Omni-Directional Acceleration Sensor With Rotational Trip Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing acceleration sensors are not truly omni-directional as they often exhibit sensitivity or insensitivity to accelerations based on the direction of mechanical output, leading to 'cross-talk' errors due to the mechanical element's acceleration along a particular axis.
Innovation Solution
An acceleration sensor design featuring a holding mechanism with independent lever arms and an inertia weight, where the inertia weight's movement under acceleration causes linear motion of the lever arms, which is converted into rotational movement by a trip mechanism, providing an output that is not sensitive to the direction of acceleration, with the axis of rotation passing through the inertia weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a mechanical element moves along a particular axis to provide output, then the sensor can provide directional output, but the mechanical element experiences acceleration along that axis causing cross-talk errors and making the sensor sensitive or insensitive to accelerations in that direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical linear output system with a rotational output mechanism. The trip mechanism converts linear movement of the holding mechanism into rotational movement, where the extent of rotational movement indicates acceleration experienced by the inertia weight. This substitution eliminates cross-talk errors because the rotational output axis is perpendicular to the acceleration direction, preventing the mechanical element from experiencing acceleration along its output axis.
2Device complexity
If the mechanical output is provided along a particular axis, then the sensor structure is simplified, but the sensor becomes over-sensitive or under-sensitive to accelerations along that axis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional linear output mechanism to a two-dimensional rotational output mechanism. By converting linear movement into rotational movement where the axis of rotation substantially passes through the inertia weight, the output is provided in a dimension perpendicular to the acceleration direction. This dimensional change enables true omni-directional sensitivity while maintaining structural simplicity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the axis of rotation passes through the inertia weight, then rotational output becomes indicative of acceleration in any direction, but the trip mechanism design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a trip mechanism as an intermediary component that converts the linear movement of the holding mechanism into rotational movement. This intermediary mechanism enables omni-directional acceleration sensing by translating inertial movement into a rotational output where the axis of rotation passes through the inertia weight, providing versatility without requiring direct mechanical connection between the inertia weight and the output element.
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 sensor achieves true omni-directional sensitivity by ensuring the rotational output is indicative of acceleration experienced by the inertia weight, independent of the direction, thus eliminating cross-talk errors and providing accurate responses to accelerations in any direction.
Implementation Method 1
an inertia weight (30) held between the lever arms (26), wherein movement of the inertia weight (30), in use, when under acceleration, causes at least a part of at least one lever arm (26) or both arms (26) to move in a generally linear direction
Implementation Method 2
a trip mechanism to convert linear movement of a part of the holding mechanism into a rotational movement of the trip mechanism
Data Source
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Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A holding mechanism for a vehicular acceleration sensor, comprising: a pair of lever arms operable to move independently of one another; and an inertia weight held between the lever arms, wherein movement of the inertia weight, in use, when under acceleration, causes at least a part of at least one lever arm or both arms to move in a generally linear direction.