Vibration Damper for Measuring Instruments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Measuring instruments are highly sensitive to environmental vibrations, oscillations, and shocks, which negatively affect their performance and require effective decoupling from such disturbances.

Innovation Solution

A measuring instrument equipped with a vibration damper, comprising a mass-spring system or active vibration absorbers with electromagnetic actuators, and a control system to adjust damping characteristics based on environmental conditions, effectively reducing disruptive vibrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the measuring instrument is placed directly on the environment surface, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to vibration transmission

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a vibration damper as an intermediary component between the measuring instrument and the environment surface. This damper acts as a mediator that transmits necessary mechanical support while filtering out harmful vibrations, thus improving measurement precision without requiring complex active control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex active vibration compensation mechanisms with a passive mechanical vibration damper. This substitution uses simple mechanical elements (spring-damper system) to achieve vibration reduction, thereby maintaining device simplicity while improving measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If active vibration dampers with electromagnetic actuators are used, then the reliability of vibration shielding is improved, but the use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiduse of energy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements an adaptive vibration damper system that dynamically adjusts its damping characteristics based on detected vibration conditions. The control unit modifies the damping parameters in real-time to match the actual vibration environment, ensuring reliable vibration shielding while minimizing energy consumption by avoiding unnecessary active compensation when vibrations are low.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the vibration damper based on environmental conditions. The control unit monitors vibration levels and adjusts the damping parameters accordingly, transitioning between passive and active damping modes to optimize both reliability and energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If passive vibration absorbers are used, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the adaptability to different vibration frequencies deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidease of manufacture
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms a static passive vibration absorber into a dynamic adaptive system. The controllable vibration damper can adjust its natural frequency and damping ratio in real-time to match different vibration excitation frequencies, providing adaptability to various operating conditions while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure that is easy to manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs periodic adjustment of the damping parameters to adapt to different vibration frequencies. The control unit periodically modifies the damper characteristics based on detected vibration patterns, enabling the system to handle a broad frequency range while maintaining a simple manufacturable design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 vibration damper system minimizes mechanical disturbances, allowing for precise measurements by reducing vibrations, enabling calibration at any location and improving service life and measurement speed.

Implementation Method 1

a vibration damper (3) attached to the housing (2). One of the key ideas of the invention is to use a vibration damper to reduce or completely dampen disruptive vibrations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

The vibration damper can, for example, comprise a vibration absorber, i.e., a mass-spring system with mechanical damping characteristics

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMass-spring system: Spring

Implementation Method 3

Active vibration dampers can introduce targeted counterforces into a measuring device, for example via electromagnetic or electrodynamic actuators

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic actuation: Electromagnetic Propulsion

Implementation Method 4

Active vibration dampers can also incorporate vibration sensors that allow for the targeted control of power electronic actuators

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration detection: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentEP4006497B1Measuring device with vibration damper and method for shielding a measuring device against vibrations
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 NETZSCH GERATEBAU GMBH
  • EP4006497B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

A measuring instrument comprises a housing and at least one vibration damper attached to the housing.