Sensor Assembly Vibration Decoupling via Elastic Capsule

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sensor arrangements for load detection on vehicle chassis parts are prone to external influences such as vibrations and pulses, which can falsify measurement results due to the transmission body shifting relative to the chassis.

Innovation Solution

A sensor arrangement featuring a transmission body with fastening sections and a sensor section, where the transmission body is partially embedded in an elastic capsule mass and surrounded by a decoupling part to minimize external interference, using piezoelectric and/or capacitive sensors with adhesive attachment and advanced manufacturing processes for enhanced accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the transmission body is directly attached to the chassis part, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but external influences such as vibrations and impulses affect the measurement results due to relative shifting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an elastic capsule mass as an intermediary between the transmission body and the external environment. This capsule mass absorbs vibrations and impulses from the chassis part, preventing them from directly affecting the transmission body and sensor, thereby improving measurement reliability while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic capsule mass is designed to cushion external influences before they reach the transmission body. By placing this damping element in advance between the chassis part and the transmission body, the system prevents vibrations and impulses from affecting the measurement, resolving the contradiction between measurement accuracy and structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If the transmission body is embedded in elastic capsule mass, then external influences are reduced, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the transmission body, sensor, and elastic capsule mass into an integrated assembly. The capsule mass is molded to envelop the transmission body and sensor together, creating a unified structure that reduces the number of separate assembly steps and simplifies the overall manufacturing process while maintaining measurement stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If the transmission body is rigidly fixed to prevent shifting, then measurement accuracy improves, but the ability to accommodate thermal expansion and deformation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload detection accuracyVSAvoidthermal adaptation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic capsule mass acts as a flexible enclosure that allows the transmission body to expand and contract with thermal changes while preventing lateral shifting. The elastic material provides radial support to maintain measurement precision while accommodating axial dimensional changes due to temperature variations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 configuration significantly reduces the impact of external influences on measurement results, providing accurate load detection and weight determination by effectively decoupling vibrations and maintaining deformation properties, thus enhancing the reliability of load measurement data.

Implementation Method 1

The transmission body is at least partially embedded in an elastic capsule mass, in particular completely embedded with the exception of contact surfaces of the fastening sections

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

The transmission body is at least partially embedded in an elastic capsule mass

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

the elastic capsule mass is further surrounded by a decoupling part, in particular a second capsule mass, in which a housing shell is mounted

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration isolation: Damping

Implementation Method 4

The sensor arrangement has at least one transmission body and at least one sensor arranged on a sensor section of the transmission body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectStrain measurement: Deformation

Data Source

PatentEP3879244B1Sensor assembly and method for producing a sensor assembly
Publication Date: 2024.06.26 VOSS AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
  • EP3879244B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3879244B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3879244B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a sensor arrangement (1) for load detection on a chassis part (2) of a commercial vehicle, comprising at least one transmission body (3), wherein the transmission body (3) has at least one first mounting section (5a), at least one second mounting section (5b) and at least one sensor section (6), wherein each mounting section (5a, 5b) has at least one mounting recess (7), at least one clamping surface (8) and at least one contact surface (9), wherein the contact surface (9) is directed towards the chassis part (2) in the mounting state, wherein the sensor section (6) connects the first mounting section (5a) with the second mounting section (5b), and wherein at least one sensor (10) is arranged on the sensor section (6).An advantageous sensor arrangement (1) is realized by embedding the transmission body (3) at least partially in a first elastic capsule mass (11) and by surrounding the first elastic capsule mass (11) at least partially with a decoupling part (12).