Multi-Part Mounting Interface for Orthogonal Vibration Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vibration isolation systems fail to effectively isolate vibrations in multiple orthogonal directions while maintaining rotational stiffness, which can degrade the performance of sensitive equipment like optical sensors mounted on structures prone to vibrations.

Innovation Solution

A vibration isolation system comprising multiple pairs of parallel plate flexures oriented in orthogonal directions, surrounded by a multi-part mounting interface with movable parts, providing compliance and damping in lateral, longitudinal, and vertical directions, while maintaining rotational stiffness through the use of flexures and additional damping materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional vibration isolation systems are used, then they can provide some vibration isolation, but they fail to effectively isolate vibrations in multiple orthogonal directions while maintaining rotational stiffness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration isolation effectivenessVSAvoidrotational stiffness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the vibration isolation function into three independent pairs of parallel plate flexures, each pair dedicated to isolating vibrations in a specific orthogonal direction (lateral, longitudinal, vertical). This segmentation allows each flexure pair to independently address vibrations in its designated direction while the collective arrangement maintains overall rotational stiffness through their coordinated configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each pair of parallel plate flexures is specifically oriented to provide compliance in a particular translational direction, creating local quality differences. The flexures in each pair are positioned and oriented to optimize isolation in their respective directions, while the mounting interface structure provides localized rotational stiffness where needed, resolving the contradiction between directional compliance and rotational stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple pairs of parallel plate flexures oriented in orthogonal directions are used, then vibration isolation in all three directions is achieved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration isolation in multiple directionsVSAvoidsystem structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges three pairs of parallel plate flexures into a single integrated mounting interface structure. Rather than using separate isolation mechanisms for each direction, all three pairs are combined within one mounting interface that couples the equipment mount to the structure mount, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining multi-directional vibration isolation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting interface structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it houses all three pairs of parallel plate flexures for vibration isolation in orthogonal directions, provides a unified coupling mechanism between equipment and structure mounts, and maintains rotational stiffness through its integrated design. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, simplifying the overall system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 system effectively isolates vibrations in all three orthogonal directions, reducing the impact of structural vibrations on equipment performance and maintaining rotational stiffness, thus preventing degradation of sensitive equipment operations.

Implementation Method 1

The longitudinal flexures deform primarily by bending. The lateral flexures deform primarily by bending. The vertical flexures deform primarily by bending.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBending:

Implementation Method 2

the vertical flexures deform by being placed in tension

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTension: Tension

Implementation Method 3

the system further includes additional damping material attached to at least some of the flexures

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS10816056B2Vibration isolation system

Publication Date: 2020.10.27 RAYTHEON CO

AI summary

A vibration isolation device includes flexures and a multi-part mounting interface for coupling a frame that supports equipment to a structure. The flexures may include three pairs of flexures that allow movement in three orthogonal directions, to allow compliance and/or damp vibrations in the three directions. The flexures may surround the multi-part mounting interface, the parts of which are configured to move relative to one another. One of the parts of the mounting interfaces passes through another part of the mounting interface, such as in one or more holes in one of the interfaces. The device allows equipment mounted on the frame to be isolated from some or all of vibrations produced at the structure. In an example embodiment the vibration isolation system is used in mounting an optical sensor or device to an aircraft.