Proximity Sensor Temperature Compensation for Individual Drift Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Proximity sensors of the same kind exhibit significant variations in output signals due to temperature changes despite being manufactured identically, necessitating a uniform correction that fails to account for individual differences.
Innovation Solution
A method for setting individual temperature compensation for each proximity sensor by capturing output signals at various temperatures and determining a unique correction factor, allowing for reduced temperature drift through a personalized adjustment process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If uniform correction is applied to all proximity sensors of the same kind, then manufacturing complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to considerable variation in output signals among individual sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing individual temperature compensation characterization for each proximity sensor during the manufacturing process. The system captures output signals at different temperatures and determines individual correction factors before the sensors are deployed, thereby eliminating the need for complex real-time adjustments while maintaining high measurement precision across all sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by adjusting the correction factor parameter individually for each sensor based on its specific temperature-drift characteristics. By capturing output signals at multiple temperatures and determining optimal correction factors, the system transforms the uniform correction approach into a personalized parameter adjustment strategy that maintains manufacturing efficiency while significantly improving measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If individual temperature compensation is determined for each proximity sensor by capturing output signals at different temperatures, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and loss of time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the complexity issue by performing the individual temperature compensation characterization as a preliminary action during manufacturing. The system captures output signals at different temperatures and determines correction factors in advance, storing them for later use. This approach transfers the complexity from the operational phase to the manufacturing phase, maintaining high measurement precision while keeping the deployed system simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the copying principle by creating individual correction factor profiles for each sensor based on temperature characterization data. Instead of implementing complex real-time adjustment mechanisms, the system copies the temperature-drift characteristics of each sensor into stored correction factors that can be applied straightforwardly during operation, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining precision.
3Reliability
If individual correction factors are determined for each proximity sensor, then temperature drift in output signals is reduced, but loss of time increases due to separate measurements for each sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates time loss during operation by performing individual temperature compensation characterization as a preliminary action during manufacturing. The system captures output signals at different temperatures and determines correction factors for each sensor in advance, storing them for immediate application. This approach ensures high reliability by reducing temperature drift while avoiding time loss during actual sensor deployment and operation.
4Device complexity
If uniform correction is applied to all proximity sensors, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to considerable variation in output signals with temperature changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains simple device architecture while improving reliability by changing the correction factor parameter individually for each sensor. The system determines optimal correction factors based on temperature characterization data and applies them during operation. This parameter adjustment strategy eliminates the need for complex hardware modifications while significantly reducing temperature-induced variations, thereby enhancing reliability without increasing device complexity.
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 method significantly reduces temperature-related output variations by up to 0.5% relative drift, ensuring consistent sensor performance across multiple sensors.
Implementation Method 1
A proximity sensor may e.g. include a coil for emitting a magnetic field for detecting the proximity of an external object
Implementation Method 2
The output signal may depend on the coil resistance, which changes with temperature
Data Source
AI summary
The method for setting temperature compensation for a plurality of proximity sensors of the same kind, each including a memory, includes the steps of:S1) arranging the proximity sensors in a temperature control chamber;S2) capturing the output signal of each proximity sensor at different temperatures;S3) based on the output signal captured, determining for each proximity sensor an individual correction as a function of the temperature, the individual correction serves for determining a corrected output signal, which has a reduced drift with regard to temperature changes; andS4) storing for each proximity sensor information on the individual correction determined in the memory.