Gyroscope Suspension Component for High Shock Environments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current mechanical gyroscopes with one or two degrees of freedom flexure components are prone to buckling under high dynamic load conditions due to the use of stiff suspension beams, which are weak in angular axes and unable to withstand increased shock or acceleration effectively.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates mechanical stops in all three linear axes and a combination of integral load-absorbing spring elements and hard mechanical stops to maintain higher spring rates along linear axes, preventing buckling and ensuring the suspension components do not exceed their yield strength under dynamic loading.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If stiff suspension beams are used in three linear axes and one or two angular axes, then the gyroscope maintains structural rigidity and angular spring rates, but the suspension components buckle under high shock or acceleration loads

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveangular spring rateVSAvoidresistance to buckling under shock

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The suspension component is designed with different stiffness characteristics in different directions: stiff in linear axes to prevent buckling and maintain structural integrity, but flexible in angular axes to maintain the required angular spring rates for gyroscope operation. This anisotropic design allows the same component to simultaneously resist linear shocks while allowing angular motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The suspension component utilizes composite construction combining stiff linear axis elements with flexible angular axis elements. This composite approach integrates multiple material properties or structural configurations within a single component, enabling it to exhibit high stiffness in linear directions while maintaining flexibility in angular directions, thereby preventing buckling under high dynamic loads.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If mechanical stops are added in all three linear axes to prevent buckling, then the suspension component withstands high shock loads, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against bucklingVSAvoidnumber of mechanical stops

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical stops are integrated directly into the suspension component structure itself, merging the stop function with the suspension element. This integration eliminates the need for separate stop components and reduces overall assembly complexity, while still providing the necessary protection against buckling under high shock conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The suspension component is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides angular spring rates for gyroscope operation, resists linear shocks through its stiff construction, and incorporates mechanical stops to prevent buckling. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If the suspension component is designed to be flexible in angular axes for gyro performance, then angular rate sensing is accurate, but the component cannot withstand high linear acceleration or shock

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveangular rate measurementVSAvoidresistance to linear shock

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The suspension component exhibits locally different mechanical properties: it is flexible in angular axes to enable accurate angular rate measurement and precession, while simultaneously being stiff in linear axes to resist buckling under high linear acceleration or shock loads. This directional differentiation of mechanical properties allows both measurement precision and shock resistance to coexist.

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

This solution provides high acceleration and shock protection without compromising gyro performance or increasing manufacturing costs, maintaining required angular spring rates while allowing movement due to angular forces and limiting movement due to linear forces effectively.

Implementation Method 1

the suspension component structured to maintain predetermined angular spring rates and to maintain higher spring rates, than the angular spring rates, along linear axes of the suspension component that flex under predetermined increased dynamic loading

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The stops are structured to ensure that the suspension elements do not exceed their yield strength under dynamic loading

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS7497139B2Suspension component for a gyroscope in high shock environments

Publication Date: 2009.03.03 NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORP

AI summary

An apparatus in one example has: a first component coupled to a second component by a suspension component; and the suspension component structured to maintain predetermined angular spring rates and to maintain high linear spring rates, that are higher than the angular spring rates, along linear axes of the suspension component that flex under predetermined increased dynamic loading of the suspension component.