Multi-Channel Soft Sensor Glove Circuit for Accurate Finger Joint Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing soft-sensor-based interface devices face challenges such as inaccurate measurements, vulnerability to environmental factors, reduced wearing comfort due to size, limited mass production, and high costs, necessitating improvements in sensor calibration and amplification.
Innovation Solution
A multi-channel soft-sensor-based interface device incorporating multi-switching and time-division scheduling, intelligent sensor measurement preprocessing, and low-noise amplifying circuit design, along with battery management and RGB LED control, to enhance accuracy, reliability, and reduce power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple strain sensors are used to measure finger joint elasticity, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple amplifiers and electrical components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple amplifiers into a single shared amplifier by using a time-division multiplexing architecture. The switching unit sequentially connects different strain sensors to the same amplifier, allowing one amplifier to serve multiple sensors. This reduces the total number of amplifiers needed from N (where N is the number of sensors) to just one, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy across all sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The single amplifier is designed to perform multiple functions by processing signals from different strain sensors through the switching unit. The amplifier becomes a universal component that can amplify signals from any of the N strain sensors depending on which sensor is currently connected via the switching unit, eliminating the need for dedicated amplifiers for each sensor.
2Measurement precision
If manual calibration is performed for each sensor, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases due to time-consuming calibration processes
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic self-calibration using the switching unit and processor. The processor controls the switching unit to sequentially connect each strain sensor to the amplifier and automatically measures baseline values and sensitivity coefficients. This self-service calibration eliminates the need for manual calibration procedures, allowing the system to calibrate itself during manufacturing or initial setup, thereby significantly improving productivity while maintaining calibration accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration process is performed as a preliminary action during manufacturing or initial system setup. The processor automatically executes calibration routines that measure baseline values and sensitivity coefficients for each sensor before the system is deployed. This preliminary calibration ensures that each sensor is properly characterized and compensated for environmental factors, enabling accurate measurements during normal operation without requiring subsequent manual intervention.
3Reliability
If continuous monitoring of multiple sensors is performed, then reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuously monitoring all sensors simultaneously, the system uses periodic action by sequentially activating sensors one at a time through the switching unit. The processor controls the switching unit to connect sensors in a time-division manner, allowing the amplifier to be activated only when needed for a specific sensor. This periodic activation pattern reduces overall power consumption compared to continuous simultaneous monitoring, while still maintaining reliable data collection through systematic sequential measurement of all sensors.
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 improves sensor measurement accuracy, increases device reliability, reduces power usage, and enhances mass production capabilities while extending battery life by automating calibration and reducing the number of amplifiers.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of strain sensors and collects strain sensing signals of the plurality of strain sensors
Data Source
AI summary
Proposed is a multi-channel soft-sensor-based interface device and an operating method therefor. The glove-type multi-channel soft-sensor-based interface device can recognize the degree of flexibility of finger joints. The device may include a sensing module which includes a plurality of strain sensors and which collects strain sensing signals of the plurality of strain sensors. The device may also include a switching unit configured to select any one of the strain sensing signals of the plurality of strain sensors. The device may further include an amplification module configured to amplify the strain sensing signal selected by the switching unit. The device may further include an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter configured to convert the amplified sensing signal into a digital signal.