Opto-mechanical Fuse Deflection Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sensors in computing devices are ineffective in detecting deflection tolerances that exceed predefined limits, especially when the device is powered off, leading to potential damage to electrical components.
Innovation Solution
An opto-mechanical fuse is introduced, comprising a chassis component, an extrusion on a monitored component, and a sensor with a brittle optical conductor that changes its transmission state upon exceeding deflection limits, allowing detection of deflection even when the device is powered off.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sensors are used to detect deflection, then the device can detect deflection during power-on conditions, but the sensors are ineffective in detecting deflection when the device is powered off
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional electrical sensors with a mechanical-optical fuse system that uses a brittle optical conductor and extrusion mechanism. This mechanical system passively detects deflection through physical breakage of the optical conductor when deflection exceeds predefined limits, eliminating dependence on power supply for operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical conductor is pre-positioned and pre-stressed between the chassis component and extrusion such that it is ready to break at a predetermined deflection threshold. The system is prepared in advance with the optical path configured to detect the specific deflection condition, enabling immediate detection without requiring active sensing during power-off states.
2Ease of operation
If conventional electrical sensors are used, then the detection system can operate during power-on conditions, but additional power management and sensor activation logic are required
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fuse system is self-activating and requires no external power management. The mechanical deflection directly causes optical conductor breakage, which automatically interrupts the optical signal. The system serves itself by using the physical deflection event to trigger the detection mechanism without requiring sensor activation logic or power state management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the power dependency from the detection system by using a passive mechanical-optical mechanism. The detection function is separated from active electrical sensing and replaced with a passive optical interruption mechanism that operates independently of power supply states, eliminating the need for power management circuitry.
3Ease of manufacture
If the optical conductor is made brittle to enable clean breakage, then the detection mechanism becomes simpler, but the optical conductor becomes more vulnerable to accidental damage
Solution Approach 1:
The optical conductor is engineered with differentiated properties: it maintains sufficient overall strength for normal operation and installation, but has a localized vulnerable point or pre-stressed section that will break at the predefined deflection threshold. This local quality variation enables controlled breakage at the detection point while maintaining durability elsewhere in the conductor.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a predefined safety margin where the optical conductor is designed to withstand normal operational stresses and installation variations without breaking. The breakage threshold is set beyond normal operating conditions but within the range of excessive deflection, providing a cushion zone that protects against accidental damage while enabling detection of genuine overload conditions.
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 opto-mechanical fuse effectively detects and signals deflection beyond tolerances, enabling timely intervention to prevent component damage, even in power-off conditions, through a clean mechanical breakage mechanism that maintains reliability and quality.
Implementation Method 1
an optical conductor mounted to the chassis component to assume one of an optically transmitting state and an optically non-transmitting state
Data Source
AI summary
An opto-mechanical fuse is provided. The opto-mechanical fuse includes a chassis component, an extrusion disposed on a monitored component proximate to the chassis component and a sensor. The sensor includes an optical conductor mounted to the chassis component to assume one of an optically transmitting state and an optically non-transmitting state in both power-on and power-off conditions. An assumption of the optically non-transmitting state by the optical conductor occurs due to an interaction of the optical conductor and the extrusion resulting from a predefined magnitude of deflection of the monitored component.