Demonstrating an active vibration isolation system
View Patent ↗Active vibration isolation (AVVI) systems are becoming more available in various markets, one such market being vehicle operator seating. Unfamiliarity with the performance of such systems may cause users initial perceptions of system performance to be unfavorable. AVI systems can include a demonstration system capable of providing simulations too users of various types of vibration isolation systems under various input conditions, so that users can be introduced to the system benefits over other systems before using an AVI equipped product in its intended application.
1. A method for demonstrating an active vibration isolation system configured and arranged to isolate a suspended plant from a vibration disturbance comprising:
a first outputting by an active vibration isolation system actuator of a first time domain force to the suspended plant to cause motion of the suspended plant that simulates motion the plant would experience if a predetermined vibration disturbance was applied and the plant was suspended with a passive suspension comprising a spring and damper;
a second outputting by the active vibration isolation system actuator of a second time domain force to the suspended plant to cause motion of the suspended plant that simulates motion the plant would experience if the same predetermined vibration disturbance was applied and the plant was suspended with a normally functioning active vibration isolation system;
wherein the first and second outputting can occur in any order.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the active vibration isolation system is capable of operating in either a demonstration mode or a normal function mode and the active vibration system is installed as a component of a larger system, the active vibration isolation system being prevented from operating in a demonstration mode when the larger system is ON.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the second outputting occurs within a short time period after the first outputting concludes.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the first outputting occurs within a short time period after the second outputting concludes.
5. The method of claim 3 wherein the second outputting occurs within 10 seconds of the first outputting.
6. The method of claim 4 wherein the first outputting occurs within 10 seconds of the second outputting.
7. The method of claim 3 wherein the second outputting occurs immediately after the first outputting.
8. The method of claim 4 wherein the first outputting occurs immediately after the second outputting.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein information identifying the first and second time domain forces is communicated to a user of the active vibration isolation system.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the active vibration isolation system actuator outputs a force that causes radiation of an acoustic signal audible to a user of the active vibration isolation system, to communicate the identifying information to the user.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein the active vibration isolation system is configured to isolate a seating surface in a vehicle from motion of the vehicle body.