Multi-zone capacitive force sensing for levelness measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current force-measuring devices require multiple units to determine levelness, which increases costs, complexity, and error-prone measurements due to the need for additional accessories and complex algorithms to coordinate and process multiple measurements.
Innovation Solution
A multi-zone capacitive force sensing apparatus with capacitors having parallel conductive surfaces, a housing, and a sensor that generates measurements based on deflection, including a reference capacitor for environmental compensation, comparison, and communication modules to assess and alert on uneven forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple force-measuring devices are used to determine levelness, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The top plate is divided into multiple contact zones, each corresponding to a capacitor. This segmentation allows a single device to measure forces at multiple locations independently, enabling levelness determination without requiring multiple separate force-measuring devices.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple capacitive sensing elements are integrated into a single housing with a common top plate. The sensor combines measurements from multiple capacitors and processes them internally to determine levelness, merging the functions of multiple devices into one unified system.
2Measurement precision
If multiple force-measuring devices are used to determine levelness, then measurement accuracy is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple capacitive sensing elements are integrated into a single housing with a common top plate. The sensor combines measurements from multiple capacitors and processes them internally to determine levelness, merging the functions of multiple devices into one unified system.
Solution Approach 2:
The single force-measuring device performs multiple functions: it measures total force through aggregation of capacitor readings and determines levelness by comparing readings across contact zones. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate devices for different measurement purposes.
3Measurement precision
If multiple force-measuring devices are used to determine levelness, then measurement accuracy is improved, but measurement reliability decreases due to accumulated errors
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple capacitive sensing elements are integrated into a single housing with a common top plate. The sensor combines measurements from multiple capacitors and processes them internally to determine levelness, merging the functions of multiple devices into one unified system.
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 apparatus provides high-accuracy, low-cost, and low-error force measurement with a single device, reducing the need for multiple units and complex setups while enhancing longevity and usability.
Implementation Method 1
one or more capacitors each having an upper conductive surface and a lower conductive surface substantially parallel to the upper conductive surface, a sensor in the housing to generate a measurement based on a change in a distance between the upper conductive surface and the lower conductive surface of each of the capacitors when a contact zone of the top plate associated with each of the capacitors is deflected by a force applied on the contact zone
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-zone capacitive force sensing apparatus/method is disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes one or more capacitors each having an upper conductive surface and a lower conductive surface substantially parallel to the upper conductive surface, a housing with a top plate and a bottom plate to encompass the capacitors, and a sensor in the housing to generate a measurement based on a change in a distance between the upper conductive surface and the lower conductive surface of each of the capacitors when a contact zone of the top plate associated with the each of the plurality of capacitors is deflected by a force applied on the contact zone. The apparatus may also include a comparison module associated with the sensor to generate a signal indicating unevenness of a force applied on the top plate when there is any significant difference between measurements of the capacitors.