Ultrasonic Sensor Attenuating Material Reduces False Detections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ultrasonic sensors experience erroneous detections due to multiple reflections of ultrasonic waves between the fork arms of the housing, leading to interference and false detections, especially when emitting pulses with a predetermined repetition frequency.

Innovation Solution

The ultrasonic sensor incorporates a receiving opening surrounded by an attenuating material that absorbs or diffusely reflects ultrasonic waves, preventing unwanted multiple reflections and improving detection reliability by weakening the portion of waves that would cause false detections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If ultrasonic waves are emitted with a predetermined repetition frequency, then the detection speed is improved, but multiple reflections cause interference and false detections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection speedVSAvoiddetection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies acoustic absorption material in the housing corners to convert the harmful multiple reflections into beneficial damping effects. The reflected waves are absorbed by the material, preventing them from causing interference with subsequent pulses, thus enabling higher repetition frequencies without false detections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The acoustic absorption material acts as an intermediary element between the ultrasonic waves and the housing structure. It mediates the interaction by absorbing the reflected energy, preventing the waves from traveling back and forth between fork arms and causing interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the ultrasonic receiver is positioned to maximize reception, then the detection sensitivity is improved, but more waves are reflected back causing false detections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoidreflected wave interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful reflected waves into beneficial absorbed energy by placing acoustic absorption material in the housing corners. This allows the receiver to be positioned for maximum sensitivity without the reflected waves causing false detections, as the absorption material damps the reflections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of manufacture

If the housing structure is simplified, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but multiple reflections occur causing false detections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehousing manufacturingVSAvoiddetection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses acoustic absorption material with porous structure in the housing corners. This material effectively absorbs reflected ultrasonic waves, preventing multiple reflections and false detections, while adding minimal complexity to the housing structure and maintaining ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

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 attenuating material effectively reduces false detections by absorbing or diffusely scattering ultrasonic waves that are not guided through the receiving opening, enhancing the reliability of object detection in ultrasonic sensors.

Implementation Method 1

The attenuating material has an absorbing effect on ultrasonic waves, in particular through viscous friction in porous structures

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Implementation Method 2

absorption by friction takes place in these pores

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectViscous friction: Viscous Damping

Implementation Method 3

The attenuating material has a diffusely scattering effect on ultrasonic waves

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffuse reflection: Scattering

Data Source

PatentEP3936445A1Ultrasound sensor
Publication Date: 2022.01.12 LEUZE ELECTRONIC GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3936445A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3936445A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3936445A1 patent drawingFigure 5a~6d

AI summary

The invention relates to an ultrasonic sensor (1) for detecting objects in a monitoring area, comprising an ultrasonic transmitter (3) emitting ultrasonic waves (2) and an ultrasonic receiver (4) receiving ultrasonic waves (2). A receiving aperture (11) is provided in a housing that accommodates the ultrasonic receiver (4). Ultrasonic waves (2) emitted by the transmitter and passing through the monitoring area are guided through this aperture to the ultrasonic receiver (4). The receiving aperture (11) is provided with an attenuating material that absorbs or diffusely reflects the ultrasonic waves (2).