Peace and quiet, compressor: ACE anti-vibration mounts turn luxury motorhomes into quiet ones

ACE vibration dampers for more peace and comfort in vehicle technology.

Upgrading a large luxury motorhome with inexpensive, small components: what sounds like a paradox was realized by a Dutch designer by equipping the air compressors of his motorhome with vibration dampers from ACE Stoßsperre GmbH as extras and ensuring peace inside.

Mobile homes are in vogue, and there are a wide variety of mobile options for individual travel. One of the most luxurious are so-called recreational vehicles (RV) from various providers in the USA. The mobile homes in this area have developed into mobile five-star hotels with elegant interiors, exclusive exteriors and powerful engines. Neither loudly humming air conditioning systems nor other technical systems operated by the power of compressors such as air suspension, door opening and closing systems or sanitary facilities fit into the picture. While driving, the additional background noise from these consumers is not disturbing, because the compressor connected to the engine then provides the compressed air. But once stopped, travelers want peace and quiet in the truest sense of the word. In the present case, when parked, two additional compressors take on the task of ensuring a comfortable living environment. In detail, the problem with the air supply system for the suspension, doors and toilets was the attachment of the respective compressors. Mounted in one of the technical and supply areas below the mobile home, they transmitted the vibrations to the body. This led to clearly noticeable and audible vibrations, which the owner did not want to tolerate, especially since the two smaller compressors run alternately at intervals of 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the air consumption, which proved to be intolerable, especially at night.

Work experience an advantage

Peter van Dijk, successor of the founding generation and senior partner of the Dutch company Dijko Ovens B.V. from Tilburg, felt compelled to act. As a mechanical engineer and expert in the automation and electronic control of oven systems with integrated vacuum and deep-freezing for large bakeries, neither air conditioning nor pneumatic systems and compressors are sealed books for him. So he searched the Internet for industrially proven components for isolating vibrations. After just a few clicks, he found the website of ACE shock absorber GmbH, which belongs to the Stabilus Group, www.ace-ace.de. It struck him that the company from the Rhineland, in addition to products from the areas of damping technology, speed regulation and safety products, also has a large number of solutions for vibration technology.

This market segment is of increasing importance at ACE, since even strict requirements for employee protection, including noise emissions, can be met with vibration-isolating panels, vibration dampers and air springs. At ACE, the field of vibration dampers alone consists of eleven different product families. Summarized under the collective term rubber-metal isolators, these components enable a wide range of applications. In doing so, they insulate disruptive shocks and vibrations from machines and engines to such an extent that working conditions for people and the environment improve significantly. For example, in the field of measurement technology, it is often only through their use that usable results come about. Whether leveling or robust machine feet, pot elements, vibration-isolating connection elements or quick-release fasteners, all ACE vibration dampers can be used universally and represent ideal solutions for most of the vibration problems known in industrial applications. The fact that the internationally renowned service from ACE also applies to individual projects such as that of Peter van Dijk helps, shows the design for calming the compressors of the mobile home with the help of the free calculation tool that can be found at this Internet address: www.ace-ace.de/de/rechneren/schwingungsdaempfung.html

Customized design with just a few clicks

After considering all key data relevant to the respective construction, such as weight and support points, a design tool specially developed by ACE calculates the center of mass of the machine and thus the individual load on the support points, whereby eccentric loads can also be entered. The program used is available online and is so intuitive to use that in many cases design engineers can find the ideal solution in just a few steps - around the clock. If desired, only tear-proof types can be selected. However, the software not only determines which vibration dampers best match the entered values, but also enables orders to be placed in the connected online shop.

In the present case, the program suggested Bubble Mounts of type BM-50641. These inexpensive and efficient helpers achieve an insulation level of 95.65 percent under the given conditions. Bubble Mounts are designed for the efficient isolation of light loads in avionics, on computers or for storing particularly sensitive medical equipment. The small and compact helpers are predestined for use under vertical pressure loads and are therefore particularly suitable for the effective insulation of small pumps or compressors, such as in mobile homes. As small as they are, their damping performance is great. If desired, this can be increased by using silicone. With a nominal load of 8 Hz, the natural frequency is so low that harmful vibrations can be effectively eliminated in most cases. Like their siblings, the BM-50641 used are easy to install and can take loads of 1.2 kg to 2.9 kg. Peter van Dijk looks back on the assembly process and the replacement of the components: “The standard anti-vibration measures consisted of simple, cylindrically shaped rubber components with a diameter of 15 mm and the same height, intended to decouple the compressors from the mounting point on the underfloor of the technical area. This was very inefficient and led to the transmission of the detected vibrations. Even after replacing these original washers on the first compressor, a difference was noticeable and tangible.” To distribute the load evenly, each of the 7.3 kg compressors has now been mounted at all four mounting points with ACE components. The degree of insulation of over 95 percent determined in theory now also ensures in practice that Peter van Dijk's mobile home when parked meets the standards of a 5-star hotel, especially at night.