Flexible Magnetic Sensor Array for Surface Shape Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surface position and shape sensing technologies, such as optical and piezoresistive sensors, face issues of system complexity, high cost, and poor performance, necessitating the development of more effective techniques for magnetic sensor-based surface analysis.
Innovation Solution
A device utilizing a flexible substrate with magnetic sensors and magnets, where controller circuits collect reference and polarity-specific magnetic sensor signals to analyze surface shape changes, allowing for precise surface profiling through magnetic field interactions and flexible substrate deformation analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical sensors and stress sensors (piezoresistive, piezoelectric) are used for surface position and shape sensing, then measurement capability is provided, but system complexity increases, cost increases, and performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex optical sensors and piezoelectric stress sensors with a magnetic sensing system. The flexible substrate with embedded magnets interacts with magnetic sensors to detect surface deformation, substituting mechanical and optical measurement systems with a magnetic field-based system that reduces overall system complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from direct mechanical stress or optical reflection to magnetic field interaction. By embedding magnets in the flexible substrate and using magnetic sensors to detect changes in magnetic field strength during substrate deformation, the system achieves simplified measurement with improved performance characteristics.
2Measurement precision
If optical sensors and stress sensors are used for surface position and shape sensing, then measurement capability is provided, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive optical sensors and piezoelectric stress sensors with a cost-effective magnetic sensing system. The flexible substrate with embedded magnets and magnetic sensors provides the same measurement capability at lower cost, as magnetic components are generally less expensive than optical or piezoelectric alternatives.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs inexpensive magnetic sensors and simple magnet-embedded flexible substrates that provide adequate measurement life for the application. This approach uses cost-effective components rather than expensive, long-lived optical or piezoelectric sensors, achieving the right balance between cost and performance.
3Measurement precision
If optical sensors and stress sensors are used for surface position and shape sensing, then measurement capability is provided, but performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical and piezoelectric sensing systems with magnetic sensing that offers improved performance. The magnetic field interaction between embedded magnets and magnetic sensors provides more reliable and consistent measurements with better signal-to-noise ratio and enhanced sensitivity to surface deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the sensing parameter from mechanical stress or optical properties to magnetic field strength, which provides superior measurement performance. The magnetic field interaction enables more sensitive detection of substrate deformation with improved reliability and consistency across varying environmental conditions.
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 provides a cost-effective and high-sensitivity method for surface shape analysis, enabling precise surface profiling and reducing system complexity by using magnetic sensors with enhanced sensitivity and flexibility, applicable in various applications including deformation measurement and image correction systems.
Implementation Method 1
magnetic sensors and magnets or current conductors operative as a magnetic field source
Data Source
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AI summary
A device has magnetic sensors and magnets in an array on a flexible substrate. Each magnetic sensor is sensitive to immediately proximate magnets. At least one controller evaluates magnetic sensor signals from the magnetic sensors produced in response to deformation of the flexible substrate. A device for surface shape analysis includes a flexible substrate supporting magnetic sensors and magnets or current conductors operative as a magnetic field source. One or more controller circuits receive magnetic sensor signals from the magnetic sensors.