Gravity Sphere Orientation Indicator with Optical Shadow Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing orientation detection devices for objects, such as aircraft, are bulky, complex, and require frequent calibration and skilled maintenance due to their multiple moving parts and cumbersome servicing procedures.

Innovation Solution

A device with a housing that includes light sources and screens, along with a hollow spherical member and a solid sphere that displaces within it, casting shadows on the screens to indicate the object's orientation. This device uses an image capturing unit and computing unit to determine the object's orientation in pitch, roll, and yaw axes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If gyroscopes and gimbals are used to determine pitch, roll and yaw axes, then orientation determination capability is improved, but device complexity and number of parts increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveorientation determination capabilityVSAvoidnumber of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential function of orientation detection from complex gyroscopic systems and implements it using a simple plumb bob (hanging weight) that naturally aligns with gravity. This removes unnecessary mechanical complexity while retaining the core capability of determining pitch, roll, and yaw angles through the plumb bob's vertical reference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical gyroscopic system with an optical-electronic system consisting of light sources, photodetectors, and computational processing. The physical mechanism changes from angular momentum-based mechanical gyros to light-based measurement with electronic calculation, significantly reducing mechanical parts while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If light sources and sensors are positioned within a transparent enclosure, then protection and integration are improved, but servicing and maintenance become tedious and cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection and integrationVSAvoidservicing and maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the device into modular functional sections: light source modules, sensor modules, and processing modules. Each module can be independently accessed and serviced through separate access points in the housing, eliminating the need to disassemble the entire enclosure for routine maintenance of individual components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediary access mechanisms such as removable panels or hinged sections in the housing that provide direct access to internal components. This intermediary structure allows technicians to service light sources and sensors without complete disassembly, bridging the gap between protected enclosure and easy maintenance requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of repair

If complete disassembly of transparent enclosure is required for repairs, then component access is improved, but maintenance costs and skilled operator requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent accessVSAvoidmaintenance procedure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is segmented into multiple accessible sections with removable panels or hinged doors that provide direct access to specific components. This segmentation allows technicians to open only the necessary section for the required maintenance task, avoiding complete disassembly while maintaining simple maintenance procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 device provides a simpler, more economical, and less maintenance-intensive method for determining an object's orientation, reducing the need for skilled operators and frequent calibration while maintaining accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

the solid sphere is adapted cast a shadow on the first screen and the second screen based on light illuminated from the first light source and the second light source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight blocking: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

The solid sphere is configured to displace within the hollow spherical member pointing towards gravity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS20250102298A1A device for indicating orientation of an object

Publication Date: 2025.03.27 SRINIVASAN TILAK

AI summary

Present disclosure discloses a device for indicating orientation of an object is disclosed. The device includes a housing mountable on the object. The housing includes a first light source disposed on a first face of the housing and a second light source disposed on a second face of the housing. Further, the housing includes a first screen disposed on a third face of the housing, opposite to the first light source and a second screen disposed on a fourth face of the housing opposite to the second light source. Further, the device includes a hollow spherical member disposed within the housing and a solid sphere provided within the hollow spherical member. The solid sphere is configured to displace within the hollow spherical member pointing towards gravity, the solid sphere is adapted to cast a shadow on the first screen and the second screen based on light illuminated from the first light source and the second light source, to indicate orientation of the object.