US-12618865-B2 - Roller based accelerometer

US12618865B2US 12618865 B2US12618865 B2US 12618865B2US-12618865-B2

Abstract

A roller-based accelerometer ( 100 ) is disclosed and includes an enclosure ( 1 ). A hub ( 2 ) is defined at a center of the enclosure ( 1 ), concentric to an inner surface ( 1 a ) of the enclosure ( 1 ). A bearing ( 3 ) is rotatably housed in the hub ( 2 ). An arm ( 4 ) is fixedly connected to the bearing ( 3 ). The arm ( 4 ) is configured displace within the enclosure ( 1 ). A plurality of sensors ( 6 ) is mounted on the enclosure ( 1 ). A roller ( 5 ) is positioned at a free end of the arm ( 4 ), contacting the inner surface ( 1 a ) of the enclosure ( 1 ). The roller ( 5 ) traverses the inner surface of the enclosure and over the plurality of sensors ( 6 ). The arm ( 4 ) angularly oscillates when the accelerometer ( 100 ) is accelerated and is dependent on the position of the roller ( 5 ) over one of the plurality of sensors ( 6 ) to indicate the acceleration of the accelerometer ( 100 ).

Inventors

Tilak SRINIVASAN

Assignees

Tilak SRINIVASAN

Dates

Publication Date: 20260505
Application Date: 20220507
Priority Date: 20210705

Claims (8)

1 . A roller-based accelerometer ( 100 ) comprising: an enclosure ( 1 ); a hub ( 2 ) defined at a centre of the enclosure ( 1 ) and concentric to an inner surface ( 1 a ) of the enclosure ( 1 ); a bearing ( 3 ) rotatably housed in the hub ( 2 ); an arm ( 4 ) fixedly connected to the bearing ( 3 ) wherein the arm ( 4 ) is configured to displace within the enclosure ( 1 ); a plurality of sensors ( 6 ) mounted on the enclosure ( 1 ); a roller ( 5 ) positioned at a free end of the arm ( 4 ), contacting the inner surface ( 1 a ) of the enclosure ( 1 ) wherein, the roller ( 5 ) traverses the inner surface of the enclosure and over the plurality of sensors ( 6 ); and wherein, the roller ( 5 ) and the arm ( 4 ) angularly oscillates when the accelerometer ( 100 ) is accelerated and, the position of the roller ( 5 ) over one of the plurality of sensors ( 6 ) is indicative of the acceleration of the accelerometer ( 100 ).
2 . The accelerometer ( 100 ) as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the plurality of sensors ( 6 ) is positioned to encompass half of a bottom region of the total circumference of the enclosure ( 1 ) and the sensors ( 6 ) are aligned for a total of 180 degrees along the outer surface ( 1 b ) of the enclosure ( 1 ).
3 . The accelerometer ( 100 ) as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the plurality of sensors ( 6 ) are aligned to extend for +90 degrees and −90 degrees from a bottom tip of the outer surface ( 1 b ) in the enclosure ( 1 ).
4 . The accelerometer ( 100 ) as claimed in claim 1 comprising, a control unit connected to the plurality of sensors ( 6 ).
5 . The accelerometer ( 100 ) as claimed in claim 1 comprises, at least one light source positioned proximal to the enclosure ( 1 ) for illuminating the sensors ( 6 ).
6 . The accelerometer ( 100 ) as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the plurality of sensors ( 6 ) are optical sensors ( 6 ) that generate and transmit a signal to the control unit when no light is incident on the plurality of sensors ( 6 ).
7 . The accelerometer ( 100 ) as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the roller ( 5 ) is opaque and prevents light from being incident on the plurality of sensors ( 6 ).
8 . The accelerometer ( 100 ) as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the enclosure ( 1 ), the hub ( 2 ), the bearing ( 3 ), and the arm ( 4 ) are made of a transparent material for allowing the light to incident on the plurality of sensors ( 6 ).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD Present disclosure generally relates to the field of Measurements and Metrology. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure discloses an accelerometer. Further, embodiments of the disclosure discloses a roller-based accelerometer to determine extent by which an object is accelerated. BACKGROUND Measurement is one of the fundamental processes performed to assess quantitative characteristics of a physical quantity. Measurement of quantities such as length, velocity, acceleration, displacement, elevation, inclination, etc., is performed to investigate certain physical conditions. For example, investigation of elevation, inclination, etc., is performed in geological studies. Determination of acceleration, velocity is of particular interest to engineers, physicists, space scientists, and so on. Measurement involves comparison of a physical quantity with a known standard, for example, length of an object is measured by placing the object next to a scale marked with divisions. Each division represents a standard like a millimeter, a centimeter, a meter, etc., and number of divisions matching exactly with the object gives the length measurement of the object. Determination of acceleration i.e., rate at which velocity of a moving object changes, is of particular interest in assessing certain vibrational characteristics of objects, such as machines, structures, vehicles, etc. Earlier mechanical systems were used for such determination, but with the advancement of sensor technology, sensors such as accelerometers of different types are used to determine accelerations. Some of the extensive types of accelerometers used are piezoelectric based accelerometer constructed of a piezoelectric material. When piezoelectric accelerometer is coupled with an object whose vibration or acceleration is to be measured, the piezoelectric material in the accelerometer produces electric current in response to the force exerted by the vibrating object. The magnitude of electric current produced gives direct indication of acceleration of the vibrating object. Such accelerometers are expensive to manufacture and have complex configuration, thereby resulting in higher maintenance costs. Also, the accuracy of the piezoelectric accelerometers is completely dependent on the sensitivity of the piezoelectric material to pick up the force exerted by the vibrating object. Consequently, the piezoelectric accelerometers are often unable to pick-up weak signals of acceleration, and the piezoelectric material often detects or picks up signals when the object accelerates at higher speeds. Further, the existing accelerometers are prone to malfunction from external elements or disturbances such as dust, magnetic fields, electromagnetic fields etc., and are often suitable for operation only in controlled environments. Consequently, the ability to mount the existing accelerometers on an object to measure the acceleration of the object is often restricted severely. The present disclosure discloses one such accelerometer which uses optical technology to determine acceleration of a moving object. SUMMARY One or more shortcomings of the conventional system or device are overcome, and additional advantages are provided through the provision of the method as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure. In a non-limiting embodiment of the disclosure, a roller-based accelerometer is disclosed. The accelerometer includes an enclosure, a hub defined at a Centre of the enclosure and concentric to an inner surface of the enclosure. A bearing is rotatably housed in the hub. An arm is fixedly connected to the bearing where the arm is configured to displace within the enclosure. A plurality of sensors is mounted on the enclosure. A roller is positioned at a free end of the arm, contacting the inner surface of the enclosure where, the roller traverses the inner surface of the enclosure and over the plurality of sensors. The roller and the arm angularly oscillate when the accelerometer is accelerated and the position of the roller over one of the plurality of sensors is indicative of the acceleration of the accelerometer. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the plurality of sensors is positioned to encompass half of a bottom region of the total circumference of the enclosure and the sensors are aligned for a total of 180 degrees along the outer surface of the enclosure. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the plurality of sensors is aligned to extend for +90 degrees and −90 degrees from a bottom tip of the outer surface in the enclosure. In an embodiment of the disclosure, a control unit is connected to the plurality of sensors. In an embodiment of the disclosure, at least one light source positioned proximal to the enclosure