Disposable Impact Indicator for Package Location and Time Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing package monitoring systems are expensive and unable to effectively determine the location and time of excessive impact forces during shipment, making it difficult to resolve damage disputes between multiple carriers without electronic devices.
Innovation Solution
An impact indicator system using a multilayer structure with a barrier film that ruptures at a specified force, allowing a colorimetric or dye-based mechanism to indicate the location and elapsed time of excessive impact, without requiring electrical power or data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If complex electrical, mechanical, or electromechanical devices are used to identify excessive force or shock, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable impact indicator that is discarded after use, eliminating the need for expensive, complex electronic monitoring systems. The indicator provides sufficient measurement precision for its purpose (detecting excessive impact) while being inexpensive and simple in construction, directly addressing the contradiction between measurement accuracy and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex electrical, mechanical, or electromechanical sensing systems with a simple chemical indicator system. The impact indicator uses chemical reactions (color changes) triggered by mechanical impact, substituting complex electronic measurement systems with a straightforward chemical-mechanical approach that achieves adequate precision without complexity
2Measurement precision
If complex electrical, mechanical, or electromechanical devices are used to identify excessive force or shock, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The impact indicator is designed as a low-cost, disposable device that can be manufactured economically using simple materials and processes. This eliminates the need for expensive electronic components while maintaining sufficient measurement precision for impact detection, directly resolving the contradiction between measurement accuracy and manufacturing cost
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a chemical copy or representation of impact data (color change pattern) rather than requiring complex electronic sensors. The visual indicator serves as a simple, inexpensive record of the impact event, providing adequate measurement precision without the high manufacturing costs of electronic systems
3Loss of information
If impact indicators provide location and time information, then loss of information is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The impact indicator is divided into multiple segments or zones that correspond to different impact locations and time periods. Each segment contains indicator elements that respond to impacts in specific regions or time windows, allowing the device to capture comprehensive impact information (location and time) while maintaining simplicity through modular segmentation rather than complex integrated systems
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
Enables efficient determination of excessive impact forces and their timing on packages, facilitating dispute resolution and reducing the need for expensive electronic monitoring systems.
Implementation Method 1
The barrier film separates the first and second regions, and is calibrated to rupture with a specified impact force
Data Source
AI summary
Impact indicators which include an impact registering structure are provided for a package. The impact registering structure registers a location and an elapsed time of an impact of excessive force on the package. The structure includes a first region, a second region, and a barrier film. The first region contains a first element, and the second region contains a second element. The first and second elements are selected to register the location and the elapsed time of the impact when coming in contact. The barrier film separates the first and second regions, and is calibrated to rupture with a specified impact force. Once ruptured, the first element and the second element contact, in part, to provide a location indication of the rupture in the barrier film and a time elapsed indication indicative of the elapsed time from the rupture in the barrier film.