Coil structure for inductive angular position sensing

Abstract

The invention provides an apparatus comprising: a target rotating about an axis; the excitation coil is used for bearing excitation signals; and a first sensing coil carrying a sensing signal induced by the excitation signal. The first sensing coil includes two or more lobes located in one or more planes perpendicular to the axis. The two or more lobes include a first lobe located at a first position relative to the axis and a second lobe located at a second position relative to the axis. A radial distance of the second location from the axis is substantially the same as a radial distance of the first location from the axis. The angular distance of the second position from the first position is [theta], where [theta] = 180 DEG + / -[alpha] / 2, and [alpha] is a measurement range (e.g., [alpha] = 60 DEG) sensed at the angular position in the range of 50% to 150% of [alpha].

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of the priority date of Indian Provisional Patent Application No. 202241059649 filed on October 19, 2022 and entitled “REDUNDANT INDUCTIVE POSITIONSENSOR COIL STRUCTURE WITH TARGET OFF AXIS COMPENSATION”, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention generally relates to inductive angular position sensing. More specifically, some examples relate to inductive angular position sensors for measuring the position of a movable object, 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 top view of the front side of an apparatus for inductive angular position sensing of an object according to one or more examples of the present disclosure.

[0007] Figure 1B yes Figure 1A A top view of the back side of the device with the target removed.

[0008] Figure 2 is used for Figure 1A to Figure 1B A close-up view of a first coil structure for a first inductive angular position sensor (“Sensor U1”) and a second coil structure for a second inductive angular position sensor (“Sensor U2”) of a device, showing arc segments in which the first coil structure and the second coil structure may be arranged or distributed according to one or more examples.

[0009] Figure 3A is a top view of a first coil structure of a first inductive angular position sensor (“sensor U1 ”) of an apparatus according to one or more examples.

[0010] Figure 3B is a top view of a second coil structure of a second inductive angular position sensor (“sensor U2 ”) of an apparatus according to one or more examples.

[0011] Figure 4A is a top view of a first coil structure of a first inductive angular position sensor according to one or more examples, the first coil structure being removed and separated from a support structure and other coil structures for clarity of illustration.

[0012] Figure 4B is a top view of an excitation coil of a first coil structure of a first inductive angular position sensor according to one or more examples, the first coil structure being removed and separated from a support structure and other coil structures for clarity of illustration.

[0013] Figure 4C and Figure 4D is a top view of a first sensing coil of a first coil structure according to one or more examples, wherein the first sensing coil is removed and separated from a support structure and other coil structures for clarity of illustration.

[0014] Figure 4E and Figure 4F is a top view of a second sensing coil of a first coil structure according to one or more examples, wherein the second sensing coil is removed and separated from a support structure and other coil structures for clarity of illustration.

[0015] Figure 4G is a top view of a first coil structure of a first inductive angular position sensor indicating various positions and angles associated with lobes of the first sensing coil and the second sensing coil according to one or more examples.

[0016] Figure 5A is a top view of a first lobe of a first sensing coil of a first coil structure according to one or more examples.

[0017] Figure 5B is a top view of a second lobe of a first sensing coil of a first coil structure according to one or more examples.

[0018] Fig. 6A yes Figure 1A A top view of a device for inductive angular position sensing wherein the target is substantially "on-axis" and / or approximately centered with respect to the axis of rotation.

[0019] Figure 6B yes Fig. 6AA top view of a device for inductive angular position sensing wherein a target is positioned off-axis relative to an axis of rotation.

[0020] Figure 7 is a graph of simulation result curves correlating sensor accuracy for different sensor approaches with off-axis targets.

[0021] Figure 8 is a graph of various simulation result curves comparing typical sensor data and target off-axis sensor data associated with known sensor methods.

[0022] Fig. 9 is a graph of sine and cosine signal curves with and without a target off-axis displacement for an apparatus for inductive angular position sensing according to one or more examples of the present disclosure.

[0023] Fig.10 are block diagrams of circuit systems that, in some examples, may be used to implement various functions, operations, acts, processes and / or methods disclosed herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] 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 illustration 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] The following description may include examples to help enable a person of ordinary skill in the art to practice the disclosed examples. The use of the terms "exemplary," "by way of example," and "for example" means that the relevant description is illustrative, and while the scope of the present disclosure is intended to encompass 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, functions, etc.

[0027] It should be readily understood that the components of the examples as generally described herein and illustrated 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 specifically indicated.

[0028] In addition, the specific implementations shown and described are only examples 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 implementations shown and described are only exemplary and should not be understood as the only way to implement the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified herein. Additionally, the partitioning of logic between block definitions and individual blocks is an example of a specific implementation. 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.

[0029] 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 illustrate 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.

[0030] 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, 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.

[0031] Examples may be described according to a process depicted as a flow chart, a flow diagram, a structure diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flow chart may describe an operable action as a continuous process, many of these actions may be performed in another sequence, in parallel, or substantially simultaneously. In addition, the order of the actions may be rearranged. A process may correspond to a method, a thread, a function, a procedure, a subroutine, or a subprogram, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the methods disclosed herein may be implemented by hardware, software, or both. If implemented in software, a function may be stored or sent to a computer-readable medium as one or more instructions or codes. Computer-readable media include both computer storage media and communication media, which include any media that is conducive to transferring a computer program from one location to another.

[0032] Position sensors, including angular position sensors are useful. Some examples relate to non-contact planar inductive sensors for measuring the position of a movable target. Planar inductive sensing technology has many advantages, such as: contactless sensing technology, easy to design on a printed circuit board (PCB) with a metal object (e.g., formed of a metal sheet) as a target, suitable for harsh environments, cost-effective, resistant to magnetic fields, and not affected by electromagnetic interference (EMI) / electromagnetic compatibility (EMC).

[0033] There is a need for a position sensor that is lightweight, low cost, reliable and / or noise immune. One option is an inductive position sensor.

[0034] The inductive angular position sensor may include an oscillator, one or more oscillator coils or excitation coils, a first sensing coil, a second sensing coil, and an integrated circuit (e.g., including a processing circuit). Such an inductive angular position sensor can determine the angular position of an object relative to the one or more oscillator coils and / or sensing coils.

[0035] The oscillator may be configured to generate an excitation signal. One or more oscillator coils may be excited by the excitation signal. The oscillating signal on the one or more oscillator coils may generate a changing (alternating) magnetic field near and in particular within a space surrounded by the oscillator coils.

[0036] The first sensing coil and the second sensing coil may each surround a space in which one or more oscillator coils are capable of generating a magnetic field, for example, a space within a space surrounded by the one or more oscillator coils. The changing magnetic field generated by the one or more oscillator coils may induce a first oscillating voltage at the end of the first sensing coil and a second oscillating voltage at the end of the second sensing coil. The first oscillating 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 oscillating 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.

[0037] The target may be positioned relative to one or more oscillator coils, the first sensing coil, and the second sensing coil. For example, the target or a portion of the target may be positioned above a portion of one or more oscillator coils, 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 that pass through one or more loops of the first sensing coil and the second sensing coil.

[0038] The first sensing coil and the second sensing coil can be configured so that the position of a target or a portion of the target above one or more of the first sensing coil and the second sensing coil can affect the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal induced in the first sensing coil and the second sensing coil, respectively. For example, the target can destroy the magnetic coupling between the oscillator coil and the sensing coil. Such interference may affect the amplitude of the sensing signal in the sensing coil. For example, in response to the target or a portion of the target being above the 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.

[0039] In addition, the target can be configured to rotate (e.g., around an axis, but not limited thereto) so that a portion of the target can pass over one or more loops of one or more of the one or more oscillator coils, the first sensing coil, and the second sensing coil. When the target rotates, each of the first sensing signal of the first sensing coil and the second sensing signal of the second sensing coil can be modulated in amplitude in response to the rotation of the target and in response to the portion of the target passing over the loop.

[0040] In various examples, the integrated circuit may be configured to generate an output signal in response to the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal. The output signal may be a fraction of the mains voltage based on the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal. The output signal may be related to the angular position of the target or the position of a portion of the target, and consecutive samples of the output signal may be related to the direction of movement of the target. Thus, the inductive angular position sensor may be configured to generate an output signal indicating the angular position of the target.

[0041] In various examples, the integrated circuit can be configured to generate a first output signal based on the first sensing signal and to generate a second output signal 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 can be related to the angular position of the target together, and subsequent samples of the first output signal and the second output signal can indicate the rotation of the target.

[0042] In various examples, the integrated circuit can be configured to generate a single output signal based on the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal. Some examples include sensing coils and / or targets that cause the integrated circuit to generate a constant slope output signal in response to rotation of the target relative to the first sensing coil and the second sensing coil. The constant slope output signal can be an output signal having a known correlation between the amplitude of the output signal and the angular position of the target.

[0043] Various examples of the present disclosure may include elements of an inductive angular position sensor (including, for example, a sensing coil and a target) that may allow such an inductive angular position sensor to provide a more accurate correlation between an output signal and an angular position of a target relative to the sensing coil. In other words, various examples of the present disclosure may include elements for an inductive angular position sensor that may make the inductive angular position sensor more accurate than other inductive angular position sensors. Additionally or alternatively, various examples may include an inductive angular position sensor that is more accurate than other inductive angular position sensors.

[0044] As a non-limiting example, various examples may include targets and / or sensing coils having shapes that can cause sensing signals from corresponding sensing coils to exhibit a desired waveform shape (e.g., a waveform shape that is close to an ideal waveform shape). The shape of the path portion of the target and / or sensing coil can be related to how the sensing signal generated therein is amplitude modulated when the target interferes with the magnetic field between the oscillator coil and the sensing coil. As a non-limiting example, when the target rotates above the sensing coil and interferes with the magnetic field between the oscillator coil and the sensing coil, the shape of the target and / or sensing coil can determine the shape of the amplitude modulation envelope exhibited by the sensing signal. As a non-limiting example, the amplitude modulation envelope of the sensing signal of the sensing coils of various examples can be close to a sine wave shape. The amplitude modulation envelope of the sine shape can be well suited for conversion to angular position, for example, by trigonometric functions (e.g., inverse tangent).

[0045] Various examples of the present disclosure may provide redundancy in angular position sensing by including multiple sensors. Such redundancy may be required in safety-sensitive or safety-critical applications. Each of the multiple sensors may include one or more oscillator coils and sensing coils. The oscillator and sensing coil of the corresponding sensor may be independent of the oscillator and sensing coil of the other sensors, and the mutual coupling between them may be relatively small.

[0046] Various examples can provide redundancy in angular position sensing that is more reliable and / or less prone to failure. In one or more examples, the oscillators and sensing coils of each of the multiple sensors can be physically separated from the oscillators and sensing coils of the other sensors. For example, the oscillators and sensing coils of the corresponding sensors may not be placed above or below the oscillators and sensing coils of the other sensors. In contrast, some conventional redundant sensors include stacked oscillator coils one above the other. In some specific cases, a pin-level short between the stacked oscillator coils may cause both sensors to fail.

[0047] Various examples of the present disclosure provide accurate results for angular position sensing even though the sensor's target is "off-axis." There are off-axis situations where the target's axis of rotation does not coincide with its expected position (e.g., center) relative to the sensing coil or is offset relative to its expected position. In some cases, the off-axis situation may be due to tolerances associated with the target's mechanical components (e.g., relatively loose) and is formed over a relatively long operating cycle. In some conventional sensors, if the target is off-axis, the accuracy of angular position sensing may be compromised (e.g., the calculation of the target's angular position may be inaccurate). For example, an off-axis target may shield one or more lobes of the coil in a manner that is inconsistent with other lobes. Various examples of the present disclosure include coil structures that are arranged so that even if the target is off-axis, the target shields its lobe in a manner that allows the sensor to accurately determine its angular position.

[0048] Various examples of the present disclosure are provided for applications that require more accurate and / or more tolerant angular position sensing of off-axis targets. For example, various examples of the present disclosure may be provided for motor control applications (e.g., rotor position sensing for a motor where the sensor is mounted inside the assembly). Various examples of the present disclosure may be provided for through-axis sensing using a low form factor PCB. However, the various examples of the present disclosure are not limited to these applications.

[0049] Various examples of the present disclosure include two cycles of a 60° sensor or a six (6) pole pair sensor to produce two repeating position sensor outputs. Here, a full 360° rotation of the target may result in two cycles of position output signals and / or two cycles of sensing signals. Note that the symbol "°" is used herein to represent "degrees" and "degrees," which are measurements of plane angles where a full rotation is 360°. However, the examples of the present disclosure are not limited to sensors having a certain number of poles or lobes. In one or more other examples, a different number of poles or lobes may be used. For example, the inductive angular position sensor of the present disclosure may include, but is not limited to, a three-pole pair sensor, a five-pole pair sensor, and / or a six-pole pair sensor, etc.

[0050] In one or more examples, the target can play a role in the proper coupling between the static sensor and the rotating target. A target covering the area surrounded by the lobes of the sensing coils that vary according to a sinusoidal pattern can allow the sensor to produce more accurate results. For example, if substantially the total area surrounded by the sensing coils is mapped as a function of the rotation of the target, then the area following a sinusoidal curve as a function of the rotation angle can allow the sensor to produce accurate position results.

[0051] Figure 1A1 is a top view of the front side of a device 100 according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. In one or more examples, the device 100 is an inductive angular position sensing device for sensing an angular position of a target 106 rotating about an axis 120. Figure 1B yes Figure 1A A top view of the back side of device 100 with the target removed.

[0052] More specifically, in one or more examples, the device 100 is a redundant inductive angular position sensing device that includes two or more inductive angular position sensors to sense the angular position of the target 106. In a specific non-limiting example, the device 100 can be a redundant inductive angular position sensing device that includes a first inductive angular position sensor and a second inductive angular position sensor.

[0053] Thus, the apparatus 100 may include at least a first coil structure 102 for a first inductive angular position sensor and a second coil structure 104 for a second inductive angular position sensor. The first coil structure 102 is at least partially formed by or includes conductive traces on and / or in one or more planes (e.g., multiple planes) of a support structure 108. Similarly, the second coil structure 104 is at least partially formed by or includes conductive traces on and / or in one or more planes (e.g., multiple planes) of the support structure 108.

[0054] In one or more examples, the support structure 108 can be or include a substrate, such as a printed circuit board (PCB). When multiple planes are used for coil arrangement, the multiple planes can be parallel planes at different heights of the substrate. For example, each of the multiple planes can be associated with a different one of the multiple layers of the PCB.

[0055] Figure 2 is a close-up view of the first coil structure 102 and the second coil structure 104 according to one or more examples, indicating the arc segments within which the first coil structure 102 and the second coil structure 104 may be arranged or distributed. Figure 2In one or more examples, the circular portion of the support structure 108 is shown as being divided into four (4) arc or arc segments (e.g., indicated in clockwise order as S1, S2, S3, and S4). In one or more examples, the arc or arc segments can be associated with or part of four (4) quadrant segments of the support structure 108. The corresponding arc segments (e.g., S1, S2, S3, and S4) or quadrants (or, for example, Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4) can be defined relative to two perpendicular lines that intersect at the axis 120 in one of the one or more planes of the support structure 108. In one or more examples, the first quadrant is opposite the third quadrant and adjacent to the first quadrant and the second quadrant; the second quadrant is opposite the fourth quadrant and adjacent to the first quadrant and the third quadrant; and so on.

[0056] exist Figure 2 , the first coil structure 102 of the first inductive angular position sensor (denoted as "sensor U1" in the figure) is generally located within the first dotted ellipse. In one or more examples, the first coil structure 102 is arranged or distributed within both the first arc belt segment (S1) and the third arc belt segment (S3). On the other hand, the second coil structure 104 of the second inductive angular position sensor (denoted as "sensor U2" in the figure) is generally located within the second dotted ellipse. In one or more examples, the second coil structure 104 is arranged or distributed within arc belt segment two (S2) and arc belt segment four (S4).

[0057] Although Figure 2 Although not mentioned in the figure, each of the first coil structure 102 and the second coil structure 104 includes an excitation coil, a first sensing (e.g., sine) coil and a second sensing (e.g., cosine) coil. The excitation coil may be referred to as a primary coil, and the first sensing coil and the second sensing coil may be referred to as an auxiliary coil.

[0058] Return to reference Figure 1A to Figure 1B , target 106 has a substantially planar (ie, coplanar with the page) and circular target body. In one or more examples, target 106 includes a plurality of fins (such as fin 107) uniformly radially spaced about axis 120. Figure 1A , axis 120 is shown as the Z axis in a three-dimensional coordinate axis system (XYZ). In a specific non-limiting example, the number of fins of target 106 is six (6). In one or more examples, the (e.g., six) plurality of fins of target 106 are equally radially spaced at 60° intervals around axis 120. In one or more examples, the plurality of fins of target 106 define gaps between respective adjacent fins, and each of the gaps has substantially the same size (e.g., measured circumferentially around axis 120) as the (e.g., single) lobe of the illustrated first sensing coil and the second sensing coil.

[0059] The target body of the target 106 can be made of a conductive material, such as a non-magnetic conductive metal or metal alloy, but is not limited thereto. In one or more examples, the non-magnetic conductive metal or metal alloy can be or include copper or aluminum. In one or more other examples, the target body of the target 106 can be made of a magnetic conductive metal or metal alloy, such as carbon steel or ferritic stainless steel, but is not limited thereto. Here, the oscillator can generate an excitation signal within a certain frequency range (e.g., 1 MHz to 6 MHz, but is not limited thereto) to which the magnetic domains of the magnetic conductive metal or metal alloy will not react.

[0060] When the apparatus 100 is in operational use, the target 106 is rotated about the axis 120 (e.g., the target 106 may be connected to a through shaft that may extend through the support structure 108). The target 106 may interfere with the magnetic coupling between the excitation coil and the first and second sensing coils of the sensor, such that the sensing signals induced in the first and second sensing coils indicate the angular position of the target 106 as it rotates about the axis 120. The degree to which the target 106 interferes with the magnetic coupling between the excitation coil and the first and second sensing coils may vary at least in part in response to a change in the angular position of the target 106.

[0061] For angular position sensing of the target 106, the first inductive angular position sensor may include processing circuitry 112. Similarly, the second inductive angular position sensor may include processing circuitry 110 for angular position sensing. In one or more examples, the processing circuitry 112 of the first inductive angular position sensor may be or include a sensor IC ( Figure 1A ), and the processing circuit 110 of the second inductive angular position sensor may be or include a sensor IC ( Figure 1A ).

[0062] During operation, the processing circuit generates a high frequency signal to excite the excitation coil, thereby generating an alternating magnetic field. The magnetic field is coupled to the first sensing coil and the second sensing coil to generate a voltage. When the target 106 interferes with the generated magnetic field, the first sensing coil and the second sensing coil will receive different voltages relative to the target position. When there is no target, the voltage induced in the coil will be zero. When the target 106 is present and is rotating, it generates modulated sine and cosine waveforms that are given as feedback signals to the processing circuit (e.g., IC). Inside the IC, the signal is demodulated and position information can be calculated, for example, by taking the inverse tangent 2 function of the ratio of the two sensing signals (which can be sine and cosine signals). The sine and cosine signals can be close to ideal sine and cosine waveforms, resulting in relatively high accuracy and resolution.

[0063] refer to Figure 2, the first coil structure 102 and the second coil structure 104 of the device 100 are arranged to generate a sensing signal that repeats with every 60° rotation of the target. For example, the sensing signal may include two (2) repeating signal portions. The two repeating signal portions may correspond to two (2) repeating portions of the target and / or four (4) substantially circumferentially symmetrical lobes of the sensing coil.

[0064] Figure 3A 1 is a top view of a first coil structure 102 of a first inductive angular position sensor (“sensor U1 ”) of apparatus 100 according to one or more examples. In one or more examples, first coil structure 102 includes excitation coil 302 , first sensing coil 306 , and second sensing coil 308 .

[0065] The excitation coil 302 includes a first excitation coil portion 304a and a second excitation coil portion 304b. In one or more examples, the first excitation coil portion 304a is arranged around a first arc band section (S1) of the support structure, and the second excitation coil portion 304b is arranged around a third arc band section (S3) of the support structure. In one or more examples, the third arc band section is opposite to the first arc band section (e.g., substantially 180° away from the first arc band section, but not limited thereto).

[0066] In one or more examples, each of the first excitation coil portion 304a and the second excitation coil portion 304b can have an arc-shaped ring shape. In one or more examples, the structure includes: an inner peripheral portion, which defines a corresponding arc of a first circle centered on the axis 120; an outer peripheral portion, which defines a corresponding arc of a second circle centered on the axis, wherein the second circle is larger than the first circle; and a radial portion, which is located between the corresponding ends of the inner peripheral portion and the outer peripheral portion.

[0067] The first sensing coil 306 includes two or more lobes arranged or distributed within the first excitation coil portion 304a and the second excitation coil portion 304b. Figure 3A In FIG. 3 , two or more lobes of the first sensing coil 306 are highlighted to distinguish them from the lobes of the second sensing coil 308. Figure 3A In the specific non-limiting example shown, Figure 3A In the arrangement shown, the first sensing coil 306 includes four (4) lobes, including two (2) lobes in the first arcuate segment (S1) and two (2) lobes in the third arcuate segment (S3).

[0068] The second sensing coil 308 also includes two or more lobes arranged or distributed within the first excitation coil portion 304a and the second excitation coil portion 304b. Figure 3AIn FIG. 3 , two or more lobes of the second sensing coil 308 are not highlighted to distinguish them from the lobes of the first sensing coil 306 . Figure 3A In the specific non-limiting example shown, Figure 3A In the arrangement shown, the second sensing coil 308 includes four (4) lobes, including two (2) lobes in the first arc section (S1) and two (2) lobes in the third arc section (S3). Obviously, in one or more examples, the lobes of the second sensing coil 308 are arranged to alternate with the lobes of the first sensing coil 306 in the first arc section and the fourth arc section.

[0069] As shown, the first excitation coil portion 304a is arranged to substantially surround the lobes of the first sensing coil 306 and the second sensing coil 308 in the first arc zone section (e.g., wherein the first excitation coil portion 304a and its associated lobes are located in the first quadrant). On the other hand, the second excitation coil portion 304b is arranged to substantially surround the lobes of the first sensing coil 306 and the second sensing coil 308 in the third arc zone section (e.g., wherein the second excitation coil portion 304b and its associated lobes are located in the third quadrant).

[0070] In one or more examples, a gap having a circumferential width of about one (1) lobe width is provided between each of the radial portions of the first excitation coil portion 304a and the second excitation coil portion 304b of the first coil structure 102 and the nearest lobe within the excitation coil. Similarly, in one or more examples, a gap having a circumferential width of about one (1) lobe width is provided between each of the radial portions of the first excitation coil portion 304a and the second excitation coil portion 304b of the first coil structure 102 and the nearest lobe within the excitation coil. Figure 1A A gap having a circumferential width of approximately one (1) lobe width is provided between edges of corresponding adjacent fins of the target 106 ) such that a (eg, complete) single lobe may be exposed through the corresponding gap of the target.

[0071] As from Figure 3A Obviously, in one or more examples, the first coil structure 102 is patterned to provide a 60° measurement range and a 90° phase shift between the sine pattern and the cosine pattern. However, other suitable patterns of the first coil structure 102 can provide different measurement ranges (e.g., less than or equal to 90°, such as 90°, 30°, etc.) and / or phase shifts, as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

[0072] Figure 3B FIG. 1 is a top view of a second coil structure 104 of a second inductive angular position sensor (“sensor U2”) of apparatus 100 according to one or more examples. In one or more examples, second coil structure 104 includes excitation coil 312 , third sensing coil 316 , and fourth sensing coil 318 .

[0073] The excitation coil 312 includes a third excitation coil portion 314a and a fourth excitation coil portion 314b. In one or more examples, the third excitation coil portion 314a is arranged around the second arc band section (S2) of the support structure, and the fourth excitation coil portion 314b is arranged around the fourth arc band section (S4) of the support structure. In one or more examples, the fourth arc band section is opposite to the second arc band section (e.g., substantially 180° away from the second arc band section, but not limited thereto).

[0074] In one or more examples, each of the third excitation coil portion 314a and the fourth excitation coil portion 314b can have an arc-shaped ring shape. In one or more examples, the structure includes: an inner peripheral portion, which defines a corresponding arc of a first circle centered on the axis 120; an outer peripheral portion, which defines a corresponding arc of a second circle centered on the axis, wherein the second circle is larger than the first circle; and a radial portion, which is located between the corresponding ends of the inner peripheral portion and the outer peripheral portion.

[0075] The third sensing coil 316 includes two or more lobes arranged or distributed within the third excitation coil portion 314a and the fourth excitation coil portion 314b. Figure 3B In FIG. 3 , two or more lobes of the third sensing coil 316 are highlighted to distinguish them from the lobes of the fourth sensing coil 318. Figure 3B In the specific non-limiting example shown, Figure 3B In the arrangement shown, the third sensing coil 316 includes four (4) lobes, including two (2) lobes in the second arcuate segment (S2) and two (2) lobes in the fourth arcuate segment (S4).

[0076] The fourth sensing coil 318 also includes two or more lobes arranged or distributed within the third excitation coil portion 314a and the fourth excitation coil portion 314b. Figure 3B In FIG. 3 , two or more lobes of the fourth sensing coil 318 are not highlighted to distinguish them from the lobes of the third sensing coil 316. Figure 3B In the specific non-limiting example shown, Figure 3B In the arrangement shown, the fourth sensing coil 318 includes four (4) lobes, including two (2) lobes in the second arcuate segment (S2) and two (2) lobes in the fourth arcuate segment (S4).

[0077] As shown, the third excitation coil portion 314a is arranged to substantially surround the lobes of the third sensing coil 316 and the fourth sensing coil 318 in the second arc band section (e.g., wherein the third excitation coil portion 314a and its associated lobes are located in the second quadrant). On the other hand, the fourth excitation coil portion 314b is arranged to substantially surround the lobes of the third sensing coil 316 and the fourth sensing coil 318 in the fourth arc band section (e.g., wherein the fourth excitation coil portion 314b and its associated lobes are located in the fourth quadrant). In one or more examples, a gap having a circumferential width of approximately one (1) lobe width is provided between each of the radial portions of the third excitation coil portion 314a and the fourth excitation coil portion 314b of the second coil structure 104 and the nearest lobe within the excitation coil.

[0078] As from Figure 3B Obviously, in one or more examples, the second coil structure 104 is patterned to provide a 60° measurement range and a 90° phase shift between the sine pattern and the cosine pattern. However, other suitable patterns of the second coil structure 104 can provide different measurement ranges (e.g., less than or equal to 90°, such as 90°, 30°, etc.) and / or phase shifts, as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

[0079] Figure 4A FIG. 1 is a top view of a first coil structure 102 of a first inductive angular position sensor, which is removed and separated from a support structure and other coil structures for clarity of illustration.

[0080] Figure 4B FIG. 3 is a top view of the excitation coil 302 of the first coil structure of the first inductive angular position sensor. For the sake of clarity, the first coil structure is removed and separated from the support structure and other coil structures. IN The entry trace segment of 300 extends to provide a "center tap" coupled to the excitation coil 302 (e.g., at Figure 4B 4a) for exciting the first excitation coil portion 304a and the second excitation coil portion 304b. Given the center tap coupling, the alternating magnetic field of the second excitation coil portion 304b will be out of phase (e.g., 180° out of phase) with the alternating magnetic field of the first excitation coil portion 304a. In addition to the entrance trace segment and the exit trace segment entering and leaving the excitation coil 302, the connecting trace segment 420 extends circumferentially to connect the first excitation coil portion 304a and the second excitation coil portion 304b of the excitation coil 302.

[0081] Figure 4C and Figure 4D3 is a top view of the first sensing coil 306 of the first coil structure, which is removed and separated from the support structure and other coil structures for clarity of illustration.

[0082] The first sensing coil 306 of the first coil structure is shown to include two or more lobes 404 and 408 ( Figure 4D ) and two or more lobes 402 and 406 ( Figure 4D ). In one or more examples, individual ones of the lobes can have a generally trapezoidal or rectangular shape as shown, or any other suitable shape (e.g., a sinusoidal shape). In one or more examples, the first sensing coil 306 of the first coil structure is a sinusoidal sensing coil, wherein lobes 402 and 408 are positive sinusoidal lobes (denoted as “SINE+”), and lobes 404 and 406 are negative sinusoidal lobes (denoted as “SINE-”). In one or more examples, lobes 402 and 408 as positive sinusoidal lobes (“SINE+”) include clockwise “CW” turns that spiral inward, and lobes 404 and 406 as negative sinusoidal lobes (“SINE-”) include counterclockwise “CCW” turns that spiral inward. In addition to the entry and exit trace segments of lobe 402 entering and exiting the first sensing coil 306 (e.g., in Figure 4A ), a connecting trace segment 430 extends circumferentially to connect the lobe 406 in the third arc zone segment to the lobe 408 in the first arc zone segment to provide a forward and return path.

[0083] Therefore, in Figure 4C 4. In one or more examples, lobe 402 defines a generally clockwise path of a sensing signal (e.g., current) about a central axis of lobe 402. Lobe 404 defines a generally counterclockwise path of a sensing signal about a central axis of lobe 404. Lobe 406 defines a generally counterclockwise path of a sensing signal about a central axis of lobe 406. Lobe 408 defines a generally clockwise path of a sensing signal about a central axis of lobe 408. More specifically, in one or more examples, the first sensing coil 306 of the first coil structure includes a path defined for a first sensing signal to pass through (e.g., for current flow) in the following order: from the IC in a generally clockwise direction around the central axis of lobe 402 to lobe 402; in a generally counterclockwise direction around the central axis of lobe 406 to lobe 406; after passing through one of the connecting trace segments 430, in a generally clockwise direction around the central axis of lobe 408 to lobe 408; in a generally counterclockwise direction around the central axis of lobe 404 to lobe 404; and then back to the IC.

[0084] Refer to the previous Figure 5A, the lobe 402 is shown as defining a generally clockwise (CW) path 502 of a sense signal (eg, current) about a central axis 520 of the lobe 402. Figure 5A , lobe 402 is shown as having a plurality of turns 504 in a clockwise direction about a central axis 520. In one or more examples, the number of the plurality of turns 504 is four (4).

[0085] Note that in one or more examples, the sense signal can oscillate or change direction in response to the excitation signal changing direction. For example, in response to the excitation signal changing direction, the current can reverse direction and flow in a counterclockwise direction around the positive sinusoidal lobe and flow in a clockwise direction around the negative sinusoidal lobe.

[0086] FIG. 4E to FIG. 4F 3 is a top view of the second sensing coil 308 of the first coil structure, which is removed and separated from the support structure and other coil structures for clarity of illustration.

[0087] The second sensing coil 308 of the first coil structure is shown to include two or more lobes 414 and 418 ( Figure 4F ) and two or more lobes 412 and 416 ( Figure 4F ). In one or more examples, individual ones of the lobes can have a generally trapezoidal or rectangular shape as shown, or any other suitable shape (e.g., a sinusoidal shape). In one or more examples, the second sensing coil 308 of the first coil structure is a cosine sensing coil, wherein lobes 412 and 418 are sine-cosine lobes (denoted as "COS+"), and lobes 416 and 414 are negative sine lobes (denoted as "COS-"). In one or more examples, lobes 412 and 418 as sine-cosine lobes ("COS+") include clockwise "CW" turns that spiral inward, and lobes 416 and 414 as negative cosine lobes ("COS-") include counterclockwise "CCW" turns that spiral inward. In addition to the entry and exit trace segments of lobe 412 entering and exiting the second sensing coil 308 (e.g., in Figure 4A ), a connecting trace segment 440 extends circumferentially to connect the lobe 416 in the third arc zone segment to the lobe 418 in the first arc zone segment to provide a forward and return path.

[0088] like Figure 4GAs more fully shown in the specific non-limiting example of , the lobes 414 and 418 of the second sensing coil 308 are arranged to alternate with the lobes 404 and 408 of the first sensing coil 306 in a circumferential direction (e.g., CW or CCW). Similarly, the lobes 412 and 416 of the second sensing coil 308 are arranged to alternate with the lobes 402 and 406 of the first sensing coil 306 in a circumferential direction (e.g., CW or CCW). See again Figure 4A , wherein a first coil structure 102 having alternating sine and cosine lobes is depicted.

[0089] In one or more examples, the second sensing coil 308 of the first coil structure 102 includes a path defined for the second sensing signal to pass through (eg, for current flow) in the same or similar manner as the path of the first sensing coil 306. Figure 4E 4, lobe 412 defines a generally clockwise path of the sensing signal around the center axis of lobe 412. Lobe 414 defines a generally counterclockwise path of the sensing signal around the center axis of lobe 414. Lobe 416 defines a generally counterclockwise path of the sensing signal around the center axis of lobe 416. Lobe 418 defines a generally clockwise path of the sensing signal around the center axis of lobe 418. More specifically, in one or more examples, the second sensing coil 308 of the first coil structure includes a path defined for the second sensing signal to traverse (e.g., for current flow) in the following order: from the IC in a generally clockwise direction around the center axis of lobe 412 to lobe 412; in a generally counterclockwise direction around the center axis of lobe 416 to lobe 416; after traversing one of the connecting trace segments 440, in a generally clockwise direction around the center axis of lobe 418 to lobe 418; in a generally counterclockwise direction around the center axis of lobe 414 to lobe 414; and then back to the IC.

[0090] Refer to the previous Figure 5B , the lobe 406 is shown as defining a generally counter-clockwise (CCW) path 512 of a sense signal (eg, current) about a central axis 522 of the lobe 406. Figure 5B , lobe 406 is shown as having a plurality of turns 514 in a counterclockwise direction about a central axis 522. In one or more examples, the number of the plurality of turns 514 is four (4).

[0091] Note that in one or more examples, the sense signal can oscillate or change direction in response to the excitation signal changing direction. For example, in response to the excitation signal changing direction, the current can reverse direction and flow in a counterclockwise direction around the positive sinusoidal lobe and flow in a clockwise direction around the negative sinusoidal lobe.

[0092] Therefore, it has been about FIG. 4A to FIG. 4GVarious aspects of the paths associated with the first sensing coil 306 and the second sensing coil 308 of the first coil structure 102 are shown and described. Similarly, in one or more examples, the second coil structure 104 ( Figure 3B ) include respective paths defined for the sensing signal to pass through (e.g., for current to flow) in the same or similar manner as the first sensing coil and the second sensing coil of the first coil structure.

[0093] Return to reference Figure 4C and Figure 4D , lobe 402 is at a first position relative to axis 120, and lobe 404 is at a second position relative to axis 120. The second position of lobe 404 is at a radial distance (in Figure 4D The radial distance from the axis 120 is substantially the same as the radial distance from the first position of the lobe 402. Figure 4D As shown, the second position of lobe 404 is at an angular distance θ from the first position of lobe 402. In one or more examples, the angular distance θ is about 180°±α / 2, where α is a measurement range for angular position sensing (eg, α is a constant value in degrees).

[0094] exist Figure 3A and FIG. 4A to FIG. 4D In a specific non-limiting example, the measurement range of α is 60°, and therefore the angular distance θ is about 180°+60° / 2=180°+30°=220°. In one or more examples, the angular distance θ can be in the range of 180°±(15° to 45°). In one or more other examples, the angular distance θ can be in the range of 180°±(24° to 36°).

[0095] More generally, the angular distance Θ can be expressed as 180°±α / 2, where α is the measurement range for angular position sensing within the range of 50% to 150% of α. Here, 180°±α / 2=180°±60° / 2, or within the range of 180°±50%×30° (i.e., 15°) to 180°±150%×30° (i.e., 45°) (i.e., 180°±15° to 45°). In one or more other examples, the angular distance Θ can be expressed as 180°±α / 2, where α is the measurement range within the range of 75% to 125% of α. In one or more other examples, a different measurement range (e.g., less than or equal to 90°) may be used, as will be readily appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. In regard to Figure 4C and Figure 4D In the remaining discussion of , it is assumed that the measurement range α=60° and the angular distance θ is approximately 180°+60° / 2=220°.

[0096] Additionally, lobe 406 is in a third position relative to axis 120, and lobe 408 is in a fourth position relative to axis 120. The fourth position of lobe 408 is at a radial distance (e.g., "r") from axis 120 that is substantially the same as the radial distance of the first position of lobe 402 from axis 120 and as the radial distance of the third position of lobe 406 from axis 120. The fourth position of lobe 408 is an angular distance θ from the third position of lobe 406 (i.e., as measured in an opposite circumferential direction from that measured between lobes 402 and 404). Figure 4D In a specific non-limiting example of, the angular distance θ is again about 180°+30°=220°. In one or more examples, the angular distance θ may be in the range of 180°±(15° to 45°).

[0097] In one or more examples, the third position of lobe 406 is at an angular distance of approximately ±30° (or approximately 30°) from the first position of lobe 402 and at an angular distance of approximately 180° from the second position of lobe 404. In one or more examples, the fourth position of lobe 408 is at an angular distance of approximately 180° from the first position of lobe 404 and at an angular distance of approximately ±30° (or approximately 30°) from the second position of lobe 402. In one or more examples, lobe 402 has substantially the same shape as lobe 408, rotated approximately 180° about axis 120. Similarly, lobe 404 has substantially the same shape as lobe 406, rotated approximately 180° about axis 120.

[0098] Return to reference Figure 4E and Figure 4F , lobe 412 is at a fifth position relative to axis 120, and lobe 414 is at a sixth position relative to axis 120. The sixth position of lobe 414 is at a radial distance (in Figure 4F The radial distance of the fifth position of the lobe 412 from the axis 120 is substantially the same as that of the fifth position of the lobe 412. Figure 4F As shown, the sixth position of lobe 414 is at an angular distance θ from the fifth position of lobe 412. In one or more examples, the angular distance θ is approximately 180°±α / 2, where α is a measurement range for angular position sensing (e.g., α is a constant value in degrees).

[0099] exist Figure 3A and 4A to 4F In a specific non-limiting example, the measurement range of α is 60°, and therefore the angular distance θ is about 180°+60° / 2=180°+30°=220°. In one or more examples, the angular distance θ can be in the range of 180°±(15° to 45°). In one or more other examples, the angular distance θ can be in the range of 180°±(24° to 36°).

[0100] Again, more generally, the angular distance Θ can be expressed as 180°±α / 2, where α is the measurement range for angular position sensing within the range of 50% to 150% of α. Here, 180°±α / 2=180°±60° / 2, or within the range of 180°±50%×30° (i.e., 15°) to 180°±150%×30° (i.e., 45°) (i.e., 180°±15° to 45°). In one or more other examples, the angular distance Θ can be expressed as 180°±α / 2, where α is the measurement range within the range of 75% to 125% of α. In one or more other examples, a different measurement range (e.g., less than or equal to 90°) may be used, as will be readily appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. In regard to FIG. 4A to FIG. 4G In the remaining discussion of , it is assumed that the measurement range α=60° and the angular distance θ is approximately 180°+60° / 2=220°.

[0101] Additionally, lobe 416 is in a seventh position relative to axis 120, and lobe 418 is in an eighth position relative to axis 120. The eighth position of lobe 418 is at a radial distance (e.g., "r") from axis 120 that is substantially the same as the radial distance of the seventh position of lobe 416 from axis 120 and as the radial distance of the first position of lobe 402 from axis 120. The eighth position of lobe 418 is an angular distance θ from the seventh position of lobe 416 (i.e., as measured in an opposite circumferential direction from that measured between lobes 412 and 414). Figure 4F In a specific non-limiting example of, the angular distance θ is again about 180°+30°=220°. In one or more examples, the angular distance θ may be in the range of 180°±(15° to 45°).

[0102] In one or more examples, the seventh position of lobe 416 is at an angular distance of approximately ±30° (or approximately 30°) from the fifth position of lobe 412 and at an angular distance of approximately 180° from the sixth position of lobe 414. In one or more examples, the eighth position of lobe 418 is at an angular distance of approximately 180° from the fifth position of lobe 414 and at an angular distance of approximately ±30° (or approximately 30°) from the sixth position of lobe 412. In one or more examples, lobe 412 has substantially the same shape as lobe 418, rotated approximately 180° about axis 120. Similarly, lobe 414 has substantially the same shape as lobe 416, rotated approximately 180° about axis 120.

[0103] refer to Figure 4GIn one or more examples, the fifth position of the lobe 412 of the second sensing coil 308 is at an angular distance of approximately ±(15° to 45°) (or approximately 15° to 45°) from the first position of the lobe 402 of the first sensing coil 306. In one or more examples, the sixth position of the lobe 414 of the second sensing coil 308 is at an angular distance θ from the fifth position of the lobe 412 of the second sensing coil 308. More specifically, Figure 4G , in one or more examples, the fifth position of the lobe 412 of the second sensing coil 308 is at an angular distance of approximately ±15° (or approximately 15°) from the first position of the lobe 402 of the first sensing coil 306. Here, in one or more examples, the sixth position of the lobe 414 of the second sensing coil 308 is approximately (180°±45°) (or approximately 180°±45°) from the first position of the lobe 402 of the first sensing coil 306.

[0104] Further references Figure 4G , in one or more examples, the seventh position of the lobe 416 of the second sensing coil 308 is at an angular distance of approximately ±45° (or approximately 45°) from the first position of the lobe 402 of the first sensing coil 306, and is at an angular distance of approximately 180° from the sixth position of the lobe 414 of the second sensing coil 308. Here, in one or more examples, the eighth position of the lobe 418 of the second sensing coil 308 is approximately (180°±15°) (or approximately 180°+15°) from the first position of the lobe 402 of the first sensing coil 306 and is approximately 180° from the fifth position of the lobe 412 of the second sensing coil 308.

[0105] Again, already about Figure 3A and FIG. 4A to FIG. 4G Various aspects of the arrangement of the first coil structure 102 of the first inductive angular position sensor ("sensor U1") are shown and described. Figure 3B The second coil structure 104 of the second inductive angular position sensor ("sensor U2") including the third sensing coil 316 and the fourth sensing coil 318 can be arranged in the same or similar manner as the first coil structure having the first sensing coil and the second sensing coil as shown and described, except that the second coil structure 104 can be arranged in the second arc band segment and the fourth arc band segment in a substantially symmetrical, rotated, mirrored and / or reverse order configuration as shown in the figure.

[0106] According to one or more examples of the present disclosure, referring to Figure 1A to Figure 1B, the device 100 may include a support structure 108, a target 106 rotating around an axis 120 of the support structure 108, a first coil structure 102 of a first inductive angular position sensor, and a second coil structure 104 of a second inductive angular position sensor. The first coil structure 102 includes conductive traces on and / or in one or more planes of the support structure 108 and is arranged around the axis of rotation 120. In addition, referring to Figure 3A , the first coil structure 102 includes an excitation coil 302 to carry a first excitation signal. The excitation coil 302 includes a first excitation coil portion 304a and a second excitation coil portion 304b. The first excitation coil portion 304a is arranged around a first arc band section (e.g., S1) of the support structure. The second excitation coil portion 304b is arranged around a second arc band section (e.g., S3) of the support structure, wherein the second arc band section is opposite to the first arc band section. The first coil structure 102 also includes a first readout coil 306 and a second readout coil 308. The first sensing coil 306 carries a first sensing signal induced by the excitation signal. The first sensing coil 306 includes two or more sinusoidal lobes (e.g., S2) arranged in the first excitation coil portion 304a and the second excitation coil portion 304b. Figure 4A ). The second sensing coil 308 carries a second sensing signal induced by the excitation signal. The second sensing coil 308 includes two or more cosine lobes (eg, Figure 4A ). In addition, refer to Figure 3B , the second coil structure 104 also includes conductive traces on and / or in one or more planes of the support structure and arranged around the rotation axis 120. The second coil structure 104 includes an excitation coil 312 carrying a second excitation signal. The excitation coil 312 includes a third excitation coil portion 314a and a fourth excitation coil portion 314b. The third excitation coil portion 314a is arranged around a third arc band section (e.g., S2) of the support structure. The fourth excitation coil portion 314b is arranged around a fourth arc band section (e.g., S4) of the support structure, wherein the fourth arc band section is opposite to the third arc band section. The third sensing coil 316 carries a third sensing signal induced by the second excitation signal. The third sensing coil 316 includes two or more sine lobes arranged in the third excitation coil portion 314a and the fourth excitation coil portion 314b. The fourth sensing coil 318 carries a fourth sensing signal induced by the second excitation signal. The fourth sensing coil 318 includes two or more cosine lobes arranged in the third excitation coil portion 314a and the fourth excitation coil portion 314b.

[0107] Fig. 6A Based on one or more examples Figure 1AA top view of an apparatus 100 for inductive angular position sensing wherein the target 106 is substantially “on-axis” and / or approximately centered relative to the axis of rotation 120 (e.g., as can be detected by an acceptable extension 602 or overhang of the target 106 beyond the oscillator coil).

[0108] Figure 6B yes Fig. 6A 1 is a top view of an apparatus 100 for inductive angular position sensing, except that the target 106 is positioned off-axis relative to the rotation axis 120. Figure 6B , target 106 may be displaced off-axis from axis 120 in the y-axis direction by an off-axis displacement ("D") (e.g., a displacement detectable by the target 106 extending beyond the (undesired) extension 604 or overhang of the oscillator coil). In one or more examples, the displacement D is approximately 0.8 millimeters (mm). Despite the displacement of target 106, coverage of the lobe area is substantially uniform, resulting in little to no phase shift observed between sensors. As a result, there may be little to no phase shift between sensor outputs, and thus little to no deviation in sensor accuracy. In some conventional redundant sensors, angular position sensing may be adversely affected when the target is off-axis due to the phase shift between the sine and cosine curves.

[0109] Figure 7 700 is a graph of simulation result curves associated with sensor accuracy for different sensor approaches with off-axis targets. Using the same calibration parameters, simulation results associated with sensor accuracy were obtained after calibration of 0.1% and 3% with a target of 0.8 mm off-axis. Curve 706 corresponds to ORG_sys1 (e.g., sensor 1 of a conventional redundant sensor), and curve 708 corresponds to ORG_sys2 (e.g., sensor 2 of a conventional redundant sensor). Curve 702 corresponds to 0.8mmAD_sys1 (e.g., sensor 1 of a redundant sensor according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure), and curve 704 corresponds to 0.8mmAD_sys2 (e.g., sensor 2 of a redundant sensor according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure).

[0110] Figure 8800 is a graph of simulation result curves for comparing typical sensor data associated with a known sensor method and target off-axis sensor data. Curve 812 corresponds to P2_adj_off (target off-axis) and curve 802 corresponds to P2_adj; curve 814 corresponds to P3_adj_off (target off-axis) and curve 804 corresponds to P3_adj; curve 816 corresponds to P5_adj_off (target off-axis) and curve 806 corresponds to p5_adj; and curve 818 corresponds to P6_adj_off (target off-axis) and curve 808 corresponds to P6_adj.

[0111] Fig. 9 FIG. 9 is a graph 900 of sine and cosine signal curves with and without a target off-axis displacement for an apparatus for inductive angular position sensing according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. Fig. 9 , sine curve 904 has no target off-axis displacement, and sine curve 908 has a target off-axis displacement (0.8 mm); cosine curve 902 has no target off-axis displacement, and sine curve 906 has a target off-axis displacement (0.8 mm).

[0112] Considering Figure 7 , Figure 8 and Fig. 9 , angular position sensing using known sensor methods is adversely affected when the target is off-axis due to the phase shift between the sine curve and the cosine curve. In one or more examples of the present disclosure, sensing accuracy is not adversely affected because there is almost no phase shift when the target is off-axis.

[0113] Thus, in one or more examples of the present disclosure, angular position sensing is provided with relatively high sensor accuracy because there is little phase shift when the target is off-axis. In one or more additional examples, sensor redundancy is provided with reduced or minimal mutual coupling effects between sensors. In yet one or more other examples, sensor redundancy is more reliable and / or less prone to failure (e.g., a single failure at the PCB component or pin level will not cause both sensors to fail).

[0114] Fig.101000 is a block diagram of a circuit system 1000 that can be used to implement various functions, operations, actions, processes and / or methods disclosed herein in some examples. The circuit system 1000 includes one or more processors 1004 (sometimes referred to herein as "processor 1004") operably coupled to one or more data storage devices (sometimes referred to herein as "storage device 1006"). The storage device 1006 includes machine executable code 1008 stored thereon, and the processor 1004 includes logic circuit 1010. The machine executable code 1008 includes information describing functional elements that can be implemented (e.g., executed) by the logic circuit 1010. The logic circuit 1010 is adapted to implement (e.g., execute) the functional elements described by the machine executable code 1008. When the functional elements described by the machine executable code 1008 are executed, the circuit system 1000 should be regarded as dedicated hardware for performing the functional elements disclosed herein. In some examples, processor 1004 may execute the functional elements described by machine executable code 1008 sequentially, concurrently (eg, on one or more different hardware platforms), or in one or more parallel process flows.

[0115] When implemented by the logic circuit 1010 of the processor 1004, the machine executable code 1008 adapts the processor 1004 to perform the operations of the examples disclosed herein. For example, the machine executable code 1008 may adapt the processor 1004 to perform at least a portion or all of the operations associated with the apparatus 100 for inductive angular position sensing according to one or more examples, including a method of generating an output signal indicating an angular position of an object; a method of generating a first output signal (e.g., a demodulated first sensing signal) based on a first sensing signal and a method of generating a second output signal (e.g., a demodulated second sensing signal) based on a second sensing signal; and / or a method of generating a single output signal (e.g., a constant slope output signal) based on the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal in response to rotation of the object.

[0116] Processor 1004 may include a general-purpose processor, a special-purpose processor, a central processing unit (CPU), a microcontroller, a programmable logic controller (PLC), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic, a discrete hardware component, other programmable devices, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions disclosed herein. When a general-purpose computer including a processor executes a functional element corresponding to a machine executable code 1008 (e.g., software code, firmware code, hardware description) related to the examples of the present disclosure, the general-purpose computer is considered a special-purpose computer. It should be noted that a general-purpose processor (which may also be referred to as a host processor or simply a host in this article) may be a microprocessor, but in an alternative, processor 1004 may include any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. Processor 1004 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.

[0117] In some examples, storage device 1006 includes volatile data storage device (e.g., random access memory (RAM)), non-volatile data storage device (e.g., flash memory, hard disk drive, solid state drive, erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), etc.). In some examples, processor 1004 and storage device 1006 may be implemented as a single device (e.g., semiconductor device product, system on chip (SOC), etc.). In some examples, processor 1004 and storage device 1006 may be implemented as independent devices.

[0118] In some examples, machine executable code 1008 may include computer readable instructions (e.g., software code, firmware code). By way of non-limiting example, the computer readable instructions may be stored by storage device 1006, directly accessed by processor 1004, and executed by processor 1004 using at least logic circuit 1010. Also by way of non-limiting example, the computer readable instructions may be stored on storage device 1006, transferred to a memory device (not shown) for execution, and executed by processor 1004 using at least logic circuit 1010. Thus, in some examples, logic circuit 1010 includes electrically configurable logic circuit 1010.

[0119] In some examples, machine executable code 1008 may describe hardware (e.g., circuitry) to be implemented in logic circuit 1010 to perform a functional element. The hardware may be described at any of a variety of abstraction levels, from low-level transistor layout to a high-level description language. At a high level of abstraction, a hardware description language (HDL) may be used, such as an IEEE standard hardware description language (HDL). As a non-limiting example, a VERILOG TM 、SYSTEMVERILOG TM or Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) Hardware Description Language (VHDL TM ).

[0120] The HDL description may be converted into a description at any of a variety of other abstraction levels as needed. As a non-limiting example, the high-level description may be converted into a logic-level description such as a register transfer language (RTL), a gate-level (GL) description, a layout-level description, or a mask-level description. As a non-limiting example, the micro-operations performed by the hardware logic circuits (e.g., gates, flip-flops, registers, without limitation) of the logic circuit 1010 may be described in RTL and then converted into a GL description by a synthesis tool, and the GL description may be converted into a layout-level description by a placement and routing tool, which corresponds to the physical layout of an integrated circuit, a discrete gate or transistor logic element, a discrete hardware component, or a combination thereof of a programmable logic device. Therefore, in some examples, the machine executable code 1008 may include HDL, RTL, GL descriptions, mask-level descriptions, other hardware descriptions, or any combination thereof.

[0121] In examples where the machine executable code 1008 includes a hardware description (at any level of abstraction), a system (not shown, but including the storage device 1006) may implement the hardware description described by the machine executable code 1008. By way of non-limiting example, the processor 1004 may include a programmable logic device (e.g., an FPGA or a PLC), and the logic circuit 1010 may be electrically controlled to implement circuitry corresponding to the hardware description into the logic circuit 1010. Also by way of non-limiting example, the logic circuit 1010 may include hard-wired logic manufactured by a manufacturing system (not shown, but including the storage device 1006) according to the hardware description of the machine executable code 1008.

[0122] Regardless of whether the machine executable code 1008 includes computer readable instructions or a hardware description, the logic circuit 1010 is adapted to perform the functional elements described by the machine executable code 1008 when implementing the functional elements of the machine executable code 1008. It should be noted that although the hardware description may not directly describe the functional elements, the hardware description indirectly describes the functional elements that the hardware elements described by the hardware description are capable of performing.

[0123] As used in this disclosure, references to things "at a support structure," "in a support structure," "on a support structure," "arranged at a support structure," "arranged in a support structure," "arranged on a support structure," and similar terms (including, but not limited to, oscillator coils, sensing coils, and paths) may refer to things that are substantially arranged within and / or on a surface of a support structure.

[0124] In addition, the term "substantially" in reference to a given parameter, attribute, or condition means and includes to the extent that one skilled in the art will understand that the given parameter, attribute, or condition is satisfied with minor variations (such as, within acceptable manufacturing tolerances). For example, a substantially satisfied parameter may be at least about 90% satisfied, at least about 95% satisfied, or even at least about 99% satisfied.

[0125] In addition, the term "module" or "component" may refer to a specific hardware implementation for performing 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 hardware of a computing system (e.g., a computer-readable medium, a processing device, etc.). In some examples, the different components, modules, engines, and services described in this disclosure may be implemented as objects or processes executed on a computing system (e.g., as separate threads). 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 hardware), specific hardware implementations or combinations of software and specific hardware implementations are possible and contemplated.

[0126] As used in this disclosure, the term "combination" referring to multiple elements may include a 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.

[0127] 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 “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “comprising” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” etc.).

[0128] Additionally, if a specific number of introduced claim expressions is intended, such intent will be expressly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such a 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 expressions. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that a claim expression introduced by the indefinite article "a" or "an" will limit any particular claim containing such introduced claim expression to an example containing only one such expression, 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 expression is introduced using a definite article.

[0129] 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 modifiers). Moreover, in those instances where a conventional phrase like "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 A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B, and C together, etc.

[0130] 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".

[0131] Additional non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure include:

[0132] Embodiment 1: A device comprises: a target rotating around an axis; an excitation coil carrying an excitation signal; and a first sensing coil carrying a sensing signal induced by the excitation signal, the first sensing coil comprising two or more lobes located in one or more planes perpendicular to the axis, the two or more lobes comprising: a first lobe located at a first position relative to the axis; and a second lobe located at a second position relative to the axis, the radial distance of the second position from the axis being substantially the same as the radial distance of the first position from the axis, the angular distance of the second position from the first position being Θ, wherein Θ = 180° ± α / 2, and α is a measurement range of angular position sensing within a range of 50% to 150% of α.

[0133] Embodiment 2: The apparatus of embodiment 1, wherein: the first lobe defines a substantially clockwise path of the sensing signal around a central axis of the first lobe; and the second lobe defines a substantially counterclockwise path of the sensing signal around a central axis of the second lobe.

[0134] Embodiment 3: An apparatus according to embodiments 1 and 2, wherein the excitation coil comprises a first excitation coil, the first excitation coil comprising: a first excitation coil portion, the first excitation coil portion being arranged to substantially surround the first lobe of the first sensing coil; a second excitation coil portion, the second excitation coil portion being arranged to substantially surround the second lobe of the first sensing coil; and a center tap, the center tap being coupled between the first excitation coil portion and the second excitation coil portion to provide an excitation voltage signal to the first excitation coil portion and the second excitation coil portion.

[0135] Embodiment 4: An apparatus according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 3, wherein: the first excitation coil portion and the first lobe of the first sensing coil are located in a first quadrant defined by two vertical lines intersecting at the axis in one of the one or more planes; and the second excitation coil portion and the second lobe of the first sensing coil are located in a third quadrant defined by the two vertical lines, the third quadrant being opposite to the first quadrant.

[0136] Embodiment 5: A device according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 4, wherein each of the first excitation coil part and the second excitation coil part includes: an inner peripheral part, which defines a corresponding arc of a first circle centered on the axis; an outer peripheral part, which defines a corresponding arc of a second circle centered on the axis, and the second circle is larger than the first circle; and a radial part, which is located between the corresponding ends of the inner peripheral part and the outer peripheral part.

[0137] Embodiment 6: An apparatus according to any one of embodiments 1 to 5, wherein the sensing signal includes a first sensing signal, and α=60°, the apparatus comprising: a second sensing coil carrying a second sensing signal induced by the excitation signal, the second sensing coil comprising two or more corresponding lobes located in the one or more planes, the two or more corresponding lobes comprising: a first corresponding lobe located at a third position relative to the axis, the radial distance of the third position from the axis being substantially the same as the radial distance of the first position from the axis, the angular distance of the third position from the first position being within the range of ±(15 to 45); and a second corresponding lobe located at a fourth position relative to the axis, the radial distance of the fourth position from the axis being substantially the same as the radial distance of the first position from the axis, the angular distance of the fourth position from the third position being Θ.

[0138] Embodiment 7: A device according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 6, wherein α=60°, and the two or more lobes of the first sensing coil include: a third lobe located at a third position relative to the axis, the radial distance of the third position from the axis being substantially the same as the radial distance of the first position from the axis, the angular distance of the third position from the first position being approximately ±30°, and the angular distance from the second position being approximately 180°; and a fourth lobe located at a fourth position relative to the axis, the radial distance of the fourth position from the axis being substantially the same as the radial distance of the first position from the axis, the angular distance of the fourth position from the first position being approximately 180°, and the angular distance from the second position being approximately ±30°.

[0139] Embodiment 8: A device according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 7, wherein: the first lobe defines a corresponding approximately clockwise path of the sensing signal around the central axis of the first lobe; the second lobe defines a corresponding approximately counterclockwise path of the sensing signal around the central axis of the second lobe; the third lobe defines a corresponding approximately counterclockwise path of the sensing signal around the central axis of the third lobe; and the fourth lobe defines a corresponding approximately clockwise path of the sensing signal around the central axis of the fourth lobe.

[0140] Embodiment 9: A device according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 8, wherein the path defined for the sensing signal passes through in the following order: the first lobe around the central axis of the first lobe in a substantially clockwise direction; the third lobe around the central axis of the third lobe in a substantially counterclockwise direction; the fourth lobe around the central axis of the fourth lobe in a substantially clockwise direction; and the second lobe around the central axis of the second lobe in a substantially counterclockwise direction.

[0141] Embodiment 10: A device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 9, wherein: the first lobe has substantially the same shape as the fourth lobe, rotated approximately 180° around the axis, and the second lobe has substantially the same shape as the third lobe, rotated approximately 180° around the axis.

[0142] Embodiment 11: A device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 10, wherein the excitation coil includes a first excitation coil, the first excitation coil including: a first excitation coil part, the first excitation coil part is arranged to basically surround the first lobe of the first sensing coil and the third lobe of the first sensing coil; and a second excitation coil part, the second excitation coil part is arranged to basically surround the second lobe of the first sensing coil and the fourth lobe of the first sensing coil.

[0143] Embodiment 12: An apparatus according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 11, wherein: the first excitation coil portion, the first lobe of the first sensing coil and the third lobe of the first sensing coil are located in a first quadrant defined by two vertical lines intersecting at the axis in one of the one or more planes; and the second excitation coil portion, the second lobe of the first sensing coil and the fourth lobe of the first sensing coil are located in a third quadrant defined by the two vertical lines, and the third quadrant is adjacent to the first quadrant.

[0144] Embodiment 13: A device according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 12, wherein the first excitation coil portion includes: an inner peripheral portion, which defines a corresponding arc of a first circle centered on the axis; an outer peripheral portion, which defines a corresponding arc of a second circle centered on the axis, the second circle being larger than the first circle; and a radial portion, which is located between the corresponding ends of the inner peripheral portion and the outer peripheral portion.

[0145] Embodiment 14: An apparatus according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 13, wherein the sensing signal includes a first sensing signal, and α=60°, the apparatus comprising: a second sensing coil carrying a second sensing signal induced by the excitation signal, the second sensing coil including two or more corresponding lobes located in the one or more planes, the two or more corresponding lobes including: a first corresponding lobe located at a fifth position relative to the axis, the radial distance of the fifth position from the axis being substantially the same as the radial distance of the first position from the axis, and the angular distance of the fifth position from the first position being approximately ±15°; and a second corresponding lobe located at a sixth position relative to the axis, the radial distance of the sixth position from the axis being substantially the same as the radial distance of the first position from the axis, and the angular distance of the sixth position from the first position being approximately 180°±45°.

[0146] Embodiment 15: A device according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 14, wherein α=60°, and the two or more corresponding lobes of the second sensing coil include: a third corresponding lobe located at a seventh position relative to the axis, the radial distance of the seventh position from the axis being substantially the same as the radial distance of the first position from the axis, the angular distance of the seventh position from the first position being approximately ±45°, and the angular distance from the sixth position being approximately 180°; and a fourth corresponding lobe located at an eighth position relative to the axis, the radial distance of the eighth position from the axis being substantially the same as the radial distance of the first position from the axis, the angular distance of the eighth position from the first position being approximately 180°±15°, and the angular distance from the fifth position being approximately 180°.

[0147] Embodiment 16: A device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 15, wherein the target includes: a plurality of fins uniformly radially spaced around the axis, the plurality of fins defining gaps between corresponding fins, and the size of each of the gaps when measured circumferentially around the axis is substantially the same as the size of the first lobe.

[0148] Embodiment 17: A device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 16, wherein the device includes a first inductive angular position sensor, the first inductive angular position sensor includes the target, the excitation coil and the first sensing coil, the device includes: a second inductive angular position sensor, the second inductive angular position sensor includes: a corresponding excitation coil carrying a corresponding excitation signal; a corresponding first sensing coil carrying a corresponding sensing signal induced by the corresponding excitation signal, the corresponding first sensing coil including two or more corresponding lobes located in the one or more planes, the two or more corresponding lobes including: a first corresponding lobe located at a third position relative to the axis, the radial distance of the third position from the axis being substantially the same as the radial distance of the first position from the axis, the angular distance of the third position from the first position being approximately 30°; and a second corresponding lobe located at a fourth position relative to the axis, the radial distance of the fourth position from the axis being substantially the same as the radial distance of the first position from the axis, the angular distance of the fourth position from the third position being θ.

[0149] Embodiment 18: A device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 17, wherein: the excitation coil of the first inductive angular position sensor includes: a first corresponding excitation coil, which is arranged to basically surround the first lobe of the first inductive angular position sensor; and a second corresponding excitation coil, which is arranged to basically surround the second lobe of the first inductive angular position sensor; and the corresponding excitation coil of the second inductive angular position sensor includes: a first corresponding excitation coil, which is arranged to basically surround the first corresponding lobe of the second inductive angular position sensor; and a second corresponding excitation coil, which is arranged to basically surround the second corresponding lobe of the second inductive angular position sensor.

[0150] Embodiment 19: A device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 18, wherein: the first corresponding excitation coil of the first inductive angular position sensor and the first lobe of the first sensing coil of the first inductive angular position sensor are located in a first quadrant defined by two vertical lines intersecting at the axis in one of the one or more planes; the second corresponding excitation coil of the first inductive angular position sensor and the second lobe of the first sensing coil of the first inductive angular position sensor are located in a third quadrant defined by the two vertical lines, and the third quadrant is adjacent to the first quadrant; the first corresponding excitation coil of the second inductive angular position sensor and the first corresponding sensing coil of the second inductive angular position sensor are located in a second quadrant defined by the two vertical lines, and the second quadrant is adjacent to the first quadrant and the third quadrant; and the second corresponding excitation coil of the second inductive angular position sensor and the second corresponding lobe of the first corresponding sensing coil of the second inductive angular position sensor are located in a fourth quadrant defined by the two vertical lines, and the fourth quadrant is opposite to the second quadrant.

[0151] Embodiment 20: The device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 19, wherein α=60°.

[0152] Embodiment 21: A device comprises: a support structure; a coil structure for sensing an angular position sensor, the coil structure comprising conductive traces on and / or in one or more planes of the support structure, the coil structure being arranged around the rotation axis of the target, the coil structure comprising: an excitation coil carrying an excitation signal, the excitation coil comprising a first excitation coil portion and a second excitation coil portion, the first excitation coil portion being arranged around a first arc band segment of the support structure, the second excitation coil portion being arranged around a second arc band segment of the support structure, the second arc band segment being opposite to the first arc band segment; a first sensing coil carrying a first sensing signal induced by the excitation signal, the first sensing coil comprising two or more first lobes arranged within the first excitation coil portion and the second excitation coil portion; and a second sensing coil carrying a second sensing signal induced by the excitation signal, the second sensing coil comprising two or more second lobes arranged within the first excitation coil portion and the second excitation coil portion.

[0153] Embodiment 22: A device according to embodiment 21, wherein: the two or more first lobes of the first sensing coil include: a first lobe located at a first position relative to the axis; and a second lobe located at a second position relative to the axis, the radial distance of the second position from the axis is substantially the same as the radial distance of the first position from the axis, and the angular distance of the second position from the first position is Θ, wherein Θ = 180° ± α / 2, and α is the measurement range of angular position sensing.

[0154] Embodiment 23: A device according to embodiments 21 and 22, wherein α=60°, and wherein: the two or more first lobes of the first sensing coil include: a third lobe located at a third position relative to the axis, the radial distance of the third position from the axis being substantially the same as the radial distance of the first position from the axis, and the angular distance of the third position from the first position being approximately 30°; and a fourth lobe located at a fourth position relative to the axis, the radial distance of the fourth position from the axis being substantially the same as the radial distance of the first position from the axis, the angular distance of the second position from the first position being approximately 180°, and the angular distance from the third position being Θ.

[0155] Embodiment 24: A device according to any one of Embodiments 21 to 23, wherein the coil structure includes a first coil structure, the inductive angular position sensor includes a first inductive angular position sensor, the excitation coil includes a first excitation coil, and the excitation signal includes a first excitation signal, the device includes: a second coil structure of a second inductive angular position sensor, the second coil structure includes conductive traces on and / or in the one or more planes of the support structure, the second coil structure is arranged around the rotation axis, the second coil structure includes: a second excitation coil carrying a second excitation signal, the second excitation coil includes a third excitation coil portion and a fourth excitation line A loop portion, the third excitation coil portion is arranged around the third arc band section of the support structure, the fourth excitation coil portion is arranged around the fourth arc band section of the support structure, and the fourth arc band section is opposite to the third arc band section; a third sensing coil carrying a third sensing signal induced by the second excitation signal, the third sensing coil including two or more third lobes arranged in the third excitation coil portion and the fourth excitation coil portion; and a fourth sensing coil carrying a fourth sensing signal induced by the second excitation signal, the fourth sensing coil including two or more fourth lobes arranged in the third excitation coil portion and the fourth excitation coil portion.

[0156] Embodiment 25: An apparatus according to any one of Embodiments 21 to 24, wherein: the two or more first lobes of the first sensing coil include at least two sine lobes, the two or more second lobes of the second sensing coil include at least two cosine lobes, the two or more third lobes of the third sensing coil include at least two sine lobes, and the two or more fourth lobes of the fourth sensing coil include at least two cosine lobes.

[0157] Embodiment 26: A device comprises: a support structure; a target rotating around the axis of the support structure; a first coil structure of a first inductive angular position sensor, the first coil structure comprising conductive traces on and / or in one or more planes of the support structure, the first coil structure being arranged around the rotation axis, the first coil structure comprising: a first excitation coil carrying a first excitation signal, the first excitation coil comprising a first excitation coil portion and a second excitation coil portion, the first excitation coil portion being arranged around a first arc band section of the support structure, the second excitation coil portion being arranged around a second arc band section of the support structure, the second arc band section being opposite to the first arc band section; a first sensing coil carrying a first sensing signal induced by the excitation signal, the first sensing coil comprising two or more sinusoidal lobes arranged within the first excitation coil portion and the second excitation coil portion; a second sensing coil carrying a second sensing signal induced by the excitation signal, the second sensing coil comprising an excitation coil portion and a second excitation coil portion. a second coil structure of a second inductive angular position sensor, the second coil structure comprising conductive traces on and / or in the one or more planes of the support structure, the second coil structure being arranged around the rotation axis, the second coil structure comprising: a second excitation coil carrying a second excitation signal, the second excitation coil comprising a third excitation coil portion and a fourth excitation coil portion, the third excitation coil portion being arranged around a third arc band section of the support structure, the fourth excitation coil portion being arranged around a fourth arc band section of the support structure, the fourth arc band section being opposite to the third arc band section; a third sensing coil carrying a third sensing signal induced by the second excitation signal, the third sensing coil comprising two or more sine lobes arranged within the third excitation coil portion and the fourth excitation coil portion; and a fourth sensing coil carrying a fourth sensing signal induced by the second excitation signal, the fourth sensing coil comprising two or more cosine lobes arranged within the third excitation coil portion and the fourth excitation coil portion.

[0158] Although the present disclosure describes the present invention with respect to certain illustrative 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 illustrative 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 comprising: A target that rotates around an axis; an excitation coil carrying an excitation signal; and A first sensing coil carrying a sensing signal induced by the excitation signal, the first sensing coil comprising two or more lobes located in one or more planes perpendicular to the axis, the two or more lobes comprising: a first lobe at a first position relative to the axis; and A second lobe at a second position relative to the axis, the second position having a radial distance from the axis substantially the same as the radial distance from the first position from the axis, the second position having an angular distance Θ from the first position, wherein Θ = 180° ± α / 2, and α is a measurement range for angular position sensing within a range of 50% to 150% of α.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The first lobe defines a generally clockwise path of the sensed signal about a central axis of the first lobe; and The second lobe defines a generally counter-clockwise path of the sensed signal about a central axis of the second lobe.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the excitation coil comprises a first excitation coil, the first excitation coil comprising: a first excitation coil portion arranged to substantially surround the first lobe of the first sensing coil; a second excitation coil portion, the second excitation coil portion being arranged to substantially surround the second lobe of the first sensing coil; and A center tap is coupled between the first excitation coil portion and the second excitation coil portion to provide an excitation voltage signal to the first excitation coil portion and the second excitation coil portion.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein: The first excitation coil portion and the first lobe of the first sensing coil are located in a first quadrant defined by two perpendicular lines intersecting at the axis in one of the one or more planes; and The second excitation coil portion and the second lobe of the first sensing coil are located in a third quadrant defined by the two vertical lines, the third quadrant being opposite to the first quadrant.

5. The device according to claim 3, wherein each of the first excitation coil part and the second excitation coil part comprises: an inner peripheral portion defining a respective arc of a first circle centered on the axis; a peripheral portion defining a respective arc of a second circle centered on the axis, the second circle being larger than the first circle; and A radial portion is located between respective ends of the inner peripheral portion and the outer peripheral portion.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the sensing signal comprises a first sensing signal, and α=60°, the device comprising: a second sensing coil carrying a second sensing signal induced by the excitation signal, the second sensing coil comprising two or more corresponding lobes located in the one or more planes, the two or more corresponding lobes comprising: a first corresponding lobe at a third position relative to the axis, the third position being at substantially the same radial distance from the axis as the first position, the third position being at an angular distance from the first position within a range of ±(15° to 45°); and A second corresponding lobe is located at a fourth position relative to the axis, the radial distance from the axis being substantially the same as the radial distance from the axis of the first position, the angular distance from the third position being θ.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein α=60°, and the two or more lobes of the first sensing coil comprise: a third lobe located at a third position relative to the axis, the third position being located at substantially the same radial distance from the axis as the first position, the third position being located at an angular distance of approximately ±30° from the first position and approximately 180° from the second position; and A fourth lobe is located at a fourth position relative to the axis, the radial distance from the axis being substantially the same as the radial distance from the first position to the axis, the angular distance from the first position being approximately 180°, and the angular distance from the second position being approximately ±30°.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein: the first lobes defining respective generally clockwise paths of the sensed signals about a central axis of the first lobes; the second lobe defining a respective generally counter-clockwise path of the sensed signal about a central axis of the second lobe; The third lobe defines a respective generally counter-clockwise path of the sensed signal about a central axis of the third lobe; and The fourth lobe defines a respective generally clockwise path of the sense signal about a central axis of the fourth lobe.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the path defined for the sensing signal passes through in the following order: The first lobe is arranged in a generally clockwise direction around a central axis of the first lobe; the third lobe is arranged in a generally counterclockwise direction around a central axis of the third lobe; the fourth lobe is arranged in a generally clockwise direction around a central axis of the fourth lobe; and The second lobe is in a generally counter-clockwise direction about a central axis of the second lobe.

10. The device according to claim 7, wherein: The first lobe has substantially the same shape as the fourth lobe, rotated approximately 180° about the axis, and The second lobe has substantially the same shape as the third lobe, rotated approximately 180° about the axis.

11. The device according to claim 7, wherein the excitation coil comprises a first excitation coil, the first excitation coil comprising: a first excitation coil portion arranged to substantially surround the first lobe of the first sensing coil and the third lobe of the first sensing coil; and A second excitation coil portion is arranged to substantially surround the second lobe of the first sensing coil and the fourth lobe of the first sensing coil.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein: the first excitation coil portion, the first lobe of the first sensing coil, and the third lobe of the first sensing coil are located in a first quadrant defined by two perpendicular lines intersecting at the axis in one of the one or more planes; and The second excitation coil portion, the second lobe of the first sensing coil, and the fourth lobe of the first sensing coil are located in a third quadrant defined by the two vertical lines, the third quadrant being adjacent to the first quadrant.

13. The device according to claim 11, wherein the first excitation coil portion comprises: an inner peripheral portion defining a respective arc of a first circle centered on the axis; a peripheral portion defining a respective arc of a second circle centered on the axis, the second circle being larger than the first circle; and A radial portion is located between respective ends of the inner peripheral portion and the outer peripheral portion.

14. The device according to claim 7, wherein the sensing signal comprises a first sensing signal, and α=60°, the device comprising: a second sensing coil carrying a second sensing signal induced by the excitation signal, the second sensing coil comprising two or more corresponding lobes located in the one or more planes, the two or more corresponding lobes comprising: a first respective lobe at a fifth position relative to the axis, the fifth position being at substantially the same radial distance from the axis as the first position, the fifth position being at an angular distance of approximately ±15° from the first position; and A second corresponding lobe is located at a sixth position relative to the axis, the radial distance from the axis being substantially the same as the radial distance from the axis of the first position, the angular distance from the first position being approximately 180°±45°.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein α=60°, and the two or more corresponding lobes of the second sensing coil comprise: a third respective lobe at a seventh position relative to the axis, the seventh position being located at substantially the same radial distance from the axis as the first position, the seventh position being located at an angular distance of approximately ±45° from the first position and being located at an angular distance of approximately 180° from the sixth position; and A fourth corresponding lobe is located at an eighth position relative to the axis, the radial distance from the eighth position to the axis being substantially the same as the radial distance from the first position to the axis, the angular distance from the eighth position to the first position being approximately 180°±15°, and the angular distance from the fifth position being approximately 180°.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the target comprises: A plurality of fins are uniformly radially spaced about the axis, the plurality of fins defining gaps between respective fins, each of the gaps having a size substantially the same as a size of the first lobe when measured circumferentially about the axis.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a first inductive angular position sensor, the first inductive angular position sensor comprising the target, the excitation coil, and the first sensing coil, the apparatus comprising: A second inductive angular position sensor, wherein the second inductive angular position sensor comprises: a corresponding excitation coil carrying a corresponding excitation signal; a respective first sensing coil carrying a respective sensing signal induced by the respective excitation signal, the respective first sensing coil comprising two or more respective lobes located in the one or more planes, the two or more respective lobes comprising: a first respective lobe at a third position relative to the axis, the third position being at substantially the same radial distance from the axis as the first position, the third position being at an angular distance of approximately 30° from the first position; and A second corresponding lobe is located at a fourth position relative to the axis, the radial distance from the axis being substantially the same as the radial distance from the axis of the first position, the angular distance from the third position being θ.

18. The device according to claim 17, wherein: The excitation coil of the first inductive angular position sensor comprises: a first corresponding excitation coil arranged to substantially surround said first lobe of said first inductive angular position sensor; and a second corresponding excitation coil arranged to substantially surround the second lobe of the first inductive angular position sensor; and The corresponding excitation coil of the second inductive angular position sensor comprises: a first corresponding excitation coil arranged to substantially surround the first corresponding lobe of the second inductive angular position sensor; and A second corresponding excitation coil is arranged to substantially surround the second corresponding lobe of the second inductive angular position sensor.

19. The device according to claim 18, wherein: the first respective excitation coil of the first inductive angular position sensor and the first lobe of the first sensing coil of the first inductive angular position sensor being located within a first quadrant defined by two perpendicular lines intersecting at the axis in one of the one or more planes; the second corresponding excitation coil of the first inductive angular position sensor and the second lobe of the first sensing coil of the first inductive angular position sensor are located in a third quadrant defined by the two vertical lines, the third quadrant being adjacent to the first quadrant; the first corresponding lobes of the first corresponding excitation coil of the second inductive angular position sensor and the first corresponding sensing coil of the second inductive angular position sensor are located in a second quadrant defined by the two vertical lines, the second quadrant being adjacent to the first quadrant and the third quadrant; and The second corresponding lobes of the second corresponding excitation coil of the second inductive angular position sensor and the first corresponding sensing coil of the second inductive angular position sensor are located in a fourth quadrant defined by the two vertical lines, the fourth quadrant being opposite to the second quadrant.

20. The device according to claim 1, wherein α = 60°.

21. An apparatus comprising: Support structure; A coil structure for an inductive angular position sensor, the coil structure comprising conductive traces on and / or in one or more planes of the support structure, the coil structure being arranged around an axis of rotation of a target, the coil structure comprising: an excitation coil carrying an excitation signal, the excitation coil comprising a first excitation coil portion and a second excitation coil portion, the first excitation coil portion being arranged around a first arc band section of the support structure, the second excitation coil portion being arranged around a second arc band section of the support structure, the second arc band section being opposite to the first arc band section; a first sensing coil carrying a first sensing signal induced by the excitation signal, the first sensing coil comprising two or more first lobes arranged within the first excitation coil portion and the second excitation coil portion; and A second sensing coil carrying a second sensing signal induced by the excitation signal, the second sensing coil comprising two or more second lobes arranged within the first excitation coil portion and the second excitation coil portion.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein: The two or more first lobes of the first sensing coil include: a first lobe at a first position relative to the axis; and A second lobe is located at a second position relative to the axis, the radial distance from the axis of the second position being substantially the same as the radial distance from the axis of the first position, the angular distance from the second position to the first position being Θ, wherein Θ = 180° ± α / 2, and α is a measurement range for angular position sensing.

23. The device according to claim 22, wherein α=60°, and wherein: The two or more first lobes of the first sensing coil include: a third lobe located at a third position relative to the axis, the third position being at substantially the same radial distance from the axis as the first position, the third position being at an angular distance of approximately 30° from the first position; and A fourth lobe is located at a fourth position relative to the axis, the radial distance from the fourth position to the axis being substantially the same as the radial distance from the first position to the axis, the second position being at an angular distance of approximately 180° from the first position, and the angular distance from the third position being θ.

24. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the coil structure comprises a first coil structure, the inductive angular position sensor comprises a first inductive angular position sensor, the excitation coil comprises a first excitation coil, and the excitation signal comprises a first excitation signal, the apparatus comprising: a second coil structure for a second inductive angular position sensor, the second coil structure comprising conductive traces on and / or in the one or more planes of the support structure, the second coil structure being arranged around the rotation axis, the second coil structure comprising: a second excitation coil carrying a second excitation signal, the second excitation coil comprising a third excitation coil portion and a fourth excitation coil portion, the third excitation coil portion being arranged around a third arc band section of the support structure, the fourth excitation coil portion being arranged around a fourth arc band section of the support structure, the fourth arc band section being opposite to the third arc band section; a third sensing coil carrying a third sensing signal induced by the second excitation signal, the third sensing coil comprising two or more third lobes arranged within the third excitation coil portion and the fourth excitation coil portion; and A fourth sensing coil carries a fourth sensing signal induced by the second excitation signal, the fourth sensing coil comprising two or more fourth lobes arranged within the third excitation coil portion and the fourth excitation coil portion.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein: The two or more first lobes of the first sensing coil include at least two sinusoidal lobes, the two or more second lobes of the second sensing coil include at least two cosine lobes, The two or more third lobes of the third sensing coil include at least two sinusoidal lobes, and The two or more fourth lobes of the fourth sensing coil include at least two cosine lobes.

26. An apparatus comprising: Support structure; a target that rotates about an axis of said support structure; A first coil structure of a first inductive angular position sensor, the first coil structure comprising conductive traces on and / or in one or more planes of the support structure, the first coil structure being arranged around the rotation axis, the first coil structure comprising: a first excitation coil carrying a first excitation signal, the first excitation coil comprising a first excitation coil portion and a second excitation coil portion, the first excitation coil portion being arranged around a first arc band section of the support structure, the second excitation coil portion being arranged around a second arc band section of the support structure, the second arc band section being opposite to the first arc band section; a first sensing coil carrying a first sensing signal induced by the excitation signal, the first sensing coil comprising two or more sinusoidal lobes arranged within the first excitation coil portion and the second excitation coil portion; a second sensing coil carrying a second sensing signal induced by the excitation signal, the second sensing coil comprising two or more cosine lobes arranged within the first excitation coil portion and the second excitation coil portion; a second coil structure of a second inductive angular position sensor, the second coil structure comprising conductive traces on and / or in the one or more planes of the support structure, the second coil structure being arranged around the rotation axis, the second coil structure comprising: a second excitation coil carrying a second excitation signal, the second excitation coil comprising a third excitation coil portion and a fourth excitation coil portion, the third excitation coil portion being arranged around a third arc band section of the support structure, the fourth excitation coil portion being arranged around a fourth arc band section of the support structure, the fourth arc band section being opposite to the third arc band section; a third sensing coil carrying a third sensing signal induced by the second excitation signal, the third sensing coil comprising two or more sinusoidal lobes arranged within the third excitation coil portion and the fourth excitation coil portion; and A fourth sensing coil carries a fourth sensing signal induced by the second excitation signal, the fourth sensing coil comprising two or more cosine lobes arranged within the third excitation coil portion and the fourth excitation coil portion.

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