Active Vibration Reduction Assembly for Precise Object Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Industrial machines, such as robotic arms and vehicles, face challenges in maintaining precise object positioning due to vibrations from mechanical dynamics, air currents, and other disturbances, which affect accuracy and precision in manufacturing, processing, and assembly tasks.

Innovation Solution

A vibration reduction assembly is implemented, comprising low-stiffness supports and controlled actuators that connect the object to the movable part, with a sensor assembly providing feedback to actively control the vibration reduction system, inhibiting vibration transfer across multiple degrees of freedom, allowing for improved precision and a larger work envelope.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a rigid connection is used to connect the object to the movable part, then structural strength and stability are improved, but vibration is transferred more strongly from the movable part to the object

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidvibration transfer

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a vibration reduction assembly as an intermediary component between the movable part and the object. This assembly includes vibration isolation elements that act as mediators to decouple the rigid connection, allowing structural support while blocking vibration transmission. The intermediary absorbs and dissipates vibrational energy, preventing it from reaching the object.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the mechanical parameters of the connection by using compliant or damped materials with specific viscoelastic properties. By adjusting parameters such as damping coefficient, stiffness, and natural frequency of the isolation elements, the system optimizes vibration attenuation while maintaining adequate structural support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If vibration isolation measures are implemented, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into the vibration reduction assembly: structural support, vibration isolation, and positioning are integrated into a single unified component or subsystem. This merging reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies the overall assembly process while achieving the desired positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The vibration isolation elements are designed to automatically adapt to vibrational disturbances without requiring external control systems or active intervention. The passive damping characteristics of the materials enable the system to self-regulate and maintain positioning accuracy autonomously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If passive vibration isolation is used, then vibration transfer is reduced, but control precision and responsiveness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration transferVSAvoidcontrol precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates sensors that detect vibrational characteristics and positioning deviations, feeding this information back to a control system. The control system dynamically adjusts the vibration isolation elements or compensates for their effects, maintaining both vibration reduction and precise control responsiveness through closed-loop feedback.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The vibration reduction assembly transitions from a purely passive static design to a dynamic system that can adapt its characteristics in real-time. The isolation elements may include active damping components or adjustable stiffness mechanisms that respond to changing operational conditions, maintaining optimal performance across different states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution significantly reduces vibration magnitude, enabling objects to be positioned with enhanced accuracy and precision, improving manufacturing, measurement, and assembly processes by minimizing unwanted motion and external disturbances.

Implementation Method 1

Each low-stiffness support can include a spring, a bellows, and/or a pneumatic chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

the vibration reduction assembly reduces a magnitude of a vibration being transferred from the movable part to the object

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS20230381978A1Processing machine with active vibration reduction

Publication Date: 2023.11.30 NIKON CORP

AI summary

A machine (10) for positioning an object (12) includes a movable part (16C) and a vibration reduction assembly (24) that couples the object (12) to the movable part (16C). Further, the vibration reduction assembly (24) reduces a magnitude of a vibration being transferred from the movable part (16C) to the object (12). The vibration reduction assembly (24) can include an actively controlled support system (30) and an actively controlled actuator system (32).