Capacitive Fastening Arrangement for Anchor Displacement Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening arrangements in the construction industry face challenges in measuring component displacement under load without damaging sensors, as they need to be small and filigree to fit within bolt anchors, increasing the risk of damage and failure.
Innovation Solution
A robust fastening arrangement using a capacitive sensor with a flexible metal electrode between the component and the mounting base, allowing for measurement of displacement without the need for the sensor to be embedded within the bolt anchor, featuring a first electrode immovably connected to the mounting base and a second electrode either connected to the component or separate, with an insulating dielectric layer and protective covering to ensure accuracy and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the sensor is made small and filigree to enable integration into the bolt anchor, then the sensor can be integrated into the anchor, but the risk of damage and failure of the sensor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is extracted from the bolt anchor and placed on the mounting base instead. This allows the sensor to be larger and more robust while still measuring the displacement of the bolt anchor relative to the mounting base through capacitive measurement of the distance between the first electrode (on mounting base) and the second electrode (on bolt anchor)
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitive sensor acts as an intermediary measurement system that does not require direct integration with the bolt anchor. The sensor measures displacement indirectly through capacitive coupling between two electrodes, eliminating the need for a small sensor inside the anchor
2Reliability
If the sensor is made robust for outdoor use with large forces, then the sensor durability improves, but the sensor cannot be integrated into the bolt anchor
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is extracted from the bolt anchor and positioned on the mounting base, allowing it to be robust and large without integration constraints. The measurement function is maintained through capacitive sensing of the bolt anchor's displacement relative to the mounting base
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement approach shifts from direct mechanical integration (1D constraint within anchor) to capacitive field measurement (3D spatial measurement). The sensor measures displacement in the pull-out direction by detecting changes in capacitive distance, eliminating integration constraints
3Measurement precision
If a capacitive sensor with first electrode between component and mounting base is used, then the measurement accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitive sensor merges the first electrode with the mounting base and the second electrode with the bolt anchor (or uses the bolt anchor itself as the second electrode). This integration of structural components with sensor electrodes simplifies the overall device while maintaining high measurement precision through capacitive displacement sensing
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 solution enables reliable and robust measurement of component displacement relative to the mounting base, reducing the risk of sensor damage and allowing for outdoor use with large forces and typical construction tolerances, while maintaining a compact design that does not interfere with the fastening process.
Implementation Method 1
the movement of the component relative to the mounting base is measured capacitively with the sensor, that is to say with the aid of a capacitor. The basic idea is based on the fact that at least one of the measurable parameters of a charged capacitor, which comprises a first and a second electrode, changes when the distance between the first electrode of the capacitor and the second electrode of the capacitor changes
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a fastening arrangement (1) in the building industry, comprising a component (3) positioned on a fastening base (2), a fastener (4) using which the component (3) is fastened to the fastening base (2), and a sensor (5) for measuring a movement of the component (3) away from the fastening base (2). According to the invention, the sensor (5) has a first electrode (11) of a capacitor which is positioned between the component (3) and the fastening base (2).