Contact Detection Device Using Modulated Heat Flow
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing contact detection devices fail to reliably detect physical contact between an object and the sensor when the object has the same temperature as the sensor, and can be corrupted by ambient temperature changes, leading to false indications.
Innovation Solution
A contact detection device that uses a heater to provide a modulated heat flow, generating a modulated heat signal which changes when contact is made, ensuring a contact indication signal is produced regardless of ambient temperature fluctuations, using a demodulator to isolate the modulated heat flow effects from ambient temperature influences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a contact sensor measures temperature difference to detect physical contact, then contact detection is simple, but the sensor fails to detect contact when the object has the same temperature as the sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using a heater to provide a modulated heat flow to the contact surface at a specific frequency. This periodic heating creates a modulated temperature pattern that allows the sensor to detect contact through changes in heat transfer characteristics, even when the average temperature matches the object temperature. The periodic modulation enables reliable contact detection by creating detectable variations in the thermal signal.
2Device complexity
If a contact sensor uses ambient temperature measurement, then the device structure is simple, but ambient temperature changes cause false contact indications
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor uses periodic modulation of the heat flow at a known frequency to create a distinctive thermal signature. By measuring the modulated heat signal at this specific frequency, the system can distinguish between actual contact events and ambient temperature variations. The periodic action creates a reference signal that filters out random environmental temperature changes, preventing false indications while maintaining relatively simple device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the modulated heat signal and using this information to determine contact status. The system measures the heat transfer characteristics during periodic heating cycles and uses this feedback to reliably indicate contact presence or absence, effectively compensating for ambient temperature changes through active signal processing rather than passive temperature measurement.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a contact sensor waits for temperature difference to detect contact, then energy consumption is low, but detection response time is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor employs periodic heating cycles that actively create temperature variations on the contact surface. This active modulation accelerates the thermal response, allowing the sensor to detect contact much faster than passive waiting for natural temperature differences to develop. The periodic energy input maintains a dynamic thermal state that enables rapid detection while keeping overall energy consumption manageable through controlled duty cycles.
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
The solution ensures reliable detection of physical contact by guaranteeing a change in the modulated heat signal when contact is made, reducing false positives and improving overall reliability by isolating the contact indication from ambient temperature variations.
Implementation Method 1
a heater for providing a modulated heat flow
Implementation Method 2
The Seebeck voltage is indicative for a temperature. The disclosed micro sensor shall predominantly be employed for measuring high temperatures
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention is related to a contact detection device (100) for detecting a contact between the contact detection device (100) and an object (800), a method (400), a diagnostic device and further to a computer program. The invention seeks to improve the reliability of contact sensors. The contact detection device (100) comprises a heater (110) for providing a modulated heat flow (112). A modulated heat signal (122) is generated in dependence of the modulated heat flow (112). A physical contact with an object (800) causes a change in the modulated heat flow (112) that effects the modulated heat signal (122). As the heat flow is modulated, a change in the modulated heat signal (122) is quasi assured. A contact determination unit (130) of the contact detection device (100) derives a contact indication signal (132) indicating at least either the presence or the absence of the physical contact in from the modulated heat signal (122), preferentially by means of a demodulator (134).