PIEZOELECTRIC VIBRATION ABSORPTION SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20090255365A1
• Filed: 04/14/2008
• Published: 10/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Buell Motorcycle Company
• Original Assignee: Buell Motorcycle Company
• Inventors: Bunne, Jonathan Mark
• Application Number:
  US12/102,180
• Publication Number:
  US 20090255365A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 74/551.200
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 21/14 having resilient parts therein
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 21/20 resilient
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 75/06 Engines with means for equalising torque
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 15/005 using electro- or magnetostrictive actuation means generating of mechanical vibrations operating with electrostriction B06B1/06, with magnetostriction B06B1/08; vehicle suspension arrangements characterised by use of piezoelectric elements B60G17/01941; piezoelectric, electrostrictive and magnetostrictive devices per se H10N30/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20786 Spring biased or supported

Abstract

Piezoelectric vibration absorption system and method. In one embodiment, the invention provides a rider interface that includes a surface. A vibration dampening assembly is affixed to the surface. The vibration dampening assembly includes a piezoelectric element. A load element is electrically connected to the vibration dampening assembly such that the vibration dampening assembly dampens vibrations of the rider interface.

Claims

1. A motorcycle rider interface, comprising:

a surface; and

a vibration dampening assembly affixed to the surface, the vibration dampening assembly including a piezoelectric element and a load element, the piezoelectric element producing an electrical energy in response to a strain on the rider interface;

wherein the load element is electrically connected to the piezoelectric element, and wherein the vibration dampening assembly is configured to dampen vibrations of the rider interface.

2. The rider interface of claim 1, wherein the surface is one of an interior surface and an exterior surface of the rider interface.

3. The rider interface of claim 1, wherein the load element converts at least a portion of the electrical energy to thermal energy.

4. The rider interface of claim 1, wherein the load element uses at least a portion of the electrical energy to provide an indication related to the vibration dampened by the vibration dampening assembly.

5. The rider interface of claim 1, wherein the load element is tuned to a predetermined frequency.

6. The rider interface of claim 1, further comprising

an active dampening system configured to counteract a strain on the rider interface, the active dampening system coupled to the vibration dampening assembly and driven by at least one motorcycle condition.

7. The rider interface of claim 6, further comprising

a controller configured to control the active dampening system, the controller including a memory module, an input module configured to receive a signal related to the motorcycle condition, and an output module configured to send a signal to the vibration dampening assembly, wherein the active dampening system is configured to dampen a vibration related to the motorcycle condition.

8. The rider interface of claim 6, wherein the motorcycle condition is a rotational frequency of an engine.

9. The rider interface of claim 1, further comprising

a filter coupled to the vibration dampening assembly, the filter configured to isolate a range of vibrational frequencies to be dampened.

10. The rider interface of claim 1, wherein the vibration dampening assembly is affixed to the surface via an adhesive.

11. The rider interface of claim 1, wherein the rider interface is a handlebar.

12. A motorcycle, comprising:

a frame;

an engine;

a rider interface including a surface; and

a vibration dampening assembly affixed to the surface, the vibration dampening assembly including a piezoelectric element and a load element, the piezoelectric element producing an electrical energy in response to a strain on the rider interface;

wherein the load element is connected to the piezoelectric element, and the vibration dampening assembly is configured to dampen vibrations of the rider interface.

13. The motorcycle of claim 12, wherein the surface is one of an interior surface and an exterior surface of the rider interface.

14. The motorcycle of claim 12, further comprising

an active dampening system configured to counteract a strain on the rider interface, the active dampening system coupled to the vibration dampening assembly, the active dampening system driven by at least one motorcycle condition.

15. The motorcycle of claim 14, further comprising

a controller configured to control the active dampening system, the controller including a memory module, an input module configured to receive a signal related to the motorcycle condition, and an output module configured to send a signal to the vibration dampening assembly, wherein the active dampening system is configured to dampen a vibration related to the motorcycle condition.

16. The motorcycle of claim 14, further comprising

a filter coupled to the vibration dampening assembly, the filter configured to isolate a range of vibrational frequencies to be dampened.

17. The motorcycle of claim 14, wherein the motorcycle condition is a rotational frequency of an engine.

18. A method of dampening a vibration in a motorcycle, comprising:

affixing a vibration dampening assembly to a surface of a rider interface, the vibration dampening assembly including a piezoelectric element;

electrically connecting a load to the vibration dampening assembly;

converting with the piezoelectric element a strain on the vibration dampening assembly to an electrical signal; and

dissipating the electrical signal by the load to dampen the vibration.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein at least a portion of the electrical signal is converted to thermal energy to dissipate the electrical signal.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein at least a portion of electrical energy is converted to provide an indication related to the vibration dampened by the vibration dampening assembly.

21. The method of claim 18, further comprising

providing a filter to tune the vibration dampening assembly to a predetermined frequency to dampen the vibration at the predetermined frequency.