Mobile Imaging Stabilization With Reaction Wheels in Microgravity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile devices in microgravity environments experience intermittent position and attitude changes due to gas jet emission, leading to image blurring and defocusing, and require frequent gas cartridge replacement, making long-term use difficult.
Innovation Solution
A mobile image pickup device equipped with an imaging unit, acceleration and angular velocity detecting unit, processing unit, reaction wheels, and fans that generate thrust based on calculated command values to stabilize the device's position and attitude, allowing for stable image acquisition and extended use without the need for gas cartridges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If gas jet emission is used for movement in microgravity environment, then the mobile device can move freely, but the position and attitude vary intermittently causing image blurring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces reaction wheels as an intermediary device between the gas jet propulsion system and the imaging unit. The reaction wheels continuously adjust the attitude of the housing to compensate for intermittent position and attitude variations caused by gas jet emission, thereby preventing image blurring while maintaining free movement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control system where acceleration and angular velocity are detected, processed to generate command values, and used to control the reaction wheels. This continuous feedback loop ensures that attitude variations are detected and corrected in real-time, maintaining image stability during free movement in microgravity
2Power
If gas cartridges are used as propellant, then the mobile device can achieve thrust, but frequent replacement is necessary limiting long-term use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs reaction wheels that can continuously generate attitude adjustment torque without consuming propellant. The reaction wheels operate by redistributing angular momentum internally, allowing the mobile device to maintain operational capability indefinitely without requiring external propellant replenishment or cartridge replacement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the gas cartridge mechanical propulsion system with an electrical reaction wheel system for attitude control. This substitution eliminates the need for consumable gas cartridges while maintaining the ability to generate necessary torques for position and attitude adjustment in microgravity
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 achieves stable image pickup data and prolonged operational life by controlling its attitude and position using reaction wheels and fans, preventing image blurring and eliminating the need for frequent gas cartridge replacements.
Implementation Method 1
a reaction wheel that rotates based on a command value which is calculated by the processing unit
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of fans that operate based on the command value and generate thrust for the housing
Implementation Method 3
an acceleration and angular velocity detecting unit
Data Source
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AI summary
A mobile image pickup device includes an imaging unit (20), an acceleration and angular velocity detecting unit, a processing unit that processes acceleration and angular velocity information which is detected by the acceleration and angular velocity detecting unit, a reaction wheel that rotates based on a command value which is calculated by the processing unit, and a housing (10) that accommodates the imaging unit (20), the acceleration and angular velocity detecting unit, the processing unit, and the reaction wheel therein.