Fiber Optic Sensor With Magnetic Fluid Suspension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensors, such as level, velocity, and acceleration sensors, face challenges in achieving high sensitivity and minimizing electromagnetic interference while maintaining a compact size, especially in portable and wearable devices, due to frictional forces and susceptibility to electromagnetic interference.
Innovation Solution
A fiber optic sensor is developed, featuring a magnetic mass block suspended in a bushing with magnetic fluid, where a sensing optical fiber interacts with a reflecting surface, allowing for frictionless movement and electromagnetic shielding, enabling precise motion sensing with reduced size and mass.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If magnetic fluid is used to suspend the magnetic mass block, then frictional forces are eliminated and sensitivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for magnetic fluid adsorption and suspension control
Solution Approach 1:
Magnetic fluid serves as an intermediary substance between the magnetic mass block and the bushing wall, enabling non-contact suspension and eliminating frictional forces. The magnetic fluid is adsorbed onto the outer surface of the magnetic mass block, creating a fluid barrier that allows frictionless movement while maintaining suspension stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical contact-based suspension with a magnetic field-based suspension system using magnetic fluid. This substitution eliminates mechanical friction and wear, enabling higher sensitivity in motion sensing while reducing mechanical complexity through field-based interaction.
2Device complexity
If Hall effect principles are used for sensing, then electromagnetic interference susceptibility occurs, but device structure remains relatively simple
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces Hall effect-based electromagnetic sensing with optical sensing using a sensing optical fiber. This substitution eliminates susceptibility to electromagnetic interference by using light instead of electrical signals, while the fiber optic structure maintains relative simplicity in device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the sensing parameter from electrical field detection (Hall effect) to optical field detection (light reflection). This parameter change fundamentally eliminates electromagnetic interference susceptibility while maintaining a compact and simple device structure through the use of optical fiber technology.
3Measurement precision
If optical fiber sensing is implemented with magnetic fluid suspension, then measurement precision and electromagnetic shielding are improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic fluid automatically adsorbs onto the outer surface of the magnetic mass block, creating a self-organizing suspension system. This self-service mechanism reduces the need for precise external control structures, as the magnetic fluid naturally forms the required configuration through its magnetic properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material principles by combining magnetic fluid with the magnetic mass block and integrating optical fiber with the magnetic assembly. This composite approach allows the different materials to complement each other's properties, reducing individual component precision requirements through synergistic effects.
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 fiber optic sensor achieves high sensitivity and immunity to electromagnetic interference, facilitating compact and efficient motion sensing, suitable for portable and wearable devices, with the ability to measure parameters like displacement, velocity, and acceleration.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic fluid is adsorbed onto an outer surface, opposite to an inner wall of the bushing, of the magnetic mass block, such that the magnetic mass block is capable of being suspended in the bushing
Implementation Method 2
Owing to a second-order suspension effect of the magnetic fluid, a permanent magnet can be suspended in the magnetic fluid
Implementation Method 3
The sensing optical fiber is capable of providing incident light for the reflecting surface and receiving measuring light from the reflecting surface
Implementation Method 4
a reflecting surface is configured on an outer surface, opposite to the sensing optical fiber, of the magnetic mass block
Data Source
AI summary
A fiber optic sensor, a manufacturing method thereof and a motion sensing device relating to the field of sensors are provided. The fiber optic sensor includes a bushing, a magnetic mass block and a sensing optical fiber. The magnetic mass block is located in the bushing, and a magnetic fluid is adsorbed onto an outer surface, opposite to an inner wall of the bushing, of the magnetic mass block, such that the magnetic mass block is capable of being suspended in the bushing and moving along an axis of the bushing. One end of the sensing optical fiber is in a first end opening of the bushing. A surface, opposite to the sensing optical fiber, of the magnetic mass block is a reflecting surface. The sensing optical fiber is configured to provide incident light for the reflecting surface and to receive measuring light from the reflecting surface.