Adaptive Inclination Compensation for Relative Angle Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensing systems fail to accurately determine the inclination angle of a moveable component relative to a fixed component when the object is moved from a flat to a sloped surface, leading to misalignment of level sensors and inaccurate material level detection.
Innovation Solution
A sensing system using a single accelerometer and inclination angle calculation module to distinguish between long-term and short-term inclinations, compensating for surface slope changes by calculating stationary gravitational acceleration to accurately determine the inclination angle of a moveable component relative to a fixed component.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single accelerometer is used to sense inclination angle, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates when the object is moved from flat to sloped surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the reference parameter from absolute gravity direction to relative gravity direction between two components. By measuring the gravity vector in two different coordinate systems (object coordinate system and component coordinate system) and comparing them, the system accurately determines relative inclination angles even on sloped surfaces using only a single accelerometer.
2Ease of operation
If the accelerometer measures absolute inclination relative to ground, then the measurement is simple, but the inclination angle of the moveable component relative to the fixed component becomes inaccurate on sloped surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The fixed component acts as an intermediary reference frame between the ground and the moveable component. The accelerometer mounted on the moveable component measures gravity relative to the fixed component, which itself may be inclined relative to the ground. This intermediary reference allows accurate measurement of relative inclination while maintaining measurement simplicity.
3Reliability
If level sensor data is transmitted continuously, then communication reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases and inaccurate data is transmitted when the object is on sloped surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from the accelerometer data to determine when the object is stationary and when material level measurements are valid. Only when the accelerometer indicates the object is not moving does the system activate the level sensor and transmit data, ensuring communication reliability while minimizing energy consumption by avoiding transmissions during movement or on sloped surfaces.
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
Enables accurate detection of the inclination angle of a moveable component relative to a fixed component, even on sloped surfaces, ensuring reliable material level sensing by filtering out movement-related data and using gravitational acceleration to correct for surface inclinations.
Implementation Method 1
An inclination angle calculation module is configured to receive the sensor data, calculate an impact of stationary gravitational acceleration on the object
Data Source
AI summary
A sensing system includes a position sensor configured to generate sensor data indicating a position of an object on a surface, the object having a first component and a second component. The first component is moveable relative to the second component. An inclination angle calculation module is configured to receive the sensor data, calculate an impact of stationary gravitational acceleration on the object, and, using the calculated impact of stationary gravitational acceleration on the object, calculate at least one of a long-term inclination angle of the object, a short-term inclination of the object, and an inclination angle of the first component relative to the second component. The long-term inclination indicates a stationary position of the object for a predetermined threshold amount of time. The short-term inclination corresponds to a period shorter than the predetermined threshold amount of time.