Normal interface surface mating sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing contact sensing technologies struggle to accurately detect contact events between components in extreme environments without mechanical linkage, especially in confined or inaccessible spaces, where traditional pressure-based or distance measurement methods fail.
Innovation Solution
A normal interface surface mating sensor (NISMS) that uses electrically conductive sensing elements positioned on a contact face to generate an electrical signal upon direct physical contact, utilizing an ammeter or voltmeter to measure conductivity changes, allowing for contact detection without mechanical linkage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional pressure-based or distance measurement sensors are used to detect contact events, then contact detection capability is provided, but the sensors cannot operate in extreme environments (thermal, fit, pressure) and require mechanical linkage or inaccessible spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical contact sensors with an electrical field-based sensing system. Conductive sensing elements embedded in contact faces detect contact events through electrical conductivity changes rather than mechanical linkage, eliminating the need for mechanical sensors in extreme environments. The electrical field penetrates through thermal, pressure, and fit variations to detect contact events reliably.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from mechanical pressure or distance to electrical conductivity. By monitoring conductivity changes at contact interfaces, the system can detect contact events across extreme environmental variations. The conductivity measurement provides a parameter that remains sensitive to contact while being insensitive to thermal, pressure, and fit variations.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If contact sensors are installed in confined or inaccessible spaces, then contact event detection is enabled, but installation and maintenance become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sensing function with the contact face structure itself. Conductive sensing elements are embedded directly into the contact faces of components, combining the structural element with the sensing element. This integration eliminates separate sensor installations in confined spaces and allows maintenance through standard component replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact faces themselves serve as the sensing elements through their conductive properties. The structural components provide both mechanical function and sensing function, eliminating the need for separate sensor installation and maintenance in inaccessible locations. The system uses the components' inherent properties for self-sensing.
3Measurement precision
If conventional contact sensors are used, then contact detection is provided, but the system complexity increases due to mechanical linkage requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical linkage by substituting it with electrical field-based detection. Conductive sensing elements detect contact through electrical conductivity changes without requiring mechanical connection to moving parts. This substitution maintains detection precision while dramatically reducing mechanical system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electrical conductivity as an intermediary parameter between contact force and detection signal. Rather than directly measuring mechanical contact forces, the system measures conductivity changes that result from contact, providing a simpler measurement path that maintains precision while reducing mechanical complexity.
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 NISMS provides direct and reliable contact event detection, even in extreme environments, by measuring electrical signals generated by physical contact, enabling accurate monitoring of contact events between components.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of electrically conductive sensing elements is arranged in a pattern such that a spatial location of each sensing element among the plurality of electrically conductive sensing elements forms a normal interface surface mating sensor (NISMS) that generates an electrical signal when a conductive area on an opposing contact face of an external second body physically contacts the first contact face
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A normal interface surface mating sensor (NISMS) (110; 510A-G; 610A) includes a power source (170), a plurality of electrically conductive sensing elements (160; 260A-C; 460_1-4; 560a-g; 660a-e; 760; 860), and at least one of an ammeter (180) or a voltmeter (190). The voltmeter is connected in parallel with the first terminal and the second terminal of the power source. The plurality of electrically conductive sensing elements is coupled to the first terminal of the power source, is arranged on a first contact face (140; 240; 440; 540; 640; 740; 840) in a pattern (502; 602) such that a spatial location of each sensing element generates an electrical signal when a conductive area on an opposing contact face (150; 250; 450; 550; 650; 750; 850) physically contacts the first contact face at the spatial location of the sensing element contacted. Measurements from the ammeter and the voltmeter together are output as a contact event indicator that includes a conductivity measurement corresponding to the electrical signal generated by the physical contact at a sequence of the NISMSs contacted.