Conveyor Drive Vibration Damping via Axial Absorber

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conveyor drive systems experience significant vibrations, particularly perpendicular to the drive train alignment, due to the interaction of components, leading to unacceptably high oscillations when operating frequencies align with system natural frequencies.

Innovation Solution

A drive system design featuring a motor and gearbox arranged axially with a torque arm, where an absorber is strategically positioned at the motor-side axial end to reduce vibrations, utilizing a lever effect and requiring minimal additional installation space, and tuned to match the drive system's natural frequencies for optimal vibration dampening.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If an absorber is added to reduce vibrations, then vibration reduction is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovevibrationsVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful vibrations are extracted and isolated from the main drive system by introducing a separate absorber component. The absorber takes out the vibrational energy from the drive train and dissipates it independently, preventing the vibrations from affecting the main system while adding minimal complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The absorber acts as an intermediary element between the drive system components. It mediates the vibrational interactions by providing a controlled path for vibration energy to be absorbed and dissipated, rather than allowing direct transmission through the drive train.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the absorber is positioned at the motor-side axial end, then vibration reduction effectiveness is improved, but installation space requirements worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovevibrationsVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The absorber is positioned in the axial dimension of the drive system rather than requiring additional radial or vertical space. By utilizing the existing axial extent of the drive train, the solution achieves effective vibration reduction without increasing the footprint or requiring additional installation space in other dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If the absorber mass is minimized, then device complexity is reduced, but vibration reduction effectiveness worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabsorber massVSAvoidvibrations
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The effectiveness of the absorber is optimized by carefully selecting and adjusting specific parameters such as the absorber mass, stiffness, and damping characteristics. By changing these parameters within optimal ranges, the absorber achieves maximum vibration reduction with minimal mass, balancing effectiveness and simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 absorber effectively reduces vibrations by leveraging its position and lever effect, achieving significant vibration reduction with a minimal added mass, enhancing the drive system's stability and performance, especially in constrained installation spaces.

Implementation Method 1

the absorber is tuned to the natural frequencies of the drive system in the vertical or horizontal direction perpendicular to the axial extent of the drive system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 2

the motor-side axial end is spaced from the torque arm. This distance represents a lever. This lever increases the effect of the absorber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLever: Lever

Data Source

PatentEP3362707B1Device and method for vibration damping in conveyor drives
Publication Date: 2020.12.09 VOITH PATENT GMBH
  • EP3362707B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3362707B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3362707B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a drive system for conveyor systems comprising an motor and a transmission. One or more clutches can be provided between the motor and transmission. The drive system can be mounted by means of a torque support. In order to reduce vibrations of the drive system, a damper is arranged on the axial motor-side end. If the motor, the transmission and, optionally, other components of the drive system are mounted on a rocker, the damper can be arranged on the motor-side axial end of the damper.