Accelerometer Array Inclination Determination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the inclination of an object relative to the direction of the Earth's gravity field using accelerometers are complex and require knowledge of the absolute position of the sensors, which is not always feasible, especially when the object's position in a reference frame is unknown, and they lack robustness and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing an array of accelerometers distributed uniformly over a circle, each measuring acceleration in at least one direction, with non-collinear measurement directions, to solve a matrix equation and determine the inclination by minimizing a statistical noise criterion, without relying on magnetometers or gyroscopes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sensors of different nature (accelerometers, magnetometers, gyroscopes) are used simultaneously to determine inclination, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the magnetometer and gyroscope from the sensor array, retaining only accelerometers. This simplifies the device while maintaining inclination determination capability by using a circular array of accelerometers with specific geometric arrangement and signal processing techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the measurement function across multiple accelerometers arranged in a circular pattern, where each accelerometer measures acceleration along a specific radial direction. The collective data from all segments (accelerometers) is processed to determine inclination, replacing the need for a single complex multi-sensor system.
2Measurement precision
If magnetometers are used to measure inclination, then measurement precision is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to high sensitivity to environment and additional noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the expensive and environmentally sensitive magnetometer with accelerometers, which are more robust and reliable. While accelerometers have different measurement characteristics, their use in a circular array configuration with appropriate signal processing achieves the required precision without the reliability issues of magnetometers.
3Ease of operation
If accelerometers are used without knowledge of absolute position in reference frame, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a circular array configuration where accelerometers are positioned at specific angular intervals (e.g., 90 degrees apart). This asymmetric geometric arrangement, combined with the fact that the circle's center and orientation are unknown, creates a system where the inclination can be determined from the relative measurement patterns without requiring knowledge of the absolute reference frame position.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the problem from requiring absolute position parameters to using relative measurement parameters. By analyzing the pattern of acceleration measurements across the circular array and the relationships between measurements from different accelerometers, the system determines inclination without needing to know the circle's center position or orientation in the reference frame.
4Measurement precision
If gyroscope is used to measure inclination, then measurement precision is improved, but reliability deteriorates when object exhibits low amplitude movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the gyroscope from the sensor system entirely. Instead of relying on gyroscope data that becomes unreliable during low-amplitude movements, the system uses accelerometers in a circular array configuration that provides robust inclination measurement across all movement amplitudes by analyzing the gravitational component in multiple directions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach provides a robust and reliable method for determining the inclination of an object with respect to the gravity field, achieving precise results even with low-amplitude movements and varying inclinations, and can be used to calculate the curvature of structures.
Implementation Method 1
measurement, by said accelerometers, of the components of the Earth's gravity field along said measurement directions
Data Source
Figure 1~5
AI summary
The method involves providing a set of accelerometers (A1, A2, Aj, AN) that is connected in a rigid manner to by an object (2) i.e. beam, where each of the set of accelerometers is ready to measure an acceleration according to a direction of measurement (vj). A matrix equation is provided for determining a slope of the object with regard to a reference mark. The matrix equation is based on a vector, directions of measurement of accelerometers in an interdependent reference frame, and a swing angle of the interdependent reference frame with regard to the fixed reference frame. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a method for determining a curve of a structure (2) an instrumented object.