Self-Resetting Buckling Isolator for Vehicle Payloads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rigid payload mount systems on mobile vehicles can transmit harmful acceleration, deceleration, and shock forces to sensor payloads, potentially damaging them, and do not allow for necessary uncontrolled movement during events like landings or encounters with obstacles.
Innovation Solution
A shock isolator assembly featuring a three-stage self-resetting buckling isolator system that couples the payload mount to the vehicle, providing a rigid stage under normal conditions and transitioning to compression or tension stages to absorb dynamic loads, allowing movement in up to six degrees of freedom when threshold loads are exceeded, and automatically resetting to the rigid stage when loads subside.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid coupling is used to secure the payload mount system, then the sensors are prevented from uncontrolled movement, but harmful acceleration, deceleration, and shock forces are transmitted to the sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a shock isolator assembly as an intermediary component between the payload mount system and the mobile vehicle. This isolator includes a rigid coupling mechanism that remains engaged under normal conditions to maintain stability, while incorporating shock-absorbing elements that activate during high-g events to intercept and dissipate harmful forces before they reach the sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling system transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic system that can adapt its characteristics. The shock isolator incorporates movable components and flexible elements that allow the system to switch between rigid and compliant states, enabling it to maintain rigidity during normal operation while absorbing shocks during adverse conditions
2Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid coupling is used to secure the payload mount system, then structural stability is maintained, but the system cannot allow uncontrolled movement during events like landings or encounters with obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The shock isolator assembly incorporates dynamic elements including spring mechanisms, dampers, and movable joints that enable the system to transition between stable and compliant states. During normal operation, the rigid components maintain stability, while during high-g events, the flexible elements engage to permit controlled movement and displacement
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling system is divided into separate functional segments: a rigid structural component for maintaining stability, a shock-absorbing component for dissipating forces, and a coupling mechanism that connects these segments. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specialized function while working together as an integrated system
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
Effectively reduces the transmission of shock loads to sensor payloads, protecting them from damage and ensuring continued performance by allowing controlled displacement during adverse conditions, while maintaining rigidity during normal operation.
Implementation Method 1
a preloaded coupler coupling the first end to the second end. The preloaded coupler facilitates relative axial movement between the first end and the second end
Implementation Method 2
providing a three-stage response to an applied dynamic load acting between the base and the platform. The three-stage response includes a tension stage when the dynamic load exceeds a threshold tension load, a compression stage when the dynamic load exceeds a threshold compression load
Data Source
AI summary
A shock isolator assembly comprises a base a platform and a plurality of self-resetting buckling isolators providing a three-stage response to a dynamic load acting between the base and the platform. The three-stage response of the self-resetting buckling isolators comprises a tension stage when the dynamic load exceeds a threshold tension load, a compression stage when the dynamic load exceeds a threshold compression load, and a rigid stage when the dynamic load is below the threshold tension load and the threshold compression load.