Friction Damped Crossbar Isolator for Sensor Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sensors mounted on vehicles experience resolution loss due to vibrations and sudden accelerations transmitted through the payload system mount, which are not effectively isolated or damped, leading to detrimental effects on sensor functionality.
Innovation Solution
A crossbar system with isolators and dampers is employed to partially decouple the structure interface from the payload mount interface, utilizing inner and outer rings with a spring portion and metallic or elastomeric dampers to dampen vibrations and reduce resonance, allowing the sensor assembly to be isolated from external vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the crossbar system directly transmits motion from the payload system mount to the sensor assembly, then the sensor assembly responds to motion commands, but vibrations and sudden accelerations are transmitted to the sensor causing resolution loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces isolators as intermediary elements between the crossbar system and the sensor assembly. These isolators act as mediators that allow motion transmission while blocking vibration and acceleration transmission. The isolators are positioned at the interface between the crossbar and sensor mount, creating a buffer zone that filters harmful dynamic forces while permitting controlled motion transfer for sensor positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the harmful vibration and acceleration components from the motion transmission path by using isolators to separate them from the sensor assembly. The isolators selectively transmit desired motion while extracting and isolating unwanted vibrational frequencies and sudden accelerations, effectively removing harmful factors from reaching the sensor.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If isolators are added to decouple the structure interface from the payload mount interface, then vibrations are reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The isolators serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide vibration isolation, allow controlled motion transmission, support the sensor assembly weight, and accommodate misalignments. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving comprehensive vibration reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The isolators are integrated within the existing crossbar structure, nesting the isolation function within the overall system architecture. The isolators are positioned inside or between existing structural elements, allowing vibration protection to be incorporated without adding significant external complexity to the crossbar 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
The crossbar system effectively isolates the sensor assembly from external vibrations, reducing their impact and maintaining sensor resolution by damping vibrations and lowering the resonant frequency, thereby enhancing the stability and performance of sensors on vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
The isolator comprises a spring portion operable to deform in response to relative movement between the outer and inner crossbar segments
Implementation Method 2
The damper is adjacent the spring portion. The isolator is operable to partially decouple the outer crossbar segment from the inner crossbar segment and the damper is operable to dampen vibrations propagating between the outer and inner crossbar segments
Data Source
AI summary
A crossbar assembly for facilitating isolation of a sensor assembly from vibration of a payload mounting system on a vehicle comprising an outer crossbar segment, an inner crossbar segment, an isolator, and a damper. The outer crossbar segment comprises a payload mount interface operable to mount to a payload mount, and an outer isolator interface operable to mount to an isolator. The inner crossbar segment comprises a structure interface to mount to a structure, and an inner isolator interface operable to mount to the isolator. The isolator can be supported by the outer and inner crossbar segments. The damper is adjacent the isolator. The isolator is operable to deform in response to relative movement between the outer and inner crossbar segments. The isolator operates to partially decouple the outer crossbar segment from the inner crossbar segment and the damper dampens vibrations propagating between the outer and inner crossbar segments.