Contactless Magnetic Sensing for Trigger and Selection Position Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Position detection using resistive potentiometers in devices like power tools is unreliable due to physical contact issues, which can lead to wear and degradation over time, especially under conditions of humidity, extreme temperatures, and particle contamination.
Innovation Solution
A contactless magnetic sensing system that utilizes a first magnet to represent the position of a trigger element on a linear trajectory and a second magnet to represent the selected position of a selection element, with a magnetic sensor detecting the strengths of perpendicular magnetic field components to determine the positions of both elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If resistive potentiometers are used for position detection, then the device can detect position, but the reliability deteriorates due to physical contact wear and degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based resistive potentiometer system with a magnetic field-based sensing system. Magnets are attached to the trigger and selection elements, and a magnetic sensor detects their positions contactlessly through magnetic field measurements, eliminating mechanical wear while maintaining position detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic fields as an intermediary medium between the moving elements (trigger and selection elements) and the sensor. The magnets attached to these elements create magnetic fields that the magnetic sensor detects, allowing position information to be transmitted without direct physical contact
2Reliability
If contactless magnetic sensing is used, then reliability improves by eliminating physical contact, but device complexity increases due to additional magnets and sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the position detection functions for multiple elements (trigger element and selection element) into a single magnetic sensor system. The sensor simultaneously detects magnetic fields from multiple magnets attached to different elements, consolidating what would otherwise require multiple separate sensors into one integrated solution
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 provides reliable and contactless detection of the trigger element's position and the selection element's position, enhancing the reliability and performance of controlling devices by eliminating the need for physical contact and reducing the risk of degradation.
Implementation Method 1
detect a strength of a first magnetic field component, a strength of a second magnetic field component, and a strength of a third magnetic field component
Implementation Method 2
One type of magnetic sensor is a Hall-based sensor, which is a magnetic sensor capable of detecting a strength of a magnetic field using the Hall effect
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor system may include a magnet arranged such that a linear position of the magnet corresponds to a position of a trigger element on a substantially linear trajectory, and such that an angular position of the magnet corresponds to a selected position of a selection element, the selected position being one of a plurality of selected positions. The sensor system may include a magnetic sensor to determine the position of the trigger element based on a strength of a first magnetic field component and a strength of a second magnetic field component, and determine the selected position of the selection element based on a strength of a third magnetic field component and the strength of the second magnetic field component. The first magnetic field component, the second magnetic field component, and the third magnetic field component may be perpendicular to each other.