Surface-Mount Tilt Sensor with Nested Optoelectronic Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tilt sensors are not compact enough and do not allow for precise attitude determination, especially in mobile devices where distinguishing between portrait and landscape modes is challenging.
Innovation Solution
A surface-mountable tilt sensor with an optoelectronic unit and a body that moves along a predefined path under gravitational force, using a radiation-emitting and radiation-receiving unit to determine position changes, allowing for compact construction and improved attitude determination by distinguishing between vertical and horizontal orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If existing tilt sensor designs are used, then basic tilt detection is possible, but the device size is too large for compact mobile applications
Solution Approach 1:
The movable body is positioned within a cavity in the housing, with the optoelectronic unit integrated into the housing structure. The radiation-emitting and radiation-receiving elements are nested within the same housing that contains the movable body, creating a compact nested arrangement that reduces overall sensor size while maintaining measurement precision through the integrated optical path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses optical detection in a third dimension (light path) rather than relying solely on mechanical displacement measurements. The radiation-emitting and radiation-receiving units create an optical measurement dimension that complements the mechanical movement of the body, enabling precise attitude determination in a compact footprint by measuring position changes through light interruption rather than direct mechanical sensing.
2Measurement precision
If a single tilt sensor is used, then basic orientation detection is possible, but precise attitude determination including distinction between portrait and landscape modes is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The optoelectronic unit with its radiation-emitting and radiation-receiving elements serves multiple functions: detecting the position of the movable body, determining tilt angles, and distinguishing between different orientation modes (portrait/landscape). This multi-functional design enables precise attitude determination without requiring multiple separate sensors, as the single optoelectronic system can detect various tilt conditions through the movement of the body within its cavity.
3Measurement precision
If the body moves freely under gravity, then tilt detection is possible, but static friction may hinder movement and reduce precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces direct mechanical contact and friction-based movement detection with an optical detection system. The movable body's position is detected by interrupting or allowing the passage of radiation between the emitting and receiving units, rather than relying on mechanical sensors that would experience friction. This substitution of mechanical detection with optical detection eliminates friction-related measurement errors while maintaining the gravitational force-driven movement of the body.
4Measurement precision
If radiation-emitting and radiation-receiving units are used to detect body position, then precise tilt measurement is achieved, but stray light may interfere with detection accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The movable body acts as an intermediary that modulates the radiation path between the emitting and receiving units. As the body moves under gravitational force, it selectively interrupts or allows the passage of radiation, creating a clear signal that corresponds to its position. This intermediary mechanism provides a distinct on/off or attenuated radiation signal that is less susceptible to stray light interference compared to continuous optical sensing, as the body itself serves as the primary signal modulator.
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 determination of tilt angles and orientations, such as distinguishing between portrait and landscape modes in mobile devices, with a compact design and low power consumption, while minimizing static friction and stray light effects.
Implementation Method 1
an optoelectronic unit for determining the position of the body, wherein the optoelectronic unit comprises at least one radiation-emitting element and at least one radiation-receiving detector unit
Implementation Method 2
When the body is rotated about an axis, the element is able to move under the influence of gravity between at least two positions in the cavity
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is directed to a tilt sensor comprising at least one body movable along a predefined path and an optoelectronic unit for determining the position of said body, said tilt sensor being surface-mountable. The invention is further directed to a tilt sensor assembly.