Capacitive Position Transducer with Merged Excitation Lines
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing position transducers require significant space and have complex designs, making them inefficient for determining the position of two components in relation to each other.
Innovation Solution
A position transducer with a measuring unit connected to first and second electrode assemblies via line assemblies, where a third electrode assembly capacitively couples the first and second assemblies and is movable, allowing for direct excitation and interrogation signals to determine the position of the third electrode assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional position transducer design is used with dedicated excitation lines, then the transducer can determine position accurately, but the device complexity and space required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the excitation line function into the existing readout line by using the readout line to both read the capacitance value and provide excitation signals to the electrode assembly. This eliminates the need for a separate dedicated excitation line, reducing device complexity while maintaining position determination accuracy through the capacitive coupling mechanism between the movable electrode assembly and the fixed electrode assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The readout line is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the readout path for capacitance measurement and the excitation path for providing drive signals to the electrode assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of required connections and simplifies the transducer design while preserving measurement precision through the established capacitive sensing principle.
2Reliability
If conventional position transducer design with dedicated excitation lines is used, then reliable position determination is achieved, but the amount of space required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the excitation and readout functions into a single line connection, eliminating the need for separate dedicated excitation lines. This merging reduces the spatial requirements of the transducer while maintaining reliable position determination through the capacitive coupling between the movable third electrode assembly and the fixed first electrode assembly, where the readout line both measures capacitance and provides excitation signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the dedicated excitation line from the conventional design, retaining only the essential readout line that serves dual purposes. This extraction reduces the space required for the transducer while maintaining reliability through the capacitive sensing mechanism that uses the readout line for both measurement and excitation functions.
3Ease of manufacture
If simplified transducer design is implemented, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but position determination precision may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the excitation and readout functions into a single line, simplifying manufacturing by reducing the number of required connections and components. The position determination precision is maintained through the capacitive coupling mechanism where the movable third electrode assembly forms a capacitor with the fixed first electrode assembly, and the readout line measures the capacitance changes that correspond to position variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The readout line serves itself by simultaneously performing both readout and excitation functions. This self-service approach simplifies manufacturing while maintaining precision because the same line that measures capacitance also provides the necessary excitation signals to the electrode assembly, eliminating the need for separate dedicated excitation infrastructure.
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 solution reduces the space required and simplifies the design of the position transducer, enabling precise and reliable determination of the position of two components while minimizing complexity and space usage.
Implementation Method 1
a third electrode assembly (50), which capacitively couples the first and the second electrode assemblies (30, 40) to each other
Implementation Method 2
The electrode assemblies are advantageously designed such that the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly, each in combination with the third electrode assembly, form one or multiple capacitance(s) in each case. The capacitances that are formed change due to a movement of the third electrode assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A position transducer, a linear actuator and a method for determining a position of two components in relation to each other. The position transducer having measuring unit and a first, second, and third electrode assembly. The third electrode assembly capacitively couples the first and the second electrode assemblies to each other and is movable in relation thereto. The measuring unit is electrically conductively connected to the first electrode assembly by a first line assembly and to the second electrode assembly by a second line assembly. The measuring unit is configured to emit at least one excitation signal via the first line assembly and receive at least one readout signal via the second line assembly. The measuring unit is also designed to determine, based on readout signal, a position of the third electrode assembly in relation to the first and the second electrode assemblies.