Optical Sensor Temperature Compensation via Dual Emitter Ratio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical sensors for force distribution measurement are affected by changes in ambient temperature, leading to decreased accuracy in calculating deformation and force magnitude.
Innovation Solution
The optical sensor design includes two light emitters with the same temperature dependence of luminous intensity, a light receiver, a reflector, an elastic support, and a processor that calculates the physical quantity based on the ratio of light received by the light receiver when the light emitters emit at different timings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single light emitter is used to measure deformation, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision decreases due to temperature dependence of luminous intensity
Solution Approach 1:
The single light emitter is segmented into two light emitters (first light emitter and second light emitter) with different temperature dependencies. This segmentation allows the system to measure deformation while compensating for temperature effects by comparing the luminous intensity changes from both emitters, thereby improving measurement precision without requiring complex external temperature control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of luminous intensity temperature dependence by selecting two different light emitters with distinct temperature characteristics. One emitter has positive temperature dependence while the other has negative temperature dependence. This parameter differentiation enables the system to distinguish between temperature-induced intensity changes and deformation-induced intensity changes, improving measurement accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If two light emitters with different temperature dependencies are used, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The two light emitters serve multiple functions: they simultaneously provide the primary light source for deformation measurement and act as temperature compensation references. By making the light emitters themselves the temperature sensing elements, the system avoids adding separate temperature sensors and control mechanisms, thereby improving measurement precision while limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the luminous intensity from both light emitters and using this information to compensate for temperature effects in real-time. The processor compares the intensity ratios and adjusts the deformation calculation accordingly, creating a self-correcting measurement system that improves precision without requiring external intervention.
3Reliability
If temperature compensation is implemented, then the reliability improves, but the ease of operation decreases due to more complex calculation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service temperature compensation by automatically using the luminous intensity data from both light emitters to correct for temperature effects. The processor independently calculates the temperature compensation factor and applies it to the deformation measurement without requiring external temperature data or manual calibration, thereby improving reliability while keeping the operation straightforward.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-establishing the relationship between luminous intensity ratios and temperature variations during system calibration. This pre-characterization allows the processor to quickly apply temperature compensation during operation using simple ratio comparisons, improving reliability while maintaining ease of operation during actual measurement.
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 design reduces the influence of temperature dependence on luminous intensity, improving the accuracy of measuring physical quantities related to deformation of the elastic support.
Implementation Method 1
two light emitters with a same or substantially a same temperature dependence of luminous intensity of light
Implementation Method 2
a reflector to reflect and diffuse light emitted by the light emitters and positioned such that a portion of the reflected light is incident on the light receiver
Implementation Method 3
an elastic support to support the reflector with respect to the two light emitters and the light receiver and deformable due to an external force to change a relative position of the reflector
Implementation Method 4
a detector responsive to the light emitted by the light emitting source
Data Source
AI summary
An optical sensor includes two light emitters with the same or substantially the same temperature dependence of luminous intensity of light. A reflector reflects and diffuses light emitted by the light emitters such that a portion of the reflected light is incident on a light receiver. An elastic support supports the reflector, and deforms and changes a relative position of the reflector and the light emitters and the light receiver. A processor calculates a physical quantity depending on an amount of deformation of the elastic support based a ratio between two amounts of light received by the light receiver when respective light emitters emit light at different timings. The light emitters and the light receiver are fixed relative to each other, and a distance from one of the light emitters to the light receiver is different from a distance from another of the light emitters to the light receiver.