Dual Magnet Rotary Sensor With Ferromagnetic Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rotary position sensors are limited in providing position information for multiple vehicular controls that are in close proximity, requiring separate sensors for each control, which is inefficient and impractical.
Innovation Solution
A rotary position sensor housing that accommodates two independently rotatable rotors, each with a magnet and a ferromagnetic shielding member, allowing for simultaneous sensing of multiple controls by isolating magnetic fields to prevent interference and enabling the use of magnet-effect sensors to generate electrical signals for position data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single conventional rotary position sensor is used, then the sensor structure is simple, but it cannot provide position information for multiple vehicular controls in close proximity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple rotary position sensing functions into a single sensor housing that accommodates multiple magnets (first magnet and second magnet) and multiple magnet-effect sensors. This merging approach enables the sensor to provide position information for multiple vehicular controls simultaneously, improving adaptability while managing complexity through integrated design
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor housing is designed as a universal platform that can sense multiple different vehicular controls (accelerator pedal, clutch pedal, brake pedal, throttle body) within a single device. The multi-functional design allows one sensor to replace multiple conventional sensors, enhancing versatility without requiring separate dedicated sensors for each control
2Productivity
If multiple magnets are placed in close proximity for simultaneous sensing, then position information for multiple controls can be obtained, but magnetic field interference between magnets occurs
Solution Approach 1:
Ferromagnetic shielding members are introduced as intermediary elements positioned between the first magnet and second magnet. These shielding members act as mediators that redirect and contain magnetic flux, preventing magnetic field interference between adjacent magnets while allowing both magnets to function simultaneously for multi-control sensing
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding members are strategically positioned at specific locations between the magnets to provide localized magnetic field management. This local quality approach ensures that each magnet's field is contained in its designated region, enabling simultaneous operation of multiple magnets without mutual interference
3Measurement precision
If separate rotary position sensors are used for each vehicular control, then accurate position sensing is achieved, but the number of sensors and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple magnet-effect sensors and multiple magnets are merged into a single integrated sensor housing, reducing the total number of separate sensor devices while maintaining individual sensing accuracy for each control. The integrated design preserves measurement precision through dedicated sensor-magnet pairs for each control element
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 the simultaneous monitoring of multiple vehicular controls, such as brake pedal arms, within a single housing, improving efficiency and reducing the need for multiple sensors while maintaining accurate position data detection.
Implementation Method 1
a first magnet may include a first shielding member associated with a surface of the first magnet. Furthermore, the implementation may include a second magnet including a second shielding member associated with a surface of the second magnet
Implementation Method 2
to enable position sensing of various controls in vehicular systems
Implementation Method 3
Hall-effect, Anisotropic Magneto-Resistive sensors, Giant magnetoresistance, and Tunnel magnetoresistance sensors
Data Source
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AI summary
A rotary position sensor (102) may include a sensor housing (202) defining an interior cavity. A first rotor (206) may be positioned and rotatable within the interior cavity, the first rotor (206) including a first magnet (326). Furthermore, the rotary position sensor (102) may include a second rotor (208) positioned and rotatable within the interior cavity, the second rotor (208) including a second magnet (328). The first magnet (326) may include a first shielding member (342) associated with a surface of the first magnet (326), and the second magnet (328) may include a second shielding member (344) associated with a surface of the second magnet (328). The first shielding member (342) may face the second shielding member (344).