Triaxial Force Sensor Using Merged Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional triaxial force sensors require a large number of components and electrodes to detect forces in orthogonal triaxial directions, leading to increased size and manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A triaxial force sensor utilizing a flexible member with strategically arranged first and second electrodes, where changes in capacitance between the electrodes allow for the detection of forces in orthogonal triaxial directions using a reduced number of components, specifically eight electrodes, instead of the conventional ten.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a large number of stress detection elements are planarly arranged to detect forces in orthogonal triaxial directions, then the detection capability is improved, but the sensor size and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple stress detection elements into a single integrated sensor structure. Instead of using multiple separate piezoelectric elements arranged in a cross pattern, the invention uses one piezoelectric element with multiple electrode arrangements that can detect forces in all three orthogonal directions simultaneously, thereby reducing the number of components while maintaining detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The single piezoelectric element is designed to perform multiple detection functions. By arranging multiple sets of electrodes (first electrodes and second electrodes) on opposite surfaces of the piezoelectric element, the sensor can detect forces in orthogonal triaxial directions using a single multi-functional detection element rather than multiple separate elements
2Measurement precision
If multiple piezoelectric elements with multiple electrodes are used to detect triaxial forces, then the detection accuracy is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple detection functions into a single piezoelectric element with strategically placed electrodes. This merging approach reduces the total number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining the ability to detect forces in orthogonal triaxial directions with high accuracy
3Measurement precision
If a cross-shaped arrangement of shearing force detection elements is used, then the shearing force detection capability is improved, but the sensor size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional cross-shaped planar arrangement to a three-dimensional structure by placing electrode pairs on opposite surfaces of the piezoelectric element. This dimensional change allows the sensor to detect shearing forces in multiple directions without requiring a large planar area, as the detection capability is achieved through the thickness dimension of the element
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 configuration enables efficient detection of forces in orthogonal triaxial directions while reducing the sensor's size and manufacturing costs, with enhanced detection area and sensitivity compared to traditional designs.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the stress detection elements is of the piezoelectric element type
Implementation Method 2
the second electrodes are configured to detect capacitances between the second electrodes and the first electrodes
Implementation Method 3
a flexible member having dielectric properties and elasticity
Implementation Method 4
for detecting forces in orthogonal triaxial directions on the basis of changes in capacitance between electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
A triaxial force sensor 1 includes nine first electrodes 11 to 19, and nine second electrodes 21 to 29 attached to an electrode support 10 in such a manner that the electrode support 10 is interposed between the nine first electrodes 11 to 19 and the nine second electrodes 21 to 29. A pair of first electrodes 14 and 16 are arranged such that a straight line connecting the two is orthogonal to a straight line connecting a pair of first electrodes 12 and 18, and the second electrodes 22, 24, 26, and 28 are arranged such that the respective halves overlap the first electrodes 12, 14, 16, and 18 in plan view. The sensor has a number of components and size, thereby allowing a reduction in manufacturing cost, in the case of detecting forces in orthogonal triaxial directions.