Flexible Poseable Sensor Mounting Device for Dynamic Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sensors are typically prefabricated to specific sizes and shapes, limiting their application and flexibility, as they cannot be adjusted in length or permanently mounted, restricting their use in various environments and locations.
Innovation Solution
A flexible sensor-mounting device with an elongated tubular body made of poseable materials, allowing the sensor to be removably affixed in desired locations, including around corners or on moving objects, and equipped with optical and electrical components for real-time data communication and controlled responses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensors are prefabricated to specific sizes and shapes for specific uses, then manufacturing precision and reliability are improved, but adaptability and versatility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor mounting device incorporates a flexible poseable tubular body that can be dynamically adjusted to different positions, orientations, and configurations. This dynamic flexibility allows the same sensor unit to adapt to various installation environments and applications while maintaining reliable sensor functionality through secure mounting in each position.
2Ease of manufacture
If sensors are configured for installation in specific singular locations, then ease of manufacture is improved, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor mounting device is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate different sensor types and configurations. The flexible tubular body with standardized mounting mechanisms allows a single sensor unit design to be manufactured once and then deployed in multiple applications and locations, achieving both manufacturing efficiency and application versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The poseable flexible body enables the sensor system to be dynamically configured for different applications after manufacturing, allowing the same manufactured component to serve multiple functions and locations without requiring custom manufacturing for each application.
3Device complexity
If sensors cannot be adjusted in length, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible poseable tubular body can be adjusted to different effective lengths and configurations by bending, folding, or extending the flexible material. This dynamic length adjustment capability is achieved without complex mechanisms, relying instead on the inherent flexibility of the poseable material to accommodate various span requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Flexible sensor systems and sensor mounting devices and methods are disclosed. A sensor-mounting device includes an elongate tubular body made of foam so as to be flexibly manipulatable. The body has a bore extending between front and rear ends in a longitudinal direction. A sensor is located within the bore of the tubular body. Situated within the bore of the body is an inner tube having a central bore. The sensor is protected by and located within the central bore of the inner tube. The inner tube is more rigid than the body and allows the sensor system to be poseable and fixable into many non-permanent positions.