Domain Wall Conductor for Robust Position Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing angle and length measuring devices face challenges in achieving robust and economical storage of rotation or position information, especially in applications where auxiliary electrical energy is not available, and they struggle with precise absolute position determination over large measurement lengths.

Innovation Solution

A sensor element with a domain wall conductor on a substrate, featuring a closed circumferential, continuous configuration without crossings, utilizing regions of positive and negative curvature, and integrated read-out elements to store and determine magnetization states without requiring auxiliary electrical energy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If domain wall conductors with crossings or non-closed configurations are used, then the storage capacity may be increased, but the reliability and robustness of position information storage deteriorates due to potential reading errors and vulnerability to external influences

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverobustness of position information storageVSAvoidsimplicity of domain wall conductor configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The domain wall conductor is divided into distinct regions with different curvatures (first region with positive curvature, second region with negative curvature), creating segmentable storage zones that improve reliability while maintaining overall system simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The domain wall conductor employs a closed circumferential configuration with controlled curvature variations (positive and negative regions), eliminating crossings and enhancing robustness against external influences while maintaining storage capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Measurement precision

If auxiliary electrical energy is used for maintaining magnetization states, then the precision of position determination is improved, but the device becomes unsuitable for applications without power supply

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of absolute position determinationVSAvoidrequirement for auxiliary electrical energy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor element uses the movement of the magnet arrangement itself to generate the magnetic field changes needed for reading position information, eliminating the need for auxiliary electrical energy while maintaining measurement precision through self-powered operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces electrical energy requirements with mechanical movement of the magnet arrangement, using the physical motion to generate necessary magnetic field variations for precise position determination without external power

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Length of moving object

If multiple linear scales are lined up end to end for large measurement lengths, then the measurement range is increased, but the complexity and potential for position determination errors increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement lengthVSAvoidcomplexity of multiple scale arrangements

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The closed circumferential configuration of the domain wall conductor enables continuous position storage around a cycle, allowing large measurement ranges to be achieved through angular displacement rather than linear scaling, thereby reducing system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from linear scale arrangements to a circumferential/angular domain for position storage, using the angular dimension to achieve extended measurement capability without the complexity of multiple linear scales

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 robust and economical storage of rotation or position information, allowing for precise determination of domain wall positions and countable rotations even without power, making it suitable for applications with external influences and power failures.

Implementation Method 1

sensor element for storing rotation or position information... domain wall conductor... determine magnetization states

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetism: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

magnetic field generated by the magnet arrangement... determine the position of the domain walls

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic Field: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS11796301B2Sensor element for storing rotation or position information

Publication Date: 2023.10.24 DR JOHANNES HEIDENHAIN GMBH

AI summary

A sensor element for storing rotation or position information includes a substrate and a domain wall conductor arranged on the substrate. A course of the domain wall conductor is of a closed circumferential, continuous configuration without crossings. The domain wall conductor comprises a first region having a positive curvature and a second region having a negative curvature.