Variable Scale Sensor Amplifier Gain Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor assemblies lack the ability to adjust their scale effectively to match sensor output to a desired range, limiting their applicability and resolution in various applications.
Innovation Solution
A sensing apparatus with a control block that includes a sensor scale input port, allowing users to adjust the gain and offset of the amplifier, enabling the scaling of sensor output signals to correspond to a user-selected range, thereby enhancing resolution and accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If sensor assemblies use fixed scale output, then manufacturing is simple, but adaptability to different applications is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor assembly incorporates an adjustable amplifier with variable gain and offset controls, allowing the output scale to be dynamically adjusted to match different application requirements. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the same sensor assembly to adapt to multiple applications without requiring different fixed-scale sensors for each application.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the electrical parameters (gain and offset) of the amplifier circuit to adjust the sensor output scale. By varying these parameters, the sensor can produce output signals that correspond to different ranges of the sensed parameter, thereby achieving adaptability to different applications while using the same physical sensor assembly.
2Measurement precision
If sensor output is not scaled to match expected range, then device is simpler, but measurement precision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The amplifier's gain and offset parameters are adjusted to scale the sensor output signal to match the expected range of the sensed parameter. This parameter adjustment ensures that the output signal充分利用 the available resolution and accuracy of the sensor system, thereby improving measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using mechanical scaling mechanisms or multiple fixed-scale sensors, the invention uses electronic signal conditioning through an adjustable amplifier to achieve precise scaling. This electronic approach replaces complex mechanical systems while maintaining or improving measurement precision.
3Ease of operation
If sensor scale is fixed at factory, then field replacement is easier, but user customization capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor assembly maintains ease of field replacement through modular design while adding dynamic scale adjustment capability. The adjustable amplifier allows users to customize the output scale to match their specific application requirements without complicating the replacement process, as the adjustment can be made in-place without requiring calibration equipment or complex procedures.
Data Source
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AI summary
A sensor assembly includes a sense element for sensing a sensed parameter. The sense element may provide a sense element output signal that is related to the sensed parameter. A control block may include a first input port for receiving the sense element output signal, a second input port for receiving a scale input adjustable by a user, and an output port for providing a sensor assembly output signal. The control block may be configured to take in the sense element output signal via the first input port and produce the sensor assembly output signal at the output port, wherein the sensor assembly output signal at the output port is related to the sense element output signal and corresponds to a user selected range of the sensed parameter. The user selected range may be determined, at least in part, by the scale input received via the second input port.