Capacitive Sensor Elements for Redundant Collision Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor systems struggle to provide increased safety and denser monitoring with reliable early detection of potential collisions between sensor elements and bodies or objects, particularly in complex environments with structural interruptions.
Innovation Solution
The method involves simultaneously forming electric fields between a transmitting electrode and multiple receiving electrodes, allowing for the evaluation of all electric fields, and using a common central unit to control multiple sensor elements, enabling redundant detection and analysis of electric fields to enhance safety and monitoring range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple electric fields are formed simultaneously between sensor elements, then collision detection reliability and monitoring density are improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each sensor element is designed to function both as a transmitting electrode and as a receiving electrode. This multi-functionality allows the system to form multiple electric fields simultaneously using the same physical components, thereby improving collision detection reliability without proportionally increasing system complexity or cost.
2Adaptability or versatility
If sensor elements are used for multiple functions (transmitting and receiving), then system coverage and detection capability are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor elements are designed as universal components that can operate in both transmitting and receiving modes. This design approach improves system versatility and coverage while actually simplifying manufacturing compared to having separate dedicated transmitting and receiving elements, as it reduces the total number of components and interconnections required.
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, reduces costs by using a single electrode for multiple functions, and allows for efficient control of complex environments with structural interruptions.
Implementation Method 1
capacitive sensor element, the electric field generated by it changing when a body or object approaches
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~7
Figure 8~9
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating a sensor system (100) comprising at least three sensor elements (1a to 1n) that can be attached to the surface of machines or components, wherein the sensor elements (1a to 1n) have electrodes (11) for creating electrical fields (21 to 39) between electrodes (11) of a different electrical potential, wherein the electrical fields (21 to 39) change when approaching and/or coming into contact with a body (H) or an object, wherein the electrodes (11) act as transmitter electrodes (S) and/or as receiver electrodes (E1 to E6), and wherein the sensor elements (1a to 1n) are controlled successively by a control device (102) in a determined time or positional order.