Compact Tilt Sensor Using Planar Rolling Member Light Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tilt sensors are bulky due to the stacked arrangement of components, which hinders the development of compact designs.
Innovation Solution
A tilt sensor design featuring a mount board, a cover plate, a light emitting element, and a pair of light receiving elements, with a rolling member that can occupy complete, partial, or no light shielding positions, allowing for a more compact form factor by optimizing the arrangement of components and using a reflective film and light shields to manage light pathways effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the space accommodating the rolling member is stacked on the space accommodating the light receiving elements and the light emitting element, then the tilt sensor can be constructed with separate functional zones, but the overall thickness becomes much greater than the total height of the light receiving elements and the length of the rolling member
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a stacked three-dimensional arrangement to a planar two-dimensional arrangement. The rolling member and light elements are positioned within the same horizontal plane, with the rolling member moving laterally to shield light paths, rather than stacking functional zones vertically. This dimensional change reduces thickness while maintaining functional separation through spatial arrangement in the plane.
Solution Approach 2:
The rolling member is positioned within the inner space formed by the light emitting element and light receiving elements, effectively nesting the rolling member's functional space within the optical element arrangement. This nested configuration allows the rolling member to move within the bounded inner space to perform light shielding without requiring additional stacked space.
2Measurement precision
If the rolling member is positioned to completely block light from reaching both light receiving elements, then accurate tilt detection can be achieved, but the light shielding effectiveness must be sufficient to prevent any light leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The rolling member is designed with specific local properties - its diameter and positioning are optimized to provide effective light shielding at critical locations. The rolling member's dimensions and material properties are tailored to block light completely when in the shielding position, while its movement capability allows it to selectively shield different light paths based on tilt angle, achieving both complete shielding and precise 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
The design achieves a significantly reduced thickness, enabling a more compact tilt sensor while maintaining accurate tilt detection and preventing static electricity buildup, with improved light transmission and reliable light shielding.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitting element and a pair of light receiving elements arranged on an obverse surface of the mount board
Implementation Method 2
a light emitting element 95 and a cylindrical rolling member 96. The light receiving elements 94A, 94B and the light emitting element 95 are mounted on the obverse surface of the substrate 91
Implementation Method 3
The complete light shielding position is a position at which the rolling member blocks light emitted from the light emitting element so that the light does not reach neither of the paired light receiving elements
Data Source
AI summary
A tilt sensor includes a mount board, a cover, a light emitting and two light receiving elements on the mount board. A case, provided between the mount board and the cover, is formed with an inner space surrounded by the light emitting element and the light receiving elements. A rolling member, movable in the inner space, can take a complete shielding position, a partial shielding position and an unshielding position. At the complete shielding position, the rolling member blocks the light from the light emitting element so that no light reaches the two light receiving elements. At the partial shielding position, the rolling member blocks the light so that the light reaches only one of the two light receiving elements. At the unshielding position, the rolling member does not block the light at all so that the light reaches the two light receiving elements.