Capacitive Sensor Array for Non-Contact Matter Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric field generation systems for identifying properties of matter, particularly biological materials like human skin, face challenges due to electrode charging and physical contact issues that can lead to erroneous results.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus features a dielectric substrate with circumferentially and evenly displaced scanning electrodes, which generate electric fields penetrating matter without direct physical contact. This setup includes a circular hole for non-contact examination and secondary electrodes for enhanced field distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If many electrodes are present in the sensor array, then the coverage and sensing capability are improved, but the electrodes become charged and disrupt the electric fields required for scanning operation
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode array is segmented into active scanning electrodes and inactive secondary electrodes. Only the required scanning electrodes are energized during operation, while secondary electrodes remain inactive. This segmentation allows comprehensive coverage without all electrodes being active simultaneously, preventing charge accumulation and field disruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful function of electrodes (becoming charged and disrupting fields) is extracted from the system by removing unnecessary electrodes from the active scanning set. Secondary electrodes are taken out of the active configuration and kept inactive, eliminating their potential to disrupt the electric field while maintaining their structural presence for coverage.
2Measurement precision
If physical contact is made with biological material for scanning, then the sensing capability is improved, but the act of contact changes the attributes of the condition being monitored
Solution Approach 1:
A dielectric layer is introduced as an intermediary between the electrodes and the biological material (skin). This dielectric barrier allows the electric field to penetrate and interact with the skin for sensing, while preventing direct physical contact that would alter the skin's natural attributes. The intermediary enables measurement without contamination.
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 configuration minimizes electrode charging and avoids altering the skin condition during scanning, providing accurate and reliable electric field penetration for identifying properties of matter, such as skin conditions, without introducing errors.
Implementation Method 1
An input signal is applied to a first electrode or the first set of electrodes, thereby generating an electric field that extends outside the sensor array and into the volume
Implementation Method 2
The output signals are caused by capacitive coupling between the first electrodes and each one of the electrodes in the second set of electrodes, and are indicative of the electrical permittivity of the volume above the intersection
Data Source
AI summary
Penetrating matter (non-organic, organic or biological) with electric fields is shown, to identify one or more properties of the matter. A first electrode (111) is energized and an output signal from a capacitively coupled second electrode (115) is monitored. The output signal is processed to identify properties of the matter (which for biological matter could indicate the presence of cancer). The first electrode and the second electrode are selected from a plurality of electrodes mounted on a first planer surface of a dielectric substrate (401). The electrodes are circumferentially and substantially evenly displaced upon the planer surface around a hole in the substrate.