Sensing coils for inductive rotational position sensing and related devices, systems and methods

Abstract

A device for inductive rotational position sensing is disclosed. The device may include a conductive material that defines a continuous path for current to flow between a first position and a second position. The continuous path includes a first path portion and a second path portion, the first path portion being defined as a generally clockwise path for the current to flow around a geometric center of the continuous path, and the second path portion being defined as a generally counterclockwise path for the current to flow around the geometric center. The continuous path also includes a radial direction reversal region, at which one of the first path portion or the second path portion changes from being defined as a generally outward path for the current to flow away from the geometric center to being defined as a generally inward path for the current to flow toward the geometric center. Related systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related patent applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 200,751, filed on March 25, 2021, entitled “SENSE COIL FOR INDUCTIVEROTATIONAL-POSITION SENSING, AND RELATED DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS,” pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(e), the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present specification generally relates to rotational position sensing. More specifically, some examples relate to sensing coils for inductive rotational position sensing, but are not limited thereto. Additionally, devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. Background Art

[0004] If the wire coil is placed in a changing magnetic field, a voltage will be induced at the end of the wire coil. In a predictably changing magnetic field, the induced voltage will be predictable (based on factors including the area of ​​the coil affected by the magnetic field and the degree of change of the magnetic field). The predictably changing magnetic field can be disturbed and the resulting change in the voltage induced in the wire coil can be measured. In addition, a sensor can be created that measures the movement of the disturber of the predictably changing magnetic field based on the change in the voltage induced in the wire coil. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] While the present disclosure concludes with claims that particularly point out and distinctly claim specific examples, the various features and advantages of examples within the scope of the present disclosure may be more readily ascertained from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0006] Figure 1A is a diagram illustrating a top view of an exemplary rotary position sensor according to one or more examples.

[0007] Figure 1B is a diagram showing a method according to one or more examples Figure 1A Illustration of a side view of an exemplary rotary position sensor.

[0008] Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 2C Each of the figures is a diagram showing a top view of some elements of an example rotary position sensor according to one or more examples.

[0009] Figure 3is a diagram illustrating a top view of an exemplary sensing coil of a rotary position sensor according to one or more examples.

[0010] Figure 4A is a diagram illustrating a top view of another exemplary sensing coil of a rotary position sensor according to one or more examples.

[0011] Figure 4B is a diagram showing a method according to one or more examples Figure 4A Illustration of a top view of a first path portion of an exemplary sensing coil.

[0012] Figure 4C is a diagram showing a method according to one or more examples Figure 4A Illustration of a top view of a second path portion of an exemplary sensing coil.

[0013] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating a top view of two exemplary sensing coils of a rotary position sensor according to one or more examples.

[0014] Figure 6 is a graph illustrating an exemplary simulated demodulated signal according to one or more examples.

[0015] Figure 7 is a graph illustrating exemplary simulated output signals according to one or more examples.

[0016] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating a top view of another exemplary rotary position sensor according to one or more examples.

[0017] Fig. 9 Methods for rotational position sensing according to one or more examples are shown.

[0018] Fig.10 Included are two graphs illustrating simulated modulated signals according to one or more examples.

[0019] Fig.11 is a perspective view of an exemplary sensing coil of a rotary position sensor according to one or more examples.

[0020] Fig.12 is a perspective view of another exemplary sensing coil of a rotary position sensor according to one or more examples.

[0021] Fig.13 is a perspective view of two example sensing coils of a rotary position sensor according to one or more examples. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part of the present disclosure, and in the accompanying drawings are shown by way of example specific examples in which the present disclosure may be practiced. These examples are described in sufficient detail to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the present disclosure. However, other examples may be utilized, and changes in structure, material, and process may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0023] The illustrations presented herein are not intended to be actual views of any particular method, system, device, or structure, but are merely idealized representations used to describe examples of the present disclosure. The drawings presented herein are not necessarily drawn to scale. For the convenience of the reader, similar structures or components in the various drawings may retain the same or similar numbering; however, the similarity of numbering does not mean that the structure or component must be the same in size, composition, configuration, or any other attribute.

[0024] The following description may include examples to help those skilled in the art practice the examples disclosed in the present invention. The use of the terms "exemplary", "by way of example" and "for example" means that the relevant description is illustrative, and although the scope of the present disclosure is intended to cover examples and legal equivalents, the use of such terms is not intended to limit the scope of the examples of the present disclosure to the specified components, steps, features or functions, etc.

[0025] It should be readily understood that the components of the examples generally described herein and shown in the accompanying drawings may be arranged and designed in a variety of different configurations. Therefore, the following description of various examples is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, but is merely representative of various examples. Although various aspects of the examples may be presented in the accompanying drawings, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale unless otherwise specified.

[0026] In addition, the specific embodiments shown and described are examples only and should not be understood as the only way to implement the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified herein. Elements, circuits, and functions can be shown in block diagram form so as not to obscure the present disclosure with unnecessary details. On the contrary, the specific embodiments shown and described are exemplary only and should not be understood as the only way to implement the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified herein. In addition, the partitioning of logic between block definitions and individual blocks is an example of a specific embodiment. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the present disclosure can be practiced through many other partitioning solutions. In most cases, details about timing considerations, etc. have been omitted, where such details are not required to obtain a complete understanding of the present disclosure and are within the capabilities of those of ordinary skill in the relevant art.

[0027] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that information and signals may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, and symbols that may be referenced throughout this specification may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, light fields or particles, or any combination thereof. For clarity of presentation and description, some of the accompanying drawings may show signals as single signals. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that a signal may represent a signal bus, where the bus may have a variety of bit widths, and that the present disclosure may be implemented on any number of data signals, including a single data signal. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure encompasses the transmission of quantum information and qubits used to represent quantum information.

[0028] The various illustrative logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the examples disclosed herein may be implemented or executed with a general purpose processor, a special purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an integrated circuit (IC), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic component, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor (which may also be referred to herein as a "host processor" or simply a "host") may be a microprocessor, but in an alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors combined with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. A general purpose computer including a processor is considered a special purpose computer when the general purpose computer is configured to execute computing instructions (e.g., software code) associated with the examples disclosed herein.

[0029] Examples can be described according to processes depicted as flow charts, flow diagrams, structure diagrams, or block diagrams. Although flow charts can describe operable actions as continuous processes, many of these actions can be performed in another sequence, in parallel, or substantially simultaneously. In addition, the order of actions can be rearranged. Processes can correspond to methods, threads, functions, procedures, subroutines, or subprograms without limitation. In addition, the methods disclosed herein can be implemented by hardware, software, or both. If implemented in software, these functions can be stored or transmitted to a computer-readable medium as one or more instructions or codes. Computer-readable media include both computer storage media and communication media, and the communication media include any media that is conducive to transferring a computer program from one location to another.

[0030] The rotation position sensor may include an oscillator, an oscillator coil, a first sensing coil, a second sensing coil, a target, and an integrated circuit. The oscillator may be configured to generate an excitation signal. The oscillator coil may be excited by the excitation signal. The oscillating signal on the oscillating coil may generate a changing (oscillating) magnetic field in a space surrounded by the oscillating coil.

[0031] The first sensing coil and the second sensing coil may be positioned in a space surrounded by the oscillating coil. The changing magnetic field generated by the oscillating coil may induce a first voltage at the end of the first sensing coil and a second voltage at the end of the second sensing coil. The first voltage at the end of the first sensing coil may oscillate in response to the oscillation of the excitation signal and may be a first sensing signal. The second voltage at the end of the second sensing signal may oscillate in response to the oscillation of the excitation signal and may be a second sensing signal.

[0032] The target may be positioned relative to the oscillating coil, the first sensing coil, and the second sensing coil. For example, the target may be positioned above a portion of the oscillating coil, the first sensing coil, and the second sensing coil, but is not limited thereto. The target may interfere with some of the changing magnetic fields passing through one or more of the first sensing coil and the second sensing coil.

[0033] The first sensing coil and the second sensing coil may be configured such that the position of the target above one or more of the first sensing coil and the second sensing coil may affect the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal induced in the first sensing coil and the second sensing coil, respectively. For example, in response to the target being above a loop in the first sensing coil, the amplitude of the first sensing signal may be less than the amplitude of the first sensing signal when the target is not above the loop in the first sensing coil.

[0034] In addition, the target may be configured to rotate about a rotation axis that is perpendicular to the plane of one or more of the oscillating coil, the first sensing coil, and the second sensing coil (in other words, the target may rotate in a plane parallel to the plane of one or more of the first sensing coil, the second sensing coil, and the oscillating coil). The geometric center of each of the first sensing coil, the second sensing coil, and the oscillating coil may be at the rotation axis.

[0035] When the target rotates about the rotation axis, each of the first sensing signal of the first sensing coil and the second sensing signal of the second sensing coil may be amplitude modulated in response to the rotation of the target.

[0036] In various examples, the integrated circuit may be configured to generate an output signal in response to a first sensing signal and a second sensing signal. The output signal may be a fraction of a mains voltage (VCC) based on the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal. The output signal may be related to the rotational position of the target, and consecutive samples of the output signal may be related to the rotational direction of the target. Thus, the rotational position sensor may be configured to generate an output signal indicating one or more of the rotational position of the target and the rotational direction of the target.

[0037] In various examples, the integrated circuit can be configured to generate a first output signal based on the first sensing signal and a second output based on the second sensing signal. The first output signal can be a demodulated first sensing signal; the second output signal can be a demodulated second sensing signal. The two output signals together can be related to the rotational position of the target, and subsequent samples of the first output signal and the second output signal can be related to the rotational direction of the target.

[0038] Some examples include sensing coils that cause the integrated circuit to generate a dual slope output signal in response to a complete rotation of the target about the rotational axis. The dual slope output signal can be an output signal that has a known correlation with the rotational position of the target. Other methods known to the inventors of the present disclosure for generating a dual slope output signal include using at least two rotational position sensors.

[0039] Some examples include configurations of sensing coils that use only one rotational position sensor to provide generation of a dual slope output signal. These examples represent improvements over other methods known to the inventors of the present disclosure by generating the same dual slope output signal as other methods while using fewer (e.g., one) rotational position sensors.

[0040] Some examples include configurations of sensing coils and targets that are configured to be above most of the sensing coils. A large target that is above a large portion of the sensing coils (e.g., a majority of the sensing coils) may disturb more of the magnetic field between the oscillating coil and the sensing coil than a small target that is above a small portion of the sensing coils. Thus, a large target that is positioned farther away from the sensing coils may affect the current induced at the sensing coils as much as a small target that is positioned closer to the sensing coils. Thus, a larger target may allow for a larger air gap between the target and the sensing coils than a smaller target.

[0041] Figure 1A is a diagram illustrating a top view of a rotary position sensor 100 according to one or more examples. Figure 1B is a diagram showing a method according to one or more examples Figure 1A 1 is an illustration of a side view of rotational position sensor 100 .

[0042] Rotary position sensor 100 includes support structure 102, oscillator coil 104, first sensing coil (cosine coil 108), second sensing coil (sine coil 106), integrated circuit (IC 112), and target 114. For simplicity, the term "sensing coil" when used alone refers to the first sensing coil.

[0043] The support structure 102 may be configured to support the conductive material 120 on or in two or more planes parallel to the depicted xy plane, which planes may, but are not required to, correspond to layers of the support structure 102. The conductive material 120 supported by the support structure 102 may be arranged at the support structure 102 to form an oscillator coil 104, a sine coil 106, and a cosine coil 108. As a non-limiting example, the support structure 102 including the oscillator coil 104, the sine coil 106, the cosine coil 108, and the various connecting wires may be a printed circuit board or other semiconductor substrate.

[0044] The oscillator coil 104 may be configured to carry an excitation signal around the sine coil 106 and the cosine coil 108 (i.e., the oscillator coil 104 may be arranged to define a path around the sine coil 106 and the cosine coil 108). Such an excitation signal may be an oscillating signal having a frequency between 1 megahertz (MHz) and 6 MHz, but is not limited thereto.

[0045] Each of the sine coil 106 and the cosine coil 108 may be configured to be inductively coupled to the oscillator coil 104. Specifically, the excitation signal carried by the oscillator coil 104 may be respectively applied to the sine coil 106 and the cosine coil 108 (e.g., at Figure 1A 106 and the cosine coil 108 near the IC 112). Thus, the excitation signal carried by the oscillator coil 104 surrounding the sine coil 106 may induce a “sine sense signal” at the sine coil 106, and the excitation signal carried by the oscillator coil 104 surrounding the cosine coil 108 may induce a “cosine sense signal” at the cosine coil 108.

[0046] Each of sine coil 106 and cosine coil 108 may be arranged in two or more planes of support structure 102 such that portions of sine coil 106 may be above portions of cosine coil 108 and portions of cosine coil 108 may be above portions of sine coil 106 without electrical coupling between sine coil 106 and cosine coil 108. Thus, the voltage of sine coil 106 may be independent of the voltage of cosine coil 108. The portions of the coils in two or more planes may be electrically coupled via vias 110. Figure 1A, portions of the sine coil 106 and cosine coil 108 in a first plane are shown using a pair of lines surrounding white space, and portions of the sine coil 106 and cosine coil 108 in a second plane (eg, below the first plane) are shown using thick solid lines.

[0047] The target 114 may be arranged relative to the oscillator coil 104, the sine coil 106, and the cosine coil 108 to interfere with the magnetic field generated at the oscillator coil 104, which magnetically couples the oscillator coil 104 to the sine coil 106 and the oscillator coil 104 to the cosine coil 108. The target 114 may affect the degree of magnetic coupling between the oscillator coil 104 and the sine coil 106 and between the oscillator coil 104 and the cosine coil 108. As a non-limiting example, the target 114 may be formed of a non-ferromagnetic material 124. The target 114 may be arranged to cover between 0° and 90° of a circle centered on the axis 116. As a specific non-limiting example, the target 114 may be arranged to cover 45° of a circle centered on the axis 116.

[0048] like Figure 1B As shown, target 114 may be positioned above support structure 102. Specifically, there may be an air gap 118 between target 114 and support structure 102. In some cases, a larger air gap may be desirable to provide, for example, greater manufacturing tolerances, but is not limited thereto. Figure 8 The described examples may provide a larger air gap than provided by other rotary position sensors.

[0049] The extent to which the target 114 interferes with the magnetic field between the oscillator coil 104 and the sine coil 106 may affect the sine sensing signal at the sine coil 106. Likewise, the extent to which the target 114 interferes with the magnetic field between the oscillator coil 104 and the cosine coil 108 may affect the cosine sensing signal at the cosine coil 108. Specifically, a target 114 over a portion of the sine coil 106 may reduce the amplitude of the sine sensing signal, and a target 114 over a portion of the cosine coil 108 may reduce the amplitude of the cosine sensing signal.

[0050] The respective portions of the sine coil 106 and the cosine coil 108 under the target 114 may determine the extent to which the target 114 interferes with the magnetic coupling between the oscillator coil 104 and the sine coil 106 and between the oscillator coil 104 and the cosine coil 108, respectively. Thus, the respective portions of the sine coil 106 and the cosine coil 108 under the target 114 may determine the magnitude of each of the sine sense signals and the magnitude of the cosine sense signal. For example, if a first lobe of the sine coil 106 is completely under the target 114, the sine sense signal may be smaller than the cosine sense signal, which does not have a lobe completely under the target 114.

[0051] The target 114 may be configured to rotate about an axis of rotation (axis 116), for example, in one of two rotational directions 122 (e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise). The target 114 may rotate about the axis 116 in an xy plane (according to the reference coordinate plane depicted by FIG. 1 ), which may extend in the z dimension (perpendicular to the xy coordinate plane depicted by FIG. 1 ). In various examples, the axis 116 may be at the geometric center of one or more of the oscillator coil 104, the sine coil 106, and the cosine coil 108. As the target 114 rotates about the axis 116, it may be over different portions of the sine coil 106 and the cosine coil 108. Thus, as the target 114 rotates about the axis 116, it may modulate the amplitude of each of the sine sense signal and the cosine sense signal.

[0052] IC 112 may be configured to receive the sine sense signal and the cosine sense signal and generate one or more output signals based on the first sense signal and the second sense signal. Examples of output signals that may be generated by IC 112 are shown in FIG. Figure 6 and Figure 7 Given in.

[0053] Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 2C Each of the figures is a diagram showing a top view of some elements of an example rotary position sensor 200 according to one or more examples. Figure 2A The shapes and relative positions of the sine coil 106 and the cosine coil 108 are shown. Figure 2B The shape and relative position of the sine coil 106 are shown, and Figure 2C The shape and relative position of the cosine coil 108 are shown.

[0054] The rotation position sensor 200 is Figure 1A and Figure 1B An example of a rotation position sensor 100. However, in Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 2C In order to provide a clearer view of the respective geometries of the sine coil 106 and the cosine coil 108, the target is not depicted. Figure 2B , in order to provide a clearer view of the geometry of the sine coil 106, the cosine coil 108 is not depicted. Figure 2C , the sine coil 106 is not depicted in order to provide a clearer view of the geometry of the cosine coil 108 .

[0055] Figure 2A and Figure 2BA sinusoidal signal line 202 is shown, which may be configured to electrically couple the sinusoidal coil 106 to the IC 112. The IC 112 may be configured to observe a voltage at the sinusoidal signal line 202. The voltage at the sinusoidal signal line 202 may be a sinusoidal sense signal. Figure 2A and Figure 2C A cosine signal line 204 is shown, which may be configured to electrically couple the cosine coil 108 to the IC 112. The IC 112 may be configured to observe a voltage at the cosine signal line 204. The voltage at the cosine signal line 204 may be a cosine sense signal. Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 2C An oscillating signal line 206 is shown, which can be configured to electrically couple the IC 112 to the oscillator coil 104. In various examples, the IC 112 can be configured to provide an excitation signal at the oscillating signal line 206. Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 2C A signal interface 208 is shown that may be configured to allow IC 112 to provide an output signal 210 to another device.

[0056] As from Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 2C It can be seen that the sine coil 106 and the cosine coil 108 each have a radially symmetrical shape (e.g., including four lobes, but not limited thereto). Due to the radial symmetry of the sine coil 106 and the cosine coil 108, when the target completes a full rotation around its rotation axis, the modulation of the sine sensing signal and the modulation of the cosine sensing signal will repeat.

[0057] from Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 2C It can be seen that each of the sine coil 106 and the cosine coil 108 has a similar shape. Due to the similar shapes of the sine coil 106 and the cosine coil 108, when the target rotates over the sine coil 106 and the cosine coil 108, the sine sensing signal and the cosine sensing signal will be similarly modulated.

[0058] However, from Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 2C It can be seen that the shape of the cosine coil 108 is rotated relative to the sine coil 106. Due to the relative rotation of the cosine coil 108 relative to the sine coil 106, when the target rotates above the sine coil 106 and the cosine coil 108, the sine sensing signal will be modulated at a different time than the cosine sensing signal. Figure 1A , Figure 2A and Figure 5 In the non-limiting example shown, the rotation is 45°.

[0059] Due to the repetitive nature of the modulation of the sine sense signal and the repetitive but out-of-phase nature of the modulation of the cosine sense signal, the sine coil 106 is referred to using the term “sine” and the cosine coil 108 is referred to using the term “cosine”. Likewise, the sensed signal of the sine coil 106 is referred to using the term “sine” and the sensed signal of the cosine coil 108 is referred to using the term “cosine”. The terms “sine” and “cosine” are used for descriptive purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any other way.

[0060] The out-of-phase relationship between the shapes of the sine coil 106 and the cosine coil 108 allows the IC 112 to determine one or more of the position and rotational direction of the target 114 relative to the sine coil 106 and the cosine coil 108. For example, if the demodulated sine sense signal has a greater amplitude than the demodulated cosine sense signal, the IC 112 may be able to determine that the target is closer to one of 0°, 90°, 180°, or 270° than to one of 45°, 135°, 225°, or 315°, where the degree is determined based on a predetermined reference position. And, if in consecutive samples of the demodulated sine sense signal and the demodulated cosine sense signal, the amplitude of the demodulated sine sense signal increases and the amplitude of the demodulated cosine sense signal decreases, the IC 112 may be able to determine that the target is approaching one of 0°, 90°, 180°, or 270° rather than moving away therefrom.

[0061] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating a top view of an example sinusoidal coil 106 of a rotary position sensor according to one or more examples. Figure 3 A continuous path 302 is shown where current may pass through the sinusoidal coil 106. Figure 6 and Figure 7 Additionally, the meaning of the continuous path 302 is described.

[0062] The sine coil 106 may be a rotational position sensor (e.g., Figure 1A and Figure 1B The rotary position sensor 100 or Figure 2A and Figure 2B A portion of the rotational position sensor 200, but not limited to this).

[0063] The sinusoidal coil 106 defines a continuous path 302 between a first location 304 (eg, at a first sinusoidal signal line, but not limited thereto) and a second location 306 (eg, at a second sinusoidal signal line, but not limited thereto). Figure 3The arrows shown are used to illustrate the continuous path 302 and the direction of the continuous path 302. The sine coil 106 can be configured so that current can pass through the continuous path 302. For example, an oscillating coil (e.g., Figure 1A , Figure 1B , Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 2C The excitation signal at the oscillator coil 104 of the sine coil 106 may induce an oscillating sinusoidal sensing signal in the sine coil 106. Between one time and the next, i.e., during the first half of the cycle, the vibrating current may be in the continuous path 302 of the sine coil 106 in the form of Figure 3 The current may also flow in the direction indicated by the arrow of . Depending on the oscillation of the excitation signal and the oscillation of the sinusoidal sense signal, the current may also flow through the continuous path 302 in the opposite direction, i.e., during the second half of the cycle. However, for descriptive purposes, in this disclosure, the path will be described as having a direction, i.e., between the first position 304 and the second position 306.

[0064] The continuous path 302 includes a first path portion 308, shown using a dashed arrow, and a second path portion 310, shown using a dashed dotted arrow. The first path portion 308 may be defined by a generally clockwise direction of the first path portion 308 about a geometric center 312 of the continuous path 302, and the second path portion 310 may be defined by a generally counterclockwise direction of the second path portion 310 about a geometric center 312 of the continuous path 302.

[0065] Continuous path 302 includes a coupling region 314 where first path portion 308 may be configured to redirect the flow of current onto second path portion 310 and second path portion 310 may be configured to redirect the flow of current onto first path portion 308 .

[0066] The continuous path 302 also includes a first intersection region 316 , a second intersection region 318 , and a third intersection region 320 where one of the first path portion 308 or the second path portion 310 may be above the other of the first path portion 308 and the second path portion 310 .

[0067] Fig.11 is a perspective view of an exemplary sensing coil of a rotary position sensor according to one or more examples. Specifically, Fig.11 A sine coil 106 is shown. Fig.11314 to show that at coupling region 314, first path portion 308 at a lower xy plane redirects current to second path portion 310 at a lower xy plane, and at coupling region 314, second path portion 310 at a higher xy plane redirects current to first path portion 308 at a higher xy plane. Fig.11 Also shown are first intersection regions 316, second intersection regions 318, and third intersection regions 320 where the direction of current flow remains substantially the same compared to coupling region 314, for example, when a portion of first path portion 308 passes over second path portion 310, and vice versa.

[0068] Figure 4A is a diagram illustrating a top view of an exemplary cosine coil 108 of a rotary position sensor according to one or more examples. Figure 4B is a diagram showing a method according to one or more examples Figure 4A An illustration of a top view of a first path portion 408 of an exemplary cosine coil 108 . Figure 4C is a diagram showing a method according to one or more examples Figure 4A An illustration of a top view of a second path portion 410 of an exemplary cosine coil 108 . Figure 4A , Figure 4B and Figure 4C Together, a continuous path 402 is shown where current may pass through the cosine coil 108. Figure 6 and Figure 7 Additionally, the meaning of the continuous path 402 is described.

[0069] The cosine coil 108 may be a rotational position sensor (e.g., Figure 1A and Figure 1B The rotary position sensor 100 or Figure 2A , Figure 2C A portion of the rotational position sensor 200, but not limited to this).

[0070] Similar to About Figure 3 As depicted with reference to the sine coil 106 , the cosine coil 108 defines a continuous path 402 between a first location 404 (eg, at a first cosine signal line, but not limited thereto) and a second location 406 (eg, at a second cosine signal line, but not limited thereto). Figure 4A The arrow shown above shows the continuous path 402 and the direction of the continuous path 402. The cosine coil 108 can be configured so that current can pass through the continuous path 402. For example, an oscillating coil (e.g., Figure 1A , Figure 1B , Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 2CThe excitation signal at the oscillator coil 104 of the cosine coil 108 may induce an oscillating cosine sensing signal at the cosine coil 108. Between one time and the next, i.e., during the first half of the cycle, the vibrating current may be in the continuous path 402 of the cosine coil 108 in the form of Figure 4A The current may also flow in the direction indicated by the arrow of . Depending on the oscillation of the excitation signal and the oscillation of the voltage generated in the cosine coil 108, the current may also flow through the continuous path 402 in the opposite direction, i.e., during the second half of the cycle. However, for descriptive purposes, in this disclosure, the path will be described as having a direction, i.e., between the first position 404 and the second position 406.

[0071] Similar to About Figure 3 As described with reference to the sine coil 106 of the embodiment of the present invention, the continuous path 402 may include a first path portion 408 indicated by a dashed dotted arrow and a second path portion 410 indicated by a dashed dotted arrow. The first path portion 408 may be defined by a generally counterclockwise direction of the first path portion 408 around a geometric center 412 of the continuous path 402, and the second path portion 410 may be defined by a generally clockwise direction of the second path portion 410 around the geometric center 412.

[0072] However, despite Figure 3 The shape of the sine coil 106 is similar to the shape of the cosine coil 108, but Figure 4A The shapes of the first path portion 408 and the second path portion 410 may be different from Figure 3 The shape of the first path portion 308 and the second path portion 310. The shape of the first path portion 408 is Figure 4B The shape of the second path portion 410 is shown in Figure 4C The first path portion 408 includes a lobe 422, a lobe 424, a corner region 426, and an inter-lobe region 438. Similarly, the second path portion 410 includes a lobe 428, a lobe 430, a corner region 432, and an inter-lobe region 440.

[0073] The continuous path 402 includes a coupling region 416 where the first path portion 408 can be configured to redirect the flow of current to the second path portion 410, and the second path portion 410 can be configured to redirect the flow of current to the first path portion 408. The coupling region 416 can include an inter-lobed region 438 of the first path portion 408 and a corner region 432 of the second path portion 410. Thus, the flow of current can be directed from around the first path portion 408 to the second path portion 410 according to the direction of the continuous path 402. Figure 4B A pair of lines of white space at the inter-convex corner region 438 are redirected to surround Figure 4CA pair of lines of white space at the corner area 432 of the continuous path 402. And, the flow of current can be from Figure 4C The thick solid line at the corner region 432 is redirected to Figure 4B The thick solid line at the inter-convex corner area 438.

[0074] At the radial direction reversal region 414, the first path portion 408 changes from being defined as a generally outward path away from the geometric center 412 to being defined as a generally inward path toward the geometric center 412. Similarly, at the radial direction reversal region 414, the second path portion 410 changes from being defined as a generally inward path toward the geometric center 412 to being defined as a generally outward path away from the geometric center 412. The radial direction reversal region 414 includes a corner region 426 of the first path portion 408 and an inter-convex corner region 440 of the second path portion 410. When the target passes through the radial direction reversal region 414, the change in direction of the first path portion 408 and the second path portion 410 at the radial direction reversal region 414 can cause a phase shift in the modulated signal of the modulated cosine sensing signal. Figure 6 Provides further description of phase shift.

[0075] The radial direction reversal region 414, the coupling region 416, and the geometric center 412 may be arranged on a common plane, for example, a plane perpendicular to the plane of the continuous path, but not limited thereto. Without considering the z dimension (i.e., treating the cosine coil 108 as if it were all on the same xy plane), the radial direction reversal region 414, the coupling region 416, and the geometric center 412 may be on a line 436, for example, a line parallel to the plane of the continuous path, but not limited thereto. In addition, the radial direction reversal region 414 and the coupling region 416 may be at the same distance 434 from the geometric center 412.

[0076] The continuous path 402 also includes a first intersection region 418 and a second intersection region 420 where one of the first path portion 408 or the second path portion 410 may be above the other of the first path portion 408 and the second path portion 410 .

[0077] Fig.12 is a perspective view of another exemplary sensing coil of a rotation position sensor according to one or more examples. Specifically, Fig.12 A cosine coil 108 is shown. Fig.124 to show that at coupling region 416, first path portion 408 at a higher xy plane redirects current to second path portion 410 at a higher xy plane, and at coupling region 416, second path portion 410 at a lower xy plane redirects current to first path portion 408 at a lower xy plane. Fig.12 4 to show that at radial direction reversal region 414, first path portion 408 at a lower xy plane redirects current from generally radially outward, away from the geometric center, to generally radially inward, toward the geometric center, and at radial direction reversal region 414, second path portion 410 at an upper xy plane redirects current from generally radially inward, toward the geometric center, to generally radially outward, away from the geometric center. Fig.12 Also shown are first intersection regions 418 and second intersection regions 420 where the direction of current flow remains substantially the same compared to radial direction reversal region 414 coupling region 416, for example, when a portion of first path portion 408 passes through second path portion 410 and vice versa.

[0078] Figure 5 is a diagram showing a top view of two exemplary sensing coils of a rotational position sensor according to one or more examples. Specifically, Figure 5 A sine coil 106 and a cosine coil 108 are shown.

[0079] Fig.13 is a perspective view of two exemplary sensing coils of a rotary position sensor according to one or more examples. Specifically, Fig.13 A sine coil 106 and a cosine coil 108 are shown.

[0080] Fig.10 Included are two graphs showing simulated modulated signals according to one or more examples. Specifically, Fig.10 It shows that it can be Figure 1A , Figure 1B , Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 3 The sinusoidal signal 1002 of the sinusoidal signal at the sinusoidal coil 106 and the sinusoidal signal 1002 of the sinusoidal signal 1002 may be Figure 1A , Figure 1B , Figure 2A , Figure 2C and Figure 4A A cosine signal 1004 is a cosine signal at the cosine coil 108 . Fig.10The carrier frequencies shown in 1004 are intentionally selected to be close to the order of magnitude of the rotation frequency of the target to illustrate that the sine signal 1002 and the cosine signal 1004 are modulated signals. In various examples, the carrier frequencies of the sine signal 1002 and the cosine signal 1004 may be 1 MHz to 6 MHz, which may be orders of magnitude greater than the rotation frequency of the target as a non-limiting example.

[0081] Figure 6 is a graph showing an exemplary simulated demodulated signal according to one or more examples. Specifically, Figure 6 6. A demodulated sine signal 602 and a demodulated cosine signal 604 are shown. In various examples, each of the demodulated sine signal 602 and the demodulated cosine signal 604 may be an IC (e.g., Figure 1A , Figure 1B , Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 2C Specifically, IC 112 may be configured to demodulate a first sensing signal from a first sensing coil (e.g., a sensing coil designated as a “cosine” coil, but not limited thereto) to produce a demodulated cosine signal 604, and to demodulate a second sensing signal from a second sensing coil (e.g., a sensing coil designated as a “sine” coil, but not limited thereto) to produce a demodulated sine signal 602. Each of the demodulated sine signal 602 and the demodulated cosine signal 604 has a voltage amplitude over a range of motion of a target rotating around an axis (e.g., from 0° to 360°). The demodulated sine signal 602 may indicate the extent to which the target affects the magnetic field between the oscillating coil and the sine coil when the target rotates around the axis. The demodulated cosine signal 604 may indicate the extent to which the target affects the magnetic field between the oscillating coil and the cosine coil when the target rotates around the axis.

[0082] In other words, for each rotational position of a target (e.g., target 114, but not limited thereto) above a sensing coil (e.g., sine coil 106 and cosine coil 108, but not limited thereto), there may be a voltage amplitude for the demodulated sine signal 602 and a voltage amplitude for the demodulated cosine signal 604. The voltage amplitudes of the demodulated sine signal 602 and the demodulated cosine signal 604 at a single rotational position are independent of the rotational direction of the target. Therefore, whether the target rotates clockwise or counterclockwise to reach the rotational position, when the target is at the rotational position, the voltage amplitudes of the demodulated sine signal 602 and the demodulated cosine signal 604 will be the same. However, the rotational direction may be determined from consecutive samples of the voltage amplitudes of the demodulated sine signal 602 and the demodulated cosine signal 604. Therefore, when the target rotates to the rotational position, it may be determined whether the target rotates in the clockwise direction or the counterclockwise direction.

[0083] The demodulated sine signal 602 exhibits a continuous phase signal 608, i.e., no abrupt phase shifts, at least in part because the sine coil 106 does not include a radial direction reversal region. In contrast, the demodulated cosine signal 604 exhibits a 180° phase shift 606 at 180° of target rotation. In other words, the phase of the demodulated cosine signal 604 shifts by 180° when the target passes over the 180° rotation point. The 180° rotation point corresponds to Figure 4A At the radial direction reversal region 414, the cosine sensing signal changes polarity by changing the direction of flow of the current (i.e., from / to a generally outward path to / from a generally inward path relative to the geometric center). As a simplified example provided for illustrative purposes, due to the second sensing coil (e.g., Figure 1A , Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 3 The shape of the sinusoidal coil 106), the demodulated second signal (eg, Figure 6 The demodulated sinusoidal signal 602) is at the target (eg, Figure 1A and Figure 1B The target 114) is rotated about an axis (e.g., Figure 1A and Figure 1B The cyclic pattern is described as the axis 116 of the axis 116 rotates. If the first sensing coil generating the first sensing signal is the same as the second sensing coil, the demodulated first sensing signal will be the same as the second demodulated sensing signal (although 90° out of phase due to the rotation of the first sensing coil relative to the second sensing coil). However, because the first sensing coil (e.g., Figure 1A , Figure 2A , Figure 2C and Figure 4A The cosine coil 108 includes a direction change (e.g., Figure 4A The demodulated first sensing signal is different from the demodulated second sensing signal because the current changes direction at the radial direction reversal region 414. Specifically, because the current changes direction at the radial direction reversal region, the demodulated first sensing signal changes phase by 180° in the middle of the cycle (e.g., as the target rotates more than 180°). A 180° phase change in the cosine signal is equivalent to a reversal of the polarity of the cosine signal.

[0084] According to the present disclosure, IC (e.g., Figure 1A , Figure 1B , Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 2CThe IC 112 (but not limited thereto) may be configured to generate each of the demodulated sine signal 602 and the demodulated cosine signal 604 in response to receiving a sensing signal from the sensing coil. Specifically, the IC may be configured to generate each of the demodulated sine signal 602 and the demodulated cosine signal 604 in response to receiving a sensing signal from the sensing coil. Figure 3 The sine coil 106 receives the sensing signal and generates a demodulated sine signal 602, and in response to the Figure 4A The cosine coil 108 receives the sensing signal and generates a demodulated cosine signal 604 .

[0085] Figure 7 is a graph showing exemplary simulated output signals according to one or more examples. Specifically, Figure 7 An output signal 702 is shown. In various examples, the output signal 702 can be an IC (e.g., Figure 1A , Figure 1B , Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 2C Specifically, IC 112 may be configured to receive a second sensing signal from a second sensing coil (e.g., a sensing coil designated as a “sine” coil, but not limited thereto) and a first sensing signal from a first sensing coil (e.g., a sensing coil designated as a “cosine” coil, but not limited thereto), and generate an output signal 702 based on the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal. As a non-limiting example, the IC may be configured to demodulate the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal ( Figure 6 The sinusoidal signal 602 may be an example of a demodulated second sensing signal, and Figure 6 The cosine signal 604 may be an example of a demodulated first sensing signal. The IC may be further configured to calculate the position information by calculating the arc tangent of the demodulated second sensing signal and the demodulated first sensing signal (i.e., Atan2(demodulated second sensing signal, demodulated first sensing signal)). Additionally, in various examples, the IC may be configured to adjust the position information using a linearization algorithm.

[0086] The output signal 702 has a magnitude that is a percentage of the mains voltage (VCC) over the range of motion of the target rotating about an axis (eg, from 0° to 360°). Figure 6The demodulated sine signal 602 and the demodulated cosine signal 604 are the same, and for each rotational position of the target (e.g., target 114, but not limited thereto) above the sensing coil (e.g., sine coil 106 and cosine coil 108, but not limited thereto), the output signal 702 has an amplitude. The amplitude of the output signal 702 is independent of the rotational direction of the target. Therefore, whether the target rotates clockwise or counterclockwise to reach the rotational position, the amplitude of the output signal 702 will be the same at the rotational position. However, the rotational direction can be determined from consecutive samples of the amplitude of the output signal 702. Therefore, when the target rotates to the rotational position, it can be determined whether the target rotates in the clockwise direction or in the counterclockwise direction. For example, a clockwise rotation from 90° to 180° at a first rotational speed can result in an output signal 702 with a time slope that is opposite to the slope of a counterclockwise rotation at a rotational speed from 90° to 0°. In addition, the shape of the output signal 702 is symmetric about the 180° rotational position; that is, the magnitude of the output signal is the same for any rotational position and 360° minus the rotational position (e.g., f(x°)=f(360°-x°)). Therefore, a complete rotation from 0° to 360° in the clockwise direction will have the same output signal 702 over time as a complete rotation from 360° to 0° in the counterclockwise direction.

[0087] The output signal 702 is an example of a dual slope output signal because the output signal 702 includes a first slope 704 corresponding to the target rotating through a first target position range (e.g., 0° to 180°, but not limited thereto) and a second slope 708 corresponding to the target rotating through a second target position range (e.g., 180° to 360°, but not limited thereto). In addition, the output signal 702 includes a first plateau 706 between the first slope 708 and the second slope 708 and a second plateau 710 between the second slope 704 and a subsequent first slope (not shown). The output signal 702 may define a waveform 712. For example, the waveform 712 may repeat as the target continuously rotates around the axis at a constant rotation rate.

[0088] According to the present disclosure, IC (e.g., Figure 1A , Figure 1B , Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 2C The IC 112 (including, but not limited to) may be configured to generate an output signal 702 in response to receiving a sensing signal from the sensing coil. Specifically, the IC may be configured to generate an output signal 702 in response to receiving a sensing signal from the sensing coil. Figure 3 The sine coil 106 and Figure 4A The cosine coil 108 receives the sensing signal and generates an output signal 702. The 180° phase shift at the target rotation of 180° (e.g., as Figure 6As described above, the dual slope nature of the output signal 702 is caused. As a simplified example provided for illustrative purposes, by reversing the polarity of the cosine signal midway through a cycle (e.g., at a 180° target rotation), the slope of the output signal (e.g., the inverse tangent of the demodulated first sense signal and the demodulated second sense signal) is reversed midway through the cycle.

[0089] Figure 8 8 is a diagram showing a top view of another exemplary rotational position sensor 800 according to one or more examples. The rotational position sensor 800 can be used in many aspects with Figure 1A and Figure 1B The rotation position sensor 100 is the same or substantially similar to the rotation position sensor 100. Specifically, the shapes and operations of the sensing coil and the oscillation coil may be the same.

[0090] One difference between rotational position sensor 800 and rotational position sensor 100 is that target 802 may be configured to compare Figure 1A and Figure 1B The target 114 covers more of one or both of the sensing coil and the oscillating coil. The target 114 can be configured to be above a large portion of one lobed corner of one of the sensing coils. As a non-limiting example, for a sensing coil including four radially symmetric sensing coils (e.g., Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 2C ), target 114 may be configured to be above 45° of a circle centered at the geometric center of the sensing coil and / or the oscillating coil. Target 802 may be configured to be above a majority of all but one of the lobes of one of the sensing coils. As a non-limiting example, for a sensing coil including four radially symmetric sensing coils (e.g., as Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 2C As shown, but not limited to this, the target 802 can be configured to be above 270° to 359° of a circle centered on the geometric center of the sensing coil and / or the oscillating coil. As a specific non-limiting example, the target 114 can be arranged to cover 315° of a circle centered on the axis 116.

[0091] More targets (e.g., target 802, but not limited thereto) that exceed one or both of the sensing coil and the oscillating coil may interfere with more magnetic fields between the oscillating coil and the sensing coil than fewer targets (e.g., target 114, but not limited thereto) that exceed one or both of the sensing coil and the oscillating coil. Therefore, when target 802 is positioned farther away from the sensing coil, the current induced at the sensing coil is affected as much as when target 114 is positioned closer to the sensing coil. Therefore, target 802 may allow a larger air gap between the target and the sensing coil than target 114. In some cases, a larger air gap may be desired to provide, for example, a larger manufacturing tolerance, but not limited thereto.

[0092] Fig. 9 A method 900 for rotational position sensing according to one or more examples is shown. The method 900 may be Figure 1A and Figure 1B The rotation position sensor 100 and Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 2C The method is performed at one or more of the rotational position sensors 200 .

[0093] At block 902, an oscillating coil may be excited with an oscillating signal.

[0094] At block 904, a first sensing signal induced at a first sensing coil may be received. The first sensing signal may exhibit modulation in response to rotation of the target relative to the first sensing coil. The first sensing signal may exhibit a 180° phase change in response to rotation of the target over a radial direction reversal region of the first sensing coil. Figure 1A , Figure 2A , Figure 2C and Figure 4A The cosine coil 108 may be an example of a first sensing coil. Fig.10 The cosine signal 1004 may be an example of a first sensing signal.

[0095] At block 906 (which is optional), a second sensing signal induced at a second sensing coil may be received. The second sensing signal may exhibit modulation in response to the target rotation. Figure 1A , Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 3 The sinusoidal coil 106 may be an example of a second sensing coil. Fig.10 The sinusoidal signal 1002 may be an example of a second sensing signal.

[0096] At block 908 (which is optional), a first output signal derived from the first sensing signal may be generated.The first output signal may exhibit a 180° phase change in response to the target rotating over a radial direction reversal region of the first sensing coil. Figure 6The cosine signal 604 may be an example of a first output signal.

[0097] At block 910 , which is optional, a second output signal derived from the second sensed signal may be generated. Figure 6 The sinusoidal signal 602 may be an example of a second output signal.

[0098] At block 912 (which is optional), a resulting output responsive to the first sensed signal and the second sensed signal may be generated. The resulting output may exhibit a first slope before the target passes over the radial direction reversal region when rotating in one direction, and a second slope after the target passes over the radial direction reversal region when rotating in the direction. Figure 7 An output signal 702 including a first slope 704 and a second slope 708 may be an example of a resulting output.

[0099] As used in this disclosure, the term "module" or "component" may refer to a specific hardware implementation that is configured to perform the actions of a module or component and / or a software object or software routine that may be stored on and / or executed by general-purpose hardware of a computing system (e.g., a computer-readable medium, a processing device, etc.). In various examples, the different components, modules, engines, and services described in this disclosure may be implemented as objects or processes (e.g., as separate threads) that execute on a computing system. Although some of the systems and methods described in this disclosure are generally described as being implemented in software (stored on and / or executed by general-purpose hardware), specific hardware implementations or combinations of software and specific hardware implementations are also possible and contemplated.

[0100] As used in this disclosure, the term "combination" referring to a plurality of elements may include any combination of all elements or any of various subcombinations of certain elements. For example, the phrase "A, B, C, D, or a combination thereof" may refer to any one of A, B, C, or D; a combination of each of A, B, C, and D; and any subcombination of A, B, C, or D, such as A, B, and C; A, B, and D; A, C, and D; B, C, and D; A and B; A and C; A and D; B and C; B and D; or C and D.

[0101] The terms used in this disclosure, especially in the appended claims (e.g., the bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended to be “open” terms (e.g., the term “comprising” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” etc.).

[0102] Additionally, if a specific number of introduced claim recitations is intended, such intent will be expressly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation, no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain the use of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that a claim recitation introduced by the indefinite article "a" or "an" will limit any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to an example containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and an indefinite article, such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and / or "an" may be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same is true when a claim recitation is introduced using a definite article.

[0103] In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, one skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the unmodified recitation "two recitations" means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations, in the absence of other modifying elements). Moreover, in those cases where a convention similar to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." or "one or more of A, B, and C, etc." is used, such construction is generally intended to include only A, only B, only C, both A and B, both A and C, both B and C, or all three of A, B, and C, etc.

[0104] In addition, any separate word or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the specification, claims or drawings, should be understood to include the possibility of one of the terms, any one of the terms, or both of the terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" should be understood to include the possibility of "A" or "B" or "A and B".

[0105] Additional non-limiting examples of the present disclosure may include:

[0106] Embodiment 1. A device, comprising: a support structure; and a conductive material, the conductive material being arranged at the support structure to define a continuous path for current to flow between a first position and a second position, the continuous path comprising: a first path portion, the first path portion being defined as a generally clockwise path for the current to flow around a geometric center of the continuous path; a second path portion, the second path portion being defined as a generally counterclockwise path for the current to flow around the geometric center; and an intersection region, at which one of the first path portion or the second path portion changes from being defined as a generally outward path for the current to flow away from the geometric center to being defined as a generally inward path for the current to flow toward the geometric center.

[0107] Embodiment 2. A device according to embodiment 1, wherein at the intersection area, the other of the first path portion or the second path portion changes from being defined as a generally inward path for the current to flow toward the geometric center to being defined as a generally outward path for the current to flow away from the geometric center.

[0108] Embodiment 3. A device according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 2, wherein each of the first path portion and the second path portion defines two lobes and a corner, wherein the intersection area is at the corner of one of the first path portion or the second path portion, and wherein the intersection area is between the two lobes of the other of the first path portion or the second path portion.

[0109] Embodiment 4. The device of any one of Embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the continuous path includes a first coupled path portion and a second coupled path portion respectively coupling the first path portion and the second path portion.

[0110] Embodiment 5. An apparatus according to Embodiment 4, wherein the first coupling path portion is configured to redirect the flow of the current from the first path portion to the second path portion, and the second coupling portion is configured to redirect the flow of the current from the second path portion to the first path portion.

[0111] Embodiment 6. The device of any one of Embodiments 4 to 5, wherein the intersection region, the geometric center, and all of the first coupling path portion and the second coupling path portion are in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the continuous path.

[0112] Embodiment 7. The apparatus of any one of Embodiments 4 to 6, wherein the intersection region is a distance from the geometric center, and wherein the first coupling path portion and the second coupling path portion are a distance from the geometric center.

[0113] Embodiment 8. A device according to any one of Embodiments 4 to 7, wherein the first coupling path portion and the second coupling path portion are at a position, wherein each of the first path portion and the second path portion defines two lobes and a corner, wherein the position is between the two lobes of one of the first path portion or the second path portion, and wherein the position is at the corner of the other of the first path portion or the second path portion.

[0114] Embodiment 9. The device of any one of Embodiments 1 to 8, wherein at a second intersection region, the first path portion is above the second path portion, and at a third intersection region, the second path portion is above the first path portion.

[0115] Embodiment 10. A rotary position sensor, comprising: a sensing coil, the sensing coil comprising a first sensing coil portion and a second sensing coil portion; an oscillator coil, the oscillator coil being arranged around the sensing coil, wherein when an excitation signal is carried by the oscillator coil, a magnetic coupling is formed between a sensing signal carried at the sensing coil and the excitation signal; a target, the target being arranged to rotate around a rotation axis perpendicular to the plane of the sensing coil and affecting the degree of the magnetic coupling between the excitation signal and the sensing signal, wherein the sensing signal is modulated by a change in the degree of the magnetic coupling in response to the rotation of the target; and an integrated circuit, the integrated circuit being configured to generate an output signal in response to the modulated sensing signal, wherein the corresponding geometric shapes of the first sensing coil portion and the second sensing coil portion are configured such that the output signal is characterized by a waveform, the waveform generally decreases, levels off, and then generally increases in response to a complete rotation of the target in a clockwise direction, and the waveform generally decreases, levels off, and then generally increases in response to a complete rotation of the target in a counterclockwise direction relative to the first direction.

[0116] Embodiment 11. A rotary position sensor according to embodiment 10, wherein the waveform has a first slope in response to the target rotating around the rotation axis between 0° and 180° in a rotation direction, and the waveform has a second slope in response to the target rotating around the rotation axis between 180° and 360° in a rotation direction.

[0117] Embodiment 12. The rotary position sensor of any one of Embodiments 10 to 11, wherein the first slope is opposite to the second slope.

[0118] Embodiment 13. A rotational position sensor according to any one of Embodiments 10 to 12, wherein the rotation direction is a first rotation direction, wherein the waveform has the first slope in response to the target rotating about the rotation axis between 360° and 180° in the second rotation direction, and the waveform has the second slope in response to the target rotating about the rotation axis between 180° and 0° in the second rotation direction.

[0119] Embodiment 14. A rotational position sensor according to any one of Embodiments 10 to 13, wherein the sensing coil includes a first sensing coil, wherein the sensing signal includes a first sensing signal, wherein the rotational position sensor also includes a second sensing coil, the second sensing coil is arranged within the oscillator coil, so that when the excitation signal is carried by the oscillator coil, a second sensing signal is induced at the second sensing coil, wherein the second sensing coil is arranged below the target, so that the second sensing signal is modulated in response to the rotation of the target, and wherein the integrated circuit is configured to generate the output signal further in response to the modulated second sensing signal.

[0120] Embodiment 15 The rotary position sensor of any one of Embodiments 10 to 14, wherein the excitation signal is an oscillating signal having a frequency between 1 MHz and 6 MHz.

[0121] Embodiment 16. A rotational position sensor comprising: a target; and a sensing coil, wherein the sensing coil is arranged relative to the target, and the sensing coil is configured to provide a modulated signal in response to the target rotating around a rotation axis, wherein the modulated signal changes phase by 180° in response to the target rotating above an intersection point of the sensing coil.

[0122] Embodiment 17. A rotational position sensor according to embodiment 16, comprising an oscillator coil arranged around the sensing coil so that when an excitation signal is carried by the oscillator coil around the sensing coil, a sensing signal is generated at the sensing coil, wherein the sensing signal is modulated in response to the target rotating around the axis.

[0123] Embodiment 18 The rotary position sensor of any one of Embodiments 16 to 17, wherein the target is arranged to affect the magnetic coupling between the oscillator coil and the sensing coil.

[0124] Embodiment 19. The rotational position of any one of Embodiments 16 to 18, wherein the target comprises a non-ferromagnetic material.

[0125] Embodiment 20. A rotary position sensor according to any one of Embodiments 16 to 19, wherein the target is substantially above 45° of a circle centered about the axis of rotation.

[0126] Embodiment 21. A rotary position sensor according to any one of Embodiments 16 to 19, wherein the target is substantially above 315° of a circle centered about the axis of rotation.

[0127] Embodiment 22. A rotational position sensor according to any one of Embodiments 16 to 21, wherein the sensing coil includes a first sensing coil, wherein the modulated signal includes a first modulated signal, wherein the rotational position sensor also includes a second sensing coil, wherein in response to the target rotating around the axis, a second modulated signal is generated at the second sensing coil.

[0128] Embodiment 23. The rotary position sensor of Embodiment 22, wherein in response to unidirectional rotation of the target about the axis, the second sensing coil is configured to generate the second modulated signal exhibiting a continuous phase signal.

[0129] Embodiment 24 The rotary position sensor of any one of Embodiments 16 to 23, comprising an integrated circuit configured to generate an output in response to the modulated signal.

[0130] Embodiment 25. The rotary position sensor of Embodiment 24, wherein in response to a complete rotation of the target about the axis, the integrated circuit is configured to generate an output having a first slope and a second slope.

[0131] Embodiment 26. A rotary position sensor according to embodiment 25, wherein the output has the first slope in response to the target rotating in a rotational direction between a point opposite to the intersection point and the intersection point, and the output has the second slope in response to the target rotating in the rotational direction between the intersection point and the point.

[0132] Embodiment 27. A method comprising: exciting an oscillating coil with an oscillating signal; and measuring a signal induced at a sensing coil, wherein the signal exhibits modulation in response to a rotation of a target relative to the sensing coil, and wherein the signal exhibits a 180° phase change in response to a rotation of the target above an intersection of the sensing coil.

[0133] Embodiment 28. The method of Embodiment 27, wherein the signal is a first signal, the method comprising measuring a second signal induced at a second coil, the second signal exhibiting a modulation in response to the target rotation.

[0134] Embodiment 29. A method according to any one of Embodiments 27 to 28, comprising: generating a first output signal derived from the first signal, the first output signal exhibiting a 180° phase change in response to the target rotating above the intersection of the sensing coils; and generating a second output signal derived from the second signal.

[0135] Embodiment 30. The method of any one of Embodiments 27 to 29, comprising generating an output in response to the signal, the output exhibiting a first slope before the target passes over the intersection point and a second slope after the target passes over the intersection point.

[0136] Embodiment 31. A rotary position sensor comprising: a first sensing coil, the first sensing coil defining a first path around an axis, the first path including first four lobes; a second sensing coil, the second sensing coil defining a second path around the axis, the second path including second four lobes; and a target, the target being configured to rotate around the axis, the target being configured to be above all but half of each of the first four lobes and the second four lobes.

[0137] Embodiment 32. A rotary position sensor according to Embodiment 31, wherein the first four lobes are radially evenly spaced, wherein the second four lobes are radially evenly spaced, and wherein the target extends over 315° of a circle centered at the geometric center of the first path.

[0138] Embodiment 33 A rotary position sensor according to any one of Embodiments 31 to 32, comprising an oscillator coil surrounding the first sensing coil and the second sensing coil, wherein the target is configured to be above the 315° value of the oscillator coil.

[0139] Embodiment 34. A device comprising: a rotational position sensor, wherein the rotational position sensor is configured to sense a signal exhibiting amplitude modulation when a target rotates about a rotation axis above a sensing coil, the amplitude modulation comprising two sinusoidal cycles per target rotation, the amplitude modulation exhibiting a 180° phase shift in response to the target rotating above an intersection of the sensing coils.

[0140] Although the present disclosure describes the present invention with respect to certain illustrated examples, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize and understand that the present invention is not so limited. Rather, many additions, deletions, and modifications may be made to the illustrated examples and the examples described without departing from the scope of the present invention as claimed below and its legal equivalents. Furthermore, features from one example may be combined with features from another example while still being included within the scope of the present invention as contemplated by the inventor.

Claims

1. A device for rotational position sensing, comprising: Support structure; and an electrically conductive material arranged at the support structure to define a continuous path for current to flow between a first position and a second position, the continuous path being used for rotational position sensing and comprising: a first path portion defined as a generally clockwise path for the current to flow about a geometric center of the continuous path; a second path portion defined as a generally counterclockwise path for the current to flow about the geometric center; Each of the first path portion and the second path portion defines two respective lobes, respective corner regions, and respective inter-lobed regions, the two respective lobes meeting at the respective inter-lobed regions, the corner regions of the first path portion meeting the inter-lobed regions of the second path portion, and the corner regions of the second path portion meeting the inter-lobed regions of the first path portion; and A radial direction reversal region at a corner region of one of the first path portion or the second path portion and an inter-lobed region of the other of the first path portion or the second path portion, at which radial direction reversal region, one of the first path portion or the second path portion defined as one of the generally clockwise path or the generally counterclockwise path changes from being defined as a generally outward path for the current to flow away from the geometric center to being defined as a generally inward path for the current to flow toward the geometric center in the same one of the generally clockwise path or the generally counterclockwise path.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein at the radial direction reversal region, the other of the first path portion or the second path portion defined as the other of the generally clockwise path or the generally counterclockwise path changes from being defined as a generally inward path for the current to flow toward the geometric center to being defined as a generally outward path for the current to flow away from the geometric center in the same other of the generally clockwise path or the generally counterclockwise path.

3. The device according to claim 1, comprising: A coupling region at an inter-lobed region of the one of the first path portion or the second path portion and a corner region of the other of the first path portion or the second path portion, the coupling region couples the first path portion and the second path portion, respectively.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein at the coupling region, the flow of the current from the first path portion is redirected to the second path portion, and at the coupling region, the current from the second path portion is redirected to the first path portion.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein the radial direction reversal region, the geometric center, and the coupling region are located along a line parallel to a plane of the continuous path.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the radial direction reversal region is located at a distance from the geometric center, and wherein the coupling region is located at the same distance from the geometric center.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at a first intersection region, the first path portion is above the second path portion, and at a second intersection region, the second path portion is above the first path portion.

8. A rotation position sensor comprising: a sensing coil defining a continuous path for current to flow between a first location and a second location, the continuous path comprising: a first sensing coil portion defined by a generally clockwise path of the current flow about an axis of rotation of the target; a second sensing coil portion defined by a generally counterclockwise path of the current flow about the rotational axis; Each of the first sensing coil portion and the second sensing coil portion defines two respective lobes, respective corner regions, and respective inter-lobed regions, the two respective lobes meet at the respective inter-lobed regions, the corner regions of the first path portion meet the inter-lobed regions of the second path portion, and the corner regions of the second path portion meet the inter-lobed regions of the first path portion; a radial direction reversal region at a corner region of one of the first path portion or the second path portion and an inter-lobe region of the other of the first path portion or the second path portion, at which radial direction reversal region one of the first sensing coil portion or the second sensing coil portion defined as one of the generally clockwise path or the generally counterclockwise path changes from a generally outward path for the current to flow away from the rotation axis to a generally inward path for the current to flow toward the rotation axis in the same one of the generally clockwise path or the generally counterclockwise path; an oscillator coil arranged around the sensing coil, wherein when an excitation signal is carried by the oscillator coil, a magnetic coupling is formed between a sensing signal carried at the sensing coil and the excitation signal; the target being arranged to rotate about the rotation axis perpendicular to the plane of the sensing coil and to affect the degree of magnetic coupling between the excitation signal and the sensing signal, wherein the sensing signal is modulated by a change in the degree of magnetic coupling in response to the rotation of the target to generate a modulated sensing signal; and an integrated circuit for generating an output signal in response to the modulated sensing signal, wherein the respective geometries of the first sensing coil portion and the second sensing coil portion are such that the output signal is characterized by a waveform that generally decreases, levels off, and then generally increases in response to a complete rotation of the target in a clockwise direction, and the waveform generally decreases, levels off, and then generally increases in response to a complete rotation of the target in a counterclockwise direction.

9. A rotary position sensor according to claim 8, wherein the waveform has a first slope in response to the target rotating in the clockwise direction between 0° and 180° around the rotation axis, and the waveform has a second slope in response to the target rotating in the clockwise direction between 180° and 360° around the rotation axis.

10. The rotary position sensor of claim 9, wherein the first slope is opposite to the second slope.

11. A rotary position sensor according to claim 9, wherein the waveform has the first slope in response to the target rotating in the counterclockwise direction between 360° and 180° around the rotation axis, and the waveform has the second slope in response to the target rotating in the counterclockwise direction between 180° and 0° around the rotation axis.

12. The rotary position sensor of claim 8 , wherein the sensing coil comprises a cosine coil, wherein the sensing signal comprises a cosine sensing signal, wherein the rotary position sensor further comprises a sine coil, the sine coil being arranged within the oscillator coil such that when the excitation signal is carried by the oscillator coil, a sinusoidal sensing signal is induced at the sine coil, wherein the sinusoidal coil is arranged below the target such that the sinusoidal sensing signal is modulated in response to the rotation of the target, and wherein the integrated circuit is configured to generate the output signal further in response to the modulated sinusoidal sensing signal.

13. A method for rotational position sensing, comprising: exciting the oscillation coil with an oscillation signal; as well as receiving a signal induced at a sensing coil, the sensing coil defining a continuous path for current to flow between a first location and a second location, the continuous path comprising: a first path portion defined as a generally clockwise path for the current to flow about a geometric center of the continuous path; a second path portion defined as a generally counterclockwise path for the current to flow about the geometric center; Each of the first path portion and the second path portion defines two respective lobes, respective corner regions, and respective inter-lobed regions, the two respective lobes meeting at the respective inter-lobed regions, the corner regions of the first path portion meeting the inter-lobed regions of the second path portion, and the corner regions of the second path portion meeting the inter-lobed regions of the first path portion; and A radial direction reversal region at a corner region of one of the first path portion or the second path portion and an inter-convex corner region of the other of the first path portion or the second path portion, at which radial direction reversal region, one of the first path portion or the second path portion defined as one of the generally clockwise path or the generally counterclockwise path changes from a generally outward path for the current to flow away from the geometric center to a generally inward path for the current to flow toward the geometric center in the same one of the generally clockwise path or the generally counterclockwise path, the signal exhibits modulation in response to rotation of the target relative to the sensing coil, and the signal exhibits a 180° phase change in response to the target rotating over the radial direction reversal region of the sensing coil.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the sensing coil is a cosine coil, wherein the signal is a cosine sensing signal, the method comprising receiving a sinusoidal sensing signal induced at a sine coil, the sinusoidal sensing signal exhibiting a modulation in response to the target rotation.

15. The method according to claim 14, comprising: generating a first output signal derived from the cosine sensing signal, the first output signal exhibiting a 180° phase change in response to the target rotating over the radial direction reversal region of the sensing coil; and A second output signal derived from the sinusoidal sense signal is generated.

16. The method of claim 13, comprising generating a resultant output in response to the signal, the resultant output exhibiting a first slope before the target passes over the radial direction reversal zone and a second slope after the target passes over the radial direction reversal zone.

17. A rotation position sensor comprising: a first sensing coil, the first sensing coil defining a first continuous path about an axis, the first continuous path including four respective lobes; a second sensing coil, the second sensing coil defining a second continuous path about the axis, the second continuous path including four respective lobes; The first continuous path and the second continuous path are used for current to flow between the first position and the second position. The first continuous path and the second continuous path are used for current to flow between the first position and the second position. The corresponding continuous path comprises: a first path portion defined as a generally clockwise path for the current to flow about the axis; a second path portion defined as a generally counterclockwise path for the current to flow about the axis; Each of the first path portion and the second path portion defines two respective lobes, respective corner regions, and respective inter-lobed regions, the two respective lobes meeting at the respective inter-lobed regions, the corner regions of the first path portion meeting the inter-lobed regions of the second path portion, and the corner regions of the second path portion meeting the inter-lobed regions of the first path portion; and a radial direction reversal region at a corner region of one of the first path portion or the second path portion and an inter-lobe region of the other of the first path portion or the second path portion where one of the first path portion or the second path portion changes from a generally outward path for the current to flow away from the axis to a generally inward path for the current to flow toward the axis in the same one of the generally clockwise path or the generally counterclockwise path; and A target is configured to rotate about the axis, the target being configured to cover all of the four lobes of the first sensing coil except for half of one of the four lobes, and to cover all of the four lobes of the second sensing coil except for half of one of the four lobes.

18. A rotary position sensor according to claim 17, wherein the four lobes of the first sensing coil are radially evenly spaced, wherein the four lobes of the second sensing coil are radially evenly spaced, and wherein the target extends over 315° of a circle centered on the axis.

19. The rotary position sensor of claim 17, comprising an oscillator coil surrounding the first sensing coil and the second sensing coil, wherein the target is configured to be over a 315° arc of the oscillator coil.

20. A device for rotational position sensing, comprising: A rotary position sensor for sensing a signal exhibiting amplitude modulation when an object rotates about an axis of rotation over a sensing coil, the sensing coil defining a continuous path for current to flow between a first position and a second position, the continuous path comprising: a first path portion defined as a generally clockwise path for the current to flow about the axis; a second path portion defined as a generally counterclockwise path for the current to flow about the axis; Each of the first path portion and the second path portion defines two respective lobes, respective corner regions, and respective inter-lobed regions, the two respective lobes meeting at the respective inter-lobed regions, the corner regions of the first path portion meeting the inter-lobed regions of the second path portion, and the corner regions of the second path portion meeting the inter-lobed regions of the first path portion; and a radial direction reversal region at a corner region of one of the first path portion or the second path portion and an inter-lobe region of the other of the first path portion or the second path portion, at which radial direction reversal region one of the first path portion or the second path portion changes from a generally outward path for the current to flow away from the rotation axis to a generally inward path for the current to flow toward the rotation axis in the same one of the generally clockwise path or the generally counterclockwise path, The amplitude modulation includes two sinusoidal cycles per target rotation, the amplitude modulation exhibiting a 180° phase shift in response to the target rotating over the radial direction reversal region of the sensing coil.

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