Bi-directional Spring Vibration Suspension for Sensor Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional suspension systems fail to effectively attenuate vibrations during high-amplitude events while allowing low-level vibrations to pass through, and existing solutions like launch locks are complex and costly, or result in high impacts during high acceleration or deceleration.
Innovation Solution
A bi-directional spring system comprising a combination of linear and non-linear spring components that constrain multiple degrees of freedom, providing low stiffness for low excitations and high stiffness for high excitations, limiting displacement during high-amplitude events while allowing low-level vibrations to be attenuated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a conventional coil spring suspension system is used to support a sensor, then low-level vibrations can be attenuated, but large displacements occur during high acceleration or deceleration events
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system dynamically changes its stiffness characteristic based on the amplitude of vibration. During low-level vibrations, the system maintains a soft compliance to attenuate vibrations. During high-amplitude events, the system transitions to a stiff state to limit sensor displacement. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between vibration attenuation and displacement control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameter of spring stiffness from soft to stiff based on operational conditions. By using non-linear spring elements with variable spring rates, the suspension can adjust its mechanical properties in real-time, providing soft compliance for vibration attenuation while preventing large displacements during high-g events.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a stiff suspension system is used to limit sensor displacement, then displacement is minimized, but vibration attenuation during operation is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system dynamically adapts its stiffness based on vibration amplitude. During normal operation with low-level vibrations, the system remains soft to provide effective vibration attenuation. During high-amplitude events, the system transitions to a stiff state to limit displacement, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining stability and attenuating vibrations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs non-linear spring elements whose spring rate changes with displacement. This allows the suspension to maintain a soft compliant state for vibration isolation during normal operation, while automatically becoming stiff to limit displacement when subjected to high-g forces.
3Stability of the object's composition
If launch locks are used to minimize sensor displacement during launch, then displacement is limited, but the system becomes complicated and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex launch lock mechanism by replacing it with inherently safe non-linear spring elements. These springs provide automatic displacement limitation during high-g events without requiring additional locking mechanisms, thus reducing system complexity while maintaining displacement control.
Solution Approach 2:
The non-linear spring elements are self-regulating and automatically adjust their stiffness based on the applied load. During high-g events, they inherently limit displacement without requiring external control systems or complex mechanisms, making the system simpler and more reliable.
4Stability of the object's composition
If bumpers are used to minimize sensor displacement during high acceleration events, then displacement is limited, but high impacts are transmitted to the sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The non-linear spring elements provide beforehand cushioning by being pre-configured to soften during high-g events before impact occurs. This progressive softening absorbs impact energy and reduces the peak forces transmitted to the sensor, eliminating the need for separate bumper systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension system changes its stiffness parameter in real-time based on the magnitude of applied forces. During high-acceleration events, the non-linear springs transition to a softer state to absorb impact energy, thereby limiting both displacement and impact forces transmitted to the sensor.
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 bi-directional spring system effectively minimizes sensor vibration by providing substantial attenuation of low-amplitude vibrations and limiting displacement during high-amplitude events, reducing dynamic coupling and maintaining sensor stability across various operational conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The non-linear spring rates of the struts are low when not exposed to large forces and therefore provide substantial attenuation of any low-amplitude transmitted vibrational forces. The non-linear spring rates of the struts increase as longitudinal forces acting on the struts increase which limits displacement of the supported payload when exposed to high amplitude vibrational forces
Implementation Method 2
Each strut comprises a spring strut having a non-linear spring component and a linear spring component. The linear spring has a 'linear' or constant spring rate.
Data Source
AI summary
A bi-directional spring member is mounted to a support platform, the bi-directional spring member being coupled to a payload. The bi-directional spring member includes a non-linear spring component having a rigid member enclosing at least a portion of a compliant planar member and a linear spring component. The compliant planar member flexes in a direction opposite a direction of low amplitude vibrational forces acting on the compliant planar member to reduce vibrational forces acting on the support platform and the linear spring member flexes to reduce high amplitude vibrational forces acting on the support platform.