Rotatable Element Sensor Platform Motion Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensing technologies for rotatable elements on movable platforms, such as floating platforms or swaying containers, face difficulties in accurately sensing the orientation due to platform movements, leading to erroneous readings and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A sensor unit mounted on the rotatable element, comprising an orientation sensor and a processor that compensates for platform motion by buffering measurements over a predetermined period, allowing for reliable detection of rotational position and enabling wireless communication and low power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an orientation sensor is mounted on a rotatable element on a movable platform to detect absolute orientation, then the sensor can provide orientation measurements, but the measurements are affected by platform motion leading to erroneous sensing
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback by continuously monitoring the orientation sensor measurements and using the buffer to identify and compensate for platform motion effects. The processor compares current measurements with buffered historical data to detect platform motion patterns and applies corrections to eliminate the harmful interference from platform motion while preserving the true rotatable element orientation information.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer acts as an intermediary between the orientation sensor and the processor. It stores a series of recent measurements and enables the processor to analyze temporal patterns to distinguish between platform motion and actual rotatable element orientation changes. This intermediary buffer allows the system to compensate for platform motion effects without requiring direct modification of the sensor or complex real-time filtering.
2Measurement precision
If a sensor unit with orientation sensor is mounted on rotatable element, then rotational position can be detected, but installation complexity increases due to wiring and power requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor unit is designed to be self-contained with an internal power source (battery) that provides autonomous operation. The unit independently performs sensing, buffering, processing, and wireless communication without requiring external wiring for power or data transmission. This self-service design eliminates installation complexity associated with wiring while maintaining accurate rotational position detection capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/wired connection system with a wireless communication system. Instead of requiring physical wiring for power and data transmission, the sensor unit uses wireless communication interfaces to transmit rotational position data to external systems. This substitution eliminates the need for complex wiring installation while preserving the core sensing function.
3Reliability
If wired connection is used for sensor unit, then reliable power and data transmission is achieved, but installation and maintenance becomes more complex and risky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wiring system with wireless communication technology. The sensor unit transmits power and data wirelessly using electromagnetic fields, eliminating physical connectors, cables, and associated installation/maintenance activities. This substitution maintains reliable communication while dramatically improving ease of operation by removing wiring-related complexities and safety risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor unit with internal power source and wireless communication capability serves itself by independently generating power and transmitting data without external connections. This self-service approach eliminates the need for wired infrastructure, making installation simple (just mounting the unit) and maintenance easier (no wiring to inspect or repair) while maintaining operational reliability through autonomous functioning.
Data Source
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AI summary
A sensor unit (10) is mountable on a rotatable element (5) on a platform (3) that is itself movable, and comprises an orientation sensor arranged to take measurements that are dependent on the orientation of the sensor unit, a processor arranged to derive a rotational position signal representing the orientation of the rotatable element from the measurements, and a buffer arranged to buffer a series of recent measurements taken by the orientation sensor over a predetermined period of time. The processor derives the rotational position signal making a correction to compensate for the effect of the motion of the platform on the measurements on the basis of the overall series of measurements buffered in the buffer.