Electric Machine Position Sensing With Magnetic Field Amplification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing synchronous motors using Hall effect sensors for rotor position measurement suffer from measurement uncertainty and alignment errors, leading to motor torque oscillations and suboptimal current control, particularly at high speeds and in compact designs.

Innovation Solution

A single-piece metal component is integrated with the stator to amplify the normal component of the magnetic field near the magnetic sensors, reducing measurement uncertainty and ensuring consistent angular separation between sensors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If Hall effect sensors are used to measure rotor position, then the motor can be controlled in brushless operation, but measurement uncertainty leads to torque oscillations and suboptimal current control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrushless operation reliabilityVSAvoid rotor position measurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

A ferromagnetic component with specifically designed geometry (protrusions and recesses) is introduced as an intermediary between the rotor magnets and Hall effect sensors. This component modifies the magnetic field distribution to create enhanced gradients at sensor locations, thereby improving measurement precision without compromising brushless operation reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical parameters of the magnetic field by introducing a ferromagnetic component with specific geometric features. The protrusions and recesses alter the magnetic flux density and its gradient, transforming the field characteristics to improve sensor measurement accuracy while maintaining system reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If the magnetic field is amplified near the sensors, then measurement accuracy improves, but the magnetic field may saturate the sensor housing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improve rotor position measurement precisionVSAvoidmagnetic field saturation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The ferromagnetic component features localized protrusions and recesses that create concentrated magnetic field gradients only at specific locations near the sensors. This local modification amplifies the field where needed for measurement while preventing saturation in other areas of the sensor housing through the recesses that provide magnetic flux pathways

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 the accuracy of rotor position detection, minimizing torque oscillations and improving current control without altering the motor's architecture or adding bulk, thus ensuring precise rotational control.

Implementation Method 1

the part includes a zone configured to amplify the normal component of the magnetic field at the magnetic sensor, in particular a gradient of the normal component of the magnetic field

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field amplification: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

magnetic sensors, such as Hall effect sensors... These sensors can measure the direction of a normal component of the magnetic field

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHall effect: Hall Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3871316B1Electric machine with improved position measurement
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 SAFRAN ELECTRONICS & DEFENSE (FR)
  • EP3871316B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3871316B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3871316B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to an electric machine comprising a rotor and a stator. The rotor (40, 4) comprises a plurality of permanent magnets (4), the stator comprises a plurality of coils suitable for being powered by an electric current and two Hall effect sensors (6) on supports (60). The sensors are configured to detect a change in gradient of the normal component of a magnetic field generated by the permanent magnets (4). The stator comprises a part (7) comprising - a first zone (7a), - a second zone (7b), and a third zone (7c) extending from the first zone (7a) up to the second zone (7b). The maximum radial thickness of the third zone (7c) is less than the minimum radial thickness of the first zone and the second zone.