Techniques for mitigating dominant frequency imparted to object
11259972 · 2022-03-01
Inventors
Cpc classification
B62D24/04
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B62D33/0604
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
International classification
Abstract
A spring supported tray for mitigating a dominant frequency imparted thereto is provided. The spring supported tray includes a tray including a topside and underside, and configured to support an object on the topside, and N springs supporting the tray, N being a positive integer. A first end of each of the N springs is disposed at the underside of the tray. A second end of each of the N springs is disposed so as to receive vibrational motion imparted to the second end of each of the N springs from a source of the vibrational motion, the vibrational motion having a dominant undesired frequency f.sub.dom. Each of the N springs has a spring constant k defined by the equation:
where w denotes the collective weight of the tray and the object, g denotes the force of gravity, and f.sub.n denotes a natural frequency of the spring supported tray supporting the object, wherein f.sub.n is a lower frequency than the dominant undesired frequency f.sub.dom.
Claims
1. A spring supported tray for mitigating a dominant undesired frequency imparted thereto, the spring supported tray comprising: a tray including a tray topside and a tray underside, and configured to support an object on the tray topside; and N springs supporting the tray, N being a positive integer, wherein a first end of each of the N springs is disposed at the tray underside, wherein a second end of each of the N springs is disposed so as to receive vibrational motion imparted to the second end of each of the N springs from a source of the vibrational motion, the vibrational motion having a dominant undesired frequency f.sub.dom that is a most dominate frequency among a plurality of dominate frequencies that are determined via one of a measurement by a sensor or computer modeling, wherein each of the N springs has a spring constant k defined by an equation:
2. The spring supported tray of claim 1, wherein each of the N springs is a metal circular wave springs having substantially a same spring constant k.
3. The spring supported tray of claim 1, wherein the spring supported tray is disposed within a neonatal transport incubator, and wherein the object is a human baby.
4. The spring supported tray of claim 3, wherein the source of the vibrational motion is an ambulance in motion in which the neonatal transport incubator is rigidly fixed.
5. The spring supported tray of claim 1, wherein the source of the vibrational motion is a vehicle in motion.
6. The spring supported tray of claim 1, further comprising: a base including a base topside and a base underside, wherein the second end of each of the N springs is disposed at the base topside, and wherein the base underside receives the vibrational motion from the source of the vibrational motion and passes the vibrational motion to the second end of each of the N springs.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain embodiments of the disclosure will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8) Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals will be understood to refer to like parts, components, and structures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(9) The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of various embodiments of the disclosure as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the various embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.
(10) The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the disclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of various embodiments of the disclosure is provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
(11) It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes reference to one or more of such surfaces.
(12) By the term “substantially” it is meant that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide.
(13)
(14) Techniques for mitigating vibrational motion may employ a spring supported tray. The techniques for mitigating vibrational motion may reduce at least kinetic energy. The spring supported tray may have an object (e.g., a payload) disposed thereon. The spring supported tray may be disposed in an environment experiencing vibrational motion (e.g., during transport of the object by a vehicle) input to the springs of the spring supported tray. The vibrational motion may have a dominant frequency (or frequencies). Springs of the spring supported tray may at least one of suspend, stabilize, or support a tray. The techniques for mitigating vibrational motion may be employed based on selection of the springs of the spring supported tray. The selection of the springs of the spring supported tray may be based on a spring constant k (e.g., stiffness) of the springs. The selection of the springs of the spring supported tray may facilitate the at least one of suspension, stabilization, or support of the tray of the spring supported tray within definable limits. The selection of the springs of the spring supported tray may result in the tray (on which the object is disposed) of spring supported tray having a natural frequency that is less than the dominant frequency. The mitigation of the vibration motions may reduce at least one of excursions or forces, caused by the vibrational motion.
(15)
(16) Referring to
(17) When more than one spring is employed for the spring section 120, such as shown in
(18)
(19) The method described with reference to
(20)
(21) In Equation (1), F denotes a force in a given direction i, where x denotes the longitudinal direction, y denotes the lateral direction, and z denotes the vertical direction. Further, m denotes mass, a denotes acceleration in the given direction i, and t denotes time. Stabilization is addressed in one direction at a time.
(22) In operation 210, a collective weight w of the object 10 and the tray section 110 is determined. The choice of springs used for the spring section 120 of the spring supported tray 100 is determined based on the collective weight w of the object 10 and the tray section 110. The collective weight w of the object 10 and the tray section 110 may be determined via any conventional, related art, or future technique for determining the collective weight w of the object 10 and the tray section 110. For example, a scale may be employed to determine the collective weight w of the object 10 and the tray section 110. Here, instead of weight, a collective mass m of the of the object 10 and the tray section 110 may alternatively be determined. The collective mass m may be determined based on the collective weight w and a known value for gravity g using Equation (2).
(23)
(24) While the method described with reference to
(25) In operation 220, a dominant undesired frequency f.sub.dom of the vibrational motion imparted by the structure 130 is determined. The dominant undesired frequency f.sub.dom of the vibrational motion imparted by the structure 130 may be determined using any conventional, related art, or future technique for determining the frequencies of the vibrational motion imparted by the structure 130. For example, the frequencies of the vibrational motion imparted by the structure 130 may be measured through real world measurements or may be computer modeled. The real world measurements may be done by an accelerometer or another sensor configured to sense frequencies of vibrational motion. Once the frequencies of the vibrational motion imparted by the structure 130 are measured or modeled, the dominant frequencies may be determined. Among the dominant frequencies a dominant undesired frequency f.sub.dom may be identified. The dominant undesired frequency f.sub.dom may be identified based on the most dominant frequency among all the dominant frequencies. Additionally or alternatively, the dominant undesired frequency f.sub.dom may be identified based on the effect of a vibrational frequency to the object 10.
(26)
(27) Referring to
(28)
(29) Referring to
(30) Returning to
(31) If in operation 230, it is determined that the natural frequency fn of the tray section 110 supporting the object 10 is to be determined, the method proceeds to operation 240.
(32) In operation 240, the natural frequency fn of the tray section 110 supporting the object 10 is to be determined using the given spring constant of Nk of the spring section 120 using Equation (3).
(33)
(34) Here, the determined natural frequency fn of the tray section 110 supporting the object 10 may be added to the Bode plot shown in
(35) The given spring constant of Nk of the spring section 120 may result in a determined natural frequency fn that leads to an attenuation of the dominant undesired frequency f.sub.dom if the natural frequency fn is lower than the dominant undesired frequency f.sub.dom. If the determined natural frequency fn is the same or higher than the dominant undesired frequency f.sub.dom, a different spring constant of Nk may be selected, and operation 240 can be repeated. Here, a different spring constant of Nk may be selected with operation 240 being repeated until the determined natural frequency fn is lower than the dominant undesired frequency f.sub.dom.
(36) In addition, the amount of attenuation (i.e., reduction) of the amplitude ratio achieved by the determined natural frequency fn of the tray section 110 supporting the object 10 may be determined.
(37) Referring back to
(38)
(39) Thus, Equation (4) may be used to verify that the spring constant of Nk of the spring section 120 results in a natural frequency fn that provides a sufficient amount of attenuation of the dominant undesired frequency f.sub.dom.
(40) However, if in operation 230, it is determined that the spring constant of Nk of the spring section 120 is to be determined based on a given natural frequency fn of the tray section 110 supporting the object 10, the method proceeds to operation 250.
(41) In operation 250, the spring constant of Nk of the spring section 120 is determined based on a given natural frequency fn of the tray section 110 supporting the object 10 using Equation (5), which represents the spring constant k for each of the N springs of the spring section 120. The given natural frequency fn of the tray section 110 supporting the object 10 may be chosen to be lower than dominant undesired frequency f.sub.dom.
(42)
(43) Here, the given natural frequency fn of the tray section 110 supporting the object 10 may be chosen to have a target frequency response amplitude reduction by adding line AB in the Bode plot shown in
(44) If the given natural frequency fn of the tray section 110 supporting the object 10 does not result in a spring constant Nk of the spring section 120 that may be achieved by available springs with a spring constant k, operation 250 may be repeated with a different given natural frequencies fn of the tray section 110 supporting the object 10 that are lower than the dominant undesired frequency f.sub.dom, until a spring constant Nk of the spring section 120 is determined for which springs with the spring constant k are available.
(45) Accordingly, based on operation 250, the spring constant of Nk of the spring section 120 may be determined for the chosen natural frequency fn. Here, the spring constant of Nk is the collective spring constant of all N springs. Thus, assuming all of the springs are substantially identical, the spring constant for each of the N springs is k.
(46) While not shown in
(47) Operations 240 and 250 may be performed each after the other. Also, the operations described with reference to
(48) The spring supported tray 100 and method for selecting springs used for the spring supported tray 100 described herein may be used when transporting the object 10 where the object 10 may experience vibrations during transport. Thus, the spring supported tray 100 and method for selecting springs used for the spring supported tray 100 has applicability in a wide range of environments. For example, the spring supported tray 100 and method for selecting springs used for the spring supported tray 100 may have applicability to at least one of a neonatal transport incubator or a Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) ambulance.
(49) Newborns may be transported by a NICU ambulance. However, newborns are fragile and thus vibrations imparted to the newborn by the NICU ambulance can have detrimental effects. Newborns that are transported by the NICU ambulance may be transported within a neonatal transport incubator that is rigidly secured within the NICU ambulance during transport. Neonatal transport incubators are typically certified and approved, and thus may not be permitted to be modified. Further, constraints on space, weight and volume limits during transport of a newborn within a neonatal transport incubator may be finite and limited. Thus, there is a need to provide a safer transportation mode for newborns, which are transported via a NICU ambulance within a neonatal transport incubator. Here, the spring supported tray 100 may be utilized within the neonatal transport incubator to mitigate the vibrational motion imparted to the newborn during transportation via the NICU ambulance without a need to modify the neonatal transport incubator.
(50) The spring supported tray 100 for use for within the neonatal transport incubator may include a plurality of springs, such as springs 122, 124, 126, and 128 shown in
(51)
(52) Components of the spring supported tray 100 that are common to the spring supported tray 100 shown in
(53) Referring to
(54) The tray section 110 may include a support structure to support the object 10 on the tray section 110, which is either affixed to the tray section 110 or unaffixed but resting on the tray section 110.
(55) The spring supported tray 100 based on the spring supported tray 100 shown in
(56) While the spring supported tray 100 has been described above with respect to
(57) After a spring supported tray 100 is constructed, the constructed spring supported tray 100 may be tested to determine that the spring supported tray 100 is functioning to mitigate a dominant undesired frequency f.sub.dom to the constructed spring supported tray 100. Here, real world measurements through, for example, an accelerometer or another sensor configured to sense frequencies of vibrational motion, may be taken. The accelerometer data may be input to engineering software, such as MATLAB, to generate a Power Spectral Density (PSD) distribution diagram, which may be used to determine that the spring supported tray 100 is functioning to mitigate a dominant undesired frequency f.sub.dom to the constructed spring supported tray 100. The PSD is an indicator of where the energy in the system is located, within the frequency spectrum. Provided the energy is at frequencies higher (or much higher) than the calculated natural frequency f.sub.n of the upper tray or above (or well above) the frequency of the dominant undesired frequency f.sub.dom to the upper tray, the energy in the PSD should not be a factor in exciting the response amplitude of the upper tray.
(58)
(59) The PSD shown in
(60) As shown in the
(61) While some features that are common to some embodiments have been discussed above, not all features that are common have been discussed above and not all features discussed above are common to all embodiments. Further, it would be apparent to one of skill in the art that variations to the location, dimensions, angles, radiuses, number of parts, and the like, may be made within the scope of the disclosure. That is, any combination of any aspect of the spring supported tray 100 described or illustrated herein either explicitly, inherently, or implicitly are an embodiment of the disclosure.
(62) At this point it should be noted that the embodiments as described above may involve the processing of input data and the generation of output data to some extent. This input data processing and output data generation may be implemented in hardware, or software in combination with hardware. For example, specific electronic components may be employed in a mobile device, computer, or similar or related circuitry for implementing the functions associated with the embodiments of the disclosure. Alternatively, one or more processors operating in accordance with stored instructions (i.e., code) may implement the any of the functions associated with the embodiments of the disclosure. If such is the case, it is within the scope of the disclosure that such instructions may be stored on one or more non-transitory processor readable mediums. Examples of the non-transitory processor readable mediums include Read Only Memory (ROM), Random Access Memory (RAM), Compact Disc (CD)-ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, and optical data storage devices. The non-transitory processor readable mediums can also be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that the instructions are stored and executed in a distributed fashion. Also, functional computer programs, instructions, and instruction segments for accomplishing the embodiments can be easily construed by programmers skilled in the art to which the disclosure pertains
(63) While the disclosure has been shown and described with reference to various embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.