Compact 3-axis coil design with scaffold grooves for thin magnetic tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional 3-axis coil designs in magnetic tracking systems are unsuitable for applications requiring thin or flat form factors and often rely on inertial sensors and magnetometers for accurate tracking, which increases complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A compact 3-axis coil design featuring a disc-shaped scaffold with grooves for x and y bar coils and a curved groove for the z-axis coil, allowing for accurate 3D tracking without additional sensors, suitable for thin or flat form factors and low-cost systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional 3-axis coil design is used, then tracking accuracy is maintained, but device thickness increases and form factor becomes incompatible with thin devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the Z-axis coil from a vertical orientation to a horizontal orientation within the housing. The Z-coil is wrapped around a curved groove on the side surface of the disc-shaped scaffold, allowing it to generate magnetic field components in the Z-direction while lying flat in the XY plane. This dimensional reconfiguration enables thin device form factors while maintaining 3-axis tracking capability.
2Reliability
If conventional 3-axis coil design is used, then tracking functionality is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase due to requirement of inertial sensors and magnetometers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the 3-axis coil system self-sufficient by having the same coil assembly perform both magnetic field generation for position tracking and providing magnetic field references for orientation sensing. The Z-coil's unique configuration enables it to serve dual purposes: generating the primary magnetic field for 3D position tracking and simultaneously providing the magnetic field components needed for roll and pitch calculations, eliminating the need for separate inertial sensors and magnetometers.
3Power
If Z-coil is positioned conventionally, then Z-axis magnetic field is generated, but interference occurs with X and Y bar coil magnetic field components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent physically separates the X, Y, and Z coils into distinct grooves on the disc-shaped scaffold. The Z-coil is segmented into multiple windings wrapped around a curved groove on the side surface, while X and Y bar coils are placed in separate grooves on the top and bottom surfaces. This spatial segmentation prevents magnetic field interference while maintaining effective field generation in all three axes.
Solution Approach 2:
The Z-coil is repositioned from a vertical arrangement to a horizontal wrapping around the curved side groove. This dimensional change allows the Z-coil to generate magnetic field components in the Z-direction without physically interfering with the X and Y bar coils, as all three coils now operate in different spatial planes around the disc scaffold.
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 accurate 3-axis tracking in thin or flat devices like smartphones and wearables without inertial sensors or magnetometers, reducing complexity and cost while maintaining tracking precision.
Implementation Method 1
a transmitter or target (receiver) that includes a disc-shaped scaffold with top, bottom and side surfaces, where the top and bottom surfaces have grooves for x and y bar coils, respectively, and the side surface has a curved groove for guiding one or more windings of the z-axis coil
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a compact 3-axis coil design for a magnetic tracking system. In an embodiment, compactness is achieved by using a 3-axis coil in the transmitter that includes a scaffold design with a side surface having a curved groove for guiding one or more windings of a z-axis coil, such that the physical geometry is not increased.