Guarded Electric Lines for Accurate Capacitive Robot Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In industrial and collaborative robotics, electric cables connected to capacitive sensors can interfere with detection accuracy and trigger unnecessary safety procedures due to their proximity to capacitive detection zones.
Innovation Solution
Applying a guard potential identical to the detection potential to a portion of the electric line within the capacitive detection zone using a signal conditioner, making the electric line 'invisible' to the capacitive sensors and preventing interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electric cables are positioned in proximity to capacitive sensors for power supply and control, then the robot can receive power and control signals, but the cables interfere with capacitive detection accuracy and may trigger false safety procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies equipotentiality by setting the electric cable to the same detection potential as the measurement electrode through a signal conditioner. This eliminates potential differences between the cable and sensor, making the cable electrically invisible to the capacitive detection system. The cable can then be positioned in the detection zone without interfering with measurement accuracy or triggering false safety procedures.
2Measurement precision
If electric cables are kept away from capacitive sensors to avoid interference, then detection accuracy is maintained, but cable routing becomes more complex and may require longer cable runs
Solution Approach 1:
The signal conditioner acts as an intermediary device that mediates between the electric cable and the capacitive sensor. It applies the detection potential to the cable, enabling the cable to coexist in the detection zone without interfering with sensor operation. This intermediary solution allows both high detection accuracy and simplified cable routing.
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 effective capacitive detection without false triggers, allowing electric lines to convey power and signals without disrupting the detection process, thus enhancing safety and operational accuracy in robotic systems.
Implementation Method 1
detection electronics that measures the capacitive coupling between these electrodes and objects polarized at a potential different from the electrodes
Implementation Method 2
applying, to at least a portion of said electric line, an alternating electrical potential, called guard potential, identical to said detection potential at said detection frequency
Data Source
AI summary
An appliance includes:at least one measurement electrode, for detecting at least one object in a detection zone, by detecting a signal with respect to a coupling capacitance between the object and said the at least one measurement electrode;at least one capacitive detection electronics, connected to the at least one measurement electrode, andan electric line, having at least one electric wire, in the detection zone;the appliance also including a signal conditioner, applying to at least a portion of the electric line, an alternating electrical potential (VG), called guard potential, identical to the detection potential at the detection frequency. The appliance can be a robot, in particular a robotized arm, equipped with an electric line providing a power supply to a component part of the robot.