Vibration Sensor Module Layout to Minimize Natural Frequency Noise

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sensor modules for detecting mechanical vibrations in components, such as vehicle wheels, face challenges in balancing factors like robustness, ease of integration, and precision, often compromising on noise due to natural frequencies of the module.

Innovation Solution

A sensor module design featuring a base with a central portion and spacers connected to a circuit board, where spacers are positioned near a concave edge to enhance vibration transmission without adding noise from natural frequencies, using a piezoelectric vibration sensor equidistant from the spacers to minimize interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the sensor module is designed with a simple base structure for easy manufacture, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the natural frequencies of the base increase and add noise to the vibration detection signal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidprecision of vibration detection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces spacers as intermediary elements between the base and the circuit board. These spacers serve as a mediator that transmits vibrations from the base to the sensor while isolating the circuit board from direct contact with the base. This allows the base to have a simple structure for easy manufacture while the spacers filter out unwanted natural frequencies, improving measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor module is segmented into distinct functional components: the base, spacers, and circuit board. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the base can be manufactured simply while the spacers are specifically designed to transmit only certain vibration frequencies, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If the circuit board is positioned closer to the base to reduce the number of components, then device complexity is reduced, but more natural frequency noise is transmitted to the sensor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of componentsVSAvoidsignal quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The spacers act as necessary intermediaries between the base and circuit board. While they add a component, they prevent direct coupling that would transmit harmful natural frequencies. The spacers are positioned at specific distances (5-25% of the central portion width) to optimize vibration transmission while filtering noise, justifying their inclusion despite increased device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the distance parameter between the base and circuit board by using spacers positioned at specific distances (5-25% of the central portion width). This parameter change ensures that vibrations are transmitted effectively while natural frequency noise is minimized, balancing device complexity with signal quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If the spacers are positioned closer to the convex edge to simplify the design, then ease of manufacture is improved, but vibration transmission precision is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign simplicityVSAvoidvibration transmission accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by positioning the spacers specifically closer to the concave edge (at a distance of 5-25% of the central portion width from the concave edge) rather than uniformly distributing them. This localized positioning optimizes the transmission of vibrations from the central portion to the circuit board, ensuring high vibration transmission accuracy while maintaining design simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 design effectively transmits component vibrations with reduced noise from natural frequencies, ensuring precise vibration detection and robust integration.

Implementation Method 1

the circuit board comprises at least one hole inside which is engaged the at least one spacer... the circuit board comprises a piezoelectric vibration sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12535385B2Sensor module for detecting a vibrational behavior of a component without measuring natural frequencies of said sensor module

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 AB SKF SKF PATENT DEPARTMENT

AI summary

A sensor module (8) for detecting a mechanical vibration of a component (4). The sensor module (8) includes a base (12) having a central portion (24), a first end portion (26) and a second end portion (28). The base (12) secures to the component (4). At least one spacer (14) is connected to the base (12). A circuit board (18) is connected to the base (12) by the at least one spacer (14). The central portion (24) of the base (12) is provided with a concave edge (52) and with an opposite convex edge (54) defining the width of the central portion (24). The at least one spacer (14) is connected to the central portion (24) of the base (12) closer to the concave edge (52) than the convex edge (54).