Ultrasonic Sensing Apparatus for Narrow Space Object Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing object detection technologies, such as barcodes and RFID, face limitations in narrow spaces and with highly reflective or penetrative materials, and are costly compared to traditional barcodes.
Innovation Solution
A proximity ultrasonic sensing apparatus that includes a microprocessor and an ultrasonic sensing assembly with a boost circuit, ultrasonic transmitting and receiving modules, and an amplifying circuit, which generates and sends ultrasonic signals and receives reflection signals to detect objects within a close distance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If optical scanning is used for barcode/QR code recognition, then identification can be achieved through light reflection, but detection fails in narrow spaces and with highly reflective or penetrative materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical scanning system with an ultrasonic sensing system. The ultrasonic transmitting module emits acoustic waves that interact with objects through reflection, absorption, and transmission, enabling detection in scenarios where optical methods fail, such as narrow spaces and with highly reflective or penetrative materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from optical wavelength to ultrasonic frequency (500 KHz to 1.2 MHz). This parameter change allows the sensing system to penetrate materials that block or reflect light, expanding detection capability to previously unsuitable scenarios.
2Adaptability or versatility
If RFID is used for magnetic induction sensing, then sensing range is widened, but cost increases due to requiring antennas and chips
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential sensing function from the RFID system, keeping only the ultrasonic transmission and reception capabilities while eliminating the expensive antenna and chip components. This allows maintaining sensing range while significantly reducing manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The ultrasonic sensing apparatus uses simple, inexpensive components (transmitting module, receiving module, and processing circuit) compared to RFID systems. These components can be manufactured at low cost using standard semiconductor fabrication processes, making the system economically viable for widespread deployment.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional barcode scanning is used, then cost is kept low, but detection fails in environments with insufficient light or light penetration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes optical detection with ultrasonic detection, replacing light-based mechanisms with acoustic wave mechanisms. This substitution maintains low manufacturing cost while achieving environmental adaptability, as ultrasonic waves are not affected by light conditions and can detect objects in dark or transparent environments.
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 ultrasonic sensing apparatus achieves effective object detection in environments with insufficient light or light penetration, reducing blind spots and improving detection accuracy within a range of 0.2 to 8 centimeters.
Implementation Method 1
The ultrasonic transmitting module and the ultrasonic receiving module respectively include a plurality of piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducers
Implementation Method 2
The ultrasonic transmitting module and the ultrasonic receiving module respectively include a plurality of piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducers
Implementation Method 3
The ultrasonic receiving module receives an ultrasonic reflection signal generated through reflection of the ultrasonic signal
Data Source
AI summary
A proximity ultrasonic sensing apparatus includes a microprocessor and an ultrasonic sensing assembly. The microprocessor generates a control signal. The ultrasonic sensing assembly includes a boost circuit to boost the control signal into a driving signal, an ultrasonic transmitting module to generates and sends an ultrasonic signal according to the driving signal, an ultrasonic receiving module to converts reflection of the ultrasonic signal into a reflection signal, and an amplifying circuit to amplifies the reflection signal into a sensing signal. A transmitting/receiving angle of the ultrasonic transmitting module and the ultrasonic receiving module is in a range of 2 to 10 degrees. The microprocessor generates a sensing result according to the sensing signal. A frequency of the ultrasonic signal is in a range of 500 KHz to 1.2 MHz. A sensing distance of the ultrasonic sensing assembly is in a range of 0.2 to 8 centimeters.