Mechanical Acceleration Recorder Using Cantilevered Beam Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Components often fail due to exposure to harsh field environments beyond their design limits, and there is a need for a simple method to gather data on actual field conditions to investigate failure causes.
Innovation Solution
An environmental data recorder with three acceleration recorder arrays, each with cantilevered beams and masses that deform or break at specific g loads, allowing for the determination of maximum acceleration exposure in all three axes, and a temperature detector to record maximum temperature experienced.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electronic acceleration sensors are used to record field environment data, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electronic acceleration sensors with a mechanical beam array system. Each beam is designed with specific structural properties (length, cross-section, material) that cause it to deform or break at predetermined acceleration thresholds. This mechanical substitution eliminates electronics while maintaining the ability to record acceleration data through visual inspection of beam states.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts only the essential function of acceleration measurement from complex electronic systems, implementing it through simple mechanical beams. By removing power requirements, electronic components, and complex signal processing, the patent achieves acceleration recording through pure mechanical deformation that can be visually assessed.
2Measurement precision
If comprehensive environmental monitoring is implemented to capture all field conditions, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the environmental monitoring function into separate orthogonal arrays of beams oriented along x, y, and z axes. Each array captures acceleration data for its specific direction, and the combination of all three arrays provides comprehensive three-dimensional environmental information. This segmentation allows complex environmental monitoring to be achieved through multiple simple, independent mechanical systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds spatial dimensionality by orienting beam arrays along three orthogonal axes (x, y, z). This three-dimensional mechanical array configuration enables comprehensive environmental monitoring in all directions, transforming a single-axis measurement system into a full 3D environmental recorder through geometric arrangement.
3Measurement precision
If detailed failure analysis is performed to determine root causes, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-configures beams with specific structural properties (length, cross-section, material composition) that cause them to deform or break at predetermined acceleration thresholds before the actual field testing occurs. This preliminary design of failure points allows immediate determination of maximum g-loads experienced during failure analysis, eliminating the need for complex post-failure calculations or simulations.
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 the mechanical indication of maximum acceleration and temperature exposure, providing data to support or refute warranty claims and reducing the time and expense of investigating component failures, without requiring electronics or power.
Implementation Method 1
The first beams are configured to deform or break when exposed to different g loads. The second beams are configured to deform or break when exposed to different g loads. The third beams are configured to deform or break when exposed to different g loads.
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of first beams cantilevered at first ends from a base attached to the first inner surface of the enclosure and a plurality of known first masses associated with the first beams. The first beams are configured to deform or break when exposed to different g loads.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
An environmental data recorder includes an enclosure (12), a first acceleration recorder array (14A) positioned on a first inner surface of the enclosure corresponding to an x-z plane defined by an x-axis and a z-axis, a second acceleration recorder array (14B) positioned on a second inner surface of the enclosure corresponding to an x-y plane defined by the x-axis and a y-axis, and a third acceleration recorder array (14C) positioned on a third inner surface of the enclosure corresponding to a y-z plane defined by the y-axis and the z-axis. The x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis are orthogonal axes. The first, second, and third acceleration recorder arrays each include a plurality of beams (26) cantilevered at first ends from a base attached to an inner surface of the enclosure and a plurality of known masses (28) associated with the beams. The beams are configured to deform or break when exposed to different g loads.