Tuned mass damper for rotating shafts

1. A vibration absorber ( 1 , 1 ′) for clamping attachment to the outer circumference of a rotating shaft or axis, comprising:

an inner part ( 3 ) of substantially resilient material for abutting against the outer circumference of the shaft or axis; and

an outer part ( 2 , 2 ′), which comprises at least two segments ( 2 , 2 a , 2 b ), that grips around the inner part and abuts the inner part vibratingly, and which serves as an inertial mass member;

wherein the segments ( 2 , 2 a , 2 b ) are configured at their respective two ends in the circumferential direction with connecting members ( 5 a , 5 b , 5 a ′, 5 b ′, 6 a , 6 b , 6 a ′, 6 b ′) formed integrally therewith for establishing a mutual latching connection;

wherein the respective connecting members ( 5 a , 5 b , 5 a ′, 5 b ′, 6 a , 6 b , 6 a ′, 6 b ′) comprise at least two complementarily configured appendages ( 5 a , 5 a ′, 6 a , 6 a ′) extending in the circumferential direction of the outer circumference, with latching lugs ( 5 b , 5 b ′, 6 b , 6 b ′) extending in the radial direction that can mutually grip behind one another; and

wherein the inner part ( 3 ) is provided at its end faces with one collar-like projection ( 3 a , 3 b ), respectively, for fixing the segments ( 2 , 2 a , 2 b ) in the longitudinal direction of the shaft or axis.

2. The vibration absorber ( 1 , 1 ′) according to claim 1 wherein the segments ( 2 , 2 a , 2 b ), in the connected state, substantially form an annular rotation body.

3. The vibration absorber ( 1 , 1 ′) according to claim 1 wherein the inner part ( 3 ) substantially comprises rubber selected from synthetic rubber, natural rubber, or synthetic high-temperature rubber, or combinations thereof.

4. The vibration absorber ( 1 , 1 ′) according to claim 1 wherein the inner part ( 3 ) is configured as a slotted ring.

5. The vibration absorber ( 1 , 1 ′) according to claim 1 wherein the outer part ( 2 , 2 ′) is substantially configured as a segmented ring.

6. The vibration absorber ( 1 , 1 ′) according to claim 1 wherein the outer part ( 2 , 2 ′) comprises material selected from an iron alloy, a heavy or non-ferrous metal, or a synthetic material with a metallic insert, or combinations thereof.

7. The vibration absorber ( 1 , 1 ′) according to claim 1 wherein the outer part ( 2 , 2 ′) and the inner part ( 3 ) are configured such that the resilient inner part is compressed during the attachment on the outer circumference of the rotating shaft or axis.

8. The vibration absorber ( 1 , 1 ′) according to claim 1 wherein the outer part ( 2 ) comprises identically configured segments ( 2 ).

9. A drive shaft for a motor vehicle having at least one vibration absorber ( 1 , 1 ′) according to claim 1 wherein the vibration absorber ( 1 , 1 ′) is clampingly attached to the outer circumference of the drive shaft.

10. An assembly method for attaching the vibration absorber ( 1 , 1 ′) according to claim 1 to a rotating shaft or axis, the method comprising the steps of:

applying the inner part ( 3 ) of substantially resilient material to the outer circumference of the shaft or axis; and

applying the outer part ( 2 , 2 ′) to the inner part ( 3 ), the outer part ( 2 , 2 ′) comprises at least two segments ( 2 , 2 a , 2 b ) and serves as an inertial mass member, so as to grip around the inner part;

wherein the segments ( 2 , 2 a , 2 b ) are mutually latched at their respective two ends in the circumferential direction with connecting members formed integrally therewith.

11. The assembly method for attaching the vibration absorber ( 1 , 1 ′) according to claim 10 wherein at least the outer part is applied, in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the shaft or axis, onto the latter.

12. A vibration absorber ( 1 , 1 ′) for attaching to an outer circumference of a rotating shaft defining an axis comprising:

an inner part ( 3 ) formed of substantially resilient material for abutting against the outer circumference of the shaft;

an outer part ( 2 , 2 ′) having at least two segments ( 2 , 2 a , 2 b ) that surround at least a portion of the inner part, the outer part abutting the inner part during vibration of the shaft and serving as an inertial mass member;

one or more connecting members ( 5 a , 5 b , 5 a ′, 5 b ′, 6 a , 6 b , 6 a ′, 6 b ′) formed integrally with ends of the segments ( 2 , 2 a , 2 b ), the connecting members extending circumferentially from at least a portion of the ends of the segments for securing the ends together;

at least two appendages ( 5 a , 5 a ′, 6 a , 6 a ′) forming a part of the connecting members and extending circumferentially from remaining parts of the connecting members that correspondingly engage one another;

at least two latching lugs ( 5 b , 5 b ′, 6 b , 6 b ′) extending radially from the appendages that correspondingly engage one another; and

at least one collar ( 3 a , 3 b ) positioned about at least a portion of an end face of the inner part ( 3 ) for preventing movement of the segments ( 2 , 2 a , 2 b ) in the longitudinal direction of the shaft.