Force Sensor Temperature Compensation via Elastic Member Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Force sensors that detect force applied to a panel face accuracy issues due to temperature variations, as existing configurations do not account for temperature-dependent changes in elastic member compression, leading to reduced detection accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A force sensor design incorporating a first and second electrode, a conductor, and elastic members with different temperature characteristics, where the elastic members are arranged between the electrodes and the conductor, allowing for temperature-dependent compression differences to be accounted for, enabling accurate force detection without external temperature sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional force sensor configuration is used, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to temperature variations
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member is divided into multiple segments (first elastic member, second elastic member, third elastic member) with different temperature characteristics. Each segment compresses differently in response to temperature changes, allowing the system to distinguish between force-induced compression and temperature-induced compression by comparing the compression ratios of different segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters of the elastic members so that each has a different temperature coefficient of elasticity. This allows the compression ratio of each elastic member to vary with temperature in a distinct manner, enabling temperature compensation through comparative analysis of their respective compression ratios when the same force is applied.
2Measurement precision
If temperature compensation is implemented using external temperature sensors, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic members serve dual functions: they act as both the sensing element for force detection and as the temperature compensation mechanism. By measuring the compression ratios of multiple elastic members with different temperature characteristics, the system can simultaneously determine both the applied force and the temperature effect without requiring separate temperature sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own components (the elastic members) to perform temperature compensation. The elastic members themselves provide the temperature-dependent behavior needed for compensation, eliminating the need for external temperature sensors and making the system self-sufficient for temperature compensation.
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 accurately detects force by determining the temperature of the elastic members based on capacitance ratios, enhancing detection accuracy and eliminating the need for separate temperature sensors.
Implementation Method 1
a first elastic member and a second elastic member arranged between the first electrode and the first conductor; and the first elastic member arranged between the second electrode and the second conductor. The first elastic member and the second elastic member have degrees of compression with respect to force thereon that are different depending on temperature.
Implementation Method 2
a first electrode; a second electrode; a first conductor facing the first electrode in a first direction; a second conductor facing the second electrode in the first direction
Data Source
AI summary
According to an aspect, a force sensor includes: a first electrode; a second electrode; a first conductor facing the first electrode in a first direction; a second conductor facing the second electrode in the first direction; a first elastic member and a second elastic member arranged between the first electrode and the first conductor; and the first elastic member arranged between the second electrode and the second conductor. The first elastic member and the second elastic member have degrees of compression with respect to force thereon that are different depending on temperature.