Reconstruction design of the lost seismoscope of ancient China

摘要

A reconstruction design approach for the lost Zhang Heng's seismoscope, which was invented in ancient China in 132 AD, is proposed. Based on the literature review, the design requirements of Zhang Heng's seismoscope are defined and concluded. Then, a ccording to the concepts of generalization and specialization subject to the concluded design requirements, all feasible designs that are in accordance with the science theories and techniques of the subject time period are recreated. Two examples, one with five members and six joints and the other with six members and eight joints, of the interior mechanism of Zhang Heng's seismoscope are derived with 8 and 26 solutions, respectively. And, this provides a logical foundation for generating all possible reconstruction designs of Zhang Heng's seismoscope before new evidences are found.