Raised Floor Stabilization for Vibration-Sensitive Equipment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Raised floor systems in transportable modules experience vibrations that interfere with vibration-sensitive equipment, such as portal metal detectors, due to foot traffic, posing challenges in reliable detection and operation.

Innovation Solution

A floor system with a stabilization device that includes a support structure linked to equipment, featuring a lifting mechanism to deploy through the floor and rest on the ground, isolating the equipment from floor vibrations by elevating it above the floor surface, thereby preventing vibration transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If equipment is directly mounted on the floor, then installation simplicity is improved, but vibration transmission from foot traffic to equipment increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidvibration transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary stabilization device between the equipment and the floor. This device includes a support structure with lifting means that can deploy through openings in the floor to rest on the ground, thereby mediating the connection between equipment and floor to prevent vibration transmission while maintaining installation simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The stabilization device is segmented into distinct functional components: a support structure for holding equipment, lifting means for deployment through the floor, and anchoring elements for ground connection. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while working together to isolate equipment from floor vibrations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If lifting means are deployed to rest on the ground, then equipment isolation from vibrations is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration isolationVSAvoidstabilization device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stabilization device is designed with multi-functionality to reduce overall system complexity. The support structure serves both as a mounting platform for equipment and as a structural element that can be stabilized by the lifting means. The same device provides both vibration isolation and structural support functions, eliminating the need for separate stabilization systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If equipment is elevated above the floor, then vibration transmission is reduced, but installation and access difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration transmissionVSAvoidinstallation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The stabilization device incorporates dynamic lifting means that can be deployed and retracted as needed. The lifting mechanism allows the support structure to be elevated above the floor when vibration isolation is required, and can be lowered or collapsed when installation or maintenance access is needed, providing dynamic adaptability to different operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The lifting means are pre-configured within the support structure and can be deployed through pre-provided openings in the floor. This preliminary arrangement of lifting components and openings eliminates the need for complex on-site assembly or modification during installation, simplifying the overall installation process while maintaining the ability to elevate equipment for vibration isolation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3431681B1Floor system, in particular for transportable modules
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 BEHM
  • EP3431681B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3431681B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3431681B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A floor system comprises a support structure (28) connected to the ground (26); a floor (16) mounted on said support structure and raised above the ground; and at least one stabilization device (18) for equipment (14) above the floor. The stabilization device comprises a support (20) adapted to be connected to said equipment (14); and a lifting means (22) associated with said support (20) configured to move said support between: a rest position in which said equipment (14) is supported by said floor; and a working position in which the support (20) is raised above the floor, said lifting means being extended through an opening (24) in said floor until it rests on the ground, and then moving the support (20) to the working position, so that said equipment (14) is detached from said floor in order to prevent the transmission of vibrations through said floor to said equipment.The invention also relates to a module with such a floor system and equipped with one or more metal detection portals.