Capacitive Inductive Distance Sensor Field Propagation Time Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for measuring distance, especially in media impermeable to light, face challenges in accurately determining the propagation time of electric and/or magnetic fields, which are influenced by objects, due to external influences and material properties.

Innovation Solution

A method and device using capacitive or inductive detection with electrodes or coils to measure electric and/or magnetic field changes, employing clocked signals and phase/amplitude control to determine the propagation time of field changes, allowing for precise distance measurement independent of object material properties and external influences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If optical distance measurement is used, then distance can be measured in air, but it cannot measure distance in media impermeable to light radiation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement medium compatibilityVSAvoidmeasurement capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces optical measurement systems with capacitive or inductive sensor systems that use electric and magnetic fields instead of light. This substitution enables distance measurement in media that are impermeable to light, such as water or opaque materials, while maintaining measurement reliability through field-based detection principles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If field propagation time measurement is performed, then distance can be measured in opaque media, but external influences and temperature affect measurement accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement medium compatibilityVSAvoidpropagation time measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the measured field propagation time is continuously monitored and used to adjust the measurement process. Temperature compensation and external influence correction are implemented through feedback loops that compare reference measurements with actual measurements, thereby maintaining precision despite environmental variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent compensates for temperature and external influences by dynamically adjusting measurement parameters such as frequency, amplitude, and reference values. By changing these parameters adaptively, the system maintains accurate propagation time measurements even when environmental conditions vary, thus resolving the precision issue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If capacitive or inductive sensors are used, then distance measurement is possible in opaque media, but clock-synchronous signal components and noise interfere with detection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement medium compatibilityVSAvoidsignal detection clarity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and separates the useful field propagation signal from interfering clock-synchronous signal components and noise. Through signal processing techniques that isolate the propagation time information, the system removes unwanted components, thereby improving signal detection clarity and making accurate measurement possible in opaque media.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 high-sensitivity distance measurement of electric and/or magnetic fields with minimal temperature and noise influence, capable of measuring close-range distances without switching the measuring range, and effectively compensates for clock-synchronous signal components, resulting in a clear voltage peak indicating the propagation time.

Implementation Method 1

capacitive or inductive detection with electrodes or coils to measure electric and/or magnetic field changes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitive detection: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

measure the influence or the propagation time of electric and/or magnetic fields or field changes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectric field: Electric Field

Implementation Method 3

capacitive or inductive detection with electrodes or coils to measure electric and/or magnetic field changes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInductive detection: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 4

measure the influence or the propagation time of electric and/or magnetic fields or field changes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP1910773B1Method and device for distance measurement by means of capacitive or inductive sensors
Publication Date: 2013.03.27 REIME GERD
  • EP1910773B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1910773B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~3
  • EP1910773B1 patent drawingFigure 4~7

AI summary

The application relates to a method and a device for measuring the propagation time of capacitive or inductive fields.