Magnetic Compass Compensation via Operating State Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Optoelectronic measuring devices with magnetic compasses face challenges in accurately determining azimuthal orientation due to device-specific magnetic interference, which requires frequent compensation to maintain accuracy, often overlooked by users under time pressure or due to complexity, leading to reduced reliability and increased error susceptibility.

Innovation Solution

An optoelectronic measuring device with an electronic magnetic compass and a compensation device that automatically detects and stores magnetic offsets between different operating states, allowing for initial compensation and subsequent automatic adjustment of azimuthal orientation calculations, eliminating the need for further compensation when the magnetic interference field changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual compensation procedures are implemented to correct magnetic interference, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to the cumbersome compensation process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveazimuthal orientation accuracyVSAvoidcompensation procedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device automatically detects changes in its operating state and performs compensation without user intervention. The control unit monitors operating state changes and triggers compensation procedures autonomously, eliminating the need for users to manually initiate complex compensation sequences while maintaining high measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors its own operating state and uses this feedback to determine when compensation is needed. The control unit receives feedback about operating state changes from sensors and automatically initiates compensation when deviations are detected, creating a closed-loop system that maintains accuracy without user involvement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If frequent compensation is performed to maintain accuracy under changing magnetic conditions, then measurement reliability is improved, but loss of time increases due to repeated compensation procedures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement reliabilityVSAvoidcompensation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs compensation in advance when operating state changes are detected, rather than waiting for accuracy degradation. The control unit proactively initiates compensation upon detecting any change in operating state, preventing accuracy loss before it occurs and eliminating the need for frequent reactive compensation cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The compensation frequency is dynamically adjusted based on actual operating conditions. The system compensates only when operating state changes are detected, rather than following a fixed compensation schedule. This dynamic approach maintains reliability by compensating when needed while minimizing time loss by avoiding unnecessary compensation during stable operating states.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If magnetic shielding is enhanced to protect the magnetic compass from interference, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device weight and volume increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic field measurement accuracyVSAvoiddevice weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical magnetic shielding mechanisms with an electronic/software-based compensation system. Instead of using heavy magnetic shields or ferromagnetic materials to physically block interference, the invention uses sensors to detect interference and computational algorithms to correct its effects, dramatically reducing the weight and volume required for interference protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the approach from physical parameter modification (adding shielding material) to operational parameter adjustment (modifying measurement calculations). By altering how measurements are processed and corrected through software rather than physically altering the device structure with shielding, the patent maintains accuracy while minimizing weight increase.

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

This solution enhances user handling, reduces errors, and maintains measurement accuracy without the need for additional compensation, making the device more efficient, reliable, and less prone to errors, while also potentially reducing size and weight by minimizing shielding requirements.

Implementation Method 1

an electronic magnetic compass for determining the azimuthal orientation of the measuring device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field measurement: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

a compensation device assigned to the magnetic compass for compensating for interference fields fixed to the device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic interference field compensation: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP3249353B1Optoelectronic measuring device with magnetic compass and compensation functionality
Publication Date: 2021.09.08 VECTRONIX AG
  • EP3249353B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3249353B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b
  • EP3249353B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5a

AI summary

The invention relates to an optoelectronic measuring device (1) with an electronic magnetic compass (10) for determining an azimuthal orientation of the measuring device and a compensation device associated with the magnetic compass for compensating for device-specific interference fields, wherein the measuring device is configured to assume at least two defined, repeatable operating states, wherein the measuring device has a different device-specific interference field in each of the operating states, and the compensation device has a compensation functionality for performing an initial compensation of the electronic magnetic compass in a first operating state of the measuring device, characterized in that the compensation device includes a detection unit for detecting a current operating state of the measuring device.a storage unit for storing a magnetic offset (13) resulting from the different device-fixed interference fields between the first operating state and a second operating state of the measuring instrument, and a computing unit for calculating the azimuthal alignment of the measuring instrument as a function of a determined operating state and based on the magnetic offset.