Single Trim Resistor for Multi-Sensor Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensing systems require multiple trim resistors to compensate for variations in multiple sensor inputs, increasing complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A sensing system with a single trim resistor integrally formed with the sensing assembly, where the controller determines resistance values to select pairs of compensation values from a database, adjusting signals for multiple sensors, thereby eliminating the need for additional trim resistors and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple trim resistors are used to compensate for variations in multiple sensor inputs, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple trim resistor functions into a single trim resistor that can be configured to provide different compensation values for multiple sensor inputs. The controller reads the resistance value of the single trim resistor and uses it to determine compensation parameters for multiple sensors, thereby reducing the number of physical components while maintaining compensation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single trim resistor is designed to serve multiple functions by providing compensation for multiple different sensor inputs. The controller determines how the resistance value of the single trim resistor maps to compensation values for multiple sensors, enabling one component to perform what would traditionally require multiple dedicated components.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple trim resistors are used for multiple sensor inputs, then manufacturing precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple trim resistor components into a single trim resistor, reducing the bill of materials and manufacturing complexity. By determining compensation values through a single resistance measurement and using a database to map this value to multiple compensation parameters, the system achieves the same manufacturing precision at lower cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a database to store pre-determined relationships between trim resistor resistance values and compensation parameters. Instead of requiring physical trim resistors for each sensor, the system copies the compensation information from the database based on the single resistance measurement, eliminating the need for multiple physical components.
3Measurement precision
If multiple trim resistors are used to normalize multiple sensor outputs, then measurement precision is improved, but the number of controller inputs increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple controller input requirements into a single input by having the controller read the resistance value of one trim resistor and then derive multiple compensation values from this single measurement. The controller uses a database to determine how the single resistance value maps to compensation parameters for multiple sensors, reducing the number of inputs needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The database acts as an intermediary between the single trim resistor resistance value and the multiple compensation parameters. The controller reads the resistance value, queries the database to determine the corresponding compensation values for multiple sensors, and applies these compensation values without requiring direct input connections for each sensor.
Data Source
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AI summary
A sensing system, comprising: a sensing assembly, the sensing assembly having: a trim resistor integrally formed with the sensing assembly, the trim resistor having a resistance value; a first sensing element for providing a first signal in response to a first sensed condition; a second sensing element for providing a second signal in response to a second sensed condition; and a controller removably secured to the sensing assembly and receiving the first signal and the second signal, the controller being configured to determine the resistance value of the trim resistor; a database associated with the controller, the database having a plurality of resistance values, each resistance value in the database identifies a pair of compensation values; a microprocessor associated with the controller, the microprocessor receiving the resistance value of the trim resistor, the first signal and the second signal, the resistance value of the trim resistor being used to define a selected pair of compensation values from the database, one of the selected pair of compensation values is used to adjust the first signal to provide a first adjusted signal and the other one of the selected pair of compensation values is used to adjust the second signal to provide a second adjusted signal.