Wireless Beacon for Work Vehicle Attachments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tracking devices used in rugged environments, such as construction and forestry, fail to withstand extreme conditions like vibrations, water exposure, high temperatures, and impact, making them unreliable for managing inventory of work vehicle attachments.
Innovation Solution
A wireless beacon subassembly with a cylindrical housing, a power source, printed circuit board, antenna, and accelerometer, coupled with a fastener featuring a helical ridge, designed to withstand rugged conditions through a polymer housing and pressure-activated adhesive, allowing for secure attachment and efficient signal transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional tracking devices are used in rugged environments, then they can provide basic tracking functionality, but they fail to withstand extreme conditions like vibrations, water exposure, high temperatures, and impact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by incorporating a shock-absorbing element between the beacon housing and the attachment surface. This shock-absorbing element is positioned to cushion the beacon from impacts and vibrations before they can damage the internal electronics, allowing the device to withstand extreme conditions while maintaining tracking functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining a shock-absorbing element with a rigid housing structure. The shock-absorbing element is made of a material that dissipates impact energy, while the housing provides structural integrity and environmental sealing. This composite construction allows the beacon to resist both mechanical shocks and environmental factors simultaneously
2Strength
If a secure fastening mechanism is implemented to withstand vibrations and impact, then the beacon remains firmly attached, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the attachment mechanism into separate functional elements: a mounting bracket with aperture, a fastening element that passes through the aperture, and a shock-absorbing element. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using simple processes, then assembled through straightforward insertion and fastening operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing the mounting bracket with an aperture that can accommodate different fastening element types (bolts, screws, clips). This universal design allows the same bracket structure to work with various fastening mechanisms, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining strong attachment capability across different application scenarios
3Reliability
If the beacon is designed to withstand extreme temperatures and impacts, then it maintains functionality in rugged environments, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies taking out by extracting the shock-absorption function from the main housing structure and implementing it as a separate shock-absorbing element. This extraction allows the housing to remain simple and focused on environmental sealing, while the dedicated shock-absorbing element handles mechanical impacts, reducing overall structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by concentrating shock-absorption capabilities at specific locations where impacts are most likely to occur, rather than making the entire housing complex and heavy. The shock-absorbing element is positioned strategically to protect critical components, providing enhanced durability where needed while maintaining simple construction elsewhere
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 beacon subassembly provides reliable tracking and inventory management of work vehicle attachments by maintaining functionality across extreme conditions while minimizing manufacturing costs, enabling efficient data communication and attachment monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
a fastener comprising a cylindrical recess wherein the cylindrical recess comprises a helical ridge which spirals about the center line axis of the cylindrical recess. The beacon subassembly may comprise a cylindrical housing with a proximal surface and a distal surface and a threaded surface between the proximal surface and the distal surface, wherein the threaded surface couples with helical ridge of the fastener
Implementation Method 2
The beacon subassembly may further comprise a pressure activated adhesive on the threaded surface of the cylindrical housing
Implementation Method 3
an accelerometer coupled with the power source. In an alternative embodiment, the beacon subassembly may comprise an accelerometer coupled with the power source
Implementation Method 4
an antenna coupled with the printed circuit, for use with an attachment of a work vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A smart attachment, or more particularly a wireless beacon for coupling with at least one of an attachment and a work vehicle that operates in rugged environments. The beacon comprises a cylindrical housing with a proximal surface and a distal surface coupled with a fastener. This beacon may further comprise a power source, a printed circuit board, an antenna, and an accelerometer, all located within the cylindrical housing.