Tilt Detector Power Switching for Furniture Alarm Energy Conservation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems fail to effectively detect the tilt of upright furniture and similar structures, leading to potential injuries and property damage, and they consume excessive energy, which shortens battery life in alarm systems.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a tilt detector communicatively connected to a power supply and an alarm, where the power supply is only connected to the alarm when tilt is detected, minimizing energy consumption and triggering an alarm upon tilt detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the alarm is continuously powered to ensure immediate alarm activation, then the alarm response time is improved, but the energy consumption increases and battery life decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealarm response timeVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic polling of the tilt detector by the microcontroller instead of continuous alarm activation. The microcontroller checks the tilt detector at intervals and only activates the alarm when tilt is detected, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining the ability to respond immediately when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The tilt detector is designed to be self-contained with its own power supply and only draws power from the main system when tilt is detected. The detector can independently monitor its environment and only initiates communication or alarm activation when necessary, reducing the energy burden on the main system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If the tilt detector continuously monitors for tilt to ensure immediate detection, then the detection reliability is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetilt detection reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic sampling of the tilt detector state by the microcontroller at predetermined intervals. This periodic monitoring maintains detection reliability by frequently checking for tilt conditions while consuming significantly less energy than continuous monitoring would require.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces continuous mechanical or electronic monitoring with a microcontroller-based periodic sampling approach. The microcontroller efficiently manages the monitoring cycle, enabling reliable detection with minimal energy expenditure by leveraging software-controlled timing rather than continuous hardware activation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If the system components are kept separate for ease of installation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of installationVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into distinct functional modules: a tilt detector unit that can be independently installed on furniture, and a separate alarm unit with microcontroller. This segmentation allows each component to be installed and configured independently, simplifying the overall installation process while managing complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The microcontroller serves as an intermediary between the tilt detector and the alarm. It receives signals from the tilt detector, processes the information, and controls alarm activation. This intermediary layer simplifies the interaction between components and provides a clear separation of functions, making the system easier to install and maintain despite the multiple components involved.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution enables efficient tilt detection and alarm activation while conserving energy, ensuring long battery life and preventing injuries by alerting users to potential tilting hazards.

Implementation Method 1

detecting a tilt by a tilt detector

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS12188783B2Tilt detection and alarm system and method

Publication Date: 2025.01.07 OLIVER WILLIAM R

AI summary

A system includes an alarm, a tilt detector, and a power supply communicatively connected to the tilt detector and communicatively connected to the alarm. The tilt detector, when no tilt is detected, prohibits communicative connection of the power supply to the alarm and, when tilt is detected, effects communicative connection of the power supply to the alarm. The system does not consume power of the power supply unless and until the system tilts causing the tilt switch to communicatively connect the power supply to the alarm. The alarm sounds on tilt until such time as the system is reset.