Flexible Tongue Time Control for Micro-Machined Counterweight Delay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing micro-machined safety and arming devices for projectiles face challenges in reliably controlling the movement of counterweights, leading to unpredictable delays and increased complexity due to the zigzag movement mechanism and limited adjustable parameters.
Innovation Solution
A time control device for micro-machined counterweights featuring flexible tongues integral with the counterweight or housing, which cooperate with indentations to provide controlled friction and delay movement, eliminating the need for springs and ensuring reliable, reproducible delays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If slight play and zigzag movement mechanism are used to delay counterweight movement, then time delay is achieved, but reliability and control precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the tongue from rigid to flexible, allowing it to deform elastically during counterweight movement. This flexibility enables controlled friction and gradual movement, providing reliable and adjustable delay times without the unreliability of zigzag mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the complex zigzag mechanical movement system with a simpler flexible tongue mechanism that uses elastic deformation and friction to achieve the same time delay function, improving reliability and ease of control
2Manufacturing precision
If the number of indentations is increased to adjust delay, then delay precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the tongue from rigid to flexible, enabling delay adjustment through the flexibility parameter rather than through the number of indentations. This allows continuous or fine-step adjustment of delay time without increasing structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible tongue serves multiple functions: it provides the delaying action, acts as a spring element, and enables adjustable delay parameters, replacing the need for multiple indentations and associated complexity
3Reliability
If a spring is added to control counterweight movement, then movement control improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the spring function and the delaying tongue function into a single integrated flexible tongue element. The tongue itself provides both the elastic restoring force and the friction-based delaying action, eliminating the need for a separate spring and reducing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible tongue performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a spring, provides friction-based delaying, and controls counterweight movement, thereby improving reliability without requiring additional components
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 provides a reliable and controllable delay mechanism for counterweight movement, reducing complexity and eliminating the need for springs, while allowing for precise adjustment of delay parameters, enhancing the reliability and reproducibility of the delay.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one flexible tongue able to be deformed by bending during the displacement of the counterweight
Implementation Method 2
the at least one flexible tongue able to be deformed by bending
Data Source
AI summary
A time control device for the movement of a micro-machined or micro-engraved counterweight with respect to a substrate, said counterweight incorporating at least one face having at least one indentation intended to cooperate with at least one other indentation on a housing in which said counterweight moves so as to ensure the delaying of said movement of said counterweight, wherein said one indentation on said counterweight respectively on said housing receiving said counterweight is made on at least one flexible tongue itself integral with said counterweight respectively said housing, said at least one flexible tongue being able to be deformed by bending during the displacement of said counterweight.