Flexible Proximity Sensor Bipolar Unipolar Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing proximity sensors on intelligent robots have low detection precision due to their simple sensing principles, resulting in inaccurate distance measurements between objects and the robot.
Innovation Solution
A flexible sensing system with a first electrode layer featuring both bipolar and unipolar electrodes, where the bipolar electrode forms an arc-shaped electric field for near-distance detection and the unipolar electrode forms a vertical electric field for far-distance detection, allowing for improved accuracy by using different sensing solutions for different distance ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple proximity sensor with a single sensing principle is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is divided into multiple electrode layers (first electrode layer with bipolar electrode, second electrode layer with unipolar electrode) that operate at different distance ranges. Each electrode layer is responsible for detecting objects at specific distances, with the bipolar electrode handling near-field detection and the unipolar electrode handling far-field detection, thereby improving overall measurement precision without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the sensor have different sensing characteristics optimized for specific distance ranges. The bipolar electrode configuration creates an arc-shaped electric field suitable for near-distance detection, while the unipolar electrode configuration creates a vertical electric field suitable for far-distance detection, allowing each part to have the quality needed for its specific function
2Device complexity
If a single electrode configuration is used for all distance ranges, then the device complexity is reduced, but the sensing accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor dynamically switches between different electrode configurations based on the detected distance range. The system activates the bipolar electrode for near-field detection and the unipolar electrode for far-field detection, allowing the sensing mechanism to adapt its characteristics to the specific measurement requirements, thereby maintaining high accuracy across all distance ranges
3Adaptability or versatility
If a proximity sensor with large detection range is used, then the adaptability is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The large detection range is segmented into multiple sub-ranges, each handled by a specialized electrode configuration. The bipolar electrode covers the near-field range with high precision, while the unipolar electrode covers the far-field range, allowing the system to maintain both wide adaptability and high measurement precision across the entire detection spectrum
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
This approach enhances the sensing accuracy of proximity sensors by using appropriate electric field configurations based on object distance, thereby improving the robot's ability to accurately detect and respond to its environment.
Implementation Method 1
the bipolar electrode is configured to, when a target object approaches the flexible sensing system, form an arc-shaped electric field for determining whether a distance between the target object and the flexible sensing system is within a first distance range
Implementation Method 2
the unipolar electrode in configured to, when the target object approaches the flexible sensing system, form a vertical electric field for determining whether the distance between the target object and the flexible sensing system is within a second distance range
Data Source
AI summary
This application discloses a flexible sensing system and an associated proximity sensing method. The flexible sensing system includes: a first thin film encapsulation layer and a first electrode layer attached to the first thin film encapsulation layer; the first electrode layer includes a bipolar electrode configured for forming an arc-shaped electric field for determining whether a distance between a target object and the sensing system is within the first distance range; the first electrode layer further includes a unipolar electrode configured for forming a vertical electric field for determining whether a distance between the target object and the sensing system is within the second distance range; and the first distance range is less than the second distance range. By using different sensing solutions for the object at different distance positions, the sensing system avoids the issue that a single sensing solution has a relatively low sensing accuracy.