Ultrasonic Transducer Coupling Vibration Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasonic transducers for medical diagnostic equipment experience uncomfortable vibrations and noise due to direct torque transmission from stepper motors, and backlash errors between bevel gears, leading to inconsistent vibration levels.
Innovation Solution
A coupling with a silicon rubber buffer and a flywheel is introduced between the transducer main body and the power source, reducing vibrations and noise by ensuring engagement accuracy and torque transmission, while the compression coil spring further stabilizes the bevel gear engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a disk-type coupling with metallic disks is used to transmit torque from the stepper motor to the drive shaft, then torque transmission is achieved, but vibration and noise are directly transmitted to the transducer main body
Solution Approach 1:
A buffer member made of elastic material (silicone rubber or rubber) is introduced as an intermediary between the first hub and the second hub in the coupling. This buffer member absorbs and dampens vibrations while still transmitting torque from the stepper motor to the drive shaft, preventing direct transmission of harmful vibrations to the transducer main body
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling structure is changed from rigid metallic disks to a combination of hubs with an elastic buffer member. This parameter change in material properties (from rigid to elastic) allows the coupling to transmit torque while filtering out high-frequency vibrations and noise, resolving the contradiction between power transmission and vibration reduction
2Ease of operation
If bevel gears are used to swing the transducer main body, then mechanical scanning is achieved, but backlash errors occur due to assembly accuracy variation
Solution Approach 1:
A compression coil spring is introduced to apply preliminary axial force to the bevel gears, pre-compressing them to eliminate backlash before operation. This preliminary action ensures consistent engagement between gears regardless of assembly accuracy variations, reducing individual differences in vibration levels across products
Solution Approach 2:
The compression coil spring provides beforehand cushioning by maintaining constant axial pressure on the bevel gears during operation. This compensates for manufacturing tolerances and assembly variations, ensuring stable gear engagement and consistent mechanical scanning performance across all transducer units
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 solution effectively minimizes vibrations and noise during transducer operation, ensuring patient comfort and consistent performance across ultrasonic transducer products.
Implementation Method 1
a coupling (2) swingably and loosely fitted between a transducer main body (13) and a power source (1) that swings the transducer main body (13), and a flywheel (3) swingably and loosely fitted to an output shaft (1a) of the power source (1), to reduce a vibration and a noise from the transducer main body (13)
Implementation Method 2
a flywheel (3) swingably and loosely fitted to an output shaft (1a) of the power source (1), to reduce a vibration and a noise from the transducer main body (13)
Implementation Method 3
the compression coil spring further stabilizes the bevel gear engagement
Data Source
AI summary
During normal and reverse swings of a transducer main body, an engagement accuracy is ensured to reduce generation of vibration and noise. An ultrasonic transducer includes: a coupling swingably and loosely fitted between one end portion of an output shaft of a power source that swings the transducer main body and the transducer main body, and a flywheel swingably and loosely fitted to another end portion of an output shaft of the power source, ensuring the reduced vibration and noise from the transducer main body.