JP3501001B2 - Vibration reduction device for building structure and tuning method thereof - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vibration reducing device which constitutes a sub-vibration system for a building structure such as a house and can exert a dynamic vibration absorbing effect on a building structure which is a main vibration system, and a tuning method thereof. .

[0002]

BACKGROUND ART In a building structure such as a general house or a warehouse, vibration may occur due to an external force such as traffic vibration or wind acting as an exciting force. In particular, in recent years, the number of two-story and three-story houses has increased, and in these houses, a slight vibration due to traffic vibration becomes a problem, for example, as a cause of unpleasant noises and unpleasant vibrations at bedtime. Is coming.

By the way, as a vibration reducing apparatus for a building structure, there have hitherto been proposed some damper apparatuses for reducing the vibration of high-rise buildings such as high-rise buildings and towers.
For example, JP-A-3-74649 and JP-A-8-33.
Japanese Patent No. 8467 discloses a damper device having a structure in which an additional mass is elastically supported on a building structure by multistage laminated rubber. By configuring one sub-vibration system in the horizontal direction, these damper devices exhibit a reducing effect on the horizontal vibration caused in the building structure.

However, in these conventional damper devices,
When adjusting the natural frequency so that effective vibration suppression effect is exerted against the vibration that is a problem in the building structure that is the target of vibration suppression, It was necessary to change the number of installations. Therefore, in addition to the problem that the adjustment of the natural frequency is troublesome and time-consuming, and when the laminated rubbers are stacked in multiple stages to achieve the desired characteristics, the entire damper device becomes large, Occasionally there was a problem with the installation space. In particular, after the damper device is installed, retuning is performed when the vibration frequency, which is a problem in the building structure, or the natural frequency of the damper device changes due to changes in temperature due to changes in season, weather, time, etc. However, there is a problem that the work is extremely difficult when the necessity of the above arises.

In addition, since it is difficult to adjust the spring constant of the damper device only in steps by changing the number of laminated rubber layers or the number of rubber rubber units installed, it is necessary to finely tune the natural frequency of the damper device. Was difficult.
Therefore, it is difficult to tune the natural frequency of the damper device with high precision in accordance with the vibration frequency of the building structure, and it is not always possible to obtain an effective damping effect. Of.

[0006]

The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances as described above, and the problem to be solved is that the natural frequency can be tuned easily and with high accuracy. It is possible to easily obtain a good vibration damping effect against vibrations that should be isolated in building structures.
It is an object to provide a vibration reducing device having a new structure and a new tuning method for the vibration reducing device.

[0007]

Aspects of the present invention made to solve such problems will be described below. In addition, each aspect described below can be adopted in any combination. Further, it should be understood that the aspects and technical features of the present invention are not limited to those described below and can be recognized based on the description of the entire specification and the inventive idea described in the drawings. is there.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, in a vibration reducing device for a building structure that constitutes a sub-vibration system by elastically supporting a mass member with respect to the building structure by a spring member, A rubber mount capable of adjusting a horizontal spring constant in the sub-vibration system by changing a mounting position that determines a mounting direction with respect to the mass member , and the rubber mount,
A first attachment member attached to the mass member;
A second mounting member mounted to the building structure;
Is interposed between the facing surfaces of the first and second mounting members.
And a rubber elastic body that elastically connects the two members.
It is composed of and is horizontal through the center of gravity of the mass member.
Across two orthogonal axes of symmetry extending in the direction,
Place multiple rubber mounts so that they are symmetrically positioned.
And mounting direction of the rubber mount with respect to the mass member
By providing adjustment means that can change and set the mounting position that determines
By means of the adjusting means, their mounting in a rubber mount
The mounting position that decides the direction, sandwiching these two axes of symmetry
It is possible to set symmetrically, and by changing the mounting position that determines the mounting direction of the rubber mount by the adjusting means, it is possible to adjust the horizontal natural frequency in the sub-vibration system. .

In the vibration reducing device according to the first aspect, the natural frequency of the sub-vibration system including the mass member and the spring member is adjusted by changing the mounting direction of the rubber mount with respect to the mass member. You can do it. Therefore, it is possible to adjust the natural frequency of the sub-vibration system without changing the structure or the number of the rubber mounts. It can be easily tuned according to the vibration. Moreover, the horizontal spring constant of the sub-vibration system can be set sufficiently finely according to the mounting direction of the rubber mount. It is possible to adjust the frequency with high precision, which makes it possible to efficiently obtain excellent damping effect.

As the adjusting means employed in the first aspect, for example, the position where the rubber mount is attached, which is formed of a positioning hole such as a bolt, is set on the side of at least one of the mass member and the building structure. Provide multiple,
A structure that allows the mounting direction of the rubber mount to be adjusted in multiple stages, or by disposing sliding plates, etc. at the mounting member side of the rubber mount on the mass member side and the building structure side, and rotating around one axis Various structures such as a structure in which the mounting direction of the mount can be adjusted steplessly can be adopted.

Further, in the first aspect, it is not necessary to configure the spring member only by the rubber mount which can adjust the horizontal spring constant in the auxiliary vibration system by changing the mounting direction to the mass member. It is also possible to form a spring member by combining such a rubber mount and a rubber mount that has a fixed mounting direction with respect to the mass member and exhibits a constant spring constant. Further, when using a plurality of rubber mounts capable of adjusting the horizontal spring constant in the sub-vibration system by changing the mounting direction with respect to the mass member, it is not always necessary to change the mounting directions of all the rubber mounts. It is also possible to tune by adjusting the mounting direction of only some rubber mounts. Further, the spring member, as described in the above publication,
It is also possible to stack rubber mounts in multiple stages, in which case only the rubber mounts arranged in some stages may be able to change the spring constant by changing the mounting direction. It is also possible to tune the spring constant of the auxiliary vibration system by changing the mounting direction of only the rubber mounts arranged in some stages.

A second aspect of the present invention is the vibration reduction device according to the first aspect, wherein the rubber mount has a plurality of spring constants in different directions perpendicular to each other about a central axis extending in a substantially vertical direction. While using the set anisotropic rubber mount, the adjusting means determines the mounting direction of the anisotropic rubber mount with respect to the mass member.
It is characterized in that the mounting position can be changed and set around the central axis of the rubber mount. According to this aspect, it is possible to easily change the spring constant in the specific direction of the sub vibration system by simply rotating the rubber mount about one axis. The structure of the anisotropic rubber mount adopted in the second aspect is not particularly limited. Specifically, for example, a mount having a structure in which a first mounting member mounted on the mass member side and a second mounting member mounted on the building structure side are elastically coupled by a rubber elastic body, By providing an anisotropy by providing a lightening hole or a through slit in the rubber elastic body, or by inclining the facing surfaces of the first mounting member and the second mounting member connected by the rubber elastic body. Anisotropy is imparted and the above-mentioned JP-A-8-
Any structure such as that described in Japanese Patent No. 338467, in which anisotropy is imparted by embedding and fixing an inclined plate in a rubber elastic body, can be adopted. Further, the central axis of the rubber mount is generally defined as a load input direction in which a stable elastic deformation is generated in the rubber elastic body, and is usually the elastic main axis direction, and preferably the compression / compression with respect to the rubber elastic body. The direction in which tensile deformation is advantageously produced is set.

Furthermore, a third aspect of the present invention is the vibration reducing device according to the second aspect, wherein in the rubber mount in which the spring constant is anisotropic, the spring constant in the direction perpendicular to the axis is The feature is that the minimum value and the maximum value are set in directions orthogonal to each other. In the vibration reducing device according to the third aspect, in the anisotropic rubber mount, it is possible to easily know the amount of change in the spring constant depending on the mounting angle. Tuning the sub-vibration system by adjusting the direction becomes easier.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is the vibration reduction device according to any one of the first to third aspects,
In the adjusting means, a mounting direction of the central axis of the rubber mount with respect to the mass member can be changed and adjusted. The mounting position that determines the mounting direction of the central axis of the rubber mount with respect to the mass member should be changeable and adjustable in at least one of the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, depending on the structure and arrangement of the rubber mount. Then, it can be appropriately set so that the desired tuning of the spring constant of the sub-vibration system can be realized. In the vibration reducing device having the structure according to the fourth aspect, by using the rubber mount whose spring characteristic in the direction perpendicular to the axis is constant in all directions around the central axis, the mounting direction with respect to the mass member can be improved. By changing the, it becomes possible to adjust the natural frequency of the sub-vibration system.

[0015] Note that, in the vibration reduction device engaging <br/> Ru to the first state like the present invention described above, facilitates the adjustment of the spring constant of the entire spring member by changing the mounting direction of the plurality of rubber mounts In addition, even if the mounting directions of the plurality of rubber mounts are changed or adjusted, the stability of the mass member is advantageously maintained, so that the desired vibration damping effect can be stably obtained.

Further, in such the first embodiment, comrades which symmetrical positions across the axis of symmetry of the rubber mount, it is desirable that the same structure. On the other hand, rubber mounts having no symmetry with respect to any axis of symmetry may have different spring characteristics or structures. Further, the setting in which the mounting direction of the rubber mount is symmetrical with respect to the two symmetry axes is, for example, with respect to any symmetry axis, the rubber mounts arranged at symmetrical positions on both sides of
It can be advantageously realized by arranging so that the inclination angles in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction with respect to the axis of symmetry are symmetrically the same.

Further , in the first aspect, the two orthogonal symmetry axes as the symmetry axes of the disposition position of the rubber mount are preferably at least one, and more preferably both of them. , It is set so that the vibration direction in the building structure should be vibration-proof. Further, in the first aspect, preferably, the two orthogonal symmetry axes as the symmetry axes of the arrangement position of the rubber mount are both set as elastic main axes in the horizontal direction of the sub vibration system as a whole. . As a result, the stability of the sub-vibration system is further improved, the desired damping effect can be obtained more stably, and the sub-vibration system can be easily tuned.

[0018] Then, a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vibration damping system according to the first to fourth one embodiment, relative to the ceiling portion of the top floor of the building structure, said mass It is characterized in that the member is elastically supported by the spring member. In the vibration reduction device according to the fifth aspect as described above, the sub-vibration system is arranged by efficiently utilizing the space on the ceiling where the extra space can be relatively easily secured. In addition to the above, it is possible to further effectively obtain the damping effect of the sub-vibration system in terms of the vibration mode of the building structure.

In the fifth aspect, the sub-vibration system may be attached to and attached to any member that constitutes the ceiling portion, depending on the structure and type of the building structure.
Specifically, the mass member and the spring member constituting the sub-vibration system can be attached to and supported by various members such as various beams, slabs, girders, and edges. Also,
The number of sub-vibration systems may be one, but it is of course possible to attach a plurality of sub-vibration systems formed independently of each other to a building structure. You may tune to the range.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is the vibration reduction device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects,
The adjusting means determines the mounting direction of the rubber mount.
The present invention is characterized by including actuator means for changing the mounting position and control means for controlling the operation of the actuator means and changing the mounting position for determining the mounting direction of the rubber mount. In the vibration reducing device according to the sixth aspect, the tuning work is further facilitated by changing the mounting direction of the rubber mount. Therefore, after mounting the sub-vibration system on the building structure, mounting of the rubber mount is performed. Change direction and tune,
Retuning is also easy. In particular, if the control means having a remote control structure for remotely operating the actuator means is adopted, the owner or the like can easily perform tuning correction even after the completion of the building structure or after the upper building of the house. By changing the tuning according to the season, temperature, or the like manually or automatically using a sensor or the like, it is possible to more stably obtain a higher vibration damping effect.

Further, according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, when a vibration reducing device is obtained by forming a sub-vibration system by elastically supporting a mass member with a spring member for a building structure, the spring member is used. , A rubber mount capable of adjusting a horizontal spring constant in the sub-vibration system by changing a mounting direction with respect to the mass member, and the rubber mount is attached to the mass member.
Attached to the first mounting member and the building structure
A second mounting member to be mounted, and the first and second mounting members.
Are mounted between the facing surfaces of the mounting members of the
In addition to being composed of a rubber elastic body that can be sexually linked,
Two straight lines extending horizontally through the center of gravity of the mass member.
So that they are symmetrically located with the intersecting symmetry axes in between,
A plurality of the rubber mounts are arranged and those rubber mounts are
The mounting position that determines the mounting direction in the und
It can be set to be symmetrical with the axis of symmetry of the book sandwiched,
A method of tuning a vibration reducing device for adjusting a natural frequency in the horizontal direction of the sub-vibration system by changing a mounting position that determines a mounting direction of the rubber mount is characterized. According to such a tuning method, it is possible to adjust the natural frequency of the sub-vibration system without changing the structure or number of rubber mounts. It is possible to tune easily and with high accuracy according to the vibration to be isolated.

Further, an eighth aspect of the present invention is the tuning method according to the seventh aspect, wherein a plurality of the rubber mounts are used and the direction of the elastic main axis in the horizontal direction of the entire sub-vibration system. To change the mounting position that determines the mounting direction of those rubber mounts,
Characterize. According to the tuning method according to the eighth aspect, angular displacement or torsional displacement in the sub-vibration system at the time of input of vibration for vibration isolation of the building structure is prevented, and more stable control is achieved. The shaking effect can be exerted. In this aspect, the elastic main shaft of the sub-vibration system as a whole is associated with the input direction of the load and the elastic deformation of the spring member when the load is input to the sub-vibration system along the axis. An axis that coincides with the displacement direction of the mass member and does not cause rotation or angular displacement of the mass member.

Further, a ninth aspect of the present invention is the tuning method according to the seventh or eighth aspect, wherein the rubber mount is a plurality of different axes about a central axis extending in a substantially vertical direction. An anisotropic rubber mount with a spring constant in the right angle direction is used, and as such an anisotropic rubber mount, a plurality of types with different spring constants are prepared in advance to provide the required vibration isolation. Choose either type of anisotropic rubber mount depending on the characteristics,
Characterize. According to such a tuning method according to the ninth aspect, only a limited number of rubber mounts are prepared, and a rubber mount appropriately selected from the rubber mounts is adopted to change or adjust the mounting direction. By doing so, an extremely wide tuning range can be obtained. In particular,
Compared with high-rise buildings and towers, general houses tend to have a large number of vibration ranges to be isolated in a specific area, and the demand is high. Preparing the rubber mount in advance has a great effect on cost.

A tenth aspect of the present invention is the tuning method according to the ninth aspect, wherein each of the plurality of types of anisotropic rubber mounts has a horizontal spring constant ratio. It is characterized by preparing the thing which was made substantially constant. According to the tuning method according to the tenth aspect, a plurality of types of anisotropic rubber mounts are used.
It is possible to advantageously cover the entire wider tuning range.

[0025]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings in order to more specifically clarify the present invention.

First, FIG. 1 shows an outline of a vibration reducing apparatus 10 for a building structure having a structure according to the present invention, and this vibration reducing apparatus 10 is used for a general three-story house 1
FIG. 2 shows an outline of the state in which it is attached to the No. 2 unit. The vibration reducing device 10 includes a mass body 14 as a mass member.
And a plurality of rubber mounts 16 as spring members for elastically supporting the mass body 14, and as shown in FIG. 2, a structure that constitutes the ceiling of the third floor of the three-story house 12. It is mounted on the member 18.

More specifically, the mass body 14 is formed of a high specific gravity material such as metal, and for example, a material formed of iron-based or lead-based metal is preferably used. The shape of the mass body 14 is not particularly limited, but in general, a plate shape is preferably adopted, and more preferably, a rectangular flat plate shape, a polygonal flat plate shape, a circular flat plate shape, or the like having a higher width than the width dimension. It is desirable to have a plate shape having a small vertical dimension and a constant height and having a plurality of axes of symmetry in a plan view. By adopting the mass body 14 having such a shape, the vibration reduction device 1
0 can be advantageously installed in a space such as the ceiling 20 on the uppermost floor in a housed state, and the angular displacement generated in each rubber mount 16 during horizontal displacement can be suppressed to obtain a stable vibration absorbing action. It will be possible. In particular, in the present embodiment, the mass body 14 having a flat rectangular plate shape with a constant height dimension is adopted.

The mass of the mass body 14 is appropriately set in consideration of the mass, vibration state, structural strength and the like of the house 12 which is the main vibration system to be mounted. ~ In the case of a three-story house, a total mass of 100 to 1000 kg or more is set. Note that the total mass is the mass of all the mass bodies 14, and in the case of mounting a single vibration reduction device 10 in consideration of the vibration damping effect, the housing structure, etc., the vibration reduction device 10 It is the mass of one mass body 14 to be configured, and when the sub vibration system is composed of a plurality of vibration reduction devices, it is grasped as the total mass of the mass bodies in all the vibration reduction devices.

On the other hand, each of the rubber mounts 16 has an anisotropic spring constant in the horizontal direction, and in this embodiment, four rubber mounts 16 having the same structure are used. That is, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the rubber mount 16 includes a first mounting member 22 as a first mounting member and a second mounting member 24 as a second mounting member. , The first mounting member 22 and the second mounting member 24 are elastically disposed by a rubber elastic body 26 interposed between the facing surfaces of the two mounting members 22 and 24. It has a linked structure. There
The first mounting member 22 has a block shape with an inverted triangular cross section, and a mounting bolt 28 is provided at the center of an upper bottom surface 27 thereof so as to project. In addition, the second mounting member 24,
A flat plate portion 30 having a rectangular flat plate shape and located at the center
Both sides in the longitudinal direction sandwiching between the first mounting bracket 22 side (see FIG. 3).
Slanted plate portions 32, 32
It is said that. Further, a mounting bolt 34 protruding downward (on the side opposite to the first mounting member 22) is fixed to the center of the flat plate portion 30 of the second mounting member 24. In addition, the inclined surfaces 36 on both sides of the first mounting member 22,
36, and the inclined plate portions 32, 32 on both sides of the second mounting member 24, on both sides sandwiching the mount center axis 38, in the direction inclined by substantially the same angle with respect to the mount center axis 38, They are opposed to each other with a substantially constant space therebetween. Then, the first mounting bracket 22 and the second mounting bracket are provided between the facing surfaces of the inclined surface 36 and the inclined plate portion 32 by the rubber blocks 40, 40 having a pair of substantially rectangular block shapes, respectively, which are interposed. A rubber elastic body 26 that elastically connects 24 is configured. Further, in the present embodiment, the flat plate portion 30 is provided in the second mounting member 24.
Positioning piece 4 protruding outward from one side surface
2 are integrally formed. Then, the positioning piece 42
A bolt insertion hole 44 for fixing the position is formed in the.

That is, the rubber mount 16 of this embodiment
In FIG. 3, since the elastic main axes of the two independent rubber blocks 40, 40 are inclined with respect to each other, the vertical elastic main axis extending along the mount central axis 38 and the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. And a horizontal second elastic main shaft extending in the left-right direction in the drawing. In the rubber mount 16 having such a structure, the main deformation of the rubber elastic body 26 at the time of load input is shearing in the direction of the first elastic main axis in the horizontal direction, and the spring constant in the horizontal direction is minimized. on the other hand,
In the direction of the second elastic main axis in the horizontal direction, the main deformation of the rubber elastic body 26 at the time of load input is compression / tensile,
The spring constant becomes maximum in the horizontal direction. This allows
In such a rubber mount 16, the minimum value and the maximum value of the spring constant in the horizontal direction are set in the directions orthogonal to each other. In the following description, the horizontal direction in which the spring constant is the minimum value (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 3) is referred to as the horizontal reference direction in the rubber mount 16.

The rubber mount 16 has the first mounting member 22 fixed to the mass body 14. The first mounting member 22 has a mounting bolt 28
Although it may be directly screwed and fixed to the mass body 14, for example, a bearing mechanism or a slide contact plate mechanism may be used so that the mounting direction of the first mounting bracket 22 with respect to the mass body 14 can be easily changed. Through the first mounting bracket 22 to the mass body 1
You may attach it to 4. Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, four rubber mounts 16 are attached to the four corners of the rectangular plate-shaped mass body 14, respectively. On the other hand, the rubber mount 16
The second mounting bracket 24 of is, as shown in FIG.
With the mounting bolts 34, it is mounted to the structural member 18 on the ceiling of the uppermost floor of the three-story house 12 directly as in the case of the first mounting bracket 22, or via a bearing mechanism, a sliding contact plate mechanism, or the like. Has been. As a result, the mass body 14 is elastically attached to the structural member 18 of the three-story house 12 via the four rubber mounts 16, and thus the mass body 14 is attached to the mass member. One vibration system including four rubber mounts 16 as spring members is configured, and this vibration system configures the vibration reduction device 10 that functions as a sub-vibration system for the main vibration system including the three-story house 12. ing.

In the mounted state of the vibration reducing device 10, the mass body 14 is supported in a state of being expanded in the horizontal direction, and each rubber mount 16 has its mount central axis in the vertical direction. It is arranged in an extended state.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the structural member 18 of the three-story house 12 to which the rubber mount 16 is attached is different from the mounting portion of the second mounting member 24 in each rubber mount 16 as shown in FIG. Bolt holes 46 are provided. Then, the positioning piece 4 of the second mounting member 24
The positioning bolt 48 that is inserted through
When the rubber mount 16 is screwed to the mounting member 6, the mounting direction of the rubber mount 16 to the structural member 18 and the mass body 14 (the circumferential position around the mount central axis 38) is fixedly determined. Here, the bolt hole 46
Are formed around the mount central axis 38 at substantially equal intervals (five in the present embodiment over a range of approximately 90 degrees). As a result, the rubber mount 16 is rotated around the mount central axis 38, and the positioning bolt 48 inserted into the positioning piece 42 is screwed into any one of the bolt holes 46. Approximately 2
It can be arbitrarily changed and set at intervals of 2.5 degrees.

In short, in this embodiment, the positioning piece 42 provided in the second mounting member 24, the plurality of bolt holes 46 provided in the structural member 18, and any one of the bolt holes 46 are screwed. The positioning bolts for positioning and fixing the positioning piece 42 to the structural member 18 are included, and the adjusting means for changing and setting the mounting direction of the rubber mount 16 to the mass body 14 and the structural member 18 is configured. In addition, between the first mounting member 22 and the mass body 14,
Similar adjusting means may be provided.

Here, four rubber mounts 16
Are arranged so as to be symmetric with respect to each other with two symmetry axes X and Y extending perpendicularly to each other in the mass body 14 and extending in the horizontal direction. In the present embodiment, the two symmetry axes X and Y in the mass body 14 are both the mass body 1
4, which is a principal axis of inertia extending in the horizontal direction. In the elastic support system including the mass body 14 and the four rubber mounts 16, the elastic main shaft extending in the vertical direction is the mass body 1.
It is set to pass through the center of gravity of 4. Specifically, in FIG. 1, the first rubber mount 16a, the second rubber mount 16b, the third rubber mount 16c, and the fourth rubber mount 16d are positioned symmetrically with respect to the first axis of symmetry: X. In addition, the first rubber mount 16a and the third rubber mount 16c, and the second rubber mount 16b and the fourth rubber mount 16d are positioned symmetrically with respect to the second axis of symmetry: Y.

Further, these four rubber mounts 16a ...
d is also the mounting direction, the two symmetry axes X of the mass body 14,
It is set so as to be symmetrical with respect to Y. Specifically, in FIG. 1, with respect to the first axis of symmetry: X, the horizontal reference direction line 5 of the first rubber mount 16a.
The intersection angle of 0a: θxa and the horizontal reference direction line 50b of the second rubber mount 16b are the same, and the intersection angle of the horizontal reference direction line 50c of the third rubber mount 16c:
θxc and the horizontal reference direction line 50 of the second rubber mount 16d
The intersection angle of d: θxd is set to be the same. Regarding the second axis of symmetry: Y, the angle of intersection of the horizontal reference direction line 50a of the first rubber mount 16a: θya and the angle of intersection of the horizontal reference direction line 50c of the third rubber mount 16c: θyc
Are the same, and the angle of intersection of the horizontal reference direction line 50b of the second rubber mount 16b: θyb and the second rubber mount 1
The intersection angle θyd of the 6d horizontal reference direction line 50d is set to be the same.

As described above, the four rubber mounts 16a to 16d are provided.
By setting the mounting direction of the rubber mount 16
Even when the mounting directions of a to d are changed, the mass bodies 14 and 4
The direction of the elastic main axis in the horizontal direction of the entire sub vibration system including the rubber mounts 16a to 16d is the
First symmetry axis in 4: direction of X and second symmetry axis:
It is designed to be maintained in the Y direction. The direction of the first axis of symmetry: X and the direction of the second axis of symmetry: Y are the main directions of vibration to be isolated in the house 12 that is the damping symmetry, for example, a plane rectangular frame body. In the case of a house with a structure, make it parallel to each side,
The installation direction of the vibration reduction device 10 with respect to the house 12 is set. Thus, the vibration reduction device 1 that constitutes the sub-vibration system
0, vibrations in two directions to be isolated are input in the elastic main axis direction in the vibration reduction device, and both are effective for each vibration input in those two directions. It is possible to exert the effective vibration damping effect.

Further, in the vibration reducing device 10, as described above, the rubber mounts 16a to 16d having the anisotropic spring constant in the horizontal direction are adopted as the spring members. By changing the mounting direction, the spring constants in the two elastic main axis directions (first symmetry axis: X direction and second symmetry axis: Y direction), which are the input directions of vibrations to be isolated, are Both are designed to be changed. Specifically, in the present embodiment, as the value of the intersection angle θx of the rubber mounts 16a to 16d with respect to the first axis of symmetry: X becomes smaller, the first axis of symmetry: X in the vibration reduction device 10 becomes smaller. Is changed to a direction in which the spring constant is small and the spring constant in the direction of the second axis of symmetry: Y is large. As a result, each rubber mount 16
By decreasing the value of the crossing angle θx of the first to the first axes of symmetry: X of a to d, the natural frequency in the direction of the first axis of symmetry: X in the vibration reduction device 10 is set to the low frequency side, and the second Axis of symmetry: The natural frequency in the Y direction can be shifted to the high frequency side, and each rubber mount 16
By increasing the value of the crossing angle θx of the first to the first axis of symmetry: X of a to d, the natural frequency in the direction of the first axis of symmetry: X in the vibration reduction device 10 is increased to the high frequency side and to the second. The natural frequency in the direction of the axis of symmetry: Y can be shifted to the low frequency side.

Therefore, in the vibration reducing device 10 having the above-described structure, neither the mass body 14 as a mass member nor the rubber mount 16 as a spring member is simply changed to the rubber mount 16 without changing. By changing the mounting direction (installation direction), the tuning frequency can be adjusted according to the vibration in question, considering the type and environment of the house 12 to be mounted, and thereby effective It is possible to easily obtain a high vibration damping effect with high accuracy and at low cost.

Further, in the above embodiment, the spring member elastically supporting the mass body 14 is constituted only by the anisotropic rubber mount 16, and all the rubber mounts 1 are provided.
Since the mounting direction of 6 is changed in conjunction with each other, there is also an advantage that a wider tuning range of the natural frequency of the sub-vibration system can be secured by changing the mounting direction of the rubber mount 16.

As described above, one rubber mount 1
6, the range of the natural frequency of the vibration reduction device 10 that can be adjusted by changing the mounting direction is limited by the spring characteristics of the rubber mount 16 used. Therefore, in order to obtain a greater degree of tuning freedom in the vibration reduction device 10, a plurality of types of rubber mounts 16 having different spring characteristics are prepared in advance, and, for example, in consideration of the structure of the house 12, etc. It is desirable to select and employ the rubber mount 16 having an appropriate spring characteristic. Thus, the natural frequency of the vibration reduction device 10 is set in an extremely wide range by selecting the optimum value by combining the selection of the spring characteristics of the rubber mount 16 itself and the adjustment of the mounting direction of the rubber mount 16 with each other. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently provide the vibration reducing device 10 capable of exhibiting an effective vibration damping effect for many types of building structures.

Incidentally, in the vibration reducing device 10 having the structure according to the present embodiment, the mass body 14 is 400 k
A flat square shape having a mass of g is adopted, and the rubber mount 16 has a spring constant KI in the first elastic principal axis direction (direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 3) of 1800.
0 N / m, 22000 N / m, 26000 N / m, 30
000 N / m, 34000 N / m, 38000 N / m,
When 4 types of 42000 N / m can be selected, the tuning frequency (first symmetry axis in the vibration reduction device 10 in the X direction) realized by changing the mounting direction of each rubber mount 16 is selected. FIG. 6 shows the result of simulating the natural frequency and the second symmetric axis: the natural frequency in the Y direction. In addition, in such a simulation, as the rubber mount 16,
In both cases, the first elastic main axis direction (direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 3) spring constant: KI and the second elastic main axis direction spring direction (left and right direction of FIG. 3) KII satisfy the following formula: The one that was set to do was adopted. Also, each rubber mount 16
Regarding the mounting direction, the case was examined in which the crossing angle: θx (see FIG. 1) with respect to the first axis of symmetry: X was changed in the range of 0 to 90 degrees. KI: KII = 1: 3

As is clear from the results shown in FIG.
By preparing seven types of rubber mounts 16 and selectively adopting them, and by appropriately adjusting the mounting direction of the selected rubber mounts 16, the natural frequency of the vibration reduction device can be adjusted to the general second to third floors. 3-5, which is likely to be a problem in a built house
It becomes possible to set with sufficiently fine tuning accuracy over substantially the entire frequency range of Hz.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, this is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the specific description of the embodiment.

For example, the number and arrangement of rubber mounts used as spring members are not limited in any way, and some of the rubber mounts have a substantially constant spring constant in any horizontal direction. It may be one.

Also, the specific structure of the anisotropic rubber mount is not limited in any way. For reference, another specific example of the anisotropic rubber mount that can be used in the present invention is shown in FIGS. In the rubber mount 60 shown in FIG. 7, first mounting brackets 62 mounted on the mass body side extend obliquely downward on both sides in the longitudinal direction of a flat central portion 66 on which mounting bolts 64 are erected. The inclined plate portions 68, 68 are formed in a bent plate shape integrally with each other, while the second mounting member 70 mounted on the structural member side of the house is bent in a chevron shape to project upward. Is a bent plate shape in which flat plate-shaped mounting plate portions 76, 76 having bolt holes 74 on both sides thereof are integrally formed. Then, the inclined plate portions 68, 68 of the first mounting member 62 are spaced apart and opposed to the both side slopes 78, 78 of the central portion 72 of the second mounting member 70, respectively. Between the facing surfaces of
A pair of rubber blocks 80, which are rubber elastic bodies, are interposed. Also in the rubber mount 60 having such a structure, similarly to the rubber mount (16) according to the above-described embodiment, the spring in the horizontal direction in the direction of the first elastic main axis in the horizontal direction extending in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. While the constant becomes the minimum, the spring constant in the horizontal direction becomes maximum in the direction of the second elastic main shaft in the horizontal direction extending in the left-right direction in the figure. Therefore, such a rubber mount 60 can also be advantageously adopted in the above-described embodiment.

The rubber mount 8 shown in FIGS.
2 is a first mounting bracket 84 mounted on the mass body side
However, while the second mounting bracket 86 is mounted on the structural member side of the house, it has a large-diameter cylindrical shape. The second mounting metal fitting 86 is disposed at a position vertically below and spaced apart from the center axis of the first mounting metal fitting 84, and the outer peripheral surface of the first mounting metal fitting 84 and the second mounting metal fitting 86 are separated from each other. A rubber elastic body 85 having a tapered thick-walled annular plate shape having a central portion protruding upward is interposed between the surfaces radially opposed to the inner peripheral surface. The inner peripheral surface of is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the first mounting member 84 by vulcanization, and the outer peripheral surface of the rubber elastic body 85 is adhered to the inner peripheral surface of the second mounting member 86 by vulcanization.
Further, the rubber elastic body 85 is formed with a pair of slits 88, 88 penetrating in the axial direction at both side portions sandwiching the first mounting member 84 in one radial direction. In the rubber mount 82 having such a structure, as in the rubber mount (16) according to the above-described embodiment, the spring constant in the horizontal direction is minimized in the vertical direction in FIG.
The spring constant in the horizontal direction is maximum in the left-right direction in FIG. Therefore, such a rubber mount 82 can also be advantageously adopted in the above embodiment.

The rubber mount 90 shown in FIGS. 10 to 11 is the first mounting member 9 mounted on the mass body side.
2 has a large-diameter cylindrical shape, while the second mounting member 94 attached to the structural member side of the house has a small-diameter cylindrical shape. The first mounting member 92 is disposed radially outward of the second mounting member 94 and eccentrically in the vertical direction (vertical direction in FIGS. 10 and 11). The second mounting member 94 has flat plate-shaped retainers 96, 96 protruding horizontally on both sides on the outer peripheral surface.
Is fixed. Then, these first mounting brackets 92
A rubber elastic body 98 having a substantially thick disk shape as a whole is interposed between the radially opposing surfaces of the second mounting bracket 94 and the second mounting bracket 94, and the outer peripheral surface of the rubber elastic body 98 is the first mounting surface. Metal fittings 92
Is vulcanized and bonded to the inner peripheral surface of the rubber elastic body 98
The inner peripheral surface of is vulcanized and adhered to the outer peripheral surface of the second mounting member 94. Further, the rubber elastic body 98 is formed with a pair of slits 100 and 102 penetrating in the axial direction in both side portions sandwiching the second mounting member 94 in the vertical direction. The tensile stress at is reduced. In addition, in the situation where the external force shown in the drawing is not applied, the upper slit 100 has a large opening, and the lower slit 102 has a crushed shape in the vertical direction. , Along with the elastic deformation of the rubber elastic body 98, the upper and lower slits 100,
102 are made to have substantially the same size. In the rubber mount 90 having such a structure, as in the rubber mount (16) according to the above-described embodiment, the spring constant in the horizontal direction in the horizontal direction (mount axis direction) in FIG. 11 becomes the minimum, while in FIG. The spring constant in the horizontal direction is maximum in the left-right direction (direction perpendicular to the mount axis). Therefore, such a rubber mount 90 can also be advantageously adopted in the above embodiment.

The rubber mounts 106 shown in FIGS. 12 to 13 each have a rectangular flat plate shape, and have a first mounting member 108 and a second mounting member 110 that are spaced apart from each other and face each other. In addition, a rectangular block-shaped rubber elastic body 112 is interposed between the facing surfaces of the first mounting member 108 and the second mounting member 110. And
On the upper and lower end surfaces of the rubber elastic body 112, the first mounting member 1
08 and the second mounting member 110 are vulcanized and adhered to each other, whereby the first mounting member 108 and the second mounting member 1 are attached.
10 are elastically connected by a main rubber elastic body 112. Further, mounting bolts 114 and 116 projecting upward and downward from the respective central portions are fixed to the first mounting bracket 108 and the second mounting bracket 110. First mounting bracket 1
08 is attached to the mass body side, and the second attachment fitting 110 is attached to the structural member side of the house. The rubber mount 106 is mounted with the mount center axis extending substantially in the vertical direction, and the first mounting bracket 108 and the second mounting bracket 110 are positioned to face each other in the substantially vertical direction in the mounted state. To be Here, as shown in FIG. 13, the main rubber elastic body 112 has a side length: a in its horizontal cut surface.
Has a long rectangular shape composed of a short side and a long side of b. By adopting the main body rubber elastic body 112 in which the lengths of the two adjacent sides are different from each other in this way, the rubber mount 106 of the present embodiment is also deformed due to the bending deformation generated in the main body rubber elastic body 112 during shear deformation. Due to the difference in easiness, the spring constant in the horizontal direction is minimized in the vertical direction in FIG. 13 (the direction in which the pair of long sides of the main rubber elastic body 112 oppose each other), while the horizontal direction in FIG. The spring constant in the horizontal direction is the maximum in the direction of the pair of short sides in 112 facing each other. Therefore, such a rubber mount 106 also has the same characteristics as the rubber mount 106 of the above-described embodiment, and can be advantageously used in the above-described embodiment.

Further, in the present invention, in addition to the anisotropic rubber mount as described above, a rubber mount in which the spring constant in the direction perpendicular to the mount central axis is substantially constant in any direction is adopted. Is also possible. For example, in FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 4 to 15, a first mounting member 120 and a second mounting member 122, each having a disc shape and facing each other while being separated from each other in the axial direction, are provided between the facing surfaces. A rubber mount 126 having a structure in which a rubber elastic body 124 having a circular block shape is elastically connected to each other.
It is also possible to adopt. In the rubber mount 126, the first mounting shaft 128 protruding from the first mounting bracket 120 outward (upward) in the axial direction is attached to the mass body 1.
4 is mounted so as to be swingable around a rotating shaft 130 extending in the horizontal direction, and the second mounting member 1
A second mounting shaft 132 protruding axially outward (downward) from the rotary shaft 22 of the rubber mount 126 is provided by a bracket 134 fixed to the structural member 18 of the house.
It is adapted to be bolted in an arbitrary rotating state around 30. In short, the bracket 134 has a plurality of positioning holes 13 formed on an arc centered on the rotation shaft 130.
6 is provided through the rubber mount 126 by a fixing bolt 138 that is inserted into one of the positioning holes 136.
The second mounting shaft 132 is fixedly supported. Then, the bracket 1 of the second mounting shaft 132
By adjusting the bolt fixing position with respect to 34,
The inclination angle α of the central axis 140 of the rubber mount 126 elastically supporting the mass body 14 with respect to the structural member 18 with respect to the vertical line can be changed and set. In other words, the mounting direction of the rubber mount 126 can be adjusted about the rotating shaft 130 within one vertical plane.

That is, in the rubber mount 126 having such a structure, it is possible to change the horizontal spring constant in the sub-oscillation system by changing the inclination angle α as the mounting direction. , Α is reduced to bring the central axis of the rubber mount 126 closer to the vertical direction, the deformation of the rubber elastic body 124 when the mass body 14 is displaced in the horizontal direction becomes mainly shear deformation, so that The spring constant in the direction is decreased, while the value of α is increased to bring the central axis of the rubber mount 126 closer to the horizontal direction, the compression / tension of the deformation of the rubber elastic body 124 during the horizontal displacement of the mass body 14 is increased. Mainly due to deformation, the spring constant in the horizontal direction is increased. Therefore, such a rubber mount 126 can also be advantageously used in the above-described embodiment.

The rubber mount 126 like this is
Even when the mounting direction is changed, it is desirable that the horizontal elastic main shaft in the sub-oscillation system be maintained constant. Therefore, it is desirable that the plurality of rubber mounts 126 be elastic main axes X and Y as two orthogonal symmetry axes extending horizontally through the center of gravity O of the mass body 14.
The rubber mounts 126 are arranged so as to be symmetrically positioned with respect to each other, and
The two elastic main axes: X and Y are set so as to be symmetrical with respect to each other.

More specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 15, the tilt angle of the mount center axis can be changed and adjusted on a vertical plane parallel to the vertical plane including the X axis.
A pair of rubber mounts 126a to 126d and two pairs of rubber mounts 126e to h whose tilt angle of the mount center axis can be changed and adjusted are arranged on a vertical plane parallel to the vertical plane including the Y axis. By setting the inclination angles of the paired rubber mounts 126a to 126d to be equal to each other and the inclination angles of the paired rubber mounts 126e to 126h to be set to the same to each other, the horizontal elastic main shaft in the auxiliary vibration system is set. It is possible to advantageously change and adjust the spring constant in each elastic main axis direction in the horizontal direction while maintaining constant. In particular, if the mount arrangement shown in FIG. 15 is adopted, the spring constant in one elastic main axis: X direction and the spring constant in the other elastic main axis: Y direction can be set independently of each other. There are advantages such as.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 16, the two elastic main axes passing through the center of gravity: O of the mass body 14: X,
A total of four rubber mounts 126a to 126d are arranged so as to be symmetric with respect to Y, and the mounting directions of the rubber mounts 126a to 126d with respect to the mass body 14 are two elastic main axes: X,
By adjusting vertically and horizontally while maintaining the symmetry of the tilt angle with respect to Y, both elastic spindles:
It is also possible to set the spring constants in the X and Y directions at the same time.

Furthermore, even when the arrangement of the rubber mounts 126a to 126d shown in FIG. 16 is adopted, the rubber mounts 126a to 126d are not rotated in the Y direction (the tilt angle is set in the horizontal direction). By changing the tilt angle of the mount center axis only on the vertical plane including the X axis (without changing it), the spring constant ratio in the two horizontal directions (X axis direction and Y axis direction) in the secondary vibration system (specific It is possible to tune by changing the frequency ratio). In FIG. 14, the change in the spring constant when the inclination angle (α) of the rubber mount 126 is changed in the vertical plane is large in the horizontal direction on the paper surface, and is large in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface.
Since the elastic deformation of the rubber elastic body 124 of 6 is mainly shear deformation and is smaller than the direction perpendicular to the paper surface, the inclination angle (α) of the rubber mount 126 is changed only within the vertical plane. By increasing the ratio, the spring constant ratio in the two horizontal directions (X-axis direction and Y-axis direction) in the sub vibration system can be increased.

Further, a damper capable of exerting a damping force when the mass body 14 is displaced with respect to the structural member 18 can be adopted as required.

Further, the position where the vibration reducing device 10 is disposed can be appropriately changed in consideration of the structure of the building structure, the vibration mode, etc., in addition to the ceiling part on the uppermost floor as illustrated, the underfloor part and the like. .

In addition to the three-story house as illustrated, the present invention is also a one-story, two-story, four-story or more house, or various building structures such as warehouses, buildings and towers. It goes without saying that any of them can be applied to the vibration reduction device for use.

Although not listed one by one, the present invention is
Based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, it can be implemented in various modified, modified, and improved modes, and
It goes without saying that all such embodiments are included in the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0060]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the natural frequency of the sub-vibration system can be tuned easily and with high accuracy by changing the mounting direction of the rubber mount. Therefore, it is possible to easily and stably obtain a good vibration damping effect against the vibration to be damped in the building structure.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing a vibration reduction device as an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing how the vibration reduction device shown in FIG. 1 is attached to a building structure (house).

3 is a front view showing a rubber mount used in the vibration reduction device shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the rubber mount shown in FIG.

5 is a plan view for explaining a structure of a mounting portion of a rubber mount in the vibration reduction device shown in FIG. 1 with respect to a structural member.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing the examination results of the tuning performance of the natural frequency in the vibration reduction device shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing another structural example of a rubber mount that can be adopted in the vibration reduction device shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing still another structural example of a rubber mount that can be adopted in the vibration reduction device shown in FIG.

9 is a plan view of the rubber mount shown in FIG. 8. FIG.

FIG. 10 is a front view showing still another structural example of the rubber mount that can be adopted in the vibration reduction device shown in FIG.

11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the rubber mount shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing still another structural example of a rubber mount that can be used in the vibration reduction device shown in FIG. 1.

13 is a cross-sectional view of the rubber mount shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a front explanatory view showing still another structural example of the rubber mount that can be adopted in the vibration reduction device shown in FIG. 1, in a state of being assembled to the sub vibration system.

FIG. 15 is a schematic plan view showing a specific example of a vibration reduction device configured by adopting the rubber mount shown in FIG.

16 is a schematic plan view showing another specific example of the vibration reducing device configured by adopting the rubber mount shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Vibration reduction device 12 houses 14 mass 16 rubber mount 18 Structural members 42 Positioning piece 46 bolt holes 48 Positioning bolt

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-3-74649 (JP, A) JP-A-8-247216 (JP, A) Actually open 2-30553 (JP, U) Actually open 63- 12455 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) F16F 15/00-15/08 F16F 1/36 E04H 9/02 341

Claims (10)

(57) [Claims] 1. A vibration reduction device that constitutes a sub-vibration system by elastically supporting a mass member with respect to a building structure by a spring member, wherein a mounting direction of the spring member with respect to the mass member is determined.
And a rubber mount capable of adjusting a horizontal spring constant in the sub-vibration system by changing the mounting position, and the rubber mount includes a first mounting member mounted to the mass member. A second attachment member attached to the building structure, and a rubber elastic body interposed between the facing surfaces of the first and second attachment members to elastically connect the two members. And extends horizontally through the center of gravity of the mass member.
The two symmetry axes are orthogonal to each other
So that a plurality of the rubber mounts are arranged and the mounting direction of the rubber mounts with respect to the mass member is determined.
An adjusting means for changing and setting the attaching position is provided, and the adjusting means is provided.
Determines the mounting direction of those rubber mounts by
The mounting position is symmetrical with respect to the two axes of symmetry.
Can be set as follows , and the mounting direction of the rubber mount is determined.
A vibration reducing device for a building structure, wherein a horizontal natural frequency of the sub-vibration system can be adjusted by changing a mounting position to be adjusted by the adjusting means. 2. As the rubber mount, an anisotropic rubber mount in which a plurality of different spring constants in the directions perpendicular to the axis are set around a central axis extending in a substantially vertical direction is used, and the anisotropic means is used in the adjusting means. The vibration reducing device according to claim 1, wherein a mounting position that determines a mounting direction of the flexible rubber mount with respect to the mass member can be changed and set around a central axis of the rubber mount. 3. The rubber mount in which the spring constant in the direction perpendicular to the axis is anisotropic, wherein the minimum value and the maximum value of the spring constant in the direction perpendicular to the axis are set in directions orthogonal to each other. Vibration reduction device. 4. The adjusting means determines a mounting direction of a central axis of the rubber mount with respect to the mass member.
The vibration reduction device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the attachment position can be changed and adjusted. 5. A vibration damping system according to the relative to the ceiling portion of the top floor of the building structure, any one of claims 1 to 4, which undergo elastic supporting the mass member by the spring member. The method according to claim 6, wherein said adjusting means changes an actuator means for changing the attachment position to determine the mounting direction of the rubber mount, the attachment position to determine the mounting direction of the rubber mount the operation controlling said actuator means The vibration reduction device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , comprising a control means. 7. A vibration reducing device is obtained by elastically supporting a mass member with respect to a building structure by a spring member to form a sub-vibration system, and changing a mounting direction of the spring member with respect to the mass member. By including a rubber mount capable of adjusting the horizontal spring constant in the sub-vibration system, and the rubber mount is mounted on the mass member, and the building structure. a second mounting member which is attached to, is interposed between the facing surfaces thereof first and second mounting members, with their two members consist rubber elastic body allowed to elastically connecting the Ma
Two orthogonally extending horizontally through the center of gravity of the member
The rubber is placed so that it is symmetric with respect to the axis of symmetry.
A plurality of mounts are installed and rubber mounts for them
The mounting position that determines the mounting direction in
A vibration characterized in that it can be set symmetrically with respect to the nominal axis, and the natural frequency in the horizontal direction of the auxiliary vibration system is adjusted by changing the mounting position that determines the mounting direction of the rubber mount. Tuning method of reduction device. 8. A mounting direction for the mass member is determined.
By using a plurality of rubber mounts capable of adjusting the spring constant in the horizontal direction of the sub-vibration system by changing the mounting position, the direction of the elastic main shaft in the horizontal direction of the sub-vibration system as a whole is maintained. 8. The method for tuning a vibration reducing device according to claim 7 , wherein the mounting position that determines the mounting direction of the rubber mounts is changed. 9. As the rubber mount, an anisotropic rubber mount in which a plurality of different spring constants in the directions perpendicular to the axis are set around a central axis extending in a substantially vertical direction is used, and the anisotropic rubber mount is used as the anisotropic rubber mount. , vibration of claim 7 or 8 the magnitude of the spring constant advance prepared in advance a different kind from each other, selects a rubber mount any type of anisotropy depending on the vibration damping characteristics required Tuning method of reduction device. 10. The tuning of a vibration reducing device according to claim 9 , wherein as the plurality of types of anisotropic rubber mounts, those having a substantially constant spring constant ratio in each axis-perpendicular direction are prepared. Method.