detecting motions of the table and a plurality of active actuators 11-14 for controlling positions of the table.

Abstract: An adaptive controller is used to adaptively generate vibration cancellation signals driving a controlled device which effects an associated vibration and noise-producing plant. The adaptive controller has multiple control paths to generate the control signal. In a vibration attenuation control path(s), an adaptive control signal is generated by plant compensation and adaptive filtering techniques to cancel vibrations. In a position control, saturation prevention path, the available operational extents of the controlled device are monitored and compensation signals are generated which direct the movement of the controlled device in such a manner as to prevent the controlled device from reaching the extents of control. The control signals from the multiple paths are then combined and transmitted to the controlled device which alters in some fashion the noise and vibration being generated or transmitted by the associated vibrating plant.

Abstract: A casing is composed of two hollow members which are made of an elastic material and stacked in a manner of one above the other. When the casing is mounted on a frame of a body of equipment with a shoulder bolt, the hollow members are made airtight.

Abstract: A shock absorber is disclosed. In the shock absorber, a unit cross member consists of two longitudinal arms. The two arms cross each other and are hinged to each other at the cross, thus being selectively closed by impact. One or more wires are vertically connected to the two crossing arms. Two guide panels are vertically positioned on opposite sides of the cross member and movably engage with associated arm ends of the cross member. In another embodiment, a plurality of cross members are coupled to each other in at least one of X, Y and Z-axes, thus forming a scissor assembly. The above shock absorber effectively absorbs impact or kinetic energy using the rupture stress of wires while changing the direction of impact force into a vertical direction and securing an effective displacement.

Abstract: A shock absorbing structure for a vehicle, including (a) a plurality of main bodies each made of a resin and including a lateral wall that extends substantially in a shock-receiving direction in which a shock is to be primarily applied to the shock absorbing structure, and (b) at least one connecting body each made of a resin and connecting adjacent ones of the main bodies. Each of the at least one connecting body includes a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion. The first connecting portion has a shape configured to be deformable more easily in a perpendicular direction that is perpendicular to the shock-receiving direction, than in a parallel direction that is parallel to the shock-receiving direction. The second connecting portion has a shape configured to be deformable more easily in the parallel direction than in the perpendicular direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pneumatically operated active vibration damping device including an elastic oscillating plate partially define a pressure receiving chamber formed on one side thereof and an oscillating air chamber formed on the other side thereof, wherein the elastic oscillating plate is oscillated due to a periodic change of the air pressure generated in the oscillating air chamber so as to exhibit active vibration damping effect of the device, and wherein at least one of the pressure receiving chamber and the oscillating air chamber undergoes a static pressure change so as to change a spring stiffness of the elastic oscillating plate. Thus, the device is capable of changing its active vibration damping characteristics based on the oscillation of the elastic oscillating plate.

Abstract: Undesirable vibrations are controlled in a mechanical structure by confining the vibrations to one or more specified areas of the structure and then dissipating the confined energy by damping. Vibration confinement is achieved using a confinement device which effectively applies both translational and torsional forces to the structure. The strength of the translational and torsional forces, and the position of the confinement device are chosen to select a vibrational energy confinement region. Damping elements are concentrated in the vibration confinement region to dissipate the confined vibrational energy. Judicious selection of the confinement region permits the structure to avoid the transfer of vibrational energy to particularly sensitive portions of the structure, or to direct vibrational energy to a portion of the structure. Optimization procedures are presented for designing structures having optimized placement and selection of the vibration confinement device and damping devices.