Flexible Substrate mm-Wave Angular Displacement Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Low-cost sensors based on Piezo-resistor technology have limitations such as slow settling components, device memory effects, and temperature sensitivity, making them unsuitable for high-performance applications, while more accurate sensors like Hall effect or optical sensors are complex and expensive.
Innovation Solution
A sensing device using a flexible substrate with a mm-wave circuit and a detector circuit that generates and monitors mm-wave signals to detect angular displacement through changes in phase or amplitude, allowing for accurate and reliable measurements without the performance constraints of other sensing techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If Piezo-resistor technology is used for sensing, then cost is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability deteriorate due to slow settling components, device memory effects, and temperature sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical Piezo-resistor sensing with an electromagnetic field-based sensing system using mm-wave signals. The flexible substrate with conductive traces forms an electromagnetic circuit that detects displacement through changes in electrical characteristics (phase, amplitude, frequency) rather than mechanical resistance changes, eliminating the inherent limitations of Piezo-resistor technology while maintaining flexibility and low cost
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in electromagnetic signal parameters (phase, amplitude, frequency) in response to mechanical displacement of the flexible substrate. By monitoring these parameter variations, the system achieves high measurement precision without the temperature sensitivity and memory effects that plague Piezo-resistor sensors
2Measurement precision
If Hall effect or optical sensors are used for sensing, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the flexible substrate structure with the sensing circuitry into a single integrated device. The substrate itself becomes part of the electromagnetic circuit, eliminating the need for separate sensors, complex mounting arrangements, and additional components required by Hall effect or optical sensors, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible substrate serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the mechanical element that experiences displacement, as part of the electromagnetic circuit for sensing, and as the structural support for the entire device. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated sensor components, reducing complexity and cost
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 high-performance sensing with rapid and accurate detection of angular displacement, utilizing low-cost and common signal processing components, and is suitable for various applications without the complexity and cost of other sensors.
Implementation Method 1
a mm-wave circuit and a detector circuit that generates and monitors mm-wave signals
Implementation Method 2
detect angular displacement based on an electrical change in the circuit
Implementation Method 3
detect angular displacement based on an electrical change in the circuit
Data Source
AI summary
Angular displacement of a flexible substrate is determined based on an electrical change of a mm-wave circuit associated with the flexible substrate. This electrical change may relate to, for example, one or more of a phase shift, an amplitude shift, a frequency shift, or a pulse shift. In some implementations the flexible substrate may include conductors on multiple layers whereby an angular displacement of the flexible substrate causes a relative displacement between conductors of different layers, thereby inducing the electrical change of the mm-wave circuit.