Piezoelectric Touch Switch Mounting With Adjustable Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing piezoelectric sensors require extensive matching with various apparatuses and installations due to differences in surface materials and properties, leading to complex setup processes and potential false alarms, especially when used as touch switches.
Innovation Solution
A piezoelectric sensor mounting arrangement with a continuously adjustable compression mechanism, including a sensitivity booster and squeezer, is used to standardize signal processing across a wide range of surface properties, reducing the need for extensive matching and improving reliability by minimizing cross-talk and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If piezoelectric sensors are used with different surface materials and properties, then the sensor can be applied to various apparatuses and installations, but extensive matching is required leading to complex setup processes and potential false alarms
Solution Approach 1:
A mounting arrangement with compression adjusting means is introduced as an intermediary between the piezoelectric sensor and the surface. This mediator standardizes the mechanical coupling by allowing adjustment of compression force to compensate for variations in surface elasticity and thickness, eliminating the need for complex sensor matching while maintaining versatility across different surfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting arrangement enables dynamic adjustment of the compression parameter applied to the piezoelectric sensor. By changing the compression force parameter, the system adapts to different surface properties (elasticity, thickness) without requiring changes to the sensor itself, thus reducing matching complexity while preserving adaptability
2Adaptability or versatility
If the overlay thickness or elasticity varies, then the sensor can accommodate different apparatus designs, but the switching threshold becomes difficult to define accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting arrangement incorporates feedback through its compression adjusting mechanism. The system allows iterative adjustment of compression force based on the actual overlay properties, enabling the switching threshold to be precisely defined despite variations in overlay thickness or elasticity. This feedback loop ensures accurate threshold setting while maintaining adaptability to different designs
3Power
If the piezoelectric sensor is tightly coupled to the surface, then the signal strength increases, but cross-talk and noise increase leading to false alarms
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting arrangement introduces dynamic adjustability in the coupling between the sensor and surface. By allowing continuous adjustment of compression force, the system can optimize the balance between signal strength (requiring tighter coupling) and noise reduction (requiring isolation), thus managing cross-talk and false alarms while maintaining strong signals
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 solution simplifies the integration of piezoelectric sensors by standardizing signal processing and enhancing reliability, allowing for optimal touch switch functionality across diverse operational conditions and temperatures, while reducing assembly risks and design constraints.
Implementation Method 1
A piezoelectric sensor is a device that uses the piezoelectric effect to measure pressure, acceleration, strain or force by converting them to an electrical charge
Implementation Method 2
The electrically conductive foil is attached to the overlay by means of an adhesive layer
Data Source
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AI summary
The purpose of the invention is to reduce need for matching of piezoelectric sensor to the surface or mounting tolerances in an apparatus or installation. The apparatus or installation comprises a surface (2) and at least one piezoelectric sensor device (18, 27, 90) that is a piezoelectric touch switch comprising at least one piezoelectric sensor (13), located below the surface (2) so that the surface (2) functions as overlay to the piezoelectric touch switch, the piezoelectric sensor device (18, 27, 90) configured so that the piezoelectric sensor (13) bends in response to a force or pressure exerted on the surface (2) causing the surface (2) to bend. The piezoelectric sensor device (18, 27, 90) has been assembled by using a particular piezoelectric sensor device mounting arrangement. The apparatus (1) or installation comprises continuously adjustable compression adjusting means (6) that operate on the backer piece (5) to compress the piezoelectric sensor device (18, 27, 90) and the at least one squeezer (7) between the overlay (2) and the backer piece (5), for compensating the surface or mounting tolerances.