Helmet-Mounted Switch System Using Accelerometer Power Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional helmet-mounted switch systems for electronic devices, such as night vision devices, lack efficient mechanisms to automatically power down or switch to a standby mode when the device is moved from an active to a stowed position, leading to potential energy waste and increased complexity with mechanical switches.
Innovation Solution
A helmet-mounted switch system incorporating a rotatable mount portion with accelerometers and a processor that measures acceleration data to determine when the device is being rotated around a rotation axis, automatically changing the power state of the electronic device, thereby enabling seamless transition between active and stowed positions without the need for mechanical switches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If conventional mechanical switches are used to detect mount position, then the device can be switched between active and stowed positions, but the system complexity increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical switches with an accelerometer-based detection system. The accelerometer measures acceleration data to determine mount rotation, eliminating the need for mechanical switches and their associated electrical interconnections. This substitution reduces device complexity while maintaining automatic power switching functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the accelerometer to automatically detect mount position changes and trigger power state transitions without requiring mechanical switches or manual intervention. The processor analyzes acceleration data and autonomously controls the power state, enabling self-service operation.
2Reliability
If mechanical switches with electrical interconnections are used, then power state changes can be detected, but the reliability decreases due to additional failure points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical switches and their electrical interconnections by using an accelerometer to detect mount rotation. This removes multiple potential failure points (mechanical contacts, electrical connections) while maintaining the ability to detect position changes and control power states.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the device automatically powers down in stowed position, then energy is conserved, but the response time to power up may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The accelerometer continuously monitors acceleration data even when the device is in standby mode, maintaining readiness to detect mount rotation. When rotation is detected, the processor quickly transitions the device to active state, minimizing power up time while still achieving energy conservation during stowed periods.
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
This solution enhances reliability and reduces complexity by using MEMS accelerometers to accurately differentiate between device movement and user head movements, ensuring efficient power management and reducing the need for electrical interconnections, thus improving the overall performance and cost-effectiveness of helmet-mounted electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of accelerometers operable to measure an acceleration of the mount portion
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
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AI summary
Helmet-mounted switch systems are disclosed. A helmet-mounted switch system comprises a mount portion, an electronic device, a power source, at least one accelerometer, and a processor. The mount portion is rotatable around a rotation axis. The electronic device is mounted to the mount portion. The power source is configured to switchably supply power to the electronic device. The at least one accelerometer is operable to measure an acceleration of the mount portion. The system may also include at least one gyroscope operable to measure a rotation of the mount portion. The processor is configured to receive acceleration data. The processor is programmed to determine whether the mount portion is rotating around the rotation axis based on the acceleration data. The processor is programmed to change a power state of the electronic device when the mount portion is rotating around the rotation axis.