Electrically-Actuated Brake Assembly for Casket Lowering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Casket lowering systems are often difficult to track and maintain due to their portable nature, making it challenging to accurately monitor usage and locate them, which can lead to overlooked maintenance needs.
Innovation Solution
An electrically-actuated brake assembly with a rechargeable power source and a status monitoring system that includes a server-side or client-side process to track the location, usage, and maintenance requirements of casket lowering systems, enabling precise control over the rate of descent and providing maintenance recommendations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If casket lowering systems are made portable for transport to gravesites, then ease of operation is improved, but tracking and monitoring becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism through a monitoring system that receives status information from the casket lowering system and provides location tracking, usage data, and maintenance notifications. This feedback loop resolves the contradiction by enabling continuous monitoring of portable equipment without restricting its mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary monitoring system that acts as a mediator between the portable casket lowering system and the user. This intermediary collects status information, tracks location, and provides notifications, thereby solving the tracking problem while preserving the portability of the lowering system.
2Device complexity
If manual operation is used to avoid generators and extensions cords, then device complexity is reduced, but control precision and safety are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an electrically-actuated brake assembly that uses electromagnetic or friction-based braking mechanisms. This substitution provides precise control over the rate of descent through electrical actuation while maintaining relative simplicity by eliminating complex power infrastructure requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables precise control of the rate of descent by changing operational parameters through electrical actuation. The electric actuator system allows adjustable braking force and descent rate, providing precision control without requiring complex mechanical linkages or power systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If portable systems are used, then adaptability is improved, but maintenance tracking becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system provides feedback by tracking usage parameters, operational history, and maintenance status of the portable casket lowering system. This feedback mechanism enables easy maintenance tracking despite the system's portability, as all operational data is continuously recorded and transmitted to the monitoring system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-monitoring and self-tracking of its operational status, usage patterns, and maintenance needs. The monitoring system automatically collects status information, tracks location and usage data, and generates maintenance notifications, eliminating the need for manual tracking and enabling the portable system to service its own maintenance requirements.
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 allows for efficient monitoring and maintenance of casket lowering systems, ensuring they are properly maintained and reducing the risk of equipment failure by providing real-time status updates and maintenance recommendations.
Implementation Method 1
The electric actuator system may be a solenoid-based, electric actuator system
Implementation Method 2
The one or more rotatable surfaces and the one or more stationary surfaces may be configured to be normally engaged via a mechanical engagement system. The mechanical engagement system may be a spring-based mechanical engagement system.
Implementation Method 3
The electrically-actuated brake assembly may be a friction-based, electrically-actuated brake assembly.
Implementation Method 4
a rechargeable power source electrically coupled to the electric actuator system and configured to provide electrical energy to the electric actuator system
Data Source
AI summary
In one implementation, an electrically-actuated brake assembly is configured to control a rate of descent of an object to be lowered and includes: one or more rotatable surfaces coupled to the object to be lowered; one or more stationary surfaces configured to releasably engage the one or more rotatable surfaces; an electric actuator system configured to selectively disengage the one or more stationary surfaces from the one or more rotatable surfaces, thus allowing the one or more rotatable surfaces to rotate with respect to the one or more stationary surfaces and enable the object to be lowered; and a rechargeable power source electrically coupled to the electric actuator system and configured to provide electrical energy to the electric actuator system.