Vibration Contact Detection via Frequency Filtering
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining contact between objects traveling in a medium, such as infrared-based and vibration detection systems, suffer from high costs, intrusiveness, and a high incidence of false positives due to pressure wave interactions, leading to errors in decision-making systems.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing vibration sensors and signal processing to differentiate between vibrations caused by actual contact and those generated by pressure waves, employing a calibration phase to determine distinct frequency ranges for contact and false positives, and applying a bandpass filter to confirm actual contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If vibration sensors are used to detect contact between objects, then contact detection capability is improved, but false positives increase due to pressure wave interactions
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the frequency response characteristics by applying different filtering strategies based on the expected frequency content of actual contact events versus pressure wave interactions. This allows the detection system to adapt its sensitivity to different types of vibrations in real-time, improving discrimination between true contacts and false positives.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of frequency analysis by transforming vibration signals from time domain to frequency domain using Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). This parameter transformation enables the system to identify and filter out pressure wave frequencies that differ from actual contact frequencies, thereby reducing false positives while maintaining contact detection accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If infrared cameras are used to detect contact through friction heat, then contact detection is possible, but equipment cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the infrared thermal detection system with a vibration-based detection system. Instead of using expensive infrared cameras to detect heat generated by friction, the system uses vibration sensors to detect mechanical vibrations caused by contact. This substitution significantly reduces equipment cost and complexity while maintaining contact detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses vibration signals as a proxy or copy of the contact event, rather than directly measuring the thermal signature. By analyzing the mechanical vibrations that occur during contact, the system can infer contact events without requiring expensive infrared imaging equipment, thus achieving the same detection goal with simpler, cheaper hardware.
3Measurement precision
If vibration sensors are mounted on objects to detect contact, then detection accuracy is improved, but intrusiveness and power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the surrounding medium (air, water, or other fluids) as an intermediary to transmit vibration signals between objects. Instead of mounting sensors directly on the objects being monitored, the system places vibration sensors in the medium that naturally transmits the contact vibrations. This intermediary approach allows detection without direct attachment to the objects, reducing intrusiveness and eliminating the need for mobile power sources on the objects themselves.
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
This approach significantly reduces false positives, improves accuracy, and lowers equipment costs by effectively distinguishing between contact and non-contact events, ensuring reliable detection of object interactions in various applications.
Implementation Method 1
A measuring device detects vibrations
Implementation Method 2
converting the output of the sensor into digital form; during a calibration phase, changing the data from time domain to frequency domain
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for accurately detecting contact between two objects in a medium comprises at least one sensor for detecting vibration of a first of the two objects and a central processing unit (CPU) for receiving an output of the at least one sensor, wherein the CPU performs the steps: converting the output of the sensor into digital form; during a calibration phase, changing the data from time domain to frequency domain; and during the calibration phase, determining a first frequency range associated with actual contact between the two objects, and a second frequency range associated with a false positive contact between the two objects. A signal processor is provided for filtering all data except that which falls within the first frequency range so as to confirm actual contact between the objects.