Flexible Inductor Wind Speed Sensor for IoT Miniaturization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind speed sensors are too large and costly, making them unsuitable for the miniaturization and low power consumption requirements of Internet of Things technology.
Innovation Solution
A wind speed sensor utilizing a flexible inductor and a silicon-based inductor, where the flexible inductor bends due to the Bernoulli effect, changing the mutual inductance and central frequency, allowing for wind speed measurement through the principle of coil mutual inductance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional mechanical wind cups and wind vanes are used for wind speed measurement, then measurement function is achieved, but device size is large and cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical wind cups and wind vanes with a MEMS-based sensor that utilizes the Bernoulli effect and mutual inductance principle. The sensor uses a flexible inductor and a fixed inductor to detect wind speed through changes in mutual inductance caused by pressure differential, eliminating bulky mechanical components while maintaining measurement functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from mechanical displacement to electrical parameter (mutual inductance). By measuring the change in mutual inductance between the flexible and fixed inductors caused by wind-induced pressure differential, the system achieves miniaturization while maintaining measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If traditional wind speed sensors are used, then wind speed detection is achieved, but power consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces power-intensive mechanical sensors with a MEMS-based electrical sensing system that measures wind speed through mutual inductance changes. This electrical measurement approach consumes significantly less power compared to traditional mechanical sensors while maintaining detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible inductor automatically responds to wind-induced pressure changes through physical deformation, which directly alters the mutual inductance with the fixed inductor. This passive response mechanism eliminates the need for additional power-consuming actuators or active mechanical components.
3Volume of moving object
If miniaturized wind speed sensors are implemented, then device size is reduced, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sensing element and the structural element into a single flexible inductor component. The flexible inductor serves both as the structural element that deforms under wind pressure and as the sensing element that generates the electrical signal through mutual inductance change, thereby reducing overall device complexity despite miniaturization.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible inductor performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a structural support, a pressure-sensitive element, and an electrical inductor for signal generation. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the overall device structure while achieving miniaturization.
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 sensor achieves a lightweight structure with fast response and low thermal losses, enabling small size and low cost, meeting the requirements of Internet of Things technology.
Implementation Method 1
When wind is blowing, due to the Bernoulli effect, the pressure inside the air cavity formed between the two layers of the flexible inductor and silicon-based inductor structure is less than the external pressure
Implementation Method 2
The phenomenon of mutual inductance is widely used in circuits, in which energy or signals can be transferred from one coil to another
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a wind speed sensor based on a flexible inductor and a silicon-based inductor, which relates to a MEMS device and belongs to the field of measurement and testing technologies. The wind speed sensor is a double-layer inductor structure composed of a flexible inductor and a silicon-based inductor. A metal layer of the flexible inductor and a metal layer of the silicon-based inductor face to each other and form, between them, an air cavity sufficient for mutual induction of electromotance. A contact block constituting a measuring port is deposited in the metal layer of the silicon-based inductor. The present invention has a light structure, and implements wind speed detection based on the Bernoulli effect and the coil mutual inductance effect.