IoBT Sensor Rail Deployment With Integrated Battery Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing carrier platforms for Internet of Battlefield Things (IoBT) sensors are bulky and require significant operator effort for deployment, as they often necessitate removal from a rigid or malleable enclosure.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a transportation rail with dovetail engagements for securely carrying and deploying IoBT sensors, and a charging carrier with dovetail engagements for transporting and charging batteries, allowing for streamlined deployment without the need for enclosures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional carrier platforms with rigid or malleable enclosures are used, then sensors are protected during transport, but the system becomes bulky and requires significant operator effort for deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traditional rigid or malleable enclosure from the carrier platform, extracting only the essential function of secure transport and deployment. The sensor is carried directly on the platform without being enclosed, eliminating the bulky protective housing while maintaining deployment capability through the dovetail engagement mechanism.
2Reliability
If traditional carrier platforms with enclosures are used, then sensors are securely contained, but operator effort and deployment time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier platform is segmented into distinct functional zones: a transportation rail for secure sensor containment during transport, and a deployment area where the sensor can be easily accessed. The dovetail engagement mechanism is segmented to provide secure holding during transport but allow for quick release during deployment, reducing operator effort.
3Use of energy by moving object
If batteries are separately carried and charged, then power availability is ensured, but system weight and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The battery carrier is merged with the transportation rail system, combining the functions of sensor transport and battery charging into a single integrated platform. The dovetail engagements serve dual purposes: securing sensors during transport and positioning batteries for charging, thereby reducing overall system complexity while ensuring power availability.
4Reliability
If multiple dovetail engagements are implemented, then sensor and battery security during transport is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dovetail engagement mechanism is designed as a universal interface that serves multiple functions: securing sensors during transport, positioning batteries for charging, and enabling quick deployment. This multi-functional design reduces the need for separate mechanisms for each function, thereby simplifying manufacturing while maintaining transport security.
Data Source
AI summary
A system transports and deploys of Internet of Battlefield Things (IoBT) sensors. A transportation rail has a first dovetail engagement accepting a respective second dovetail engagement of each IoBT sensor. A charging carrier has third dovetail engagements each accepting a respective fourth dovetail engagement of a battery. The charging carrier charges the batteries during transport. A respective fifth dovetail engagement of each IoBT sensor also accepts the respective fourth dovetail engagement of each battery. The battery powers the IoBT sensor during deployment. A method transports and deploys IoBT sensors. The IoBT sensors on the transportation rail are transported together with the batteries on the charging carrier, with the charging carrier charging the batteries. An IoBT sensor is dispensed from the transportation rail, and a battery is dispensed from the charging carrier. The IoBT sensor joined with the battery is deployed, with the battery powering the IoBT sensor during deployment.