Offset Electrode Proximity Sensor for Lateral Object Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current anti-collision and positioning systems for medical machines, such as C-arms, are bulkier and more costly due to the need for multiple capacitive proximity sensors, which complicates their integration and manufacturing, and do not efficiently determine object position and movement without sensors on side faces or edges.
Innovation Solution
A proximity sensor with two or more capacitive measuring electrodes offset along a lateral direction, allowing for object detection and movement analysis without side-facing sensors, using a processing unit to analyze signals from these electrodes to determine object presence and movement relative to the sensor, even when stationary, and improving spatial resolution with triangular or quadrilateral electrode arrangements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple proximity sensors are used to detect objects in different directions, then object detection coverage is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single proximity sensor is designed to perform multiple detection functions by incorporating two or more measuring electrodes offset along a lateral direction. This multi-functional electrode arrangement enables the sensor to detect objects approaching from different lateral directions simultaneously, replacing what would traditionally require multiple separate sensors positioned at different locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-direction detection approach to multi-directional detection by adding a lateral dimension to the electrode arrangement. The measuring electrodes are offset along a lateral direction perpendicular to the detection face normal, creating sensitivity in both the axial direction (toward the detection face) and lateral directions, thereby expanding the detection coverage without adding multiple separate sensors.
2Measurement precision
If multiple proximity sensors are installed on different faces of the medical machine, then detection accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost and integration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple measuring electrodes that would traditionally be implemented as separate proximity sensors on different machine faces are merged into a single integrated sensor unit. The sensor comprises two or more measuring electrodes offset along a lateral direction, all contained within one sensor housing, simplifying manufacturing and integration while maintaining multi-directional detection capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The single proximity sensor is designed with multi-functional electrodes that can detect objects from multiple directions (axial and lateral), making the sensor universal for various detection positions that would otherwise require multiple specialized sensors mounted on different machine faces.
3Reliability
If capacitive electrodes are arranged on side faces or edges of the sensor, then lateral object detection is improved, but device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention achieves lateral detection capability without extending the sensor physically to the sides by utilizing the offset arrangement of measuring electrodes along a lateral direction. The lateral detection is accomplished through the spatial offset of electrodes within the same sensor face plane, rather than placing electrodes on side faces or edges, thus maintaining a compact sensor volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The functional capabilities of axial detection and lateral detection are merged into a single sensor unit with offset electrodes. The lateral detection function is integrated into the same sensor body that performs axial detection, eliminating the need for separate side-mounted electrodes or additional sensor units.
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
This configuration reduces the bulk and cost of object detection devices, enhances spatial resolution, and allows precise determination of object position and movement, enabling safer and more efficient operation of medical machines by reducing the need for multiple sensors and improving ergonomics.
Implementation Method 1
a proximity sensor with two or more capacitive measuring electrodes offset along a lateral direction
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A
Figure 3B
AI summary
An object detection device comprising a proximity sensor, said proximity sensor comprising two measuring electrodes, each measuring electrode of the proximity sensor being located on the same face of the proximity sensor, the two measuring electrodes being offset along a lateral direction. The object detection device further comprises a processing unit arranged to detect, by analyzing the signals from the two measuring electrodes offset along the lateral direction, the presence of an object located laterally with respect to the proximity sensor.