Height-Adjustable Table Collision Detection via 3-Axis Tilt Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrically height-adjustable tables face challenges in accurately detecting collisions due to the inability to position sensor devices correctly, leading to increased manufacturing costs and potential damage or injury.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a 3-axis acceleration sensor and a 3-axis gyroscope within a microelectronic mechanical system (MEMS) component, along with a computing device, allows for the detection of absolute and changing inclinations of the table top, enabling collision detection regardless of sensor orientation through coordinate transformation and offset correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensor devices are positioned on the table to detect collisions, then collision detection capability is improved, but the positioning accuracy and detection reliability deteriorate due to inability to ensure correct sensor orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing coordinate transformation and offset correction during an initialization phase before actual collision detection begins. The system pre-calculates the relationship between the sensor's local coordinate system and the table's global coordinate system, storing offset values that will be used during operation. This ensures that even if sensors are positioned at arbitrary orientations, the detection accuracy is maintained through pre-computed correction factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter representation by transforming acceleration data from the sensor's local coordinate system to the table's global coordinate system through coordinate transformation. By applying rotation matrices and offset corrections to the raw sensor parameters, the system adapts the detection parameters to account for arbitrary sensor orientations, thereby maintaining measurement precision regardless of installation position.
2Measurement precision
If traditional single-axis or dual-axis sensors are used for collision detection, then device complexity is reduced, but detection accuracy deteriorates due to inability to detect inclination in all directions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional single-axis or dual-axis sensors to a 3-axis acceleration sensor, adding the third spatial dimension to inclination detection. This dimensional enhancement allows the system to detect table tilt in all three directions (x, y, z axes), providing comprehensive collision detection coverage. The 3-axis sensor captures acceleration components along all three dimensions, enabling accurate determination of absolute inclination regardless of collision direction.
3Measurement precision
If sensors require precise positioning and orientation for accurate collision detection, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to increased assembly complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the sensor system universal by designing it to accept sensors at any orientation or position on the table structure. The coordinate transformation and offset correction mechanism allows the same sensor to function correctly whether mounted on the table top, base frame, or leg, and regardless of its specific angular orientation. This universality eliminates the need for precise positioning during assembly, as the software compensation adapts to any installation configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-calibration during initialization by automatically determining the offset between the sensor's local coordinate system and the table's global coordinate system. Through initialization routines that detect the relationship between coordinate systems, the system self-adjusts without requiring manual calibration or precise pre-positioning, thereby simplifying manufacturing and assembly processes while maintaining detection accuracy.
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 solution enables precise collision detection, allowing for timely intervention to prevent damage or injury by accurately determining the inclination and angular velocity of the table top, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and costs.
Implementation Method 1
a 3-axis acceleration sensor for determining an absolute inclination of the table top
Implementation Method 2
a 3-axis gyroscope for determining a change in inclination of the table top over time
Implementation Method 3
containing a piezoelectric material and a piezoelectric diaphragm for generating sound signals. When detecting a change in bending of an attachment location of the movable portion by the sensor when the movable portion collides with an obstacle, the change in compression or stretching of the piezoelectric material occurs by changing the bending change in the location of the movable portion and generating an electrical signal through the piezoelectric material in the change the compression or stretching.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an electrically height adjustable table (10), comprising: an electrically height adjustable subframe (14), a table plate (12), which is arranged on or atop the subframe (14), a drive device for the height adjustment of the subframe (14)/the table plate (12), wherein the drive device is fixed to the subframe (14) or to the table plate (12) and comprises at least one electric motor, a control device (70) and an operating device for operating the control device (70), and a sensor device (72) for detecting an initial absolute inclination of the table plate (12) upon receiving an input of a traversing command via the operating device and a subsequent absolute inclination and a subsequent temporal inclination change of the table plate (12) during the traversing of the table plate (12) upward or downward according to the traversing command, wherein the sensor device (72) comprises a 3-axis acceleration sensor (74) for determining the absolute inclination of the table plate (12) and a 3-axis gyroscope (73), preferably integral therewith, for determining the temporal inclination change of the table plate (12).