Nonlinear dynamic characteristics of a quasi-zero stiffness vibration isolator with cam-roller-spring mechanisms

The property of quasi-zero stiffness (QZS) of vibration isolation system (VIS) could be realized by using the conceptual design of cam-roller-spring mechanisms (CRSMs). We develop this idea into a physical prototype and study its vibration isolation performance. A piecewise nonlinear dynamic model is formulated in the consideration of possible disengagement between the cam and roller. The analytical solution of the amplitude-frequency relationship is derived by using the averaging method and further verified by numerical simulations. The effects of excitation force and system damping on the force transmissibility are investigated. A particular behavior of this type of QZS isolator, very differ from existing ones, is that the peak transmissibility and starting frequency of isolation never overshoots those of the linear counterpart no matter how large the excitation amplitude is. The prototype is tested and the experimental results show that the QZS isolator outperforms the linear counterpart.