Ultrasonic Electronic Coupling for Precise Relative Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic coupling systems for active and passive driving units are costly, complex, and require extensive sensor systems, often relying on additional communication channels like radio or infrared, which increases susceptibility to faults and costs.
Innovation Solution
An electronic coupling system utilizing ultrasonic transmitters and receivers with distinct frequencies, allowing for relative position determination through trigonometric calculations based on signal path differences, eliminating the need for absolute signal path lengths and reducing communication complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional electronic coupling systems use extensive sensor systems and additional communication channels (radio, infrared), then position determination capability is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for complex communication channels (radio, infrared) and extensive sensor systems by using a simplified ultrasonic measurement approach. The system achieves position determination using only ultrasonic transmitters and receivers with trigonometric calculations, removing unnecessary components while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces electronic communication systems (radio, infrared) with a purely acoustic measurement system using ultrasonic waves. This substitution eliminates the need for complex communication protocols and additional communication hardware, simplifying the overall system while maintaining position determination functionality.
2Measurement precision
If conventional electronic coupling systems use extensive sensor systems and additional communication channels, then position determination capability is improved, but susceptibility to faults increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes multiple potential failure points by eliminating extensive sensor systems and additional communication channels. The simplified ultrasonic-based system has fewer components that could fail, thereby improving reliability while maintaining position determination capability through mathematical calculations.
3Measurement precision
If conventional electronic coupling systems use extensive sensor systems, then position determination accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive ultrasonic transmitters and receivers instead of costly extensive sensor systems. The system achieves accurate position determination using basic ultrasonic components combined with trigonometric calculations, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining measurement precision.
4Loss of information
If additional communication channels (radio, infrared) are used, then communication capability is improved, but interference susceptibility increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electromagnetic communication channels (radio, infrared) with acoustic ultrasonic wave transmission. This substitution eliminates susceptibility to electromagnetic interference while maintaining communication capability, as ultrasonic waves are not affected by electromagnetic fields.
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 a cost-effective, fault-resistant, and versatile solution for coupling driving units, capable of various applications with low susceptibility to interference, enabling precise control and adaptive movement adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
A first ultrasonic signal can be emitted by the first transmitter (2.1) at a first transmission time, while a second ultrasonic signal can be emitted by the second transmitter (2.2) at a second transmission time
Implementation Method 2
The differences in the signal paths can be determined based on the difference in reception times and taking into account the difference in transmission times
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
The invention relates to an electronic coupling system by means of which a travel unit (1) can be coupled, having a transmission unit (2), a receiving unit (3), an analysis unit (4), and a drive unit (5). The transmission unit (2) has a first and a second transmitter (2.1; 2.2), said first and second transmitter (2.1; 2.2) having a transmitter spacing. A first ultrasonic signal and a second ultrasonic signal can be transmitted by the first transmitter (2.1) and the second transmitter (2.2), respectively, at a first and a second transmission time, and the first and the second ultrasonic signal have different frequencies. The receiving unit (3) has a first receiver and a second receiver (3.1; 3.2), said first and second receiver (3.1; 3.2) having a receiver spacing. Each ultrasonic signal can be received by both receivers (3.1; 3.2) in the form of a total of four signal receptions, and the analysis unit (4) is connected to the receiving unit (3) so as to transmit data. A receiving time can be assigned to each of the four signal receptions, and the difference between the receiving times of the first and the second ultrasonic signal in the first receiver (3.1) and the difference between the receiving times of the first and the second ultrasonic signal in the second receiver (3.2) can be determined. The difference between the first and the second transmission times can be stored, and the difference between the signal paths can be ascertained using the difference between the receiving times and the difference between the transmission times. An actual relative position between the transmission unit (2) and the receiving unit (3) can be determined using the difference between the signal paths, the transmitter spacing, and the receiver spacing. A target relative position between the transmission unit (2) and the receiving unit (3) can be stored, and a control command can be provided from a comparison of the actual relative position and the target relative position. The drive unit (5) obtains the control command from the analysis unit (4), and a travel movement of the travel unit (1) can be produced by the drive unit (5) on the basis of the control command, wherein the target relative position between the transmission unit (2) and the receiving unit (3) can be produced by means of the travel movement.