Integrated Measuring Device with Compensation Zone for Vibration Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing measuring devices are not suitable for monitoring components exposed to extreme conditions such as heat, cold, or flowing media, and they are limited in detecting vibrations in components like rotor blades and vehicle parts due to susceptibility to faults in signal line connections and mechanical stress.

Innovation Solution

A measuring device with a force-fitting and material-locking connection between the converter and housing, along with a compensation zone to absorb mechanical stresses, allowing for direct vibration transmission without energy loss or phase shift, and enabling integration into components without requiring placement near the neutral axis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If control electronics are mounted on the outside of the component, then the measuring device can be integrated into components, but the application range is limited for components exposed to heat, cold, flowing media, and extreme environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication rangeVSAvoidexposure to heat, cold, flowing media

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The measuring device is nested within the component structure, with the housing integrated into the component and the transducer positioned within the component's internal space. This allows the measuring device to be protected from external environmental factors while remaining integrated into the component, enabling monitoring of components in extreme environments such as helicopter rotor blades, wind turbine rotor blades, and vehicle rims.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If signal lines are used to connect the transducer to control electronics, then the measuring device can function, but the connection is susceptible to interference and faults

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidinterference susceptibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The transducer is extracted from the housing structure and directly integrated into the component, eliminating the need for signal lines to pass through the housing. This direct integration removes the vulnerable connection points where interference could occur, significantly improving the reliability of the measuring device in electrically noisy environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If the transducer is mounted on a circuit board with space filled with rubber-like material, then the electronic component is protected, but vibrations are transmitted with energy loss and phase shift

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration transmission accuracyVSAvoidvibration energy loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The housing serves as an intermediary structure that provides mechanical coupling between the component and the transducer. The housing is designed with a force-fit and material bond connection to the component, creating a rigid pathway for vibration transmission that minimizes energy loss and phase shift while still providing protection for the transducer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Measurement precision

If the transducer is integrated into the component, then sensitivity for detecting weak vibrations is improved, but the transducer is exposed to mechanical stresses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration detection sensitivityVSAvoidtransducer durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The measuring device is segmented into distinct functional components: the housing integrated into the component for vibration transmission, the transducer mounted on the housing for sensitive detection, and the electronic component housed separately for signal processing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while protecting the transducer from excessive mechanical stresses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 improved sensitivity for detecting weak vibrations, increased robustness against mechanical stresses, and new design freedoms for component integration, making it suitable for diverse applications including extreme environments.

Implementation Method 1

an electromechanical transducer (1) for detecting vibrations of a bearing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2929304B1Measuring device and component with measuring device integrated therein

Publication Date: 2021.04.07 INDTACT

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AI summary

The invention relates to a measuring device (M) for measuring mechanical stresses or vibrations occuring in a component (9), wherein the measuring device (M) comprises at least one electromechanical transducer (1) which can be integrated in a frictionally locking fashion into the component (9) and at least one electronic unit (5) which is connected to the transducer (1) via signal lines (2) and has the purpose of recording and processing the signal supplied by the transducer (1). In order to improve the robustness of the arrangement, the invention proposes that the electronic unit (5) be surrounded at least partially by a housing (8), and wherein between the electronic unit (5) and the housing (8) a compensation zone (6) is provided for absorbing relative movements between the housing (8) and the electronic unit (5).