Non-Homogeneous Bias Magnet for Magnetic Security Feature Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing measuring devices face challenges in efficiently identifying and distinguishing between security features made of high-coercive and low-coercive magnetic materials on value documents, such as banknotes, due to the need for separate pre-magnetization and detection processes, which complicates the design and requires significant space for multiple sensor lines and magnets.

Innovation Solution

A measuring device employing a pre-magnetization magnet with non-homogeneous magnetization, allowing for differential magnetization of high-coercive and low-coercive materials, enabling a single sensor line to detect both types of materials by generating a magnetic field that changes direction and strength, thereby freezing magnetization in specific directions and allowing for distinct identification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate pre-magnetization and detection processes are used with multiple sensor lines and magnets, then both high-coercive and low-coercive materials can be detected, but the device complexity increases and spatial requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the pre-magnetization magnet and sensor line into a single integrated measuring device. The pre-magnetization magnet is positioned adjacent to the sensor line, allowing both functions to be performed in one compact unit rather than requiring separate processes and components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The pre-magnetization magnet with non-homogeneous magnetization serves multiple functions: it magnetizes both high-coercive and low-coercive materials simultaneously, and its varying field strength allows differentiation between material types. The single sensor line detects both security feature types, making the device multi-functional.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate pre-magnetization and detection processes are used with multiple sensor lines and magnets, then both high-coercive and low-coercive materials can be detected, but the spatial requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidspatial requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The pre-magnetization magnet and sensor line are merged into a compact integrated unit. The pre-magnetization magnet is positioned immediately adjacent to the sensor line, eliminating the need for separate spatial zones for magnetization and detection processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor line is positioned within or immediately adjacent to the magnetic field region of the pre-magnetization magnet. This nested arrangement allows the sensor line to operate within the space already occupied by the magnet's field, maximizing space utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Device complexity

If a single sensor line is used with a pre-magnetization magnet, then the device becomes more compact, but it becomes difficult to distinguish between high-coercive and low-coercive materials

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidmaterial differentiation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The pre-magnetization magnet has non-homogeneous magnetization with spatially varying field strength. Different regions of the magnet produce different field strengths, allowing high-coercive materials to be magnetized in areas with stronger fields and low-coercive materials in areas with weaker fields, enabling differentiation by the sensor line.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetization direction and field strength of the pre-magnetization magnet are varied spatially across different regions. This parameter variation allows the same sensor line to detect different material types based on their response to different magnetic field conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 efficient and compact detection of both high-coercive and low-coercive security features on value documents, separating the pre-magnetization and detection processes, and reducing the device's spatial requirements while maintaining accurate identification.

Implementation Method 1

a pre-magnetization magnet with non-homogeneous magnetization, allowing for differential magnetization of high-coercive and low-coercive materials, enabling a single sensor line to detect both types of materials by generating a magnetic field that changes direction and strength

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

a first magnetic material with a first coercive field strength and a second magnetic material with a second coercive field strength that is lower than the first coercive field strength

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCoercivity: Magnetic Hysteresis

Implementation Method 3

a sensor line with at least one magnetoresistive sensor element which extends in a line direction and can measure magnetic properties in its environment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetoresistance: Magnetoresistance

Data Source

PatentEP3262432B2Method for biasing of magnetic materials on a measurement object
Publication Date: 2022.01.19 TE CONNECTIVITY SMART GRID GMBH
  • EP3262432B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3262432B2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3262432B2 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a bias magnet for biasing of magnetic materials on a measurement object which, after biasing, is fed to a sensor line of a measurement device for measuring the magnetic properties of the surroundings of the measurement device, wherein the magnetization of the biasing magnet is not homogeneous.