Angle of Rotation Sensor Using Conductive Band and Electrical Brush
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing smart locks require complex and energy-intensive systems for measuring the angle of rotation, leading to increased computation time, power consumption, and production costs, as well as the need for additional components like feedback servo motors and encoders.
Innovation Solution
An angle of rotation sensor utilizing an electrically conductive band with two terminal ends applied different voltages and an electrical brush to measure the divided voltage, allowing for efficient measurement of the angle of rotation without the need for complex calibration or expensive encoders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical encoder or magnetic encoder is used for measuring angle of rotation, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy and computation time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical or magnetic encoder systems with a purely electrical resistance-based measurement system. An electrically conductive band with varying resistance replaces the mechanical-optical-magnetic systems, and a simple voltage divider circuit with an electrical brush replaces complex encoder electronics, thereby dramatically reducing energy consumption while maintaining measurement functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simple electrically conductive band with printed or deposited resistance patterns instead of expensive optical encoders. The electrical brush makes contact with this inexpensive conductive band to read resistance values, replacing costly optical-mechanical systems with a much cheaper electrical resistance-based system
2Measurement precision
If optical encoder or magnetic encoder is used for measuring angle of rotation, then measurement precision is improved, but computation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex optical-mechanical encoder systems that require image processing and signal decoding with a simple electrical resistance measurement system. The voltage divider circuit directly converts resistance variations into voltage signals that can be immediately read by the control unit, eliminating complex computation steps and reducing measurement time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from optical/magnetic field detection to electrical resistance measurement. By measuring resistance variations along the conductive band instead of processing optical patterns or magnetic signals, the system achieves faster measurement with simpler computation
3Measurement precision
If feedback servo motor and transmission system are added to measure angle of rotation, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the angle measurement function from the complex servo motor and transmission system. Instead of using the servo motor's internal encoder, the invention adds a separate, simple resistance-based measurement system that directly measures the rotational position without requiring the servo motor's complex feedback mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The electrically conductive band serves multiple functions: it provides the feedback signal for angle measurement and can be integrated with the existing door lock mechanism. The electrical brush and voltage divider circuit provide a universal measurement approach that works with the rotational movement without requiring additional complex components
4Measurement precision
If optical encoder is used for measuring angle of rotation, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive optical encoders with a simple electrically conductive band that can be printed or deposited on a substrate. The electrical brush and basic voltage divider circuitry are much cheaper components, dramatically reducing the bill of materials cost while maintaining the angle measurement functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes complex optical-mechanical encoder systems with a simpler electrical resistance-based system. The conductive band with resistance patterns can be manufactured using standard printing or deposition techniques, avoiding the need for precision optical components and reducing manufacturing complexity and cost
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 solution reduces computation time and power consumption while maintaining reasonable dimensions and production costs, enabling efficient and cost-effective measurement of the angle of rotation for smart lock systems.
Implementation Method 1
The electrically conductive band is to be disposed onto the rotatable object for surrounding the rotatable object, and has two terminal ends which are spaced apart from each other and which are constantly and respectively applied with different voltages when the electrically conductive band rotates along with the rotatable object. The voltage measuring device is coupled to the electrical brush and measures a divided voltage which is a voltage of a position of the electrically conductive band at which the electrical brush contacts.
Data Source
AI summary
An angle of rotation sensor for measuring an angle of rotation of a rotatable object includes an electrically conductive band to be disposed onto the rotatable object and having two terminal ends which are spaced apart from each other and which are respectively applied with different voltages; an electrical brush in electrical contact with the electrically conductive band; and a voltage measuring device coupled to the electrical brush and measuring a divided voltage which is a voltage at a position of the electrically conductive band at which the electrical brush contacts. The angle of rotation of the rotatable object is associated with the divided voltage and the different voltages.