Foundation Tilt Reporting System Using Integrated Lightbulb Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies lack an efficient and cost-effective method to detect and alert users of foundation tilts in structures, which can lead to damage and costly repairs.
Innovation Solution
A foundation tilt reporting system that includes a lightbulb with emitters and sensors, which detect foundation tilt and emit light to indicate when the tilt exceeds a predetermined threshold, alerting users to potential issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If traditional foundation monitoring methods are used, then detection capability is insufficient, but implementation cost and complexity remain low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated system: the foundation tilt sensor, processor, and light bulb are merged into one unit. The sensor detects foundation tilt, the processor compares the tilt against a threshold, and the light bulb provides visual alerting - all within a single integrated device that simplifies installation and reduces system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The light bulb serves dual purposes: it functions as both a standard illumination device and an alerting mechanism for foundation tilt detection. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate alerting devices, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effective monitoring capability.
2Reliability
If early detection of foundation tilt is implemented, then damage prevention capability is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically monitors foundation tilt continuously and self-alerts when threshold is exceeded, eliminating the need for manual inspection. The automated nature of the system provides reliable early detection without requiring ongoing human intervention or maintenance, improving reliability while keeping operational costs low.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of foundation tilt before actual damage occurs. By continuously monitoring and alerting at early stages when tilt exceeds the threshold, the system enables preventive action to be taken before structural damage happens, thereby improving reliability and preventing costly repairs.
3Loss of time
If continuous monitoring is provided, then alert timeliness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor continuously monitors foundation tilt and the processor periodically evaluates the data against the threshold. The light bulb activates only when the threshold is exceeded, creating a periodic alerting pattern rather than continuous operation. This approach maintains timely detection capability while minimizing energy consumption by keeping the high-power light bulb off during normal conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A foundation tilt reporting system includes a lightbulb with one or more emitters configured to emit light. The foundation tilt reporting system also includes one or more sensors configured to generate signals indicative of a current tilt of a foundation of a structure. The foundation tilt reporting system further includes one or more processors and memory storing instructions executable by the one or more processors to cause the one or more processors to access a threshold for the foundation, receive the signals indicative of the current tilt of the foundation from the one or more sensors, compare the current tilt of the foundation to the threshold, and instruct the one or more emitters to emit the light to provide an indication in response to the current tilt of the foundation meeting or exceeding the threshold.