Acoustic Resonance Storage Compartment Loading Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for determining the load state of storage compartments in aircraft lack precision and efficiency, particularly in distinguishing between different types of objects and their volumes, due to limitations in existing sensor technologies.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an acoustic monitoring system that utilizes the storage compartment as an acoustic resonator, where changes in resonance behavior based on object loading are detected through acoustic signals, allowing for the determination of load states by analyzing frequency, amplitude, and phase shifts, using sensors like microphones and acceleration sensors, and potentially aided by AI for improved accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If camera-based systems are used to monitor storage compartment occupancy, then the system can detect available space, but the measurement precision and ability to distinguish different object types is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical camera-based sensing with acoustic sensing. Acoustic sensors (microphones) detect resonance frequencies of the storage compartment, which change based on the mass, distribution, and properties of stored objects. This substitution provides more precise measurement of object characteristics while using simpler, less expensive acoustic sensors compared to complex camera systems with image processing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in acoustic resonance parameters (frequency, amplitude, damping) as objects are placed in or removed from the storage compartment. By monitoring these parameter changes, the system can precisely determine occupancy status, object mass, and object distribution without requiring complex imaging systems. The resonance frequency shifts provide direct information about the physical properties of stored objects.
2Measurement precision
If existing sensor technologies are used to determine load state, then the system can detect occupancy, but the efficiency and accuracy in distinguishing object types and volumes is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs mechanical vibration analysis through acoustic resonance. When the storage compartment is excited acoustically (by closing the door or external sound sources), the resulting resonance frequencies and damping characteristics directly reflect the mass, volume, and distribution of stored objects. Different object types produce distinct resonance signatures, enabling rapid and accurate classification that speeds up occupancy determination during boarding and deboarding operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors acoustic resonance parameters and compares them against reference values for different occupancy states. This feedback mechanism allows real-time determination of load state, object type, and available space, providing immediate information to streamline boarding and deboarding processes without manual intervention or complex imaging analysis.
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
This approach enables a precise and cost-effective method for monitoring the load state of storage compartments, distinguishing between various objects and their volumes, enhancing the boarding and deboarding processes by providing accurate information on available space and object distribution.
Implementation Method 1
The storage compartment exhibits an acoustic resonance behavior, at least in the closed position, that depends on the amount of objects it contains
Implementation Method 2
an acoustic signal radiated into and/or generated within the storage compartment, which initially has a frequency spectrum of constant amplitude, will experience frequency-selective amplitude changes, phase changes, etc., due to the resonance behavior
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
In a storage compartment arrangement (5) for an aircraft (1), comprising a storage compartment (6) with storage space (7) for objects (8), which exhibits an acoustic resonance behavior (R1,2) dependent on a loading state (B1,2), and a monitoring system (9) with a sensor device (10) and an evaluation device (11), the evaluation device (11) is configured to determine the current resonance behavior (R1,2) of the storage compartment (6) based on the received sensor data (D) of an acoustic sensor (12) for the acoustic signal (S) in the storage space (7), and to determine the loading state (B1,2) of the storage space (7) with objects (8) based on the determined resonance behavior (R1,2). An aircraft contains the storage compartment arrangement (9).In a method for determining a loading state (B1,2) of a storage space (7) of a storage compartment arrangement (5), the acoustic signal (S) in the storage space (7) is detected and the sensor data (D) correlated with it are transmitted to the evaluation unit (11); the current resonance behavior (R1,2) is determined on the basis of the sensor data (D); the loading state (B1,2) is determined on the basis of the determined resonance behavior (R1,2).