Obscured Feature Detector With Uniform Electric Field
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional obscured feature detectors face challenges in accurately detecting underlying features behind opaque surfaces due to variations in surface thickness and density, and often require complex calibration and skilled operation.
Innovation Solution
The development of an obscured feature detector with a group of sensor plates, a multi-layer printed circuit board, a sensing circuit, a controller, and a housing, which maintains uniform electric field lines and self-adjusts sensor readings to accurately detect features through various surfaces and thicknesses, using a shortened common plate configuration and improved shielding to ensure consistent responses from each sensor plate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional electronic detectors are used to detect obscured features, then detection capability is provided, but accuracy deteriorates due to inability to compensate for surface thickness and density variations
Solution Approach 1:
The detector is divided into multiple sensor plates arranged in an array, each independently measuring capacitance at different locations. This segmentation allows the system to detect variations in surface thickness and density across different regions, enabling accurate compensation for surface variations while maintaining detection capability.
2Reliability
If magnetic detectors are used to find obscured support elements, then detection is possible through metallic fasteners, but detection reliability deteriorates when fasteners are spaced at discrete locations
Solution Approach 1:
The detector uses multiple sensor plates arranged in an array that collectively scan across the entire detection area. This segmented approach ensures that at least one sensor plate will detect metallic fasteners regardless of their discrete locations, thereby maintaining reliable detection coverage across the full surface area.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor plates are designed to detect both metallic fasteners and wooden support elements through capacitance changes. This multi-functionality allows the detector to reliably identify different types of obscured features (metal and wood) using the same detection mechanism, enhancing overall detection reliability.
3Loss of information
If rudimentary techniques like pilot nails are used to locate support elements, then location information is obtained, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen due to destructive nature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pilot nail technique with an electronic capacitance-based detection system. The sensor plates measure electrical capacitance changes to locate support elements without physical contact or destruction, making the process non-destructive and easier to operate while still providing accurate location information.
4Measurement precision
If conventional detectors are used with varying surface thicknesses, then detection is attempted, but measurement precision deteriorates due to surface thickness and density variations
Solution Approach 1:
The array of sensor plates allows the system to sample capacitance values at multiple locations across the surface. By comparing readings from different sensor plates, the system can identify and compensate for variations in surface thickness and density, maintaining accurate detection across diverse surface materials and thicknesses.
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 solution provides accurate and reliable detection of obscured features, reducing surface-thickness-induced errors and enabling deeper sensing, while being easier to use and more cost-effective, with improved performance across different materials and thicknesses.
Implementation Method 1
These detectors sense changes in capacitance on the examined surface that result from the presence of features positioned behind, beneath or within the surface
Implementation Method 2
Apparatus and methods for obscured feature detection with uniform electric fields
Data Source
AI summary
Obscured feature detectors and methods of detecting obscured features are disclosed. An obscured feature detector can include a plurality of sensor plates and a common plate. The sensor plates may be arranged linearly to form a sensor array. The common plate may extend along the sensor array and have a length that is shortened. A controller is coupled to the sensing circuit to analyze the capacitances measured by the sensing circuit. One or a plurality of indicators are coupled to the controller, and can be selectively set to identify a location of an obscured feature behind a surface.