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5b-Cut-Edge Sensor Decelerators
5b-Cut-Edge Sensor Decelerators
of Conceptual Design by Parameter Analysis
Task Statement: Design a sensor to detect the cut‐edge of flooring material for
guiding an unmanned machine.
3 m/hr
30 cm
1500 W heating elements
22745–Advanced Engineering Design–Dr. Ehud Kroll 1 5b–Cut‐edge Sensor & Decelerators
Some requirements generated in the Need Analysis:
22745–Advanced Engineering Design–Dr. Ehud Kroll 2 5b–Cut‐edge Sensor & Decelerators
Technology Identification:
Position detection with contact:
• Cut‐edge sticky, covered with hot adhesive
• May release asbestos fibers to the air
w/o contact:
• 2 range measurements using time‐of‐flight of light or sound may be difficult
to detect 1‐2 mm difference
• Doppler effect (change of frequency) won’t work because there’s no relative
velocity
• Imaging by measuring the intensity of reflected light unsure, but might work
Most likely candidate: Imaging
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Concept development with Parameter Analysis:
PI: Measure different light intensities bouncing from floor and subfloor to
detect cut‐edge.
function + concept
CS: An array of photoelectric cells that
generate voltage proportional to
light intensity (some dimensions
should be given).
realization
PI: Create a greater difference in light intensities by generating a new image,
that of the shadow of the cut‐edge. new concept
CS: Position the bulb away from the edge and
shine light at an angle to cast a shadow.
realization
22745–Advanced Engineering Design–Dr. Ehud Kroll 4 5b–Cut‐edge Sensor & Decelerators
E: The size of the shadow to be detected depends on the angle, and also the
cut‐edge may be tilted up to ±30° from the vertical. problem
PI: Increase angle enough to ensure a large enough shadow. function + concept
CS: Bulb moved and photocell array
tilted so at nominal position
there’s an angle of incidence of
60°.
realization
E: The shadow will not appear sharp on the detectors; the reflected light will
diffuse in all directions. problem
PI: Focus the reflected light with a lens. function + concept
CS: Cheap plastic lens is added, calculations made...
realization
22745–Advanced Engineering Design–Dr. Ehud Kroll 5 5b–Cut‐edge Sensor & Decelerators
E: Ambient light (sunlight, room lighting, heaters) may prevent the
problem
formation of a clear shadow.
PI: Increase signal‐to‐noise ratio by using a different wavelength. function + concept
CS: Heating elements emit a lot of IR. Use UV bulb and detector, or
realization
a filter in front of the detectors that transmits only UV.
E: Grooves in the flooring material may produce “false shadows”. problem
PI: Grooves are symmetrical, and
the cut‐edge isn’t. Shine the light function +
from different directions to tell a concept
groove from the cut‐edge.
CS: Double the device and multiplex between the 2 bulb/detector
combinations.
realization
E: Most major issues handled...
22745–Advanced Engineering Design–Dr. Ehud Kroll 6 5b–Cut‐edge Sensor & Decelerators
Another Example of Parameter Analysis:
Design of small aerodynamic decelerators
The task: A large number of disposable sensors (10 g, 10 x 50 mm
cylinders, containing battery, electronics and radio transmitter) for
monitoring air quality and composition, wind velocities, atmospheric
pressure variations, etc. are to be released from a light aircraft at 3000 m.
They should stay in the air for about 15 min (V ≤ 3 m/s).
The means for decelerating the sensors should be designed. It should be
low‐cost, easy to pack compactly in an under‐wing container, and strong
enough for deployment in the air.
22745–Advanced Engineering Design–Dr. Ehud Kroll 7 5b–Cut‐edge Sensor & Decelerators
First stage: Technology Identification
picked after cursory listing of each candidate
technology’s pros and cons as the technology
that seems most likely to result in a successful
design
22745–Advanced Engineering Design–Dr. Ehud Kroll 8 5b–Cut‐edge Sensor & Decelerators
Parameter Analysis
(PI = parameter identification, CS = creative synthesis, E = Evaluation)
Reasoning Process Outcome
PI1: Use the chosen technology as the solution Parameter1:
concept. Produce large drag
force with a flexible
parachute
CS1: During descent, mg = Drag = ½ρCD(πd2/4)v2. Configuration1:
Using v = 3 m/s, ρ ≈ 1, CD ≈2 and mg ≈ 12‐15 g, Parachute
we get d ≈ 150 mm. The sensor will be attached dia. = 150 mm
with cords.
22745–Advanced Engineering Design–Dr. Ehud Kroll 9 5b–Cut‐edge Sensor & Decelerators
Parameter Analysis (cont’d)
CS2: A square pyramid with a 150X150‐mm base with Configuration2:
the sensor attached to it.
22745–Advanced Engineering Design–Dr. Ehud Kroll 10 5b–Cut‐edge Sensor & Decelerators
Parameter Analysis (cont’d)
PI4: Let’s re‐examine the physics of the problem: we Parameter4:
need to dissipate the potential energy of an object Use a small “aircraft”
released at an altitude. Aerodynamic drag opposite that glides down slowly
the descent direction dissipates energy by frictional in spirals
work that depended on the size of the decelerator.
However, if energy dissipation by frictional (drag)
work is the dominating physics, we should study the
physics of work more carefully. Work is force X
distance. In vertical descent the distance is the
altitude, so the focus in the design so far was on
creating a large vertical drag force. But what if the
distance could be made longer? Then we can
dissipate the energy by a combination of long travel
distance and small drag force, meaning smaller
objects that can be packed compactly.
CS4: 200‐mm span light wings (Styrofoam?) with slight Configuration4:
imbalance produce 30‐m dia. spiraling glide. The
sensor is the fuselage and the wing attached by
plastic clips.
E4: ....
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Some other solutions proposed:
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