Drill Rod Electronic Component Dampening via Segmented Buffer

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ground drilling devices face issues with the loosening or twisting of electronic components, such as probes, due to inadequate dampening and rigidity, leading to disrupted signals and reduced service life.

Innovation Solution

A device with a receptacle space surrounded by an outer wall and end closure, featuring a structural conformation that manipulates dampening effects in different directions, using materials like thermoplastic polyurethane to achieve desired rigidity and dampening qualities, allowing for improved stabilization and protection of electronic components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a softer material with low hardness is used for the rubber buffer, then the dampening quality is improved and the electronics are protected against disruption, but the rigidity in regions with little material is reduced, allowing the transmitter to loosen and twist

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedampening qualityVSAvoidrigidity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The rubber buffer is divided into multiple regions with different hardness values. The first region (first buffer portion) has a first hardness value optimized for dampening, while the second region (second buffer portion) has a second hardness value optimized for rigidity and anti-loosening. This segmentation allows each region to independently fulfill its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the rubber buffer are assigned different material properties (hardness values) according to their specific functional requirements. The first region uses softer material for vibration dampening, while the second region uses harder material for structural support and preventing transmitter loosening. This local differentiation of material quality resolves the contradiction between overall dampening and local rigidity requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If a harder material is used for the rubber buffer, then the rigidity is improved and the transmitter is secured against loosening and twisting, but the dampening is insufficient, resulting in disruption of the electronics

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproverigidityVSAvoiddampening quality

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The rubber buffer is divided into multiple regions with different hardness values. The first region (first buffer portion) has a first hardness value optimized for dampening, while the second region (second buffer portion) has a second hardness value optimized for rigidity and anti-loosening. This segmentation allows each region to independently fulfill its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the rubber buffer are assigned different material properties (hardness values) according to their specific functional requirements. The first region uses softer material for vibration dampening, while the second region uses harder material for structural support and preventing transmitter loosening. This local differentiation of material quality resolves the contradiction between overall dampening and local rigidity requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If different materials are used for the outer wall and end closure, then the dampening qualities can be optimized for different regions, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedampening qualityVSAvoidmaterial variety

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using different materials for different regions, the invention uses a single material with spatially varying hardness values within the same continuous structure. The rubber buffer contains both a first region with lower hardness and a second region with higher hardness, achieving regional functional differentiation without material substitution. This approach maintains manufacturing simplicity while delivering the benefits of localized property optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 solution provides enhanced dampening and rigidity, preventing component twisting and ensuring reliable operation over a longer period by optimizing material conformation for specific force directions, thereby improving the durability and accuracy of ground drilling devices.

Implementation Method 1

the rubber buffers generally have a very low hardness, in order to have appropriately good dampening qualities

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The electromagnetic radiation, particularly in the form of signals, is used in order to locate the radiation by means of a receiving unit situated on the ground surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViscoelasticity: Viscoelasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12258853B2Device for dampening the force acting on an electronic component, and a drill rod section of a ground drilling device having such a device

Publication Date: 2025.03.25 TRACTO TECHN

AI summary

A device for dampening the action of a force on an electronic component, particularly one in the form of a probe, wherein the device comprises a receptacle space for the component, which is surrounded by an outer wall along a longitudinal axis, and transversely to the longitudinal axis there is situated an end closure of the receptacle space, wherein the outer wall and the closure comprise the same material and the material has a structural conformation which produces a dampening effect of the device in the longitudinal direction.