Flat Mesh Sensor Cover for Blast Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Blast sensors configured to detect impulse noise or shock wave events often suffer from damage and performance degradation due to exposure to harsh environments, such as water, dirt, and debris, especially when equipped with protruding mesh sensor domes that can catch on objects and collect debris.

Innovation Solution

A flat mesh sensor cover is integrated into the blast sensor system, extending less than the radius of the opening, providing protection while reducing protrusions and improving robustness, thus preventing water and debris ingress and enhancing detection accuracy of impulse noise and shock wave events.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a protruding mesh sensor dome is used to protect the sensing element, then protection from environmental hazards is improved, but debris collection and damage risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from environmental hazardsVSAvoiddebris collection

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of protruding the mesh sensor dome outward to protect the sensing element, the invention inverts the approach by recessing the sensing element within the housing while maintaining a flat exterior surface. This eliminates the protruding structure that collects debris, while still providing protection through the recessed configuration and sealed opening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the sensing element from the exterior surface and places it inside the housing, separating the sensitive detection component from direct environmental exposure. The flat mesh cover remains on the exterior but does not protrude, while the sensing element is positioned inward to avoid debris accumulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If a protruding mesh sensor dome is used to protect the sensing element, then protection from water ingress is improved, but device profile and turbulence increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater protectionVSAvoiddevice profile

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the conventional protruding dome design by creating a recessed sensing element configuration with a flat exterior surface. This maintains water protection through the sealed opening and recessed structure while eliminating the protruding shape that increases device profile and creates turbulence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention provides sufficient protection by recessing the sensing element and sealing the opening, without the excessive protrusion of a traditional dome. The flat mesh cover extends only to the exterior surface level, providing adequate environmental protection while minimizing profile height and turbulence generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Measurement precision

If the sensing element is exposed to the external environment for accurate detection, then detection accuracy is improved, but damage from harsh conditions increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoiddamage resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a flat mesh sensor cover as an intermediary between the external environment and the sensing element. This mesh cover allows acoustic impulse detection while blocking water and debris, enabling the sensing element to maintain detection accuracy without direct exposure to harmful environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensing element is nested within the housing, positioned inside the opening rather than exposed on the exterior. This nested configuration allows the sensing element to detect impulses through the opening while being protected from environmental hazards by the housing structure and flat mesh cover.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 flat mesh sensor cover effectively protects the sensing element from environmental hazards, maintains performance in challenging conditions, and improves the overall device profile by reducing turbulence and debris collection, while retaining water and pressure ratings, and accurately detecting peak overpressure.

Implementation Method 1

a blast sensor proximate an opening in an exterior surface of a housing configured to detect or monitor impulse noise or shock wave events at the exterior surface of the housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure detection:

Data Source

PatentUS20240337549A1Flat mesh sensor

Publication Date: 2024.10.10 BLACKBOX BIOMETRICS INC

AI summary

Systems and methods are disclosed including a blast sensor system having a blast sensor proximate an opening in an exterior surface of a housing configured to detect or monitor impulse noise or shock wave events at the exterior surface and a flat mesh sensor cover coupled to the housing having a top surface that, when coupled to the housing. extends above the exterior surface of the housing less than a radius of the opening of the housing.