Optical Transducer Phase Shift for Reliable Force Measurement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic and optical transducers for measuring mechanical forces and displacements face reliability issues in critical environments due to electromagnetic interference, flammability concerns, and high costs, with limitations in biomedical applications and invasiveness.
Innovation Solution
The use of optical transducers with sensing and reference paths, where mechanical actions cause phase shifts in optical signals, allowing for reliable force and displacement measurement using polymer optical fibers, immune to electromagnetic interference and flammable, with low cost and minimal invasiveness, suitable for biomedical and harsh environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electronic transducers are used to measure mechanical forces and displacements, then measurement capability is provided, but reliability deteriorates in critical environments due to electromagnetic interference and flammability risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electronic transducers with optical transducers that use polymer optical fibers to detect mechanical forces and displacements. The optical system transmits light signals through the polymer fiber, converting mechanical measurements into optical signal variations (phase, amplitude, or wavelength changes) rather than electrical signals, thereby eliminating electromagnetic interference susceptibility while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the sensing medium by using polymer optical fibers instead of traditional electronic components. The polymer material's optical properties (refractive index, transmission characteristics) are modified by mechanical forces, creating measurable optical parameter changes that reflect the mechanical quantity being measured without involving electrical currents
2Reliability
If electronic transducers are used for force measurement, then measurement function is achieved, but safety deteriorates in flammable environments due to electrocution risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes electronic transducers with optical transducers based on polymer optical fibers. This replacement eliminates the need for electrical currents in the sensing area, removing the electrocution hazard entirely while preserving the ability to measure mechanical forces and displacements through optical signal modulation
3Measurement precision
If sophisticated electronic assemblies are used for measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sensing function from complex electronic assemblies and implements it through simple optical components (polymer optical fibers, light sources, detectors). By separating the measurement capability into discrete optical elements rather than integrated electronic circuits, the system achieves precision without requiring sophisticated electronic packaging and interconnection
4Reliability
If optical transducers with polymer optical fibers are used, then reliability in critical environments is improved, but manufacturing complexity may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs polymer optical fibers that are inherently inexpensive and can be easily manufactured using standard polymer processing techniques. The simplicity of polymer fiber production compared to precision electronic component fabrication enables cost-effective manufacturing of reliable optical transducers for critical environments
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 enhanced sensitivity, accuracy, and reliability in measuring mechanical forces and displacements, suitable for critical environments and biomedical applications, with improved cost-effectiveness and reduced risk of electrocution, enabling simultaneous control of multiple sensing points.
Implementation Method 1
mechanical actions cause phase shifts in optical signals
Implementation Method 2
using polymer optical fibers, immune to electromagnetic interference
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
According to the present invention there is provided an optical transducer adapted to detect external mechanical actions acting on said transducer, said transducer comprising at least one sensing optical path (5) adapted to transmit at least one sensing optical signal (b') and to emit at least one sensing output electrical signal (d) along with at least one reference path (4) adapted to emit at least one output electrical reference signal (e). Moreover, at least one portion (5') of said at least one optical path (5) is adapted to be exposed to external mechanical actions, so that the transmission of said sensing optical signal (b') through said sensing optical path can be modified as a result of said mechanical actions, so that a phase shift between said sensing electrical signal (d) and said reference electrical signal (e) is generated. Furthermore, said at least one reference path (4) comprises phase shifting means (11) adapted to maintain the phase shift between said at least one output sensing electrical signal (d) and said at least one output reference electrical signal (e) at a constant value in absence of any mechanical action exerted on said at least one sensing optical path (5), resulting in the working point of the transducer being kept within a range centered o a predefined phase shift, thus allowing to improve the sensitivity pf the transducer.