Watch-Based Karman Line Detection Using MEMS Acceleration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing space watches lack the ability to accurately detect the crossing of the Karman line without relying on external communication signals or GPS, and miniature gyroscopes are not precise enough to determine the rocket's altitude during spaceflight.
Innovation Solution
A wearable device, such as a watch, equipped with a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) acceleration sensor and an electronic unit processes acceleration measurements to autonomously detect the Karman line by calculating comparison distances based on periodic measurements and reference values, eliminating the need for gyroscopes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If miniature gyroscopes are used to determine rocket altitude during spaceflight, then altitude measurement capability is provided, but measurement precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical gyroscope system with an electronic/inertial sensor system (accelerometers and integration algorithms) to measure altitude. Instead of relying on mechanical gyroscopic effects that provide insufficient precision at miniature scales, the invention uses acceleration sensors to measure proper acceleration and integrates this data over time to calculate velocity and position, achieving the required measurement precision for Karman line detection.
2Measurement precision
If external communication signals and GPS are used for Karman line detection, then detection accuracy is improved, but device autonomy and independence are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the watch to autonomously detect Karman line crossing using its own onboard sensors and processing capabilities. The device measures proper acceleration with accelerometers, integrates this data to determine velocity and displacement, and compares the calculated distance against the Karman line threshold without requiring external GPS signals or communication systems, thus maintaining full operational independence.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the dependency on external communication systems and GPS infrastructure. By isolating the detection function to use only onboard inertial sensors and onboard processing, the patent eliminates the need for external signal reception, making the system self-contained and independent of external infrastructure.
3Ease of manufacture
If limited technical means are used in the portable object, then ease of incorporation into watch is improved, but detection accuracy may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves high detection precision with minimal components by optimizing the use of acceleration sensor parameters and data processing algorithms. The system measures proper acceleration along three axes, integrates this data over time to calculate velocity and displacement, and uses mathematical algorithms to determine when the calculated distance exceeds the Karman line threshold. This parameter-based approach maximizes the information extracted from simple sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex mechanical detection systems with electronic sensor and computational systems. Instead of using mechanical altimeters or complex navigation systems, the patent uses acceleration sensors combined with numerical integration and comparison algorithms to detect Karman line crossing, achieving high precision with minimal and easily integrable components.
Data Source
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AI summary
The watch (2) includes a memory (4) and a detection device (6) comprising an acceleration sensor (8), capable of measuring an acceleration vector of the watch in a three-dimensional reference frame of the watch, and an electronic unit (12) arranged to process measurements provided by the acceleration sensor. The electronic unit (12) is arranged to detect, in conjunction with the memory, at least for a rocket of a given type, a crossing of the Karman line by that rocket using only the watch carried on board that rocket. Detection of a Karman line crossing by the watch is performed by its detection device (6) based on periodic measurements taken by the acceleration sensor from the rocket's launch until the crossing of the Karman line, as defined before the spaceflight, and at least one corresponding reference value stored in the memory.The Karman line is defined by a given altitude or a selectable altitude.