Sensor Membrane Polarity Cancellation for Signal Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensors face challenges in reducing unwanted signals while maintaining desired sensor signals, particularly in applications where unwanted vibrations or forces are present.
Innovation Solution
The sensor design incorporates multiple sensor membranes with opposing electrical polarities, arranged to allow movement in specific directions, and combined using a summing amplifier to cancel out unwanted signals, while maintaining sensitivity in desired directions, potentially using piezoelectric films and a dampener for resonance control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sensor membranes with opposing polarities are used, then unwanted signals are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is divided into multiple sensor membranes (first, second, third, and fourth membranes) with opposing electrical polarities. Each membrane segment detects forces independently, and their signals are combined to cancel unwanted components while preserving desired signals, thereby improving measurement precision through segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple sensor membranes are combined in a single sensor device, with their electrical signals merged through a summing amplifier. The opposing polarity arrangement ensures that unwanted signals cancel out when combined, while desired signals reinforce each other, achieving signal-to-noise improvement through merging.
2Measurement precision
If sensor membranes are arranged to restrict planar movement in certain directions, then directional sensitivity is improved, but ease of operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor membranes are arranged with different orientations and stiffness characteristics to provide directional sensitivity. The first and second membranes have different stiffness than the third and fourth membranes, creating local quality differences that enable selective detection of forces in specific directions while maintaining operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor membranes are configured with asymmetric stiffness properties and orientations. The first and second membranes differ in stiffness from the third and fourth membranes, creating an asymmetric arrangement that enhances directional sensitivity by being more restrictive in certain directions while allowing movement in others.
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 configuration enhances the signal-to-noise ratio by canceling out unwanted signals and improving sensitivity in the desired direction, effectively reducing noise and increasing output while maintaining structural stability.
Implementation Method 1
Each one of the sensor membranes may comprise a piezoelectric film
Data Source
AI summary
It is presented a sensor comprising a sensor plate (14), a base piece (15) and a first sensor membrane (7a) and a second sensor membrane (7b), each having a side of positive electrical polarity and a side of negative electrical polarity. Each one of the first sensor membrane and the second sensor membrane is mounted between the sensor plate and the base piece while allowing movement of the sensor plate in relation to the mounting piece. The first sensor membrane and the second sensor membrane are mounted such that their respective sides of positive electrical polarity face each other or face away from each other. A corresponding electronic stethoscope is also presented.