Annular Waveguide Angle Sensor for High-Precision Rotary Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional angle sensors face challenges such as high cost, susceptibility to dirt, complex manufacturing requirements, and limited precision due to small structure sizes, especially in high-accuracy applications, and require fast measurement and evaluation methods to minimize latency and passive installation space.
Innovation Solution
An angle sensor design featuring a waveguide that runs in a ring around the axis of rotation, with a transmitting and receiving antenna emitting electromagnetic waves that are reflected by a closing element, allowing for precise determination of rotational position using a 6-port method, and potentially utilizing multiple excitation signals and waveguides to extend the resolution range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional optical angle sensors are used to achieve high measurement precision, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase due to highly precise mounting requirements and complex encapsulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional optical scanning system with a waveguide-based electromagnetic field system. Instead of using optical beams and scanning units that require precise mechanical alignment, the invention uses a waveguide that extends around the axis of rotation with termination elements that interact with electromagnetic fields. This substitution eliminates the need for complex optical mounting and encapsulation while maintaining high measurement precision through electromagnetic field interactions.
2Measurement precision
If the physical elements are manufactured with smaller feature sizes to achieve higher accuracy (18 bits and above), then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to the need for microstructural technology
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental measurement parameter from optical or microstructural features to electromagnetic field interactions. Instead of relying on small physical features that require microstructural manufacturing technology, the invention uses a waveguide structure where the termination elements interact with electromagnetic fields. This parameter change allows high accuracy to be achieved through field-based measurements rather than through manufacturing increasingly smaller physical features.
3Measurement precision
If conventional scanning units are used to scan encoding tracks, then measurement capability is achieved, but measurement speed is limited and latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical scanning unit with a stationary waveguide system that uses electromagnetic field interactions. Instead of physically scanning across encoding tracks, the invention employs a waveguide that extends around the rotation axis with termination elements that detect rotational position through electromagnetic field changes. This eliminates mechanical scanning limitations and enables faster measurement speeds while maintaining high positioning resolution.
4Volume of moving object
If the passive installation space is minimized by making physical dimensions smaller, then installation space is reduced, but measurement accuracy may be compromised due to smaller structure sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces space-consuming mechanical and optical components with a compact waveguide structure. The waveguide extends around the rotation axis in a space-efficient manner, and the termination elements interact with electromagnetic fields rather than requiring large physical scanning mechanisms. This substitution enables high measurement accuracy to be achieved within a minimized installation volume by eliminating the need for large mechanical scanning units and extensive optical paths.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables simple, reliable, and high-accuracy determination of rotary positions with extended resolution ranges, overcoming limitations of conventional sensors by providing precise positioning and reduced angular range limitations.
Implementation Method 1
the first transmit and receive antenna emits a first electromagnetic wave into the first waveguide due to the first transmit signal supplied to it, which then propagates in both directions in the first waveguide
Implementation Method 2
the first termination element is designed to be reflective on at least one side, so that on the reflective side of the first termination element, the first electromagnetic wave arriving there is reflected and travels back in the first waveguide to the first transmitting and receiving antenna
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A rotating element (5) is mounted in a base body (4) such that the rotating element (5) can be rotated about an axis of rotation (6). An excitation circuit (10) generates an excitation signal (A). A divider circuit (11) guides the excitation signal (A) partially as an outgoing signal (S) to a transceiving antenna (14) fixed to the base body (4) and partially as a base signal (B) to an evaluation circuit (12). The angular sensor (3) comprises a waveguide (8) that circulates in an annular manner about the axis of rotation (6). On the basis of the outgoing signal (S), the transceiving antenna (14) emits an electromagnetic wave (15a, 15b) into the waveguide (8), said wave propagating in the waveguide (8) in both directions. The rotating element (5) comprises a termination element (16) that protrudes into the waveguide (8) and is designed so as to be reflective on at least one side in such a way that the incoming electromagnetic wave (15a) is reflected on the reflective side of the termination element (16) and returns to the transceiving antenna (14) via the waveguide (8). The reflected wave (18) is received by the transceiving antenna (14). A receiving signal (E) generated thereby is supplied to the evaluation circuit (12). The evaluation circuit (12) determines a position of rotation (α) of the rotating element (5) in relation to a reference position of rotation (α0) by evaluating the base signal (B) and the receiving signal (E) in a resolution region (β).