Wireless Sensor Module for Drift-Compensated Range Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensors, particularly those using sonar or IR, face inaccuracies due to drift and require sophisticated filters, making them cumbersome and less precise for applications needing precise displacement information, such as physics experiments, and are limited by the 6 degrees of freedom constraint.
Innovation Solution
Development of wireless modular self-contained units with battery power that utilize IR, radar, and ultrasonic techniques for directional detection, providing real-time position data with algorithms analyzing direction, angle of ascent, and speed, and integrating seamlessly with IMU systems to offer information beyond 6 degrees of freedom, including displacement and acceleration data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sonar or IR sensors are used for range detection, then directional detection capability is provided, but measurement precision deteriorates due to drift
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensing modalities (accelerometers, gyroscopes, and range sensors) into an integrated sensor module. This fusion allows the system to cross-validate measurements and compensate for drift in individual sensors, thereby improving both measurement precision and reliability simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor module incorporates feedback mechanisms where data from accelerometers and gyroscopes continuously corrects and refines range measurements. This feedback loop compensates for drift in real-time, maintaining high measurement precision and reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If 6 degrees of freedom systems with accelerometers are used, then motion tracking capability is provided, but device complexity increases due to gravity vector compensation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges 6 degrees of freedom motion tracking with additional range sensing capabilities into a unified sensor module. By integrating these functions at the hardware level, the system achieves enhanced adaptability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor module is designed as a multi-functional unit that performs both 6 degrees of freedom motion tracking and range detection. This universal design allows a single device to handle multiple sensing tasks, reducing overall system complexity compared to separate specialized sensors.
3Measurement precision
If careful placement of sensors is required for experiments, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but ease of operation deteriorates due to cumbersome setup
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes, range sensors) into a single integrated module that can be placed at one location. This eliminates the need for careful placement of multiple separate sensors, maintaining measurement precision while dramatically improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated sensor module provides multiple sensing functions (acceleration, rotation, range) in a single unit. This multi-functionality allows the module to be placed once yet capture comprehensive motion data, making experiments easier to set up while maintaining high measurement accuracy.
4Ease of operation
If wireless modular units with battery power are used, then ease of operation improves by allowing untethered operation, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless sensor module uses periodic transmission of data instead of continuous transmission. By transmitting information at intervals rather than continuously, the system enables untethered operation while significantly reducing battery power consumption.
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
Enables precise, real-time data acquisition and analysis of motion in various degrees of granularity, enhancing the accuracy and usability of sensors in physics experiments and other applications by providing both displacement and acceleration data in a single unit, while maximizing battery life and allowing untethered operation.
Implementation Method 1
time-of-flight using an IR transmitter and receiver
Implementation Method 2
Doppler information from a radar
Implementation Method 3
ultrasonic waves in certain embodiments
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor module may include a housing having a front end, a rear end opposing the front end, and first and second opposing sides extending between the front end and the rear end. The housing may define a first opening and a second opening spaced apart from the first opening on the front end. The sensor module may include an IMU sensor carried by the housing, a wireless transmitter carried by the housing, a battery power supply carried by the housing, and an IR ranging circuit configured to sense range information for a target and having an IR transmitter aligned with the first opening and configured to emit an IR pulse, and an IR photodetector aligned with the second opening and configured to detect a reflected IR pulse. The wireless transmitter may be configured to transmit the range information to a remote location.