JP2012237413A - Vibration isolation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vibration isolation device which can efficiently convert vibration energy generated by an engine, a body or the like into electric power by using a simple structure which is reduced in the number of part items.SOLUTION: In the vibration isolation device having a main-body rubber elastic body 14 between a power unit 10 being a vibration member constituting a vibration transmission system and a vehicle body 12 being a member to be controlled in vibration, there are arranged a first support member 18 and a second support member 20 which are oppositely arranged in the vibration input direction (vertical direction in Fig.1), the main-body rubber elastic body 14 is prevented from being imparted with vibration in the compression tensile direction (vertical direction in Fig.1) between opposing faces of the support members 18, 20, and a piezoelectric element 26 is arranged at one opposing face 22 of the support members 18, 20.

Description

  The present invention relates to a vibration isolator capable of utilizing vibration generated when an automobile is running and efficiently converting the vibration energy into electric power using a piezoelectric element.

  Conventionally, various vibration isolators have been reported as methods for reducing vibrations that cause problems in vibration members (vibration target members) such as power units and bodies in automobiles. For example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-273156) discloses an engine mount that supports an automobile power unit against vibration against the vehicle body, and a power unit that uses the engine mount against the vehicle body. The present invention relates to a vibration support structure.

  Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-54032) relates to a dynamic damper particularly suitable for vibration isolation of a subframe or a differential device.

  Further, in Patent Document 3 (Japanese Patent No. 3932025), as a type of vibration isolator interposed between members constituting a vibration transmission system, an outer cylinder member is spaced apart and arranged radially outward of an inner shaft member. The inner shaft member and the outer cylinder member are elastically connected by arranging a rubber elastic body between the inner shaft member and the outer cylinder member in the radial direction and vulcanized and bonded to the inner shaft member and the outer cylinder member. An anti-vibration bushing with a crimped structure is shown.

  By the way, against the backdrop of the recent increase in demand for energy saving, it is necessary not only to reduce vibration, but also to convert such vibration energy that is currently discarded to electricity. .

  However, in the vibration isolator having a conventional structure described in Patent Document 1 and the like, such effective use of energy has not been studied.

  In order to convert the vibration energy of the vibration member into electricity, a piezoelectric element may be simply interposed on the vibration transmission path. However, simply interposing the piezoelectric element directly on the vibration transmission path may cause damage to the piezoelectric element due to input of large vibrations (for example, an impact generated when the automobile crosses a step). In particular, in automobiles and the like, various vibrations having different frequencies as well as sizes are generated. Therefore, there is a problem that it is extremely difficult to efficiently convert vibration energy into electric energy for many types of vibrations having different vibration levels and vibration frequencies while avoiding damage caused by large vibration inputs. It was. Therefore, in the field of automobiles and the like, an apparatus for converting vibration energy into electricity has not yet been put into practical use.

JP 2006-273156 A JP 2010-54032 A Patent 3932025

  The present invention has been made in the background of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its solution is to reduce the vibration energy generated by a vibration member (vibration target member) such as a power unit or body to a simple structure with a small number of parts. An object of the present invention is to provide a vibration isolator that can be efficiently converted into electric power.

  Hereinafter, the aspect of this invention made | formed in order to solve such a subject is described. In addition, the component employ | adopted in each aspect as described below is employable by arbitrary combinations as much as possible. In addition, aspects or technical features of the present invention are not limited to those described below, but are described in the entire specification and drawings, or can be understood by those skilled in the art from those descriptions. It should be understood that it is recognized on the basis of.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vibration isolator comprising a main rubber elastic body disposed between members constituting a vibration transmission system, wherein a plurality of support members disposed opposite to each other in a vibration input direction are provided. The main rubber elastic body is subjected to vibration in the compression / tensile direction between the opposing surfaces of the supporting members, and a piezoelectric element is provided on at least one opposing surface of the supporting member. .

  In the vibration isolator of this aspect, since the vibration exerted between the members constituting the vibration transmission system is exerted on the piezoelectric element through the main rubber elastic body, for example, the distortion exerted on the piezoelectric element when an impact load is input. The maximum level and acceleration are relaxed. Moreover, when an impact load is input, the impact can be received by a stroke due to the elasticity of the main rubber elastic body, avoiding damage to the piezoelectric element due to an excessive shock wave acting instantaneously, and by the pressure acting over time It is possible to enjoy the power generation effect of the piezoelectric element.

  Further, since the vibration load in the compression / tensile direction is applied to the main rubber elastic body between the opposing surfaces of the support member arranged opposite to the vibration input direction, the piezoelectric element provided on the opposing surface of the support member is suitable for power generation. In addition, a vibration load (strain) is applied in the direction of compression and tension in the thickness direction. Moreover, since vibration input to the piezoelectric element is performed via the main rubber elastic body, even if there is a vibration component parallel to the opposing surface of the support member in the original input vibration, it is dispersed and attenuated within the main rubber elastic body. By doing so, adverse effects on the piezoelectric element can be reduced or avoided.

  In addition, the main rubber elastic body interposed on the vibration input path to the piezoelectric element also exhibits a damping action. Therefore, even in the case of vibration input accompanied by resonance, the peak level of the input acting on the piezoelectric element is suppressed and a wide frequency range is achieved. Thus, efficient input can be realized, and vibration input suitable for power generation can be obtained for the piezoelectric element.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the vibration isolator described in the first aspect, one electrode of the piezoelectric element is configured by the support member.

  According to the second aspect, since one electrode of the piezoelectric element is configured by the support member, the configuration can be simplified, the manufacturing cost can be reduced, and the space efficiency can be improved. Further, by adopting such a configuration, it is possible to prevent a situation such as disconnection of the electrode and greatly improve the durability.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the vibration isolator described in the first or second aspect, at least a part of the outer peripheral edge of the piezoelectric element extends to the outside from the main rubber elastic body. It is a part.

  According to the 3rd aspect, the electricity supply part to the electrode of a piezoelectric element can be comprised using the terminal part extended from the main body rubber elastic body. As a result, it is not necessary to wire a lead wire or the like inside the main rubber elastic body, and manufacturing is facilitated. In addition, although it is also possible to comprise the electricity supply part to both electrodes of a piezoelectric element in this terminal part, you may employ | adopt combining the above-mentioned 2nd aspect and this aspect, for example. By combining with the second aspect, the support member can be used for taking out one electrode of the piezoelectric element, and the terminal portion can be used for taking out the other electrode of the piezoelectric element.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the vibration isolator described in any one of the first to third aspects, the vibration is fixed to one end of the main rubber elastic body in the vibration input direction. At least one of the support members is constituted by an attachment member attached to one member constituting the transmission system.

  According to the fourth aspect, the main rubber elastic body can be handled as one body with the support member by being fixed to the surface of the mounting member as the support member by vulcanization adhesion or the like. There are advantages in that the structure can be simplified and handling including positioning at the time of mounting is facilitated.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the vibration isolator described in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the holding member fixed to an intermediate portion in the vibration input direction of the main rubber elastic body, At least one of the support members is configured.

  According to the fifth aspect, the piezoelectric element can be provided on the support member including the holding member, and more electric power can be efficiently taken out by connecting the piezoelectric elements to each other. . In addition, by efficiently converting the vibration into electric power, the vibration is reduced as a secondary effect.

  In addition, the piezoelectric element and the rubber member can be provided over a large area on both surfaces of the holding member as the support member, respectively, and space efficiency can be improved.

  When the piezoelectric elements are provided on both surfaces of the holding member fixed to the intermediate portion, by combining the second mode, etc., the electrodes of the piezoelectric elements provided on both surfaces can be shared by the holding members to simplify the structure. It is also possible to plan. When a plurality of piezoelectric elements are connected in parallel, the electromotive forces may be made substantially the same by arranging the same piezoelectric elements symmetrically with respect to the support member as the piezoelectric elements provided on both surfaces of the holding member. preferable. Also, by making the electrodes on the surfaces superimposed on both surfaces of the holding member the same or different from each other, the piezoelectric elements provided on both surfaces of the holding member can be connected in parallel or in series Is also possible.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the vibration isolator described in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the main rubber elastic body is fixed to the surface of the piezoelectric element. .

  According to the sixth aspect, the main rubber elastic body is fixed to the surface of the piezoelectric element by vulcanization adhesion or the like. By covering the piezoelectric element with the main rubber elastic body, the main rubber elastic body can also function as a protective material for protecting the piezoelectric element from hitting foreign matter such as gravel.

  According to the present invention, the structure in which the main rubber elastic body is provided between the members constituting the vibration transmission system allows the support member to vibrate after appropriate elasticity and damping are exerted on the input vibration. Oppositely arranged in the input direction, piezoelectric elements are provided on the opposing surfaces of these support members, and vibration in the compression / tensile direction is exerted on the main rubber elastic body. As a result, the peak level and acceleration of strain exerted on the piezoelectric element when an impact load is input are alleviated, the durability of the piezoelectric element is improved, and compressive tension in the thickness direction is suitable for power generation in the piezoelectric element. The vibration (distortion) in the direction can be exerted.

1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a vibration isolator as a first embodiment of the present invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the vibration isolator as the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the vibration isolator as the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the vibration isolator as the 4th Embodiment of this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an anti-vibration device 16 as an anti-vibration device having a structure according to the present invention, in which an automobile power unit 10 and a vehicle body 12 are anti-vibrated and connected by a main rubber elastic body 14. ing. The vibration isolator 16 includes a first support member 18 and a second support member 20 that are disposed to face each other, and the main rubber elastic body 14 is disposed between the opposed surfaces. And between the opposing surfaces 22 and 24 in the up-and-down direction in FIG. 1, which is the main vibration input direction between the power unit 10 as a vibration member constituting the vibration transmission system and the vehicle body 12 as a vibration suppression target member, the vibration isolator 16 is provided. Is installed. Moreover, in the vibration transmission system configured by connecting the power unit 10 and the vehicle body 12 with the vibration isolator 16 in such a mounted state, the main vibration is the opposing surface of the first and second support members 18 and 20. It is applied to the main rubber elastic body 14 as a vibration load in the compression / tensile direction.

  More specifically, the main rubber elastic body 14 has a block shape extending in the vertical direction in FIG. 1 with an appropriate cross-sectional shape such as a circle or a polygon. The material of the main rubber elastic body 14 is not particularly limited, and NR (natural rubber), CR (chloroprene rubber), NBR (nitrile rubber), SBR (styrene rubber), EPDM (ethylene propylene rubber), etc. A known anti-vibration rubber material can be appropriately employed in consideration of required conditions such as environment and load.

  The main rubber elastic body 14 has one of its main elastic shafts set in the main vibration input direction, and extends in the vertical direction in FIG. And the 1st support member 18 and the 2nd support member 20 are piled up and fixed with respect to the both end surfaces (the upper end surface and the lower end surface in FIG. 1) of this main vibration input direction. In particular, in the present embodiment, an integrally vulcanized molded product is obtained in which the first support member 18 and the second support member 20 are vulcanized and bonded to both ends of the main rubber elastic body 14 in the vertical direction.

  Furthermore, the first and second support members 18 and 20 are both made of a rigid material such as metal, and have, for example, a flat plate shape. The first and second support members 18 and 20 are provided with fixing bolts 28 and 30 protruding outward.

  And while the 1st support member 18 is fixed to the power unit 10 with the fixing bolt 28, the 2nd support member 20 is fixed to the vehicle body 12 with the fixing bolt 30, and the vibration isolator 16 is The power unit 10 and the vehicle body 12 are mounted.

  On the other hand, a piezoelectric element 26 is attached to the first support member 18 so as to overlap with a surface 22 facing the second support member 20.

The piezoelectric element 26 can be composed of elements made of various materials that generate a voltage due to distortion caused by an external force. Specifically, for example, a piezoelectric polymer such as a BaTiO ₂ , PbZrO ₃ , PbTiO _3, etc. piezoelectric polymer using a polymer compound such as a copolymer having vinylidene fluoride (VDF) as a core may be employed. . In particular, by using a piezoelectric polymer, it is possible to reduce stress due to a difference in deformation rigidity generated at the interface with the main rubber elastic body.

  In addition, the piezoelectric element 26 has a sheet shape, and is fixed to the opposing surface 22 of the first support member 18 at, for example, a plurality of locations, and is fixed and disposed over the entire surface by adhesion or the like. May be. Furthermore, a film-shaped or plate-shaped piezoelectric element 26 formed in advance is mounted on the opposing surface 22 of the first support member 18, and the molding material (piezoelectric material) of the piezoelectric element 26 is used as the first support. It is also possible to adhere to the facing surface 22 of the member 18 by coating or the like and fix the surface simultaneously with molding by baking, polymerization (vulcanization) or the like.

  The piezoelectric element 26 is configured to be large enough to obtain the required electric power, and preferably, the region where the main rubber elastic body 14 is attached to the facing surface 22 of the first support member 18. Are disposed over substantially the entire surface. However, when the first support member 18 is provided with the fixing bolt 28, it is desirable to avoid the vicinity of or near the fixing bolt 28. For example, a donut shape or the like may be adopted in a plan view. By avoiding the periphery of the fixing bolt 28, problems such as damage to the piezoelectric element 26 can be avoided more effectively.

  In addition, the piezoelectric element 26 is connected to an energizing member such as a lead wire (not shown) on both the front and back surfaces that generate the electromotive force, and the electric power generated by the piezoelectric element 26 is transmitted through the energizing member. Become. At that time, one energizing member is configured by the support member 18 by bringing one surface (the upper surface in FIG. 1) of the piezoelectric element 26 into close contact with the opposing surface 22 of the first support member 18 in an energized state. It is also possible.

  In the vibration isolator 16 of the present embodiment configured as described above, when vibration is applied between the power unit 10 and the vehicle body 12, such vibration is applied to the piezoelectric element 26 via the main rubber elastic body 14. It is made to act. At that time, the vibration in the vertical direction in FIG. 1, which is the main vibration input direction, is exerted on the piezoelectric element 26 as a variation in compressive force in the thickness direction along with the elastic deformation of the main rubber elastic body 14 in the compression / tensile direction. Will be.

  In this way, the vibration exerted on the vibration isolator 16 is exerted as a fluctuation in compressive force effective for generating an electromotive force in the piezoelectric element 26, and an electromotive force can be obtained.

  Here, since the vibration applied to the vibration isolator 16 is applied to the piezoelectric element 26 via the main rubber elastic body 14, the input vibration is further reduced based on the action of the spring of the main rubber elastic body 14 and the damping force. It is possible to efficiently convert it into electric power.

  For example, when an excessive impact force is instantaneously input when the step of a car is exceeded, the pressure applied to the piezoelectric element 26 is received by a stroke caused by elastic deformation of the main rubber elastic body 14 and converted into kinetic energy over time. It will be affected as a change. As a result, it is possible to obtain an excellent power generation effect while avoiding damage to the piezoelectric element 26 due to an excessive shock wave.

  Further, even when vibration is input with resonance, the maximum value of the vibration level is reduced and the frequency is broadened by the action of the damping force of the main rubber elastic body 14. As a result, it is possible to achieve excellent power generation efficiency by the action of the effective vibration load over a wide frequency range while avoiding the action of the excessive vibration load on the piezoelectric element 26.

  In addition, in the main vibration input direction to the vibration isolator 16, the main rubber elastic body 14 is accompanied by a compressive tensile deformation with a high spring characteristic, and the piezoelectric element 26 is efficiently subjected to a variable load of compressive force suitable for power generation. On the other hand, in the vibration input direction orthogonal thereto, the main rubber elastic body 14 undergoes shear deformation with low spring characteristics, so the load in the shear direction transmitted to the piezoelectric element 26 is reduced. Thereby, damage of the piezoelectric element 26 can be prevented more effectively, and the durability can be further improved.

  Furthermore, since the piezoelectric element 26 is almost entirely covered with the main rubber elastic body 14, the main rubber elastic body 14 can be used as a protective material for protecting the piezoelectric element 26 from foreign objects such as gravel. Can work. In addition, in the first support member 18, the region where the piezoelectric element 26 is disposed can be set so as to overlap the region where the main rubber elastic body 14 is attached. There is no need to increase the size of one support member 18.

  In the present embodiment, as a member constituting the vibration transmission system, “a power unit (including a driving force generation source such as an engine and an electric motor) and a vehicle body” and a vehicle body are shown in FIG. 1. "Mass member" and handle that vibrate and displace due to a resonance phenomenon in a dynamic damper attached to a handle that is a vibration source member, a member to be excited, and a member to be damped, such as a suspension member and vehicle body constituting a system A member such as (vibration target member) also constitutes a vibration transmission system, and the present invention can be similarly applied.

  In addition, the specific shapes and sizes of the first and second support members 18 and 20 and the main rubber elastic body 14 can be appropriately changed according to the mounting structure and performance required for the vibration isolator 16. It is not limited at all. The piezoelectric element 26 may also be divided into a plurality of parts as necessary. Furthermore, instead of or in addition to the facing surface 22 of the first support member 18, a piezoelectric element 26 can be provided on the facing surface 24 of the second support member 20.

  Hereinafter, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following embodiment, the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment are used for members and parts having the same structure as in the first embodiment. By attaching, detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted, and redundant explanations will be omitted with respect to the effects exhibited in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 2 shows a vibration isolator 32 as a second embodiment of the present invention.

  In the vibration isolator 32 of the present embodiment, at least a part of the outer peripheral edge of the piezoelectric element 26 is a terminal portion 34 extending outward from the main rubber elastic body 14. In the present embodiment, the terminal portion 34 partially protrudes outward on the outer peripheral surface of the main rubber elastic body 14 and extends on the facing surface 22 of the first support member 18.

  The terminal portion 34 may be formed such that the outer peripheral portion of the annular plate-shaped piezoelectric element 26 partially protrudes outward, or the main rubber elastic body 14 is partially on the periphery. The outer peripheral portion of the piezoelectric element 26 may be formed by being partially exposed.

  In such a vibration isolator 32 of the second embodiment, one surface (upper surface in FIG. 2) 36 of the piezoelectric element 26 is in an energized state with respect to the opposing surface 22 of the first support member 18. By being superposed, a current-carrying member for one electrode of the piezoelectric element 26 is constituted by the first support member 18. Further, since the other electrode constituted by the other surface (lower surface in FIG. 2) 38 of the piezoelectric element 26 is exposed to the outside of the main rubber elastic body 14 at the terminal portion 34, the terminal By connecting a lead wire or the like at the portion 34, a current-carrying member to the other electrode can be easily configured.

  FIG. 3 shows a vibration isolator 40 as a third embodiment of the present invention.

  In the vibration isolator 40 of the present embodiment, a holding member 44 as a support member is fixedly provided to the main rubber elastic body 42 in a substantially embedded state at an intermediate portion of the main rubber elastic body 42 in the vibration input direction. The holding member 44 has a substantially flat plate shape that extends substantially perpendicular to the main vibration input direction. Since the holding member 44 is embedded and fixed, the spring characteristic of the main rubber elastic body 42 mainly in the height direction is adjusted to be hard and the durability is improved.

  Furthermore, the holding member 44 is provided with piezoelectric elements 50 and 52 respectively on the opposed surfaces 46 and 48 facing the first and second support members 18 and 20 in the main vibration input direction. The holding member 44 is preferably a plate-like member formed of a metal, synthetic resin, or the like having at least higher rigidity than the main rubber elastic body 42.

  Even in the piezoelectric elements 50 and 52 provided in the holding member 44 as described above, when the vibration is input, the main body rubber elastic body against the input vibration as in the piezoelectric element 26 provided in the first support member 18. Due to the effect of elasticity and damping of 42, a compressive force variation effective for power generation is exerted while avoiding an impact load effect, and efficient generation of electromotive force can be realized.

  Moreover, in the vibration isolator 40 of the present embodiment, the piezoelectric elements 26, 50, and 52 are avoided while avoiding an increase in size of the vibration isolator 40 by using the holding member 44 as an arrangement member for the piezoelectric elements 50 and 52. Since it is possible to increase the effective amount (effective area), it is possible to easily further improve the electromotive force.

  In the present embodiment, the arrangement of the plurality of piezoelectric elements 26, 50, 52 can be easily realized. At that time, the plurality of piezoelectric elements 26, 50, and 52 can be appropriately connected in parallel or in series. By appropriately selecting such a connection form, a required voltage or current level can be adjusted.

  In particular, since the holding member 44 is provided with the piezoelectric elements 50 and 52 on both sides thereof, the holding member 44 is used as a current-carrying member, so that the piezoelectric elements 50 and 52 provided on both sides are attached to the holding member 44. It is also possible to conduct each other by 44.

  FIG. 4 shows an anti-vibration bush 54 for an automobile as a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  In the vibration isolating bushing 54, an outer cylinder member 58 is spaced apart radially outward of the inner shaft member 56, and the inner shaft member 56 and the outer cylinder member 58 are elastically connected by a main rubber elastic body 60. The structure is made. Then, one of the inner shaft member 56 and the outer cylinder member 58 is attached to a vehicle body (not shown), and the other of the inner shaft member 56 and the outer cylinder member 58 is attached to a suspension arm (not shown). It is arranged on a vibration transmission path in the suspension mechanism.

  More specifically, the inner shaft member 56 has a straight cylindrical shape and is formed of a metal material such as steel. On the other hand, the outer cylinder member 58 has a straight cylindrical shape larger in diameter than the inner shaft member 56 and is formed of a suitable metal material in the same manner as the inner shaft member 56. The outer cylinder member 58 is extrapolated to the inner shaft member 56, and the outer cylinder member 58 is disposed on substantially the same central axis at a predetermined distance away from the inner shaft member 56 in the radial direction. .

  The main rubber elastic body 60 has a substantially thick cylindrical shape, and is disposed across the radially opposed surfaces of the inner shaft member 56 and the outer cylinder member 58. The inner and outer peripheral surfaces of the main rubber elastic body 60 are vulcanized and bonded to the outer peripheral surface 62 of the inner shaft member 56 and the inner peripheral surface 64 of the outer cylinder member 58, respectively. The outer cylinder member 58 is elastically connected by the main rubber elastic body 60. In the present embodiment, the main rubber elastic body 60 is formed as an integrally vulcanized molded product including the inner shaft member 56 and the outer cylinder member 58.

  In the state where the vibration isolating bushing 54 is mounted on the vehicle, the main vibration to be anti-vibrated is between the inner shaft member 56 and the outer cylinder member 58 in the direction perpendicular to the main rubber elastic body 60 (radial direction). ). In the present embodiment, both the vehicle steering stability and the ride comfort are achieved by making the spring characteristics in two radial directions orthogonal to each other different. Specifically, in the main rubber elastic body 60, a pair of straight portions 66, 66 are formed at the vertically opposing portions in FIG. Thereby, in the left-right direction in FIG. 1, which is the main vibration input direction, a larger spring constant is set and the spring characteristics are harder than in the up-down direction in FIG.

  Further, the radially opposing surfaces 68 and 70 in the left-right direction in FIG. 1 that are the main vibration input directions of the inner shaft member 56 and the outer cylinder member 58 are arranged on one side thereof (in this embodiment, the outer cylinder). A piezoelectric element 72 is provided on the inner peripheral surface 70) that is the opposing surface 64 of the member 58. In particular, in the present embodiment, in the main rubber elastic body 60, a region facing the inner shaft member 56 in the radial direction via a solid portion where the straight portions 66, 66 are not provided is substantially the entire circumferential direction. A piezoelectric element 72 is disposed on the inner peripheral surface 70 of the outer cylinder member 58 so as to cover the entire surface.

  When the vibration in the direction perpendicular to the axis is input between the inner shaft member 56 and the outer cylinder member 58, the vibration load is applied to the piezoelectric element 72 arranged in this manner in the normal direction of the outer cylinder member 58. As a result, the piezoelectric element 72 acts as a compressive force variation in the thickness direction. As a result, an efficient power generation action is exhibited in the piezoelectric element 72.

  In addition, since the vibration load exerted on the piezoelectric element 72 is accompanied by a damping action with the spring of the main rubber elastic body 60, the durability of the piezoelectric element 72 is ensured as in the first embodiment. Power generation effect can be realized.

  In this embodiment, the piezoelectric element 72 may be provided on the opposing surface (outer peripheral surface) 68 of the inner shaft member 56 instead of or in addition to the opposing surface 70 of the outer cylinder member 58.

  In addition, a holding member that is positioned at an intermediate portion between the radially opposed surfaces of the inner shaft member 56 and the outer cylindrical member 58 and has a predetermined length in the circumferential direction with substantially the same center of curvature is provided, and the inner periphery of the holding member It is also possible to provide a piezoelectric element on at least one of the surface and the outer peripheral surface.

  Furthermore, it is also possible to provide a piezoelectric element 72 that extends over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction on the outer circumferential surface 62 of the inner shaft member 56 and the inner circumferential surface 64 of the outer cylinder member 58.

  In addition, although not enumerated one by one, the present invention can be carried out in a mode to which various changes, modifications, improvements and the like are added based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. It goes without saying that all are included in the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

10: Power unit, 12: Vehicle body, 14, 42: Main rubber elastic body, 16: Vibration isolator, 18: First support member, 20: Second support member, 22: Opposing surface, 26: Piezoelectric element, 34: Terminal portion, 44: Holding member

Claims (6)

In the vibration isolator configured to include a main rubber elastic body disposed between members constituting the vibration transmission system,
A plurality of support members arranged opposite to each other in the vibration input direction are provided so that vibrations in the compression / tensile direction are exerted on the rubber elastic body between the opposed surfaces of the support members, and at least one of the support members A vibration isolator comprising a piezoelectric element on an opposing surface.   The vibration isolator according to claim 1, wherein one electrode of the piezoelectric element is configured by the support member.   3. The vibration isolator according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the outer peripheral edge of the piezoelectric element is a terminal portion extending outward from the main rubber elastic body.   The at least one of the support members is constituted by an attachment member fixed to one end of the main rubber elastic body in the vibration input direction and attached to one member constituting the vibration transmission system. The vibration isolator of any one of -3.   The vibration isolator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one of the support members is configured by a holding member fixed to an intermediate portion in a vibration input direction of the main rubber elastic body.   The vibration isolator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the main rubber elastic body is fixed to the surface of the piezoelectric element.

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