Sealed Altitude Calibration Device With Movable Pressure Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing altitude measurement devices, such as skydiving altimeters, suffer from significant hysteresis and measurement inaccuracy due to friction forces and manufacturing tolerances, requiring tedious manual calibration and resulting in errors up to 1% below 3000 meters altitude.
Innovation Solution
A sealed calibration device and method that uses an atmospheric pressure sensor with a transmission system to simplify calibration by adjusting the position of the sensor relative to other components, allowing for accurate alignment at sea-level and high-altitude pressures, reducing hysteresis and enabling accurate measurement of higher altitudes with minimal calibration steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual calibration is performed by reading values at multiple pressure levels and adjusting the mechanism successively, then measurement accuracy is improved, but calibration time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning the atmospheric pressure sensor at specific locations within the calibration chamber where it experiences known pressure conditions corresponding to specific altitude values. This allows the indicator hand to be directly positioned at the correct calibration marks without requiring successive iterative adjustments at multiple pressure levels, significantly reducing calibration time while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the atmospheric pressure sensor from its traditional fixed position and makes it movable along the rectilinear direction, allowing it to be positioned at different locations within the calibration chamber. This extraction enables the sensor to be placed at optimal positions for quick calibration without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms, resolving the contradiction between accuracy and calibration time.
2Ease of manufacture
If the atmospheric pressure sensor is fixed in position, then manufacturing is simplified, but hysteresis and measurement inaccuracy increase due to friction forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the atmospheric pressure sensor movable along the rectilinear direction instead of fixed. This movement capability allows the sensor to be positioned optimally during calibration to minimize friction forces and hysteresis effects, thereby improving measurement accuracy while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing through the use of a guide rail or slot mechanism.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the measurement range is extended above 3000 meters altitude, then versatility is improved, but measurement error increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies another dimension by introducing a rectilinear movement dimension for the atmospheric pressure sensor, in addition to the existing rotational movement of the indicator hand. This additional degree of freedom allows the sensor to be positioned at different depths within the calibration chamber, enabling accurate calibration across an extended altitude range above 3000 meters by compensating for the increased measurement errors that occur at higher altitudes.
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 solution significantly simplifies and automates the calibration process, achieving low or zero hysteresis, allowing for precise altitude measurement across a wider range with reduced operator expertise and increased accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
an atmospheric pressure sensor arranged to be compressed or to expand in a rectilinear direction as a function of the atmospheric pressure to be measured which increases or decreases
Implementation Method 2
the transmission shaft being movably mounted along its longitudinal axis of symmetry between an adjustment screw and a resilient strip
Data Source
AI summary
Sealed device for calibrating an altitude measurement device comprising an atmospheric pressure sensor whose movements of deformation are converted, via a transmission system, into a pivoting motion of an activation system that drives the pivoting of an indicator hand, wherein a sensing element bearing on the atmospheric pressure sensor is rigidly fixed to a transmission shaft movable along its longitudinal axis of symmetry, wherein the calibration device includes an air intake that can adjust the pressure inside the calibration device as required, and also includes a first button via which the axial position of the transmission shaft can be adjusted, and a second button via which it is possible to move the atmospheric pressure sensor up or down.The invention also concerns a method for calibrating the altitude measurement device using the sealed calibration device.