A vacuum pump assembly is provided with a vacuum pump and external unit coupled by a vibration damper. The vibration damper comprises a plurality of piezoelectric actuators and a plurality of sensors. Actuators attenuate vibration propagated from the pump to the external unit to which the pump is connected and/or vice versa, while the sensors are capable of providing a measure of the vibrations to controlling said actuators.

Vacuum pump provided with vibration damper

A steering column for a motor vehicle includes upper steering-column portion, a lower steering-column portion, and a damping body for coupling the upper and lower steering-column portions, with piezoelectric elements being integrated in the damping body. These piezoelectric elements are part of an active system for vibration damping and are provided for compensating vibrations in length direction of the steering column and torsional vibrations in rotational direction of the steering wheel. The active system further includes piezoelectric elements in an attachment zone between the A-pillars and the support beam for compensating vibrations in length direction of the support beam and perpendicular thereto. Thus, the active system for vibration damping thus provides a vibration control in all three directions in space as well as control of torsional vibration.

Damped steering assembly

A method for reducing vibration in an instrument panel structure is achieved by introducing one or more piezoelectric actuator and sensor assemblies between various structures contained within the instrument panel structure. The assembly has a sensor component that senses vibrations between the structures and an actuator component that is activated to produce a reverse sine pulse that dampens the vibrations. The assembly also has an electronic control module, located integrally or as a separate component, electrically to the sensor and actuator for precisely controlling the actuation of the actuator. In alternative embodiments, multiple assemblies may be coupled to a single electronic control module for achieving total system vibration control.

Piezoelectric material to damp vibrations of an instrument panel and/or a steering column

The invention relates to a steering column comprising a steering wheel for a motor vehicle. Said steering column is guided within a holding means that is connected to the body and comprises a piezoelectric actuator. The aim of the invention is to significantly reduce vibrations for the steering column/steering wheel assembly within a broad frequency band of the unwanted vibrations while also adaptively taking into account the adjustability of the steering column/steering wheel assembly and the driver's reaction to the steering column/steering wheel assembly at a low effort. Said aim is achieved by disposing a piezoceramic actuator (8) on the steering column (1) in an area that lies between the steering wheel (2) and the nearest holding means (70) of the body and by arranging a sensor (9; 9a) detecting vibrations above the piezoceramic actuator (8) on the structure of the steering column/steering wheel assembly.

Steering column comprising a steering wheel for a motor vehicle

Die
Erfindung betrifft einen Instrumententafeltrager (1) fur ein Kraftfahrzeug bzw. ein
Kraftfahrzeug mit einem Instrumententafeltrager (1), der bzw. das ein sich
zwischen den A-Saulen
(2, 3) der Kraftfahrzeugkarosserie erstreckendes Tragprofil (4)
aufweist. Eine aktive Anordnung zur Schwingungsdampfung ist dem Tragprofil (4)
zugeordnet und weist daran angeordnete Aktuatoren (7-9) auf. Ein
Regler (10) wirkt mit den Aktuatoren (7-9) zusammen. Kernpunkt der
Erfindung ist, dass die Aktuatoren (7-9) uber den Regler mit einer Vorrichtung
(12) zur Erkennung der Mudigkeit
gekoppelt sind.

Instrumententräger und Kraftfahrzeug

The instrument carrier (1) has a carrier profile (4) fitted between the door columns (2,3) of the automobile body and provided with an active oscillation damping device, using adaptive piezo elements (7,8,9) and a cooperating regulator (10). Sensors detect the oscillation of the instrument carrier during movement of the automobile, for providing a compensation oscillation via the piezo elements, which are made of a compound fibre material with embedded piezoceramic fibres and/or foils.

Instrument carrier for automobile provided with active oscillation damping via regulated piezo elements

A dashboard support for a motor vehicle, includes a support beam extending between windshield pillars of a motor vehicle body. Associated to the support beam is an active arrangement, which includes ceramic piezoelectric elements and a controller operatively connected to the piezoelectric elements, for implementing a vibration damping.

Dashboard support with vibration-damping feature

The invention relates to an instrument panel 1 for a motor vehicle with an extending between the A-columns 2, 3 of the vehicle body support section 4. The supporting profile 4 is an active arrangement for vibration damping associated with the applied to the support section 4 ceramic piezoelectric elements 7, 8, 9 and includes a controller that cooperates with this tenth If a problem occurs in the driving mode vibration of the tool carrier 1, this is detected by sensors and damped by a via the controller 10 and the piezoelectric elements 7, 8, 9 generated vibration compensation. This results in a vibration and sound insulation. As a result, both the cross section and the wall thickness of the instrument panel 1 can be reduced, whereby a saving in weight is achieved. Furthermore, an increase in driving comfort is achieved. Also possible brackets for attaching the instrument panel 1 can be eliminated or be made lighter, which enables further weight savings.

Wulf Hartel

Papers

Instrument carrier for automobile provided with active oscillation damping via regulated piezo elements

Dashboard support with vibration-damping feature

Dashboard carrier beam