Electronic module, sensor devices, set of sensor devices and method for operating a sensor device

Abstract

Electronic module for a sensor device, in particular an inductive sensor device, comprising at least one voltage-controlled current source (14), a current source connection (12) electrically connected to the at least one voltage-controlled current source (14) for providing a voltage-controlled current by means of the at least one voltage-controlled current source (14), an adder device (20), an adder input connection (16) electrically connected to the adder device (20) and an adder output connection (18) electrically connected to the adder device (20), wherein the current source connection (12) is connected to an electrical resonant circuit (44) and / or to a coil element (45;58) is electrically effectively connected or connectable, the adder input terminal (16) is electrically effectively connected or connected to the current source terminal (12) or to at least one further coil element (64), an addition and / or subtraction of a voltage applied to the adder input terminal (16) and at least one offset voltage is carried out by means of the adder device (20), and wherein an evaluation signal for evaluation by an evaluation device (50) is available or is available at the adder output terminal (18).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an electronic module for a sensor device, in particular an inductive sensor device.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a sensor device, in particular an inductive sensor device.

[0003] Furthermore, the invention relates to another sensor device, in particular an inductive sensor device.

[0004] Furthermore, the invention relates to a set of sensor devices.

[0005] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating a sensor device, in particular an inductive sensor device.

[0006] The invention is based on the objective of providing an electronic module for a sensor device, as mentioned above, which can be used flexibly and by means of which a number of different sensor devices can be realized in a technically simple way.

[0007] This problem is solved according to the invention in the aforementioned electronic module by the electronic module comprising at least one voltage-controlled current source, a current source connection electrically connected to the at least one voltage-controlled current source for providing a voltage-controlled current by means of the at least one voltage-controlled current source, an adder device, an adder input connection electrically connected to the adder device, and an adder output connection electrically connected to the adder device, wherein the current source connection is electrically connected or connectable to an electrical resonant circuit and / or to a coil element, and the adder input connection is electrically connectable or connected to the current source connection or to at least one further coil element.The adding device performs an addition and / or subtraction of a voltage applied to the adding device input terminal and at least one offset voltage, and wherein an evaluation signal for evaluation by an evaluation device can be provided or is provided at the adding device output terminal.

[0008] The electronic module according to the invention can be used in a particularly versatile and flexible manner. A large number of different sensor devices can be implemented in a technically simple way using the electronic module according to the invention.

[0009] In particular, a large number of different sensor devices can be realized using the electronic module according to the invention, without requiring any changes to the structure and / or topology of the electronic module.

[0010] In particular, implementing different sensor devices using the electronic module according to the invention does not require any modification of the electronic module's components. For example, it is not necessary to make changes to the at least one voltage-controlled current source and / or the adder device.

[0011] Different sensor devices can be implemented, for example, by wiring the connections of the electronic module differently.

[0012] Thus, a large number of different sensor devices can be produced using the same electronic module according to the invention. This allows different sensor devices to be produced, in particular, with an increased number of identical parts and / or with reduced manufacturing effort.

[0013] In particular, the electronic module may be manufactured and / or implemented using discrete electronic components. The use of an integrated circuit is specifically not intended and / or not necessary.

[0014] The fact that the adder input terminal is electrically connected to the power source terminal means, in particular, that the adder input terminal and the power source terminal are at the same electrical potential.

[0015] It can be advantageous if the electrical resonant circuit and / or the coil element can be supplied with an electric current and / or voltage via the current source connection and at least one voltage-controlled current source. Applying an electric current and / or voltage to the electrical resonant circuit, for example, creates a harmonically oscillating system and / or an oscillator circuit. Alternatively, applying an electric current and / or voltage to the coil element creates, for example, a pulsed system.

[0016] For example, the electrical resonant circuit and / or the coil element are electrically connected on the one hand to the power source connection and on the other hand to a supply voltage of the electronic module.

[0017] For example, at least one additional coil element is electrically connected on the one hand to the adder input terminal and on the other hand to a supply voltage of the electronic module.

[0018] According to the invention, a sensor device mentioned above is provided, comprising an electronic module according to the invention and an electrical resonant circuit, which is or will be electrically connected to the power source connection and to the adder input connection.

[0019] In particular, the sensor device is an inductive sensor device and / or an inductive proximity sensor and / or an inductive distance sensor and / or an inductive displacement sensor.

[0020] In the sensor device according to the invention, a harmonic oscillator and / or an oscillator circuit is implemented by means of the electrical resonant circuit.

[0021] In this variant, the sensor device according to the invention is designed, for example, as an inductive distance sensor with a high switching distance or as a distance sensor with a large measuring range.

[0022] In particular, it may be provided that the power source connection and the adder input connection are electrically connected and / or at the same electrical potential. This allows, for example, a signal from the resonant circuit to be coupled into the adder device via the adder input connection, and this signal can then be extracted for evaluation by an evaluation device via the adder output connection.

[0023] It can be advantageous if the sensor device has a first voltage-controlled current source, which is electrically connected to the current source terminal for providing the voltage-controlled current, wherein the first voltage-controlled current source is assigned a control terminal, the first voltage-controlled current source can be controlled by a voltage applied to the control terminal, and the control terminal is electrically connected to the adder output terminal. This allows, for example, feedback from the adder output terminal to the control terminal of the first voltage-controlled current source. For instance, this allows a signal from the electrical resonant circuit to be fed back to the electrical resonant circuit via the adder device and the first voltage-controlled current source.This makes it possible, for example, to implement an oscillator circuit and / or a sensor device with a high switching point.

[0024] It can be advantageous if the sensor device has a second voltage-controlled current source, which is electrically connected to the current source terminal for providing the voltage-controlled current. This second voltage-controlled current source is assigned a first control terminal and a second control terminal, and it can be controlled by the difference between the voltage applied to the first and second control terminals. By using the first and second voltage-controlled current sources, for example, a sensor device for distance measurement with a large measuring range can be implemented.

[0025] It can be advantageous if at least one offset voltage is applied to the first control terminal, or if at least one offset voltage is applied to the first control terminal. This offset voltage can then be used to adjust and / or calibrate the second voltage-controlled current source.

[0026] In particular, the offset voltage is a DC voltage. For example, the offset voltage is approximately 1 / 3 of the supply voltage of the electronic module and / or the sensor device.

[0027] It may be possible to select the offset voltage based on temperature and / or to have a temperature dependency. This allows, for example, temperature measurement to be implemented.

[0028] In particular, it may be provided that the second control terminal is or will be electrically connected to the adder output terminal.

[0029] The adder output terminal is then electrically connected to the second control terminal for controlling the second voltage-controlled current source and to the control terminal for controlling the first voltage-controlled current source. This activates both the first and second voltage-controlled current sources. Specifically, the first and second voltage-controlled current sources are controlled by the signal present at the adder output terminal.

[0030] By applying the offset voltage to the first control terminal assigned to the second voltage-controlled current source and connecting the adder output terminal to the second control terminal assigned to the second voltage-controlled current source and to the control terminal assigned to the first voltage-controlled current source, a sensor device for distance measurement and / or with a large measuring range can be implemented, for example.

[0031] According to the invention, a further sensor device mentioned above is provided, comprising an electronic module according to the invention and a coil element which is electrically connected or is connected to the power source connection.

[0032] The additional sensor device described below has, in particular, one or more features and / or advantages of the sensor device described above. Specifically, the sensor device described above has one or more of the features and / or advantages described below.

[0033] In this variant, the sensor device according to the invention is, for example, designed as a pulsed measuring system. For example, the sensor device according to the invention is controlled by means of a measuring pulse.

[0034] In particular, the coil element of the sensor device serves as a measuring coil.

[0035] It can be advantageous if the coil element is electrically connected to, or becomes connected to, the adder input terminal. This allows, for example, a measurement signal to be coupled from the coil element into the adder device, and this measurement signal to be extracted from the adder device via the adder output terminal for further evaluation.

[0036] It can be advantageous if the power source terminal and the adder input terminal are electrically connected. For example, the power source terminal and the adder input terminal would then be at the same electrical potential.

[0037] It can be advantageous if the sensor device has at least one additional coil element that is electrically connected, or will be connected, to the adder input terminal. This allows, for example, the implementation of a sensor device with a transmitting coil and at least one receiving coil.

[0038] The coil element then serves, for example, as a transmitting coil, and the at least one other coil element then serves, for example, as a receiving coil.

[0039] By electrically connecting at least one additional coil element to the adder input terminal, a received signal from at least one additional coil element can, for example, be coupled into the adder device and then extracted from the adder device for further evaluation.

[0040] In particular, it may be provided that the coil element is electrically connected to the power source connection. This allows the coil element (e.g., transmitting coil) to be excited and / or supplied with electrical energy by means of at least one voltage-controlled current source and / or a first voltage-controlled current source of the sensor device.

[0041] In particular, it may be provided that the coil element is electrically connected to the power source connection and that at least one further coil element is electrically connected to the adder input connection.

[0042] In particular, the current source connection is not electrically connected to the adder input connection and / or the current source connection and the adder input connection are at different electrical potentials, at least during one execution of a measurement process.

[0043] In particular, the coil element is electrically connected to the power source connection and a supply voltage of the sensor device.

[0044] In particular, the additional coil element is electrically connected to the adder input terminal and to a supply voltage of the sensor device.

[0045] In particular, it may be provided that the coil element and the at least one further coil element are part of a common coil system / or are designed as a common coil system.

[0046] It can be advantageous if the sensor device has two additional coil elements that are electrically connected to the adder input terminal, and especially if these two additional coil elements are electrically connected in series. This allows, for example, the implementation of a gradiometer arrangement.

[0047] In particular, the series connection of the further coil elements is electrically effective with the adder input connection on the one hand and with a supply voltage of the sensor device on the other.

[0048] It can be advantageous if the sensor device has a first voltage-controlled current source, which is electrically connected to the current source terminal to provide the voltage-controlled current, wherein the first voltage-controlled current source is assigned a control terminal and can be controlled by a voltage applied to the control terminal. This allows, for example, a measurement pulse to be coupled in via the control terminal to perform a measurement. This makes it possible, for example, to implement a pulsed system.

[0049] It can be advantageous if the first voltage-controlled current source can be controlled and / or activated by means of an evaluation unit and / or a pulse signal source and / or a pulse signal. In particular, this allows measurements to be controlled and / or performed in a targeted manner using the evaluation unit.

[0050] For example, the evaluation unit and / or a pulse signal source are electrically connected to the control terminal for controlling the first voltage-controlled current source.

[0051] It can be advantageous if the sensor device has a second voltage-controlled current source which is electrically connected or is connected to the current source connection for providing the voltage-controlled current, wherein the second voltage-controlled current source is assigned a first control connection and a second control connection, and wherein the second voltage-controlled current source can be controlled or is controlled by means of a difference between a voltage applied to the first control connection and the second control connection.

[0052] In particular, it may be provided that the second voltage-controlled power source is deactivated or is deactivated, and / or that the first control terminal and the second control terminal are at the same electrical potential or are brought to the same electrical potential.

[0053] In particular, it may be provided that there is no voltage between the first control terminal and the second control terminal.

[0054] For example, the first control port and / or the second control port are free and / or unused and / or not connected.

[0055] It can be advantageous if the electronic module or sensor device has a first voltage-controlled current source and / or a second voltage-controlled current source, whereby the voltage-controlled current is provided or is provided at the current source connection by means of the first voltage-controlled current source and / or the second voltage-controlled current source.

[0056] In particular, it may be provided that the first voltage-controlled current source and / or the second voltage-controlled current source are each electrically connected to the current source terminal. For example, a respective output terminal of the first voltage-controlled current source and / or the second voltage-controlled current source is electrically connected to the current source terminal.

[0057] In particular, the first voltage-controlled current source is associated with a resistor and / or a connection for a resistor, whereby the first voltage-controlled current source can be controlled or is controlled by means of the resistor and / or the connection for the resistor. The resistor is, for example, electrically connected to the connection on one side and to ground on the other.

[0058] For example, an operating point or operating point range of the first voltage-controlled current source can be defined using the resistance assigned to the first voltage-controlled current source.

[0059] In particular, the first voltage-controlled current source is assigned a control terminal, wherein the first voltage-controlled current source can be controlled or is controlled by means of a voltage applied to the control terminal.

[0060] In particular, a resistor and / or a connection for a resistor are assigned to the second voltage-controlled current source, whereby the second voltage-controlled current source can be controlled or is controlled by means of the resistor and / or the connection for the resistor. The resistor is, for example, electrically connected to the connection on one side and to ground on the other.

[0061] For example, by means of the resistance assigned to the second voltage-controlled current source, an operating point or operating point range of the second voltage-controlled current source and / or a characteristic curve of the second voltage-controlled current source can be defined.

[0062] In particular, the second voltage-controlled current source is assigned a first control terminal and a second control terminal, wherein the second voltage-controlled current source can be controlled or is controlled by means of a difference between a voltage applied to the first control terminal and the second control terminal.

[0063] It can be advantageous if the output characteristic of the first voltage-controlled current source is linear and / or if the output characteristic of the second voltage-controlled current source is non-linear.

[0064] It can be advantageous if the first voltage-controlled current source is implemented using an operational amplifier and / or a transistor, especially a bipolar transistor.

[0065] It can be advantageous if the second voltage-controlled current source is implemented as a differential amplifier and / or if the second voltage-controlled current source is implemented using two transistors, especially bipolar transistors.

[0066] It can be advantageous if the electronic module or sensor device has a housing and / or an interface. This allows the electronic module to be wired in a technically simple way. This, in turn, makes it easier to adapt the electronic module to different applications.

[0067] For example, the power source connection is located and / or formed on the housing and / or the interface.

[0068] For example, the adder input port is located and / or formed on the housing and / or the interface.

[0069] For example, the adder output port is located and / or formed on the housing and / or the interface.

[0070] For example, a control connection associated with a first voltage-controlled current source is arranged and / or designed on the housing and / or the interface for controlling the first voltage-controlled current source.

[0071] For example, a connection for a resistor for controlling the first voltage-controlled current source is arranged and / or formed on the housing and / or the interface, associated with a first voltage-controlled current source.

[0072] For example, a first control terminal and / or a second control terminal for controlling the second voltage-controlled current source are arranged and / or designed on the housing and / or the interface.

[0073] In particular, the second voltage-controlled current source can be controlled by means of a difference between the voltage applied to the first control terminal and the second control terminal, or is controlled by means of a difference between the voltage applied to the first control terminal and the second control terminal.

[0074] For example, a connection for a resistor for controlling the second voltage-controlled current source is arranged and / or designed on the housing and / or the interface, which is associated with a second voltage-controlled current source.

[0075] For example, at least one offset voltage connection for the application and / or coupling of the at least one offset voltage is arranged and / or formed on the housing and / or the interface.

[0076] In particular, the offset voltage connection is electrically connected to the adder device.

[0077] For example, a first supply connection and / or a second supply connection are arranged and / or formed on the housing and / or the interface, wherein an operating voltage for the power supply of the electronic module and / or the sensor device can be applied or is applied between the first supply connection and the second supply connection.

[0078] For example, the first supply connection is connected to ground and / or earth.

[0079] For example, a (positive) supply voltage is present at the second supply connection.

[0080] In this context, a connection is understood to mean in particular a physical connection and / or a terminal block.

[0081] In particular, the electronic module or sensor device may be provided with an evaluation unit for evaluating a measurement signal. For example, the evaluation unit is electrically connected to the adder output terminal.

[0082] In particular, the discrete implementation of components of the electronic module (e.g., first voltage-controlled current source, second voltage-controlled current source and adder device) using operational amplifiers and / or transistors allows the electronic module to be adapted to different resonant frequencies of the coil elements.

[0083] In particular, the electronic module according to the invention can be adapted to different resonant frequencies of the electrical resonant circuit and / or the coil element and / or the at least one further coil element. For example, discrete components of the electronic module are selected and / or designed differently depending on the respective resonant frequencies, whereby in particular no adaptation of the structure and / or topology of the electronic module is required. This allows the electronic module to be adapted, for example, to resonant frequencies of less than 1 MHz or more than 1 MHz.

[0084] According to the invention, a set of sensor devices according to claim 23 is provided.

[0085] In particular, each set of sensor devices comprises several different sensor devices. Different sensor devices are understood to mean, in particular, sensor devices with different technical designs.

[0086] In particular, the sensor devices of the set of sensor devices are implemented by means of the electronic module according to the invention. The sensor devices of the set of sensor devices are, in particular, each implemented by means of the same electronic module.

[0087] In particular, it is not necessary to change the structure and / or topology of the electronic module according to the invention in order to implement the sensor devices of the set of sensor devices. Specifically, the sensor devices of the set of sensor devices can be implemented by different circuit configurations and / or connections of terminals of the (same) electronic module according to the invention.

[0088] According to the invention, a method for operating a sensor device, as mentioned above, is provided, in which at least one voltage-controlled current source, a current source connection electrically connected to the at least one voltage-controlled current source, an adder device, an adder input connection electrically connected to the adder device, and an adder output connection electrically connected to the adder device are provided, wherein a voltage-controlled current is provided at the current source connection by means of the at least one voltage-controlled current source, the current source connection is electrically connected to an electrical resonant circuit and / or to a coil element, and the adder input connection is electrically connected to the current source connection or to at least one further coil element.The adding device performs an addition and / or subtraction of a voltage applied to the adding device input terminal and at least one offset voltage, and an evaluation signal is provided at the adding device output terminal for evaluation by an evaluation device.

[0089] The method according to the invention has in particular one or more features and / or advantages of the electronic module and / or the sensor devices according to the invention.

[0090] Advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention have already been explained in connection with the electronic module according to the invention and / or the sensor devices according to the invention.

[0091] The following description of preferred embodiments, in conjunction with the drawings, serves to further explain the invention. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of an electronic module for a sensor device; Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a sensor device comprising an electronic module and an electrically effective resonant circuit connected to the electronic module; Fig. 3 a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a sensor device comprising an electronic module and an oscillating circuit electrically connected to the electronic module; Fig. 4 a schematic representation of a third embodiment of a sensor device comprising an electronic module and a coil element electrically connected to the electronic module; Fig. 5 a schematic representation of a fourth embodiment of a sensor device, comprising an electronic module, a coil element and a further coil element, each of which is electrically connected to the electronic module; and Fig. 6 a schematic representation of a fifth embodiment of a sensor device comprising an electronic module, a coil element and two further coil elements, each of which is electrically connected to the electronic module.

[0092] Identical or functionally equivalent elements are designated with the same reference symbols in all figures.

[0093] An example embodiment of an electronic module which is in Fig. The module shown in 1 and labelled there with 10 is, for example, an electronic module for use with a sensor device, in particular an inductive sensor device.

[0094] The electronics module 10 includes a power source connection 12 for providing a voltage-controlled current.

[0095] For example, at least one voltage-controlled current source 14 is provided to supply the voltage-controlled current, which is electrically connected to the current source connection 12.

[0096] Furthermore, the electronics module 10 includes an adder input terminal 16 and an adder output terminal 18 for establishing an electrically effective connection with an adder device 20.

[0097] The adder device 20 is used to add and / or subtract a voltage applied to the adder input terminal 16 and an offset voltage.

[0098] For coupling the offset voltage, the electronics module 10 includes an offset voltage connection 22, to which the offset voltage can be applied. This offset voltage connection 22 is electrically connected to the adder unit 20.

[0099] To control the at least one voltage-controlled current source 14, the electronic module 10 includes a control terminal 24, which is electrically connected to the at least one voltage-controlled current source 14. For example, the at least one voltage-controlled current source 14 can be controlled by means of a voltage applied to the control terminal 24.

[0100] Furthermore, the electronic module 10 includes a connection 26 for a resistor assigned to at least one voltage-controlled current source 14, wherein this connection 26 is electrically connected to the at least one voltage-controlled current source 14. This resistor allows the at least one voltage-controlled current source 14 to be controlled and / or an operating point or operating point range of the at least one voltage-controlled current source 14 to be set.

[0101] At the in Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, a first voltage-controlled current source 14a and a second voltage-controlled current source 14b are provided.

[0102] The control terminal 24 and the terminal 26 are assigned to the first voltage-controlled current source 14a and / or are electrically effectively connected to the first voltage-controlled current source 14b.

[0103] The first voltage-controlled current source 14a has an output terminal 28 that is electrically connected to the current source terminal 12.

[0104] The first voltage-controlled current source 14a, for example, has a linear output characteristic.

[0105] To control the second voltage-controlled current source 14b, the electronic module has a first control terminal 30 and a second control terminal 32, wherein the first control terminal 30 and the second control terminal 32 are each electrically connected to the second voltage-controlled current source 14b. In particular, the second voltage-controlled current source 14b can be controlled by means of a difference between a voltage applied to the first control terminal 30 and the second control terminal 32.

[0106] Furthermore, the electronics module 10 includes a terminal 34 for a resistor associated with the second voltage-controlled current source 14b, wherein this terminal 34 is electrically connected to the second voltage-controlled current source 14b. The second voltage-controlled current source 14b can be controlled by means of this resistor and / or an operating point or operating point range of the second voltage-controlled current source 14b can be set by means of this resistor.

[0107] The second voltage-controlled current source 14b has an output terminal 36 that is electrically connected to the current source terminal 12.

[0108] For example, the output terminal 28 of the first voltage-controlled current source 14a and / or the output terminal 36 of the second voltage-controlled current source 14b and / or the current source terminal 12 are each electrically connected to each other.

[0109] The second voltage-controlled current source 14b, for example, has a non-linear output characteristic.

[0110] The electronics module 10 comprises a first supply connection 38 and a second supply connection 40, wherein an operating voltage for the electronics module can be applied between the first supply connection 38 and the second supply connection 40.

[0111] For example, it is provided that the first supply terminal 38 is electrically connected to ground and the second supply terminal 40 is connected to a (e.g. positive) supply voltage.

[0112] The first supply terminal 38 and the second supply terminal 40 serve in particular to supply power to the adding device 20 and / or the at least one voltage-controlled current source 14 and / or the first voltage-controlled current source 14a and / or the second voltage-controlled current source 14b. In particular, the adding device 20 and / or the at least one voltage-controlled current source 14 and / or the first voltage-controlled current source 14a and / or the second voltage-controlled current source 14b are each electrically connected to the first supply terminal 38 and the second supply terminal 40.

[0113] The electronic module 10 may be provided with a housing 41 and / or an interface and / or a front end on which the respective connections of the electronic module 10 are arranged and / or formed. For example, the respective connections of the electronic module 10 are designed as physical connection elements and / or as terminal blocks. The respective connections of the electronic module 10 include the power source connection 12 and / or the adder input connection 16 and / or the adder output connection 18 and / or the offset voltage connection 22 and / or the control connection 24 and / or the connection 26 and / or the first control connection 30 and / or the second control connection 32 and / or the connection 34 and / or the first supply connection 38 and / or the second supply connection 40.

[0114] A first embodiment of a sensor device 42 with an electronic module 10 described above is shown in Fig. Figure 2 shows the sensor device 42 comprising the electronics module 10 with the first voltage-controlled current source 14a and the adder device 20. In particular, the sensor device 42 is an inductive sensor device.

[0115] Inductive sensor devices generally operate using a sensor coil element (inductance). This sensor coil element generates a magnetic field, which is altered by an object passed by the sensor coil element. This allows, for example, the contactless and wear-free measurement of angles, paths, distances, and speeds.

[0116] Regarding the basic functionality of such inductive sensors, reference is made, for example, to “Sensors in Science and Technology” by E. Hering and G. Schönfelder (editors), Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden 2012.

[0117] At the in Fig. In the embodiment shown in 2, the sensor device 42 comprises an electrical resonant circuit 44, which in particular includes a coil element 45 (indicated in Fig. 2) and / or a capacitor element (not shown). In particular, the coil element of the electrical resonant circuit 44 serves as a sensor coil element.

[0118] The coil element 45 of the electrical resonant circuit 44 is, for example, a simply wound coil element. For example, the coil element 45 comprises a copper strand and / or a high-frequency strand.

[0119] For example, the electrical resonant circuit 44 has a first terminal 46a and a second terminal 46b for coupling electrical energy into the electrical resonant circuit 44 and / or for exciting the electrical resonant circuit 44. In particular, the electrical resonant circuit 44 can be supplied with an electric current and / or an electric voltage via the first terminal 46a and the second terminal 46b.

[0120] For example, the coil element and the capacitor element are arranged between the first terminal 46a and the second terminal 46b (in the direction of current).

[0121] The electrical resonant circuit 44 is, for example, designed as a parallel resonant circuit consisting of the coil element and the capacitor element. For example, the coil element and the capacitor element are arranged in parallel between the first terminal 46a and the second terminal 46b.

[0122] In the embodiment according to Fig. 2 is the first terminal 46a of the electrical resonant circuit 44, each electrically effective with the current source terminal 12 and the adder input terminal 16.

[0123] In particular, the power source terminal 12 and the adder input terminal 16 are electrically connected. Specifically, the power source terminal 12 and / or the adder input terminal 16 are at the same electrical potential.

[0124] The second terminal 46b is electrically connected to a supply voltage and / or to the second supply terminal 40.

[0125] Furthermore, the adder output terminal 18 is electrically connected to the control terminal 24 for controlling the first voltage-controlled current source 14a. In particular, the adder output terminal 18 and the control terminal 24 are at the same electrical potential.

[0126] The first voltage-controlled current source 14a is thus controlled and / or activated by means of the signal from the adder device 20 that is present at the adder output terminal 18.

[0127] The first voltage-controlled current source 14a is associated with a resistor 48, which is electrically connected to the terminal 26.

[0128] In particular, the resistor 48 (in the direction of current flow) is arranged between terminal 26 and the first supply terminal 38 and / or ground.

[0129] The value of the resistor 48 is chosen particularly depending on the properties (e.g., inductance) of the coil element 45. For example, the value of the resistor 48 is approximately 1 to 15 kΩ.

[0130] The second voltage-controlled current source 14b is in the embodiment according to Fig. 2 deactivated or not present. For example, the second voltage-controlled current source 14b is deactivated by the absence of a voltage difference between the first control terminal 30 and the second control terminal 32.

[0131] In particular, the first control terminal 30 and / or the second control terminal 32 and / or the terminal 34, which are assigned to the second voltage-controlled power source 14b, are not occupied and / or not connected.

[0132] The offset voltage applied to the offset voltage terminal 22 is, for example, approximately 1 / 4 to 1 / 3 of a supply voltage applied between the first supply terminal 38 and the second supply terminal 40.

[0133] For example, the offset voltage applied to the offset voltage terminal 22 is generated by means of an ohmic voltage divider.

[0134] It may be provided that the offset voltage has a temperature dependence (with respect to an ambient temperature of the sensor device 42).

[0135] The adder output terminal 18 receives an output signal from the electronic module 10 for evaluation by an evaluation unit 50 (indicated in Fig. 2) provided. For example, the adder output connection is electrically effective and / or signal-effectively connected to the evaluation unit 50.

[0136] For example, the evaluation unit 50 includes a demodulator and / or an analog-to-digital converter and / or a microcontroller.

[0137] For example, this is in Fig. 2 Sensor device 42 shown is designed as an inductive sensor device and / or as an inductive proximity switch with a high switching distance.

[0138] In the embodiment according to Fig. 2 in particular an oscillator circuit and / or a harmonically oscillating oscillator is implemented.

[0139] A in Fig. The second embodiment of a sensor device 52 shown in Figure 3 differs from the embodiment according to Figure 3. Fig. 2 essentially by the fact that the second voltage-controlled current source 14b is present and / or activated in the sensor device 52. Otherwise, the [context] is correct. Fig. The third variant shown, with regard to structure and function, is shown in relation to the one in Fig. The variant shown in point 2 is not applicable, so reference is made to its preceding description.

[0140] The sensor device 52 comprises the electronics module 10 with the first voltage-controlled current source 14a, the second voltage-controlled current source 14b and the adder device 20.

[0141] The first control terminal 30 of the second voltage-controlled current source 14b is electrically connected to the offset voltage terminal 22. This offset voltage terminal 22 is in turn electrically connected to the adder device 20. In particular, the offset voltage is present at both the first control terminal 30 and the offset voltage terminal 22.

[0142] In particular, the second control terminal 32 and the offset voltage terminal 22 are at the same electrical potential.

[0143] The adder output terminal 18 is electrically connected to the second control terminal 32 for controlling the second voltage-controlled current source 14b. Furthermore, the adder output terminal 18 is electrically connected to the control terminal 24 for controlling the first voltage-controlled current source 14a.

[0144] In the embodiment according to Fig. 3. Thus, the first voltage-controlled current source 14a and the second voltage-controlled current source 14b are controlled and / or activated by means of the signal of the adder device 20 applied to the adder output terminal 18.

[0145] A resistor 54 is associated with the second voltage-controlled current source 14b and is electrically connected to terminal 34. This terminal 34 effectively connects the resistor 54 to the second voltage-controlled current source 14b. Specifically, the resistor 54 is located (in the current direction) between terminal 34 and the first supply terminal 38 and / or ground.

[0146] The value of the resistor 54 is chosen particularly depending on the properties (e.g., inductance) of the coil element 45. For example, the value of the resistor 54 is approximately 300-1000 kΩ.

[0147] For example, this is in Fig. 3 Sensor device 52 shown as an inductive sensor device for distance measurement with a large measuring range.

[0148] A in Fig. The third embodiment of a sensor device 56, shown in Figure 4, comprises a coil element 58 which is electrically connected to the current source terminal 12 and the adder input terminal 16, respectively. The sensor device 56 has essentially the same operating principle as the sensor devices 42 and 52 described above. Therefore, reference is made to the preceding description regarding the basic operating principle of the sensor device 56.

[0149] In particular, the third embodiment of the sensor device 56 described below has one or more features and / or advantages of the sensor devices 42 and 52 described above.

[0150] In particular, the coil element 58 has one or more features and / or advantages of the coil element 45 described above.

[0151] The sensor device 56 comprises the electronics module 10, the first voltage-controlled current source 14a and the adder device 20.

[0152] The resistor 48 is electrically connected to the first voltage-controlled current source 14a.

[0153] The coil element 58 of the sensor device 56 is, for example, a sensor coil.

[0154] In particular, the coil element 58 has a first terminal 60a and a second terminal 60b for coupling electrical energy into the coil element 58. In particular, the coil element 58 can be supplied with an electric current and / or an electric voltage via the first terminal 60a and the second terminal 60b.

[0155] The first terminal 60a is electrically connected to both the power source terminal 12 and the adder input terminal 16. The second terminal 60b is electrically connected to the supply voltage and / or the second supply terminal 40.

[0156] In particular, the power source terminal 12 and the adder input terminal 16 are at the same electrical potential.

[0157] The offset voltage is applied to the offset voltage terminal 22.

[0158] In the sensor device 56, it is provided that a signal, in particular a pulse signal, is applied to the control terminal 24 and / or coupled in via the control terminal 24 to control the first voltage-controlled current source 14a. Control of the first voltage-controlled current source 14a is thus effected, for example, by means of an externally generated signal which is present at the control terminal 24.

[0159] It may be provided that the signal applied to the control terminal 24 is a pulse signal and / or a measurement pulse, wherein the pulse signal and / or the measurement pulse is generated, for example, by means of the evaluation device 50.

[0160] For example, the evaluation unit 50 is electrically effective and / or signal-effectively connected to the adder output terminal 18 and / or to the control terminal 24.

[0161] The second voltage-controlled current source 14b is in the embodiment of the sensor device 56 according to Fig. 4 in particular deactivated or not present. For example, the second voltage-controlled current source 14b is deactivated by the fact that there is no voltage difference between the first control terminal 30 and the second control terminal 32.

[0162] In particular, the first control terminal 30 and / or the second control terminal 32 and / or the terminal 34, which are assigned to the second voltage-controlled current source 14b, are free and / or not occupied and / or not connected.

[0163] For example, this is in Fig. 4 Sensor device 56 shown is designed as an inductive sensor device by means of a (single) coil element, wherein a measurement is initiated in particular by means of a measuring pulse.

[0164] For example, in the embodiment according to Fig. 4 a pulsed system is implemented.

[0165] A in Fig. The fourth embodiment of a sensor device 62 shown in Figure 5 differs from the embodiment according to Figure 5. Fig. 4 essentially by the fact that the sensor device 62 comprises a further coil element 64 in addition to the coil element 58. Otherwise, the in Fig. Variant 5 shown with regard to structure and function compared to the one in Fig. The variant shown in section 4 is identical, so reference is made to its preceding description.

[0166] In the embodiment according to Fig. 5 the coil element 58 serves as transmitting coil and the further coil element 64 as receiving coil.

[0167] In particular, the further coil element 64 has one or more features and / or advantages of the aforementioned coil elements 45 and 58.

[0168] For example, the coil element 58 and the further coil element 64 are arranged spatially symmetrically and / or spatially opposite each other.

[0169] In particular, the further coil element 64 has a first connection 66a and a second connection 66b for coupling electrical energy into the coil element 64. In particular, the coil element 64 can be supplied with an electric current and / or an electric voltage via the first connection 66a and the second connection 66b.

[0170] The coil element 58 is electrically connected to the power source connection 12 and the further coil element 64 is electrically connected to the adder input connection 16.

[0171] In the embodiment according to Fig. 5. In particular, the power source terminal 12 and the adder input terminal 16 are not at the same electrical potential. Specifically, the power source terminal 12 and the adder input terminal 16 are not (directly) electrically connected to each other.

[0172] For example, the first terminal 60a of the coil element 58 is electrically connected to the power source terminal 12. For example, the first terminal 66a of the further coil element 64 is electrically connected to the adder input terminal 16.

[0173] The second terminal 60b of the coil element 58 and / or the second terminal 66b of the further coil element 64 are, for example, each electrically connected to the supply voltage and / or to the second supply terminal 40.

[0174] It may be provided that the coil element 58 and the further coil element 64 are part of a common coil system 68.

[0175] For example, coil element 58 and / or the further coil element 64 are designed as printed circuit board (PCB) coils.

[0176] For example, in the case of sensor device 62, according to Fig. 5 a measurement using a transmitting coil (coil element 58) and a receiving coil (coil element 68).

[0177] A in Fig. The fifth embodiment of a sensor device shown in Figure 66 differs from the embodiment shown in Figure 66. Fig. 5 essentially by the fact that the sensor device 66 comprises two further coil elements 64 which are connected in series with each other. Otherwise, the in Fig. Variant 6 shown with regard to structure and function compared to the one in Fig. The variant shown in section 5 is identical, so reference is made to its preceding description.

[0178] The two further coil elements 64 are electrically connected to each other in series 70. This series connection 70 of the two further coils is electrically connected to the adder input terminal 16 and / or to the second supply terminal 40.

[0179] The coil element 58 is electrically connected to the power source connection 12 and / or to the second supply connection 40.

[0180] In particular, coil element 58 serves as a transmitting coil and the two other coil elements 64 serve as receiving coils. For example, a gradiometer arrangement is thus realized.

[0181] For example, the coil element 58 and the two other coil elements 64 are arranged spatially symmetrically and / or spatially opposite each other.

[0182] In particular, the two other coil elements 64 are designed in the same way.

[0183] For example, a coil system 72 is realized by means of the coil element 58 and the series connection 70 of the two further coil elements 64. In particular, the coil system 72 is a gradiometer coil system.

[0184] For example, in the embodiment according to the coil system 70 and the electronic module 10, Fig. 6. A gradiometer system and / or a gradiometer arrangement is implemented. Reference symbol list 10 Electronic module 12 Power source connection 14 voltage-controlled power source 14a first voltage-controlled current source 14b second voltage-controlled power source 16 Adder input connector 18 Adder output connector 20 Adder device 22 Offset voltage connection 24 control connection 26 connection 28 Output port 30 first tax connection 32 second control connection 34 connection 36 Output port 38 first supply connection 40 second supply connection 41 cases 42 Sensor device 44 electrical resonant circuit 45 coil element 46a first connection 46b second connection 48 resistor 50 evaluation unit 52 Sensor device 54 Resistance 56 Sensor device 58 coil element 60a first connection 60b second connection 62 Sensor device 64 additional coil element 66a first connection 66b second connection 68 coil system 70 series connection 72 coil system

Claims

[1] Electronic module for a sensor device, in particular an inductive sensor device, comprising at least one voltage-controlled current source (14), a current source connection (12) electrically connected to the at least one voltage-controlled current source (14) for providing a voltage-controlled current by means of the at least one voltage-controlled current source (14), an adder device (20), an adder input connection (16) electrically connected to the adder device (20) and an adder output connection (18) electrically connected to the adder device (20), wherein the current source connection (12) is connected to an electrical resonant circuit (44) and / or to a coil element (45;58) is electrically effectively connected or connectable, the adder input terminal (16) is electrically effectively connected or connected to the current source terminal (12) or to at least one further coil element (64), an addition and / or subtraction of a voltage applied to the adder input terminal (16) and at least one offset voltage is carried out by means of the adder device (20), and wherein an evaluation signal for evaluation by an evaluation device (50) is available or is available at the adder output terminal (18). [2] Electronic module according to claim 1, characterized by , that the electrical resonant circuit (44) and / or the coil element (45; 58) can be supplied with an electric current and / or an electric voltage by means of the current source connection (12) and the at least one voltage-controlled current source (14). [3] Sensor device, in particular an inductive sensor device, comprising an electronic module (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by an electrical resonant circuit (44) which is or will be electrically connected to the power source terminal (12) and to the adder input terminal (16). [4] Sensor device according to claim 3, characterized by a first voltage-controlled current source (14a) which is or is electrically connected to the current source terminal (12) to provide the voltage-controlled current, wherein the first voltage-controlled current source is associated with a control terminal (24), the first voltage-controlled current source (14a) can be controlled or is controlled by means of a voltage applied to the control terminal (24), and wherein the control terminal (24) is or is electrically connected to the adder output terminal (18). [5] Sensor device according to claims 3 to 4, characterized bya second voltage-controlled current source (14b) which is or is electrically connected to the current source terminal (12) to provide the voltage-controlled current, wherein the second voltage-controlled current source (14b) is assigned a first control terminal (30) and a second control terminal (32) and wherein the second voltage-controlled current source (14b) can be controlled or is controlled by means of a difference between a voltage applied to the first control terminal (30) and the second control terminal (32). [6] Sensor device according to claim 5, characterized by , that at least one offset voltage is present at the first control terminal (30) or that at least one offset voltage is applied to the first control terminal (30), and / or that the second control terminal (32) is or is electrically connected to the adder output terminal (18). [7] Sensor device, in particular an inductive sensor device, comprising an electronic module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by a coil element (45) which is or will be electrically connected to the power source connection (12). [8] Sensor device according to claim 7, characterized by , that the coil element (45) is or will be electrically connected to the adder input terminal (16). [9] Sensor device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized by , that the power source terminal (12) and the adder input terminal (16) are or will be electrically connected. [10] Sensor device according to claim 7, characterized by at least one further coil element (64) which is or will be electrically connected to the adder input terminal (16). [11] Sensor device according to claim 10, characterized bytwo further coil elements (64) which are or will be electrically connected to the adder input terminal (16), and in particular characterized by , that the two further coil elements (64) are or will be electrically connected to each other as a series connection (70). [12] Sensor device according to any one of claims 7 to 11, characterized by a first voltage-controlled current source (14a) which is or is electrically connected to the current source terminal (12) to provide the voltage-controlled current, wherein the first voltage-controlled current source (14a) is associated with a control terminal (24) and wherein the first voltage-controlled current source (14a) can be controlled or is controlled by means of a voltage applied to the control terminal (24). [13] Sensor device according to claim 12, characterized by, that the first voltage-controlled current source (14a) can be controlled and / or activated by means of an evaluation device (50) and / or by means of a pulse signal source and / or by means of a pulse signal. [14] Sensor device according to any one of claims 7 to 13, characterized by a second voltage-controlled current source (14b) which is or is electrically connected to the current source terminal (12) to provide the voltage-controlled current, wherein the second voltage-controlled current source is assigned a first control terminal (30) and a second control terminal (32) and wherein the second voltage-controlled current source (14b) can be controlled or is controlled by means of a difference between a voltage applied to the first control terminal (30) and the second control terminal (32). [15] Sensor device according to claim 14, characterized by, that the second voltage-controlled current source (14b) is deactivated or is deactivated, and / or that the first control terminal (30) and the second control terminal (32) are at the same electrical potential or are brought to the same electrical potential. [16] Electronic module or sensor device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by a first voltage-controlled current source (14a) and / or a second voltage-controlled current source (14b), wherein the voltage-controlled current is provided or is provided at the current source terminal (12) by means of the first voltage-controlled current source (14a) and / or the second voltage-controlled current source (14b). [17] Electronic module or sensor device according to claim 16, characterized by at least one of the following: The first voltage-controlled current source (14a) is associated with a resistor (48) and / or a connection (26) for a resistor (48), wherein the first voltage-controlled current source (14a) can be controlled or is controlled by means of the resistor (48) and / or by means of the connection (26) for the resistor (48); The first voltage-controlled current source (14a) is assigned a control terminal (24), wherein the first voltage-controlled current source (14a) can be controlled or is controlled by means of a voltage applied to the control terminal (24). [18] Electronic module or sensor device according to claim 16 or 17, characterized by at least one of the following: The second voltage-controlled current source (14b) is associated with a resistor (54) and / or a connection (34) for a resistor (54), wherein the second voltage-controlled current source (14b) can be controlled or is controlled by means of the resistor (54) and / or by means of the connection (34) for the resistor (54); The second voltage-controlled current source (14b) is assigned a first control terminal (30) and a second control terminal (32), wherein the second voltage-controlled current source (14b) can be controlled or is controlled by means of a difference between a voltage applied to the first control terminal (30) and the second control terminal (32). [19] Electronic module or sensor device according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterized by , that an output characteristic of the first voltage-controlled current source (14a) is linear and / or that an output characteristic of the second voltage-controlled current source (14b) is non-linear. [20] Electronic module or sensor device according to any one of claims 16 to 19, characterized by , that the first voltage-controlled current source (14a) is implemented by means of an operational amplifier and / or by means of a transistor, in particular a bipolar transistor. [21] Electronic module or sensor device according to any one of claims 16 to 20, characterized by , that the second voltage-controlled current source (14b) is implemented as a differential amplifier and / or that the second voltage-controlled current source (14b) is implemented using two transistors, in particular bipolar transistors. [22] Electronic module or sensor device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by a housing (41) and / or an interface, wherein at least one of the following is arranged and / or formed on the housing (41) and / or on the interface: the power source connection (12); the adder input port (16); the adder output terminal (18); a control terminal (24) associated with a first voltage-controlled current source (14a) for controlling the first voltage-controlled current source (14a); a connection (26) for a resistor (48) associated with a first voltage-controlled current source (14a) for controlling the first voltage-controlled current source (14a); a first control terminal (30) and / or second control terminal (32) associated with a second voltage-controlled current source (14b) for controlling the second voltage-controlled current source (14b); a connection (34) for a resistor (54) associated with a second voltage-controlled current source (14b) for controlling the second voltage-controlled current source (14b); at least one offset voltage connection (22) for the application and / or coupling of the at least one offset voltage; a first supply connection (38) and / or a second supply connection (40), wherein an operating voltage for the power supply of the electronic module and / or the sensor device can be applied or is applied between the first supply connection (38) and the second supply connection (40). [23] Set of sensor devices comprising at least two different sensor devices from the following: a sensor device according to one of claims 3 and 4 and 16 to 22; a sensor device according to one of claims 5 and 6 and 16 to 22; a sensor device according to one of claims 7 to 9 and 12 to 22; a sensor device according to one of claims 10 and 12 to 22; a sensor device according to any one of claims 11 to 22. [24] Method for operating a sensor device, in particular an inductive sensor device, in which at least one voltage-controlled current source (14), a current source terminal (12) electrically connected to the at least one voltage-controlled current source (14), an adder device (20), an adder input terminal (16) electrically connected to the adder device (20), and an adder output terminal (18) electrically connected to the adder device (20) are provided, wherein a voltage-controlled current is provided at the current source terminal (12) by means of the at least one voltage-controlled current source (14), the current source terminal (12) is connected with an electrical resonant circuit (44) and / or with a coil element (45;58) is electrically effectively connected, the adder input terminal (16) is electrically effectively connected to the current source terminal (12) or to at least one further coil element (64), an addition and / or subtraction of a voltage applied to the adder input terminal (16) and at least one offset voltage is carried out by means of the adder device (20), and wherein an evaluation signal for evaluation by an evaluation device (50) is provided at the adder output terminal (18).

Images