Tilt Sensor Using Pressure Detection to Eliminate Acceleration Errors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional tilt sensors face challenges in achieving precise detection of tilt information due to influences from acceleration and variations between sensors, leading to deteriorated detection precision.

Innovation Solution

A tilt sensor design that utilizes a pressure sensor movable in a circular path, combined with a rotation detection unit and synchronous clock signal generation, to detect tilt information through synchronization detection and simple calculation, eliminating the influence of acceleration and sensor variations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If acceleration sensors are used to detect tilt angles, then tilt information can be obtained, but detection precision deteriorates due to influence from acceleration from motion besides tilting movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection precision of tilt informationVSAvoidinfluence of acceleration from motion
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces acceleration sensors with pressure sensors to detect tilt information. Instead of measuring acceleration forces that are contaminated by motion, the system uses pressure sensors to measure atmospheric pressure changes caused by tilt, thereby substituting a mechanical measurement approach with a pressure-based approach that is immune to motion interference

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs pressure sensors that utilize pneumatic principles to detect tilt angles. By measuring changes in atmospheric pressure on the sensor surface caused by tilting, the system achieves accurate tilt detection without being affected by acceleration from motion, as pressure changes directly reflect the tilt angle

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Measurement precision

If pressure sensors are disposed at least at three positions to detect horizontality, then tilt information can be obtained, but detection precision deteriorates due to variation between the pressure sensors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection precision of tilt informationVSAvoidvariation between pressure sensors
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the detection function into a single pressure sensor by tilting the sensor surface relative to the measurement object. This consolidation eliminates the need for multiple sensors and their associated variations, while the tilted surface configuration enables the single sensor to detect tilt angles through pressure distribution changes across its surface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the orientation parameter of the pressure sensor by tilting it at a specific angle relative to the measurement object. This parameter change transforms the sensor's response characteristics, enabling it to detect tilt angles through pressure changes while eliminating the need for multiple sensors and reducing sensitivity to sensor variations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 approach enhances the detection precision of tilt information by using a pressure sensor to measure changes in atmospheric pressure, allowing for accurate tilt angle calculation without the errors associated with integration, thus providing higher reliability and sensitivity.

Implementation Method 1

a pressure sensor 10 which is disposed to be able to move relative to a detection target object and which detects pressure of a fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAtmospheric pressure detection:

Data Source

PatentEP3346233B1Inclination sensor
Publication Date: 2021.03.10 SEIKO INSTR INC
  • EP3346233B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3346233B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3346233B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A tilt sensor (1) includes: a pressure sensor (10) disposed to be relatively movable with respect to a detection target object and configured to detect pressure of a fluid; and a tilt information detection unit (40) configured to detect tilt information (for example, a tilt angle) of the detection target object according to an output of the pressure sensor (10) and movement information of the pressure sensor (10).