Vibration Sensor Contact Force Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Handheld vibration meters face challenges in accurately measuring vibrations due to sensitivity to contact quality and noise from operator hand movement, which affects the accuracy of amplitude and frequency readings.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a force sensor to adjust vibration readings based on contact force and using vibration isolators to filter out low-frequency noise from operator movement, thereby improving measurement accuracy and reducing errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If rigid attachment is used to improve vibration transmission, then measurement accuracy is improved, but portability and ease of operation are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration measurement accuracyVSAvoidportability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into distinct functional segments: a handheld unit for portability and a separate probe assembly for rigid attachment to machinery. This segmentation allows the handheld unit to remain portable while the probe provides stable, rigid contact for accurate vibration measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A probe assembly acts as an intermediary between the handheld device and the machinery. The probe provides the rigid attachment interface needed for accurate vibration transmission, while the handheld unit maintains portability. The probe serves as the mediator that enables both requirements to coexist.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If handheld contact is used to maintain portability, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to contact quality sensitivity

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveportabilityVSAvoidvibration measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The device separates the portable handheld unit from the measurement-critical probe assembly. This allows the user to maintain portability while the probe provides consistent, quality contact with the machinery for accurate measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The probe assembly serves as an intermediary that ensures high-quality contact between the handheld device and machinery. It provides a dedicated interface optimized for vibration transmission, insulating the measurement process from operator handling variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If rigid attachment is used to improve vibration transmission, then signal quality is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal qualityVSAvoidattachment mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into a simple handheld unit and a probe assembly with the attachment mechanism. This concentrates the complexity in a separate, replaceable probe rather than the main handheld device, making the overall system more manageable and the probe easily replaceable if needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The probe assembly acts as an intermediary that handles the complexity of rigid attachment. It provides a dedicated interface with appropriate mounting mechanisms while keeping the main handheld unit simple and focused on signal processing and display functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 enhances the accuracy of vibration measurements by accounting for contact force and filtering out operator-induced noise, leading to more reliable amplitude and frequency readings.

Implementation Method 1

In another aspect, the invention also or alternatively provides a hand held vibration meter as set out in claim 1, with optional features defined in claims 2 to 8.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration isolation: Damping

Implementation Method 2

The vibration meter includes a force sensor to measure force between the vibration sensor and the vibrating equipment.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForce sensing: Force

Data Source

PatentEP2778633B1Vibration sensor in a portable vibration meter
Publication Date: 2020.06.24 FLUKE CORP
  • EP2778633B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2778633B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2778633B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A vibration detector suitable for field use and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative apparatus includes a vibration sensor in contact with the vibrating structure. The vibration sensor can be in contact with the vibration isolators to eliminate the frequencies of the operator's hand. In some embodiments, a contact force between the vibration sensor and the vibrating structure can be measured using, for example, contact resistors. Since the sensitivity of the vibration sensor can be a function of the contact force, the vibration amplitude measurements can be adjusted for a known contact force to improve the precision of the vibration amplitude measurement.