Active Drop Countermeasure System for Electronic Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern electronic devices face challenges in mitigating damage from dropping, shock, and impact due to environmental exposures, with existing solutions being inadequate for advanced consumer electronics operating in diverse environments.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an active countermeasure system within electronic devices, featuring a motion sensor, processor, and actuator that modify impact geometry by redirecting impact energy from sensitive components to energy-absorbing components, utilizing sensors like cameras and accelerometers to determine impact geometry and adjust the device's attitude or deploy actuated members to absorb impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional passive protection methods are used, then device structure remains simple, but damage resistance is insufficient for modern electronic devices
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of drop conditions using motion sensors and cameras before impact occurs. The processor analyzes motion data to predict impact geometry and activates actuators in advance to reposition protective elements, ensuring protection is already in place when impact occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional purely mechanical passive protection structures with an active electromechanical system. Motion sensors, processors, and actuators work together to dynamically adjust protection based on detected drop conditions, transitioning from static mechanical protection to active controlled protection.
2Reliability
If active protection systems are implemented, then impact energy redirection is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective system is segmented into distinct functional modules: motion sensors for detection, processors for analysis, actuators for action, and energy-absorbing components for protection. Each component has a specific function, allowing the system to achieve complex protection capabilities while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor acts as an intermediary between the motion sensors and actuators, analyzing sensor data and determining appropriate protective actions. This intermediary layer enables intelligent decision-making about when and how to activate protection, reducing unnecessary actuator activation and optimizing system response.
3Measurement precision
If motion sensors and cameras are used to detect impact, then impact prediction accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic sampling of motion sensor data and camera feeds rather than continuous operation. The processor monitors motion parameters at specific intervals and activates cameras only when drop conditions are detected, significantly reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining accurate impact detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The motion sensors provide continuous feedback about device acceleration and orientation, allowing the processor to distinguish between normal device movement and actual drop conditions. This feedback mechanism enables the system to activate energy-intensive components like cameras only when necessary, optimizing the balance between detection accuracy and energy consumption.
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 solution effectively reduces the risk of damage by redirecting impact energy to less sensitive areas, utilizing sensors to predict and prepare for impacts, thereby enhancing the durability of electronic devices across various operating conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a motion sensor configured to sense motion of the housing
Implementation Method 2
the proximity detector may include a camera, and the processor may be configured to determine the proximity of the external surface based on image data from the camera
Implementation Method 3
The motion sensor may also include an accelerometer, and the processor may be configured to determine the impact geometry based on acceleration of the housing, with respect to the external surface
Implementation Method 4
impact energy can be redirected from an impact sensitive component of the electronic device to an energy absorbing component of the electronic device
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device comprises a housing, a motion sensor configured to sense motion of the housing, and a processor configured to determine an impact geometry based on the motion. A countermeasure system comprises an actuator coupled to an actuated member. The actuated member is operable by the actuator to modify the impact geometry, so that impact energy is redirected away from an impact sensitive component of the electronic device to an energy absorbing component of the electronic device.