Reinforced Multi-Region Angular Displacement Sensor
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sensor systems for measuring angular displacement often face challenges such as lack of elasticity, temporary or permanent deformation, poor repeatability, and accuracy issues when subjected to large angular displacements, particularly in applications like human body joint movement monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A multi-region angular displacement sensor with stretchable and bendable angular displacement units embedded in a strand of compliant material, featuring reinforcement structures to restrict movement and maintain accuracy across multiple degrees of freedom, allowing independent measurement of angular displacement in various sense regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional sensor systems are used for measuring angular displacement, then the structure is simple, but the sensor lacks elasticity and suffers from temporary or permanent deformation when subjected to large angular displacements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible substrate as the base for the sensor structure, allowing it to accommodate large angular displacements without permanent deformation. The flexible substrate acts as a compliant foundation that enables elastic deformation while maintaining structural integrity, directly addressing the contradiction between elasticity and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system combines multiple materials with different properties: a flexible substrate for elasticity, reinforcement structures for structural stability, and sensor elements for measurement. This composite approach allows the system to simultaneously achieve high elasticity for large angular displacements and sufficient structural rigidity to prevent permanent deformation, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and structural integrity.
2Measurement precision
If conventional sensor systems are used, then the device is simple, but accuracy deteriorates when subjected to large angular displacements
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is divided into multiple independent sensing elements arranged in an array on the flexible substrate. Each sensing element independently measures angular displacement in its local region, and the overall measurement is synthesized from these individual measurements. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high accuracy across large angular displacements while keeping each individual sensor element relatively simple in structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the sensor substrate are optimized for different functions: some regions contain reinforcement structures to maintain geometric stability and measurement accuracy, while other regions are designed to be more compliant to accommodate large deformations. This local differentiation allows the sensor to maintain accuracy throughout the entire range of motion without requiring the entire structure to be complex.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the sensor allows large angular displacements, then the adaptability is improved, but the sensor experiences temporary or permanent deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible substrate enables the sensor to adapt to large angular displacements and various joint configurations, providing high versatility. At the same time, the elasticity of the flexible material ensures that deformations are temporary and reversible, allowing the sensor to return to its original configuration and maintain repeatability across multiple measurement cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement structures are strategically placed in regions where geometric stability is critical for accurate measurement. These reinforcement elements act as preemptive measures to prevent permanent deformation in key areas, ensuring that the sensor maintains its calibration and measurement reliability even after undergoing large angular displacements.
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 enables precise and repeatable measurement of angular displacement across multiple joints with enhanced elasticity and resistance to large deformations, improving the accuracy and durability of sensor systems in monitoring human body movements.
Implementation Method 1
a strand of compliant material with a center axis oriented along a length of the strand... a reinforcement structure associated with the first angular displacement unit and the second angular displacement unit, wherein the reinforcement structure is a material that is stiffer than the strand of compliant material and restricts movement the first angular displacement unit and the second angular displacement unit with respect to the center axis
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a strand of compliant material with a center axis. The apparatus further includes a multi-region angular displacement sensor connected to the strand. The multi-region angular displacement sensor includes a first angular displacement unit in a first sense region of the stand. The first angular displacement unit is used to determine a first angular displacement in response to deformation of the first angular displacement unit. The multi-region angular displacement sensor also includes a second angular displacement unit disposed in a second sense region of the strand. The second angular displacement unit is used to determine a second angular displacement in response to deformation of the second angular displacement unit. The multi-region angular displacement sensor also includes a reinforcement structure that restricts movement of the first and second angular displacement unit with respect to the center axis.