Digital Sensitivity Sensor System Minimizing Layout Area

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sensor systems require a larger layout area and are prone to mechanical damage due to the use of variable resistors for sensitivity adjustment, leading to increased expenses.

Innovation Solution

A sensor system that utilizes a digital control signal to adjust the sensitivity of a triggering signal, eliminating the need for variable resistors and minimizing the printed circuit board layout area, by employing a first voltage contact, a normalized voltage contact, and a comparison circuit to determine and adjust the fluctuation bias voltage within a standby voltage region.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a variable resistor is used to adjust the sensitivity of the sensor system, then the sensitivity can be changed, but the layout area increases and the device becomes prone to mechanical damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensitivity adjustment capabilityVSAvoidlayout area

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical variable resistor with an electronic switching circuit composed of resistors and switching elements (transistors or MOSFETs). The sensitivity adjustment is achieved through electronic switching between different resistor configurations rather than mechanical rotation, eliminating the need for a variable resistor and reducing layout area while maintaining sensitivity adjustability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the sensitivity adjustment function into discrete segments using multiple fixed resistors and switching elements. Instead of a continuous variable resistor, the circuit uses segmented resistor values that can be selectively connected through switching elements, achieving sensitivity adjustment in discrete steps while reducing component count and layout area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If a variable resistor is used to adjust the sensitivity of the sensor system, then the sensitivity can be changed, but the device becomes prone to mechanical damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensitivity adjustment capabilityVSAvoidresistance to mechanical damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical variable resistor with an electronic switching circuit composed of resistors and switching elements (transistors or MOSFETs). The sensitivity adjustment is achieved through electronic switching between different resistor configurations rather than mechanical rotation, eliminating the need for a variable resistor and reducing layout area while maintaining sensitivity adjustability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses solid-state switching elements (transistors or MOSFETs) that have no moving parts and are highly resistant to mechanical damage. These electronic components are inherently more reliable than mechanical variable resistors as they cannot suffer from mechanical wear, contact degradation, or physical damage from repeated adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a variable resistor is used to adjust the sensitivity, then the sensitivity can be changed, but the expenses for purchasing variable resistors increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensitivity adjustment capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical variable resistor with an electronic switching circuit composed of resistors and switching elements (transistors or MOSFETs). The sensitivity adjustment is achieved through electronic switching between different resistor configurations rather than mechanical rotation, eliminating the need for a variable resistor and reducing layout area while maintaining sensitivity adjustability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses multiple fixed resistors with specific values that replicate the functionality of a variable resistor. By switching between different fixed resistor configurations, the circuit achieves the same sensitivity adjustment capability as a variable resistor would provide, but using cheaper, more readily available fixed resistors and standard switching elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS8400140B2Sensitivity sensor system

Publication Date: 2013.03.19 GEMTEK TECH CO LTD

AI summary

A sensor system for receiving an input signal and applying a digital control signal to adjust an output sensitivity of a triggering signal within the sensor system. The input signal includes a bias DC and a fluctuation bias voltage. The sensor system includes a first voltage contact, a normalized voltage contact, a normalized circuit and a comparison circuit. The first voltage contact provides a first comparison voltage based on the digital control signal, wherein the first comparison voltage defines a standby voltage region. The normalized voltage contact provides a reference voltage based on the digital control signal, wherein the reference voltage is located within the standby voltage region. When the fluctuation bias voltage is located outside of the standby voltage region, the sensor system outputs a triggering signal so as to adjust the digital control signal.