RU2789608C1 - Shock indicator - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: measuring instruments.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to measuring instruments. Four corners of shock indicator cover convex part hollow space contain protrusions fitted with shaped slots on two adjacent sides, the protrusions are connected via intersecting diagonal protrusions, in which movable inertial elements containing a through recess are located, the through recess has a rigidly installed flexible stop that may be fixed in cover protrusions shaped slots, the flexible stop locks the inertial element in the initial position, and there is a cross-shaped projection on the upper surface of the casing base with four oblique slots on it containing fixed flexible catches.

EFFECT: invention provides possibility to provide more information about direction of external mechanical impact.

4 cl, 8 dwg

Description

The invention relates to instrumentation, and in particular to indicating devices, and can be used to determine and timely detect violations of the conditions for handling an object / cargo during operation (transportation, loading / unloading, movement and storage).

During the periods of production, transportation, storage and operation, some objects / goods require special handling due to their sensitivity to mechanical impacts, such as falling from a certain height, tipping over, strong impact, critical shaking, etc. Thus, it is necessary to control and monitor the state of the object / cargo, which makes it possible to determine in time the undesirable impact that has occurred, as well as to establish at what stage this impact occurred.

A device is known from the prior art (see patent US11041770 (B2), 06/22/2021, IPC G01L1 / 04; G01L5 / 00; G06K19 / 07; H04L9 / 06; H04L9 / 32), which is an impact indicator used for quality control purposes and/or general monitoring of cargo transportation conditions. The impact indicator includes a housing housing a detection assembly, the detection assembly being configured to detect an acceleration event. further includes an RFID module for outputting data indicative of an activation state of the discovery node. The indicator also includes logic configured to block output from the module.

The disadvantage of the known device is that it works only along one axis, and also does not determine the direction of the applied mechanical action on the object (load).

A device is known from the prior art (see patent US9502196 (B2), 11/22/2016, IPC H01H29/00; H01H35/14; H01H29/22), namely a shock indicator, which includes a first element having a reservoir for storing a conductive liquid , and a second element having the first conductive part disconnected from the second conductive part. The second element is connected to the first element above the tank. In response to receiving a predetermined impact level, the conductive fluid moves from the reservoir to the interface between the first and second elements to conductively connect the first conductive section to the second conductive section.

The disadvantage of the known device is that the use of the indicator is limited by the temperature range of the environment, since the physical properties of liquids, such as density and viscosity, are directly dependent on the ambient temperature, which in turn adversely affects the accuracy of the results obtained.

A device is known from the prior art (see utility model patent No. 207871, 11/22/2021, G01L 5/00, G01P 15/00), namely, an anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) impact indicator, which is a washer-shaped device made of solid plastic. On the upper side, in the center, there is a control viewing hole, in the initial position through which the indication element is visible, which is a green metal ball magnetized to a disk-shaped magnet with a diameter of 12 mm, located in the center of the indicator base, made with the possibility of moving upon impact and being magnetized to ring-shaped magnet.

The disadvantages of the known device is the presence of magnets, the likelihood of demagnetization and loss of indicator functionality, as well as the ability to return the ball to its original position using a stronger magnetic field.

The closest in technical essence to the claimed invention is the device chosen as a prototype and known from the prior art (see US patent 8234994 B1, IPC G01P15/02, 08/07/2012), which is an impact indicator used for quality control and/or general observation of transportation conditions.

This shock indicator consists of a body, an inertial element, clamps, a base and a locking cover. If the load is subjected to a mechanical action directed in one of the two directions along the only possible axis, the inertial element is displaced and fixed in the display window. At the same time, the color of the base opens in the indication window in the indicator case, which, in turn, differs from the color of the case and signals the operation. Repeated mechanical action in the opposite direction can move the inertial element to another indication window, but the inertial element will not be fixed in the initial position.

The disadvantage of the known device is that it works only along one axis, and also does not determine the direction of the applied mechanical action on the object (load).

The objective of the claimed invention is to control, monitor the state and timely detection of the fact of damage during transportation, storage and operation of objects/cargoes that are sensitive to mechanical stress, such as falling from a height, tipping over, hitting, shaking, etc.

The technical result of the claimed invention is to increase the information content about the direction of external mechanical action, and as a result, timely detection of violations of the conditions for handling the object/cargo (i.e., the technical condition of the product) during transportation, loading/unloading, moving, storage, etc.

The technical result is achieved by the fact that the shock indicator comprises a housing formed by a base and a cover, inertial elements located inside the housing, made with the possibility of movement, indication windows located on the cover. At the same time, protrusions are made at four corners inside the hollow space of the convex part of the cover, provided with figured slots located on two adjacent sides, the protrusions are connected by intersecting diagonal protrusions forming grooves in which inertial elements are movably located, each of which contains a through recess, in which a flexible stop is tightly installed with the possibility of its fixation in the figured slots of the cover protrusions, which is a limiter for the movement of the inertial element in the initial position, while on the upper surface of the body base there is a cross-shaped protrusion with four beveled grooves located on it with flexible clamps fixed in them.

In addition, an annular shaped groove is made along the perimeter inside the cover to accommodate the base plate in it.

In addition, on the side of one of the bases of the inertial element, a recess is made with the possibility of placing a flexible lock in it.

In addition, the retainers are made in the form of plates of flexible plastic material.

The invention is illustrated by drawings, which show:

Fig. 1 – general view of the shock indicator device (assembly);

Fig. 2 – shock indicator cover with inertial elements;

Fig. 3 - base of the body of the shock indicator device;

Fig. 4 – impact indicator cover without inertial elements;

Fig. 5 - protective layer of the base of the body;

Fig. 6 - inertial element;

Fig. 7 - inertial element;

Fig. 8 - an example of the operation of the device, when exposed to impact.

The impact indicator consists of a housing 1 made in the form of a flattened rectangular parallelogram, consisting of two parts, a base 2 and a cover 3. Both parts of the housing 1 are made with the possibility of their connection.

The cover 3 is made in the form of a hollow structure made by injection molding of plastic, consisting of a convex part 4 formed by vertical walls 5 with an upper flat surface 6, and a rim (tide) 7 located along the perimeter of the vertical walls 5.

On the upper surface 6 of the housing cover, made of a transparent material, there is a sticker 27 covering the surface 6, on which four slots/holes are made, which are indication windows 8.

Inside the hollow space of the convex part 4 of the cover 3, projections 9 are made at four corners in the form of a rectangular hollow parallelepiped. The protrusions 9 are interconnected by diagonal protrusions 28, oriented towards the center of the inner space of the lid and intersecting in its center. The protrusions 9 and 28 are made entirely of plastic. Figured slots 10 are made on two adjacent sides of each protrusion 9.

A cruciform groove/recess 11 is formed in the center of the inner space of the lid. Each display window 8 is located opposite the groove 11.

The base 2 of the body 1 is made in the form of a flat plate, on the upper surface of which, in the center, there is a figured cross-shaped protrusion 12.

At the same time, when connecting/contacting the cover 3 and the base 2, the cruciform protrusions 12 are located with the possibility of contact with the protrusions 9.

Also, along the perimeter inside the cover 3, an annular shaped groove 13 is made to accommodate the base plate 2 in it for tight fixation with each other.

On the rim ( tide ) 7 there are holes 14 for fasteners.

In the inner space of the cover 3 there are four inertial elements 15. Each inertial element 15 is made in the form of a straight pentagonal prism, with three right angles, with the possibility of its displacement upon impact. On the side of one of the bases 16 of the inertial element 15 two recesses 17, 18 are made. 16 from one parallel side of the inertial element 15 to the other (opposite) side. In the recess 18, made in the form of a groove on each inertial element 15, a tightly flexible stop 19 is installed, in the form of a strip made of a thin sheet, made of flexible plastic, which makes it possible to stabilize the inertial element 15 in the initial position, regardless of small vibrations of the indicator and vibration. Flexible stops 19 are located with the possibility of fixation in the shaped slots 10 of the protrusions 9 of the cover 3, which are the limiters of movement, to hold the inertial element 15 in its initial position.

The inertial elements 15 are located in the center of the cruciform groove 11, with a gap between its walls, so that the inertial element 15 can move along the groove 11 between the protrusions 9.

The shock indicator device additionally contains a transport mechanism that prevents the indicator from being triggered before it is activated. This mechanism is a protective element 20, made in the form of a substrate, glued from the bottom surface of the base 2 of the indicator. On one side of the protective element 20 there are four cylindrical pins 21 (shipping stops), which are inserted into the base 2 of the body 1 through holes 25. The pins 21 are located next to the inertial elements 15 and prevent the elements from moving under external mechanical action and serve to securely fix the inertial elements 15 in the initial position. The protective element 20 provides protection from the indicator operation until the indicator is activated and installed on the object/load, which serves as a guarantee that the customer will receive a working device.

The impact indicator has an adhesive layer applied to the lower surface of the base 2 and covered by a protective element 20.

In addition, on the upper surface of the cruciform protrusion 12 of the base 2 of the body, there are four oblique grooves 23 made in the form of recesses with guides 29. At the same time, flexible clamps 24 are fixed closer to the center of the protrusion 12. Flexible clamps 24 are made in the form of plates of flexible plastic material. The upper part of each plate, after the indicator is triggered, is placed in the recess 17 of the inertial element 15, fixing it.

All parts of the indicator are made of plastic material.

Operation of the impact indicator device

The shock indicator is activated by removing the protective layer 20, with transport locks 21, from the bottom surface of the base of the case. After that, it is installed on an object/cargo, for example, a box, packaging, etc., before shipment, while the sender of the cargo fixes the status of the indicator in the shipping documents. In addition, it is possible to mount the shock indicator using a construction stapler or other fasteners on a surface with poor adhesion.

After a critical impact on the indicator in working directions (for example, a fall from a height), the corresponding inertial element 15, overcoming the elasticity of the flexible stop 19, which leaves its initial position in the shaped slots 10 of the protrusions 9 of the cover 3, due to inertia, is shifted to its final position. At the same time, it cannot return to the reverse position in the protrusions 10. In addition, the inertial element 15, due to the force of inertia, moves under the indication window 8, overcoming the flexible latch 24. When the inertial element 15 moves, the latch 24 is bent, falling into the beveled groove 23, and returns to the initial position, falling into the cavity 17 of the inertial element 15. After actuation, the inertial element 15 is fixed in the final (actuated) position in the indication window 8 and is not able to return to the initial position.

Inside the housing, the inertial elements move in the slots 11, from the initial position in the center of the housing 1, to the final position of the inertial element 15, which is opposite the indication window 8, which makes it possible to identify the state of the impact indicator.

All four inertial elements 15 are independent, which makes it possible to fix the operation of the shock indicator when exposed in four directions, along two axes (x and y).

Example 1

When exposed to a mechanical effect on the load from the left side (A), with the shock indicator device installed on it, an operation occurs, in which (see Fig. 8) the inertial element 15, due to the force of inertia, is displaced from the center (the initial position of the element) to edge (end position of the element opposite the indication window) of the impact indicator cover. In this case, the flexible stop 19 comes out of the grooves 10 of the protrusions 9, the flexible latch 24 is bent into the groove 23 and the element 15 moves along the X axis to the right (B), occupying the final position in the display window 8.

If necessary, to fix an impact or other impact on an object that falls along the Z axis, for example, above or below the impact indicator, two devices must be installed in different planes.

Thus, when exposed to a mechanical shock in given directions, the inertial elements 15 acquire freedom of movement, and when triggered, one of the inertial elements 15 moves under the indication window 8 and is securely fixed. When exposed to mechanical influences in four specified directions, the shock indicator records four responses (I, II, III and IV in Fig.8) in accordance with the number of inertial elements.

To simplify the visual identification of the indicator state, the inertial element 15 has a contrasting color.

Upon the arrival of the object / cargo at the destination, the consignee records the state of the impact indicator and, if the latter is triggered, makes the appropriate marks in the transport documents. The operation of the impact indicator indicates that the object/load may have been subjected to the above mechanical impact during transportation. This circumstance makes it possible to detect damage to the cargo in a timely manner and may serve as a reason for filing a claim with the carrier, warehouse operator, forwarding company or other person who interacted with the cargo at the time of its damage.

Claims (4)

1. Impact indicator, containing a housing formed by a base and a cover, inertial elements located inside the body, made with the possibility of movement, display windows located on the cover, characterized in that at four corners inside the hollow space of the convex part of the cover, protrusions are made, provided with two adjacent sides by curly slots, the protrusions are connected by diagonal protrusions intersecting each other, forming grooves in which inertial elements are movably located, each of which contains a through recess in which a flexible stop is tightly installed with the possibility of its fixation in the curly slots of the cover protrusions, which is limiter of movement of the inertial element in the initial position, while on the upper surface of the base of the housing there is a cross-shaped protrusion with four beveled grooves located on it with flexible clamps fixed in them. 2. Impact indicator according to claim 1, characterized in that an annular shaped groove is made along the perimeter inside the cover to accommodate the base plate in it. 3. Impact indicator according to claim 1, characterized in that a recess is made on the side of one of the bases of the inertial element with the possibility of placing a flexible lock in it. 4. Impact indicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the latches are made in the form of plates of flexible plastic material.

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