Adaptive Damping Energy Absorber for Overload Load Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing energy absorption systems for overload events, such as mine explosions, cannot effectively control damping when the pulse strength and duration are unknown, leading to inadequate or excessive damping due to the lack of known initial and boundary conditions.

Innovation Solution

A method and assembly that utilize an energy absorber with a control device to set damping to a high value immediately after detecting an overload event, maintaining it for a predetermined period to pre-tension the load, and then adjust based on measured values to optimize energy absorption and reduce loads on transported objects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If damping is set to a high value immediately after detecting an overload event, then energy absorption is optimized and loads on transported objects are reduced, but the initial lack of known pulse parameters prevents precise control of the damping curve

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy absorption effectivenessVSAvoidcontrol precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control device sets damping to a high value immediately after detecting an overload event, before the complete pulse characteristics are known. This preliminary action ensures that energy absorption is optimized from the start, preventing excessive loads on transported objects while the damping curve evolves based on subsequent measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The damping value is dynamically adjusted during the overload event. The control device continuously adapts the damping based on measured values from sensors, allowing the system to respond to actual pulse characteristics as they unfold rather than relying on pre-programmed curves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If the damping curve is adapted during the overload event based on measured values, then precise energy absorption control is achieved, but the system requires complex real-time measurement and control mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepulse parameter detection accuracyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Sensors measure actual pulse parameters during the overload event and feed this information back to the control device. The control device uses this feedback to adapt the damping curve in real-time, achieving precise energy absorption control based on actual conditions rather than assumptions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms with an electronic control system that uses sensors and actuators to dynamically adjust damping. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while enabling more precise and adaptable control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Force

If maximum travel path is used to ensure lowest possible load, then energy absorption is optimized for known conditions, but the system cannot adapt to unknown pulse strength and duration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload reductionVSAvoidpulse parameter adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The damping curve is made dynamic rather than static. The control device continuously adjusts damping values during the overload event based on measured pulse parameters, allowing the system to adapt to unknown pulse strength and duration while optimizing load reduction throughout the event.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes damping parameters in real-time during the overload event. By continuously measuring pulse characteristics and adjusting damping values accordingly, the system adapts to varying pulse parameters while maintaining optimal energy absorption and load reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3116744B1Method and assembly for absorbing energy from loads being applied during an overload event in order to prevent damage

Publication Date: 2018.12.12 GENERAL DYNAMICS EURO LAND SYST MOWAG GMBH

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AI summary

The invention relates to a method and an assembly for absorbing energy during an overload event using an energy absorber (2) in order to reduce loads on an object (103) being transported on a loading unit (100). The energy absorber (2) is suitable for absorbing energy during a single overload event, which introduces such a high degree of energy that there is an overwhelming likelihood the object would be damaged without an energy absorber, in order to reduce the resulting load on the object during the overload event by means of the energy absorption of the energy absorber (2). Measurement values (62) on the current state of the loading unit (100) are detected using a sensor device (61), and the energy absorber (2) is controlled. A control device (48) detects an overload event (63) from the detected measurement values (62), and a damping of the energy absorber (2) is set to a high value after the detection of the overload event (63). The damping is maintained for a specified prolonged time period (67). The damping is then controlled dependent on the measurement values (62) detected during the overload event in order to increase the load for objects (103) transported on the loading unit (100) during the specified time period (67) initially to a specified threshold load (64) and to control the load after the specified time period (67) dependent on the measurement values (62) detected during the overload event.