Capacitive Sensor Array Sequencing for Early Collision Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sensor systems for monitoring approaching objects or bodies in handling robots or machines have limitations in achieving greater safety and denser monitoring fields, particularly in recognizing potential collisions early and reliably.
Innovation Solution
The method involves monitoring and evaluating all electrical fields formed between a transmit electrode and multiple receive electrodes, simultaneously forming and comparing multiple electrical fields to increase range and detect potential malfunctions, while allowing sensor elements to act as either transmit or receive electrodes, and wiring them together for enhanced redundancy and area coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple electrical fields are simultaneously formed and monitored between sensor elements, then collision detection reliability and range are improved, but device complexity and control difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic role assignment where sensor elements can switch between transmit and receive electrode functions based on operational requirements. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adaptively form multiple electrical fields while maintaining manageable complexity through flexible, context-dependent operational modes rather than fixed complex architectures.
Solution Approach 2:
Sensor elements are designed with multi-functionality, capable of operating as either transmit electrodes or receive electrodes depending on the operational context. This universal design allows the same hardware components to serve multiple purposes in different electrical field configurations, reducing overall system complexity while enabling comprehensive collision detection coverage.
2Reliability
If all sensor elements are simultaneously activated as transmit or receive electrodes, then monitoring density and safety are improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic activation patterns where sensor elements are switched between transmit and receive modes in structured cycles. This periodic action allows comprehensive monitoring coverage to be achieved through time-multiplexed operation rather than continuous simultaneous activation of all elements, thereby maintaining safety monitoring density while reducing overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
Dynamic role assignment enables the system to activate only the necessary number of transmit and receive electrodes at any given moment based on operational context. This dynamic optimization ensures adequate monitoring density is maintained while avoiding unnecessary energy expenditure from activating all sensor elements simultaneously.
3Area of stationary object
If sensor elements are wired together in extensive networks for comprehensive coverage, then area coverage and redundancy are improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Adjacent sensor elements are wired together to form combined sensing units that function as integrated components. This merging approach extends the effective monitoring area and provides redundancy while reducing the number of individual wiring connections required compared to completely independent sensor elements, thereby improving area coverage while managing manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system is organized into modular segments or groups of adjacent elements that can be manufactured and tested as discrete units before final assembly. This segmentation allows for standardized manufacturing processes that reduce overall complexity while achieving comprehensive area coverage through systematic arrangement of the modular segments.
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 approach enhances collision detection reliability and range, accelerates monitoring processes, and reduces costs by enabling early recognition of collision risks and efficient control of sensor elements, thereby improving safety and operational efficiency in machine monitoring systems.
Implementation Method 1
at least one capacitive sensor element whose electrical field, produced by it, changes when coming closer to a body or an object
Implementation Method 2
a transmit electrode is understood as the application of an electrical alternating field to an electrode or electrode element
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a sensor system having at least three sensor elements that can be attached on the surface of machines or components, the sensor elements having electrodes for forming electrical fields between electrodes having different electrical potential, the electrical fields changing upon the approach and/or contact of a body or an object, the electrodes acting as transmit electrode and/or as receive electrode, and the sensor elements being controlled in succession by a control device in a particular temporal or positional sequence.