Transducer Spatial Configuration via Sensor Signals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Determining the spatial configurations of multiple transducers attached to a target object, particularly accelerometers, is challenging due to complex geometries and the risk of errors in measurement setups, especially as the number of transducers increases, and existing methods require manual determination and are inefficient for large sets.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method that receives sensor signals from transducers to determine their spatial configurations, using a subset of reference transducers to automatically calculate the configurations of the remaining transducers, reducing the need for manual measurement and increasing accuracy and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual determination of spatial configurations is used for each transducer, then measurement accuracy can be ensured, but time consumption and effort increase significantly with the number of transducers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespatial configuration accuracyVSAvoidtime to establish spatial configurations

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The transducers automatically transmit their own spatial configuration data to the measurement system through standardized communication protocols. Each transducer serves itself by providing its location information without requiring manual measurement or entry, thereby eliminating the time-consuming manual determination process while maintaining data accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/manual process of determining spatial configurations with an automated electronic data transmission system. Instead of manually measuring and recording transducer positions, the system uses electronic communication protocols to automatically transfer spatial configuration data from transducers to the measurement system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the number of transducers is increased to cover complex geometries, then measurement coverage improves, but the complexity of determining spatial configurations increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement coverageVSAvoidspatial configuration determination complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal standardized communication protocol that works with any transducer type and any target object geometry. The TEDS (Transducer Electronic Data Sheet) format provides a multi-functional solution that handles spatial configuration data for all transducers uniformly, regardless of the complexity of the target object's geometry or the number of transducers involved.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If manual entry of transducer data is used, then data accuracy can be controlled, but human errors increase with the number of transducers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata accuracyVSAvoidhuman errors

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Transducers automatically transmit their own identification and spatial configuration data to the measurement system, eliminating the need for manual data entry. This self-service mechanism ensures that data is captured directly from the transducers themselves, preventing human errors associated with manual transcription and entry of transducer information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual data entry process with automated electronic data transmission. The standardized communication protocol electronically transfers transducer data directly from the transducers to the measurement system, substituting the human-in-the-loop manual entry process with an automated electronic system that eliminates human errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11150747B2Method of determining spatial configurations of a plurality of transducers relative to a target object

Publication Date: 2021.10.19 HOTTINGER BRUEEL & KJAER AS

AI summary

A method of determining respective spatial configurations, indicative of respective positions and orientations, of a plurality of transducers attached to a target object, comprises receiving sensor signals from each transducer. The sensor signals are indicative of respective movements of the respective transducers during an induced movement of the target object. The method includes determining the spatial configurations of the transducers that comprise a first and second subset of transducers. The determining of the spatial configurations of the plurality of transducers comprises (i) obtaining the spatial configurations of the first subset of transducers, and (ii) determining the spatial configurations of the second subset of transducers from the received sensor signals and from the obtained spatial configurations of the first subset of transducers. The determining of the spatial configurations of the second subset of transducers comprises computing object accelerations indicative of accelerations of the target object relative to a reference coordinate system.