Electronic Balance Non-Contact Sensor Time Pattern Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic balances with non-contact sensors for automatic door operation often unintentionally open or close due to accidental detection of objects, leading to contamination and operational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
An electronic balance equipped with a non-contact sensor that identifies specific time patterns of detection signals to control various operations, such as door opening and closing, static eliminator activation, and sensor enabling/disabling, allowing for more precise and versatile use of the sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a non-contact sensor is used to automatically open and close the door, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to accidental detection of objects causing unintended door operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the detection sensitivity and activation thresholds of the non-contact sensor based on the operational state of the door. When the door is closed, the sensor is configured to require a specific detection pattern (e.g., prolonged presence or specific motion pattern) to activate, reducing false triggers from passing objects. This dynamic configuration allows the system to maintain contactless operation convenience while improving reliability by adapting to contextual conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the door's operational state (open/closed) and sensor detection history are continuously monitored. When accidental detection is suspected (e.g., rapid successive detections or detections during critical operations), the system provides feedback by adjusting sensor sensitivity or requiring confirmation gestures, thereby preventing unintended door operations while maintaining ease of legitimate use.
2Reliability
If the non-contact sensor function is disabled to prevent accidental activation, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates as manual operation is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides self-service functionality where the non-contact sensor automatically recovers from disabled state when appropriate conditions are met. For example, when the door is opened or when the system detects that the user has completed a measurement task, the sensor is automatically re-enabled without requiring manual intervention. This allows the system to maintain reliability during critical operations while restoring ease of operation when safe.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by disabling the non-contact sensor in advance before critical operations (such as during sample transfer or measurement). This preliminary disabling prevents accidental activation during vulnerable periods. After the critical operation completes, the system proactively re-enables the sensor, eliminating the need for manual reactivation and maintaining operational convenience.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple non-contact sensors are added to control different functions, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a universal non-contact sensor that can perform multiple functions through software configuration rather than hardware multiplication. A single sensor is programmed to detect different patterns (prolonged presence, rapid succession, specific motion trajectories) to trigger different operations (door open/close, static eliminator activation, measurement start). This multi-functional approach achieves versatility while avoiding the complexity of installing and configuring multiple separate sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes detection parameters (detection range, sensitivity threshold, activation time window, motion detection patterns) of a single non-contact sensor to enable different functions. By dynamically adjusting these parameters based on the required operation, the system achieves versatile control without adding hardware complexity. For example, extending the detection time window enables door operation, while shorter windows enable static eliminator control.
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
The system enables the non-contact sensor to perform a wider range of operations accurately, reducing accidental activations and enhancing user convenience by allowing for contactless operation control.
Implementation Method 1
a non-contact sensor configured to sense the presence/absence of an object by infrared radiation
Data Source
AI summary
[Object] To provide an electronic balance configured to uses a non-contact sensor to perform a predetermined operation, in which a greater number of operations than the number of non-contact sensors can be performed.[Means for solving problem] An electronic balance (1) includes: a non-contact sensor (31; 32) configured to detect an object; a state identifier (306) configured to identify a time pattern of a detection signal of the non-contact sensor (31; 32) as one of a plurality of previously defined time patterns; and an operation controller (30; 303; 304; 305) configured to control an operation of a predetermined section of the electronic balance (1) related to the time pattern identified by the state identifier.