Current Sensor Windings with Orthogonal Sensitivities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sensors for measuring current in conductors face precision issues due to interference from nearby conductors carrying current, leading to inaccurate measurements.
Innovation Solution
The sensor design features windings with distinct directional sensitivities, where the first and second windings are placed in different metallization layers on a PCB, allowing for differential measurement of current changes and minimizing interference from adjacent conductors by leveraging the difference in their directional sensitivities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a measurement coil is used to measure current in a conductor, then current measurement is enabled, but measurement precision deteriorates due to interference from nearby conductors carrying current
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system is segmented into multiple measurement coils (first measurement coil and second measurement coil) with different directional sensitivities. Each coil measures current in a specific direction, and the measurements are combined to achieve precise current measurement while canceling out interference from nearby conductors.
Solution Approach 2:
Each measurement coil is designed with specific local quality characteristics - different directional sensitivities. The first measurement coil is optimized for detecting current in one direction while the second measurement coil is optimized for a different direction. This local differentiation allows the system to selectively measure desired current while rejecting interference.
2Measurement precision
If windings are placed in different metallization layers on PCB, then device complexity increases, but measurement precision improves through differential measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system transitions from a single-plane measurement approach to a multi-layer measurement approach. By placing windings in different metallization layers of the PCB (different z-dimensions), the system creates measurement coils with distinct spatial orientations and directional sensitivities, enabling differential measurement that improves precision.
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 approach enhances measurement precision by accounting for directional sensitivity differences between windings, enabling accurate current measurement while reducing noise from adjacent conductors.
Implementation Method 1
As the first winding and the second winding are of conductive material a current can be generated in the first winding or the second winding with a changing magnetic field
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a sensor (1) for measuring current in a conductor (19), the sensor (1) comprising a stack comprising at least one isolation layer (3) and at least two metallization layers (101, 102) stacked in a first direction (z), the sensor (1) comprising a first winding of conductive material and a second winding of conductive material, the first winding and the second winding each comprising a first part (5, 205, 305) formed in a metallization layer (101, 102) comprised in the stack and mainly extending in a second direction (y) and having a first centre of gravity (105, 210, 310) and a second part (7, 207, 307) formed in a metallization layer (101, 102) comprised in the stack and mainly extending in a direction opposite to the second direction (y) and having a second centre of gravity (106, 211, 311), the first centre of gravity (105) of the first winding and the second centre of gravity (106) of the first winding being comprised in a first plane, the second centre of gravity (210, 310) of the second winding and the second centre of gravity (211, 311 ) of the second winding being comprised in a second plane, wherein the first plane intersects with the second plane in a common intersection line in the second direction (y), wherein the first direction (z) and the second direction (y) are orthogonal directions and the sensor (1) further comprises measurement means (11) arranged to measure current through the first winding and current through the second winding.