Modular Weather Sensor Assembly With Rotate-to-Lock Stacking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current weather sensor systems lack modularity and integration, requiring separate mounting and cabling of sensors, leading to bulky and inflexible setups that cannot easily adapt to changing sensing demands.
Innovation Solution
A modular weather sensor system with rotate-to-lock interlocking modules that can form a single unit or be separated by cable, allowing for customizable configurations and easy deployment without complex assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate sensors are mounted on a tripod or scaffold and cabled together, then flexibility to measure different weather parameters is improved, but system bulk and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The weather sensing system is divided into separate modular sensor units, each capable of measuring different weather parameters (temperature, humidity, pressure, wind, etc.). These modules can be independently configured and assembled based on specific application needs, allowing flexibility without requiring complex pre-integrated systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular sensor units are designed with universal mounting interfaces and communication protocols that allow them to be assembled in various configurations on different supports (tripod, scaffold, or integrated). This universality enables the same basic modules to serve multiple measurement functions while simplifying assembly through standardized connections.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple discrete sensor units are used to measure different weather parameters, then measurement capability is improved, but system size and mounting requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensor modules are designed to nest together in a compact stacked configuration, similar to nested dolls. Each module contains its own sensing elements and can be stacked vertically or horizontally, allowing multiple measurement capabilities to be integrated in a space-efficient manner without requiring large horizontal mounting areas.
3Device complexity
If sensors are pre-combined into fixed multi-sensor units, then integration is improved, but reconfigurability to meet specific sensing demands is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static, fixed sensor combinations to a dynamic modular architecture where sensor modules can be easily added, removed, or reconfigured based on changing measurement requirements. The standardized interfaces enable rapid reconfiguration without requiring complete system replacement or complex reintegration procedures.
4Adaptability or versatility
If separate mounting structures (tripod, scaffold) are used for sensor arrays, then adaptability to different locations is improved, but deployment time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Sensor modules are pre-assembled with integrated mounting interfaces and connection mechanisms that enable rapid deployment. The modules come prepared with standardized mounting brackets and connection protocols, allowing field deployment without requiring complex on-site assembly or specialized mounting infrastructure, thereby reducing deployment time while maintaining location adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly and method for using weather sensors with enhanced modular capability is disclosed. The weather sensor assembly generally comprises a cap module, middle module, and a base module, where the cap module, middle module(s) and the base module are stacked adjacently to provide environmental sealing, weather sensing, and electrical connectivity to the weather sensor assembly. One or more ring mechanisms may be included that interlock the cap module, middle module(s), base module to form the weather sensor assembly into an integrated unit. Moreover, the ring mechanisms enable further modules to be added to the weather sensor assembly for additional capabilities. By doing so, each of the modules in the weather sensor assembly may be independent units that can be removed, reordered, swapped, and added for desired sensing modalities and environments.