Tiltable Sensor Holder for Faster Inertial Sensor Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inertial sensors, such as gyroscopes, suffer from measurement errors that integrate into larger position angle errors due to environmental conditions and operational frequencies, necessitating efficient characterization and calibration methods to reduce these errors.
Innovation Solution
A rotary table system with a stationary base and a rotating table, equipped with a motor, vibration generator, reference sensors, and control unit, allows simultaneous application of rotations and vibrations to the inertial sensor, using a tiltable mount to maintain consistent orientation relative to a reference sensor unit, enabling precise characterization and calibration through sensor fusion and data correlation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the inertial sensor is removed from the mount to change its orientation, then the orientation can be changed, but the test process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The mount is made tiltable relative to the rotating table, allowing dynamic adjustment of the inertial sensor's orientation without removal. The tilting mechanism enables continuous orientation changes while maintaining the sensor mounted, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The mount serves multiple functions: it holds the inertial sensor securely while also enabling orientation changes through tilting. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for sensor removal and reinstallation, improving operational efficiency without sacrificing orientation adjustment capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the inertial sensor orientation changes relative to the rotation axis, then different measurement perspectives are achieved, but orientation uncertainties increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reference sensor unit provides feedback on the actual orientation of the mount relative to the rotation axis. This feedback enables the control system to compensate for orientation uncertainties, maintaining measurement precision while allowing versatile orientation changes for different measurement perspectives.
Solution Approach 2:
The reference sensor unit acts as an intermediary between the mount orientation and the measurement system. It provides reference measurements that enable accurate determination of the inertial sensor's orientation relative to the rotation axis, even when the mount is tilted, thus maintaining measurement precision.
3Productivity
If only rotation is applied to the inertial sensor, then the characterization is limited, but adding vibration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges rotation and vibration applications by integrating a vibration generator unit with the rotating table. Both rotational movement and vibrational excitation are applied simultaneously to the inertial sensor through the same mounting structure, improving characterization efficiency without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating table serves multiple functions: it provides rotational movement for characterization and also supports the vibration generator for applying vibrational excitation. This multi-functionality enables comprehensive sensor testing without requiring separate dedicated systems for each type of excitation.
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 system provides accurate characterization and calibration of inertial sensors by minimizing orientation uncertainties and measurement errors, ensuring precise recording of sensor behavior under dynamic conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a vibration generator unit (15) for generating reference accelerations on the rotating table
Implementation Method 2
a reference torque meter for determining a current rotational position and a current rotational rate of the rotating table
Implementation Method 3
a motor connected to the rotating table for rotating the rotating table relative to the base element about an axis of rotation
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for carrying out tests for the characterization of an inertial sensor (1), comprising: a stationary base element (3) and a rotatable rotating table (5) mounted thereon, the rotating table having a receptacle (7) for the inertial sensor (1) and for a reference sensor unit (9); a motor (11) for rotating the rotating table (5); a reference torque meter (13) for determining the current rotational position of the rotating table (5); a vibration generator unit (15) for generating reference accelerations on the rotating table (5); and a vibration detection unit (17) for detecting reference accelerations actually present on the rotating table (5). The receptacle (7) is tiltable relative to the rotating table (5).