Electronic Balance Non-Contact Sensor Layout for Thin Operation Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic balances with non-contact sensors require large vertical space due to the use of tubular light-emitting and light-receiving elements, increasing the thickness of the operation panel unit.
Innovation Solution
The electronic balance employs non-contact sensors with directionally focused light-emitting and light-receiving elements fixed to a substrate, eliminating the need for tubular containers, allowing the sensor to be integrated into the operation panel unit without increasing its thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If tubular light-emitting-element container and tubular light-receiving-element container are used to limit light spread, then the sensing area is reduced, but the device height and operation panel unit thickness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using a lens with specific refractive index and curvature radius to focus light in a localized manner. The lens parameters (refractive index of 1.5-1.7, curvature radius of 0.5-2.0mm) are optimized to create a concentrated light beam that limits spread only where needed, rather than using bulky tubular containers throughout the entire element structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters by introducing a lens with specific refractive index (1.5-1.7) and curvature radius (0.5-2.0mm). This transforms the light emission from a wide-angle pattern to a focused beam, reducing the sensing area without requiring increased device height. The lens parameters are carefully selected to balance light focus with compact dimensions.
2Shape
If light-emitting element is positioned deep from aperture to reduce light spread, then light directionality improves, but the container size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a lens as an intermediary component between the light-emitting element and the external environment. The lens acts as a mediator that shapes and focuses the light beam, achieving directional emission without requiring the light-emitting element to be positioned deep within a large container. The lens compactly integrates the light shaping function in a small volume.
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 design reduces the required space for the non-contact sensor, enabling it to be positioned in front of and below the measuring pan without enlarging the operation panel unit, enhancing operational convenience and preventing unintended door activation.
Implementation Method 1
a light having a specific wavelength generated from the light-emitting element is reflected or scattered by the hand (or the like). This reflected or scattered light having the specific wavelength is detected by the light-receiving element
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic balance includes: a non-contact sensor including a substrate, a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element, in which the light-emitting element is fixed to a surface of the substrate so as to be directed at a target sensing space, and the light-receiving element is fixed to the surface of the substrate, apart from the light-emitting element, so as to be directed at the target sensing space; and an operation controller configured to control an operation of a predetermined section of the electronic balance according to a detection signal from the non-contact sensor.