Quasi-zero stiffness vibration isolators with slender Euler beams as positive stiffness elements

Based on the combination of the high bearing capacity of a slender Euler beam before buckling and low stiffness in the postbuckling range near the critical condition after loading, a novel quasi-zero stiffness (NQZS) isolator with enhanced vibration isolation capability is proposed using slender beams as positive stiffness elements. The proposed NQZS isolator can obtain a much large range with ultralow system stiffness maintaining the bearing capacity. Its vibration isolation performance was robust to equilibrium position deviation, which is essential for engineering practice. The correctness of the theoretical analysis was confirmed by the agreement between the experimental and theoretical results.