Capacitive Sensor Resilient Film Electrode Small Movement Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Capacitive sensors face challenges in reliably detecting small relative movements between adjacent bodies without requiring excessive signal amplification, which can lead to noise issues due to the limitations of electronics.
Innovation Solution
A capacitive sensor design featuring a resilient film element as the second electrode carrier body, supported on two opposing sections of the first electrode carrier body, with a pressure body that presses against the second electrode carrier body, enhancing the mechanical translation of movement into a greater change in electrode distance, allowing for reliable detection of small strokes with low electrical amplification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If signal amplification is increased to detect small movements, then measurement precision is improved, but noise behavior deteriorates due to electronic limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical signal amplification with a mechanical lever system. The lever mechanism with its specific arm length ratio (first arm longer than second arm) mechanically amplifies the displacement of the second electrode relative to the first electrode, converting small movements into larger electrode spacing changes without requiring electronic amplification, thus avoiding noise issues.
2Measurement precision
If the electrode spacing change is increased to improve detection, then measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible membrane as the second electrode carrier body. This thin film structure allows the second electrode to move relative to the first electrode in response to external forces, creating the necessary spacing change for detection. The membrane's flexibility enables large electrode spacing changes with minimal structural complexity, avoiding the need for complex mechanical transmission components.
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 the detection of small movements with improved reliability and reduced noise, effectively addressing the limitations of existing capacitive sensors in detecting small deformations.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient second electrode carrier body (82), in particular made of a spring steel foil element (84), on which the second electrode (86) is only fixed in a central area (90)
Implementation Method 2
capacitive sensor for detecting a relative movement of two adjacent bodies (e.g. when they are approaching or moving away)
Data Source
AI summary
The capacitive sensor for detecting a relative movement of two adjacent bodies comprises a first electrode (76), which has a first electrically conducting electrode surface (78) and which is arranged on a first electrode supporting body (74), and a second electrode (86), which is opposite the first electrode (76), has a second electrically conducting electrode surface (88) and is arranged on a second electrode supporting body (82). The second electrode supporting body (82) is designed as a resilient film element (84) that is supported on the first electrode supporting body (74) on two spaced-apart opposing support sections (96) on both sides of the two electrodes (76, 86). The capacitive sensor further comprises a pressure body (92) on the side of the electrode supporting body (82) facing away from the second electrode (86). Said pressure body (92) comprises at least two pressure projections (94) that rest, in the region between the support sections (96) of the second electrode supporting body (82), against the side of the second electrode supporting body facing away from the second electrode (86) and that press against the second electrode supporting body (82) while bending it when there is a relative movement between the first electrode supporting body (74)and the second pressure body (92). The at least two pressure projections (94) are spaced apart from each other in the same spatial direction in which the support sections (96) of the second electrode supporting body (82) are spaced apart. The second electrode (86) is secured to the second electrode supporting body (82) only in a securing section that is substantially in the center between the pressure regions of the second electrode supporting body (82) in which the pressure projections (94) rest against the second electrode supporting body (82).