Active Vibration-Damping Couplings for End Effector Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanical vibrations in various environments, such as fabrication settings and vehicles, pose challenges by affecting the precision and stability of devices like robots and AFM devices, as they are transmitted to end effectors, leading to displacement and reduced accuracy.
Innovation Solution
Active vibration damping is achieved through a coupling system equipped with vibration detection sensors and engines, such as magnetically actuated flywheels or solenoid motors, which generate countervibrations to cancel out detected vibrations, ensuring minimal displacement and maintaining precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If passive damping methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but vibration damping effectiveness is insufficient for varying frequencies and amplitudes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements active vibration damping by dynamically adjusting the damping force based on real-time vibration detection. Sensors detect vibration characteristics (frequency, amplitude) and the system actively modulates the damping element to counteract vibrations, allowing the system to adapt to varying vibration conditions rather than using fixed passive damping parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback control by continuously monitoring vibrations through sensors and using this information to adjust the damping mechanism. The detected vibration signals are processed to generate control commands that modulate the damping element, creating a closed-loop system that responds to actual vibration conditions and improves damping effectiveness.
2Manufacturing precision
If active vibration damping systems are implemented, then vibration control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system is segmented into distinct functional modules: vibration sensors for detection, control logic for processing, and adjustable damping elements for actuation. This modular segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall system architecture by clearly defining the function and interface of each subsystem.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary control system between the vibration sources and the damping elements. This intermediary processes sensor signals and translates them into appropriate damping commands, acting as a mediator that coordinates the complex interactions between detection and actuation subsystems while maintaining system stability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If heavy damping structures are used, then vibration isolation is improved, but weight of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operational parameters of the damping element dynamically rather than using a constantly heavy structure. By adjusting damping coefficients, stiffness, and other parameters in real-time based on detected vibration characteristics, the system achieves effective vibration isolation only when needed, reducing the equivalent weight compared to always-using heavy passive damping.
Solution Approach 2:
The active damping system applies damping forces periodically in response to detected vibration cycles. Rather than maintaining constant heavy damping, the system engages damping actions during vibration events and reduces them when vibrations are absent, creating a periodic action pattern that reduces average system weight while maintaining protection during critical periods.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively stabilizes end effectors by actively detecting and countering vibrations, thereby enhancing precision and stability in mechanical systems, even in environments with varying frequencies and amplitudes of vibrations.
Implementation Method 1
vibration detection sensors at the coupling
Implementation Method 2
vibration engines at the coupling... generate countervibrations
Implementation Method 3
magnetically actuated flywheels
Implementation Method 4
solenoid motors
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for active vibration damping. One embodiment is a method for damping vibration in a mechanical system. The method includes detecting a vibration at a coupling of the mechanical system, generating a countervibration based on the detected vibration, and operating the mechanical system while generating the countervibration.