Design and Numerical Analysis of Vibration Isolators With Quasi-Zero-Stiffness Characteristics Using Bistable Foldable Structures

In this paper, a novel vibration isolator based on a foldable cylinder with a torsional buckling pattern, which is also called Kresling's pattern, is proposed, and the performance of the proposed isolator in terms of preventing structural vibration is numerically evaluated. It is known that foldable cylinders with a torsional buckling pattern provide bistable folding motions under specific conditions. For simplification, a foldable cylinder with a torsional buckling pattern is modeled using horizontal, longitudinal, and diagonal truss elements connected by rotational joints and enforced by rigid frames, which are also called Rahmen, while maintaining the bistability of the structure. Additional linear springs are incorporated into the structure in order to obtain a nonlinear spring with quasi-zero-stiffness characteristics. It is numerically established that: (i) the resonance of the combined structure is effectively suppressed and (ii) the structure decreases the vibration response even at high frequencies when it is used around the equilibrium position at which the spring stiffness is quasi-zero.