Rubber Spring Rotation Angle Measurement via Electrical Property Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rubber spring elements used for vibration damping in machines and vehicles are prone to failure due to excessive twisting or material fatigue, leading to potential machine breakdowns and safety risks, requiring premature replacement that is costly and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A rubber spring element rotation angle measuring system with electrically conductive housings and a detection device that monitors changes in electrical properties of elastic rubber strands, allowing for real-time angle measurement and timely replacement of fatigued elements, reducing the risk of accidents and maintenance costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rubber spring elements are replaced after a predetermined maintenance interval, then machine downtime and safety risks are reduced, but replacement costs and time consumption increase due to premature replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary monitoring of the rubber spring element's service life by measuring its angle of rotation continuously. The system detects wear and fatigue conditions before they lead to failure, enabling proactive replacement planning. This eliminates the need for conservative predetermined maintenance intervals by providing actual condition data, thus reducing premature replacements while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback loop where the angle of rotation measurement system continuously monitors the rubber spring element's condition and provides data to the control unit. This feedback enables real-time assessment of element health, allowing optimization of replacement timing based on actual wear patterns rather than fixed schedules, thereby reducing both safety risks and unnecessary replacements.
2Loss of time
If rubber spring elements are monitored continuously, then replacement timing is optimized and premature replacement is avoided, but system complexity and measurement costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement systems with an electrical measurement approach. By using a measurement system that detects electrical properties (such as capacitance or inductance changes) of the rubber spring element, the system achieves continuous monitoring with simpler mechanics. The control unit processes electrical signals to determine angle of rotation and wear conditions, avoiding complex mechanical linkages or optical systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates the angle of rotation measurement system into the existing control unit of the machine, allowing the control unit to serve multiple functions: managing machine operation and monitoring rubber spring element condition. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by eliminating the need for a completely separate dedicated measurement system, as the control unit already present in the machine is utilized for dual purposes.
3Reliability
If the rubber spring element is designed with interstices and rubber strands, then vibration damping performance is improved, but the element becomes susceptible to failure from excessive twisting and material fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary monitoring of the rubber spring element's angle of rotation to detect when it approaches dangerous twisting limits. By continuously measuring the angle and comparing it against predetermined thresholds, the system can alert operators or automatically adjust machine operation before excessive twisting causes structural damage or fatigue failure, thus protecting the element's strength while maintaining its vibration damping function.
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
Ensures lasting reliability and reduces the risk of accidents and maintenance costs by enabling real-time monitoring of rubber spring element condition, preventing premature replacement and extending service life.
Implementation Method 1
elastic rubber strands as a spring element, which keep the inner housing mounted in relation to the outer housing in such a way that the axes of the inner housing and outer housing extend on the same axis when the housings are rotated at least in sections in relation to one another
Implementation Method 2
a detection device, which is electrically connected to the inner housing and the outer housing via electrical lines, the detection device being designed to detect a change in at least one electrical property within the elastic rubber strands, which is caused by a change in shape of the elastic rubber strands
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The system (10) has an inner housing (16) and an outer housing (14) and a rotational angle measuring device (22) comprising a detection device (26) electrically connected to each of the housings through electric lines (24). The detection device changes one of the electrical characteristics in rubber elastic strands (18'-18'''') formed by deformation of the rubber elastic strands during twisting between the inner housing and the outer housing. The detection device outputs an output signal in response to the change of the electrical characteristic to an output unit (28). The electrical characteristic is selected from one of capacitive, inductive and/or resistive properties.