Ultrasonic Sensor with Acoustic Refracting Part for Tactile Force Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tactile sensors with complex spatial structures for detecting shearing and positive pressure forces have poor productivity and high production costs due to their intricate designs.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic sensor with a substrate, ultrasonic transducer, acoustic refracting part, elastically deformable elastic portion, and ultrasonic reflecting member, where ultrasonic waves are transmitted as plane waves, refracted, and reflected to detect strain and force, simplifying the configuration and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional tactile sensors use separate structural bodies for shearing force detection and positive pressure force detection with complex spatial structures, then both types of forces can be detected, but productivity deteriorates and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling a single structural body to detect both shearing forces and positive pressure forces. The structural body includes a sensitive part with multiple detection regions: a first detection region for shearing forces and a second detection region for positive pressure forces. This eliminates the need for separate structural bodies for each force type, thereby improving productivity while maintaining comprehensive detection capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional tactile sensors use separate structural bodies for shearing force detection and positive pressure force detection, then both forces can be detected, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of separate structural bodies into a single integrated structural body. The sensitive part is configured with multiple detection regions that can detect both shearing forces and positive pressure forces simultaneously. This consolidation reduces device complexity by eliminating redundant components and simplifying the spatial structure while maintaining the ability to detect multiple force types.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional tactile sensors use intricate designs with multiple separate structural bodies, then comprehensive force detection is achieved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple detection functions into a single structural body with integrated sensitive parts. This merging reduces the number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled with high precision, thereby lowering manufacturing precision requirements while still achieving comprehensive force detection capability through the multi-region sensitive part design.
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 sensor effectively detects shearing and positive pressure forces with improved productivity and reduced production costs by using a stacked configuration and a spherical or polyhedral ultrasonic reflecting member, enhancing signal detection precision and manufacturing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic transducer configured and arranged to transmit ultrasonic waves that propagate as plane waves in a direction orthogonal to a surface of the substrate
Implementation Method 2
an acoustic refracting part that refracts the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer
Implementation Method 3
an ultrasonic reflecting member configured and arranged to reflect the ultrasonic waves
Implementation Method 4
an elastically deformable elastic portion that elastically deforms in response to applied forces
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasonic sensor includes: a substrate; an ultrasonic transducer disposed on the substrate, and configured and arranged to transmit ultrasonic waves that propagate as plane waves in a direction orthogonal to a surface of the substrate; an acoustic refracting part contacting the ultrasonic transducer, and configured and arranged to refract the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer; an elastically deformable elastic portion contacting the acoustic refracting part; and an ultrasonic reflecting member disposed within the elastic portion, and configured and arranged to reflect the ultrasonic waves. The acoustic refracting part is configured and arranged to refract, toward the ultrasonic reflecting member, the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer.