Force Sensor Collapsible Structure for Recalibration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Force sensing devices experience irreversible changes due to wear and environmental conditions over time, leading to inadequate initial calibration and inaccurate force readings throughout their usable lifetime.

Innovation Solution

A force sensing device with a collapsible structure that provides an electrical short circuit when an applied force exceeds a predetermined magnitude, allowing for recalibration and maintaining accurate readings by utilizing a first and second electrode to determine force magnitude and incorporating a collapsible structure for short-circuiting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If initial calibration is performed during manufacture, then manufacturing precision is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates over time due to wear and environmental changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinitial calibration accuracyVSAvoidforce reading accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The collapsible structure is pre-configured within the force sensing device to automatically trigger at a predetermined force magnitude. This preliminary arrangement enables automatic recalibration without requiring external intervention, addressing the deterioration of measurement precision over time by preemptively correcting for wear and environmental changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The force sensing device performs its own recalibration through the collapsible structure that automatically shorts the electrodes when the predetermined force is reached. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external calibration equipment or manual intervention, allowing the device to maintain measurement precision throughout its operational life by autonomously correcting for degradation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If a collapsible structure is added for automatic recalibration, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce reading accuracyVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The collapsible structure is integrated within the existing force sensing device architecture, merging the recalibration function with the primary force sensing structure. This integration approach maintains measurement precision while minimizing the increase in device complexity by combining multiple functions into a unified design rather than adding separate calibration systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If the collapsible structure shorts the electrodes at high force, then measurement precision is maintained, but loss of information occurs during the short circuit event

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce reading accuracyVSAvoidforce measurement data

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The short circuit event, which would normally represent a loss of measurement information, is converted into a beneficial recalibration opportunity. By deliberately designing the collapsible structure to short the electrodes at a predetermined force magnitude, the system transforms the potentially harmful short circuit into a useful automatic calibration mechanism that restores measurement precision and corrects for accumulated errors from wear and environmental changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

Enables accurate and repeatable calibration of force sensing devices, ensuring reliable performance throughout their life cycle by using the electrical short circuit to correct for prior errors and maintain precise force measurements.

Implementation Method 1

a first electrode and a second electrode arranged to provide an electrical output in response to an applied force to determine the magnitude of said applied force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric Effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

a collapsible structure configured to provide an electrical short circuit in response to said applied force when said applied force exceeds a predetermined magnitude

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical deformation inducing electrical contact:

Data Source

PatentUS20250012648A1Force Sensing Device

Publication Date: 2025.01.09 PERATECH IP LTD

AI summary

A force sensing device comprises a first electrode and a second electrode arranged to provide an electrical output in response to an applied force to determine the magnitude of the applied force. The force sensing device comprises a collapsible structure configured to provide an electrical short circuit in response to the applied force when the applied force exceeds a predetermined magnitude.