Description
A device for transforming mechanical acceleration into audible sound
has been developed. The Acceleration-to-Sound Converter (ASC) produces
a variable-frequency sound proportional to the acceleration size. It
has various scale and shift capabilities. It comes in two basic
configurations. The first consists of separate sensor unit and
acceleration-to-sound circuit unit connected by a thin flexible
cable. The second combines the two units into one. The sound may be
produced by either speakers or earphones. The sensor unit's size is
about 1x1x1 cm and it weighs about 10 gr. The processor unit's size is
about 9x4x4 cm and it weighs about 100 gr. It is expected that these
dimensions and weights will be reduced in future designs. The ASC is
powered by a 9V source. The figure displays a prototype of the
combined unit, containing internally two chargeble 9V batteries, with
earphone.
Applications
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Automotive applications: Driving a car on a rough
terrain and making sharp turns at high speeds can cause parts to break
and even endanger life. The ASC will generate an alarming
sound, at a frequency proportional to the acceleration,
when the latter exceeds the permissible limits.
-
Truck applications: As in automotive applications,
plus sounding an alarm when driving a loaded truck at a dangerous
slope or tilting the truck-bed too steeply. The ASC responds to a tilt
as it responds to deviations from the direction of earth
gravity.
-
Military (Tank, troop carrier, command car, gun)
applications: As in automotive and truck applications, plus sounding an alarm
when certain parts, such as a tank gun, are rotated at dangerous speeds.
-
Crane applications: Lifting a crane's arm too fast
can cause cable tear and severe damage to load. Tilting the arm beyond
a certain angle can cause crane overturn. The ASC will
respond by sound to high lift accelerations and to dangerous tilts.
-
Aircraft applications: Pulling high ``g'' forces can
cause damages to aircraft, pilots and passengers. Frame vibrations,
generated by air turbulence can result in disaster. The ASC will
alarm the pilot by a proportional sound when such forces and motions
are generated.
-
Industrial and surgical applications: Automatic
manufacturing often requires high precision. Undesired accelerations of
tools and robot arms and imprecise alignments and tilts can cause
considerable damage. Similar situations arise in computerized
(robotic) surgery. The ASC will sense such accelerations and position
drifts and will sound a proportional alarm.
-
Medical bio-feedback applications: Certain
neurological disorders, such as balance deficiency and Parkinson's
disease, are known to cause both motoric and visual impairments
It has been noted that people with such disorders may have
distorted visual feedback. Yet, such patients are more dependent on
bio-feedback than healthy people. The ASC will create an audio signal
corresponding to body acceleration, which will counteract stumbling,
falling, tremor and other undesired body motions through
bio-feedback. Hyperactive children and adults can learn to control
their limb and body movement by training to reduce or eliminate the
sound generated by the ASC in response to undesired motion.
Please contact Prof. Baram for details.