Multi-Chamber Air Spring for Sensor Vibration Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Unmanned engineering vehicles, especially those on unstructured roads, experience significant vibrations due to uneven surfaces, leading to mechanical fatigue, structural fractures, and performance degradation of sensors like laser radars and MEMS elements, resulting in shortened service lives and increased replacement costs.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an air spring system with multiple air chambers and control valves, strategically distributed and connected to attenuate vibrations, including a vibration isolation apparatus and method that uses electronic control units to adjust damping and rigidity based on measured accelerations, effectively reducing mechanical stress on sensors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sensors are directly connected to the vehicle body or suspension beam, then the structure is simple and easy to install, but the sensors experience mechanical fatigue, structural fracture, and performance degradation due to vibration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor service lifeVSAvoidconnection structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a vibration isolation apparatus as an intermediary component between the sensor and the vehicle body. This apparatus includes a first vibration isolation device connected to the sensor and a second vibration isolation device connected to the vehicle body, which effectively isolates vibration transmission while maintaining structural connectivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical rigid connections with a vibration isolation system that uses controlled mechanical elements (springs, dampers) to substitute the direct rigid link, thereby reducing mechanical stress and fatigue on the sensor while maintaining structural support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a rigid suspension system is used, then the structure is simple and strong, but the shock-absorbing performance is poor and sensors are affected by vibration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration impact on sensorVSAvoidsuspension system strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the mechanical parameters of the suspension system by introducing vibration isolation devices with specific damping coefficients and stiffness values. The first and second vibration isolation devices have different parameter characteristics to optimize both vibration reduction and structural strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The vibration isolation apparatus combines different mechanical elements (springs, dampers, isolators) with complementary properties to create a composite suspension system that simultaneously provides strength and vibration isolation performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Measurement precision

If vibration isolation apparatus is added to protect sensors, then measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor detection precisionVSAvoidoverall system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the vibration isolation function into distinct modular components: a first vibration isolation device directly connected to the sensor and a second vibration isolation device connected to the vehicle body. This segmentation allows independent optimization and simplifies installation and maintenance.

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

This solution significantly reduces mechanical fatigue, prolongs sensor service life, decreases replacement costs, and enhances measurement precision by effectively isolating vibrations in multiple directions.

Implementation Method 1

an air spring including an airway and at least two air chambers, where the at least two air chambers include a first air chamber and a second air chamber, the first air chamber and the second air chamber are distributed at an interval along the airway

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas compression and expansion: Compression

Implementation Method 2

the first air chamber is connected to the airway by using a first control valve, and the second air chamber is connected to the airway by using a second control valve

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow control: Valve

Data Source

PatentUS20240410437A1Air spring, vibration isolation apparatus, sensor assembly, vibration isolation control method, and vehicle

Publication Date: 2024.12.12 YINWANG INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGIES CO LTD

AI summary

This application relates to the vibration control field, and in particular, to vibration control technologies in the field of new energy vehicles and intelligent vehicles, and discloses an air spring, a vibration isolation apparatus, a sensor assembly, a vibration isolation control method, and a vehicle. The air spring includes an airway and at least two air chambers, where the at least two air chambers include a first air chamber and a second air chamber, the first air chamber and the second air chamber are distributed at an interval along the airway, the first air chamber is connected to the airway by using a first control valve, and the second air chamber is connected to the airway by using a second control valve.