Multi-Axis Capacitance Displacement Sensor for 5-DOF Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional displacement sensor devices can only measure one degree of freedom, either translational or rotational motion, limiting their ability to detect the complex movements that often involve multiple axes of motion in three-dimensional spaces.
Innovation Solution
The development of electromechanical displacement sensors that utilize a plurality of stators and rotors made from conductive materials, aligned in specific configurations to measure capacitance changes, allowing for the detection of up to five degrees of freedom by determining both translational and rotational (tip and tilt) movements between objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional displacement sensor devices measure only one degree of freedom, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision and versatility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is divided into multiple independent rotor-stator pairs, where each pair measures a specific degree of freedom. This segmentation allows the system to measure multiple degrees of freedom simultaneously while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
Each rotor-stator pair is designed to measure a specific degree of freedom, but the overall sensor system achieves multi-functionality by combining multiple pairs. This allows a single sensor device to measure translational and rotational movements across five degrees of freedom, eliminating the need for multiple separate sensors
2Measurement precision
If multiple displacement sensors are used to monitor movement along different translations and rotational directions, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple rotor-stator pairs are merged into a single integrated sensor device. The rotors are coupled to a first object while stators are coupled to a second object, creating a unified structure that measures multiple degrees of freedom simultaneously without requiring multiple separate sensor systems
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor transitions from measuring only one degree of freedom to measuring five degrees of freedom by adding spatial dimensions. The rotor-stator pairs are oriented to detect movements along the x, y, and z axes as well as rotational movements, expanding the measurement capability across multiple spatial dimensions
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 precise measurement of complex motions in multiple axes, providing improved sensitivity and differential sensing capabilities, suitable for applications in artificial reality systems and other precision tracking needs.
Implementation Method 1
Capacitance values of the rotor-stator pairs change as a function of position of the first object relative to the second object along the axis of motion
Data Source
AI summary
A displacement sensor measures capacitance between a rotor-stator pair. The displacement sensor includes a plurality of stators coupled to a first object. The plurality of stators is oriented parallel to an axis of motion between the first object and a second object. The displacement sensor further includes a plurality of rotors coupled to the second object. The plurality of rotors is oriented parallel to the axis of motion. Each rotor of the plurality of rotors is aligned with and configured to receive a corresponding stator of the plurality of stators to create a respective rotor-stator pair. Capacitance between the rotor-stator pairs change as a function of position of the first object relative to the second object along the axis of motion. An amount of displacement of the first object relative to the second object is determined based in part on the capacitance values.