Magnetic Rotary Encoder Shielding for Brake Field Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Magnetic rotary encoder sensor systems are not used in the vicinity of electrical machines due to interference from strong magnetic fields generated by components like magnetic brakes, leading to distorted measurements and the need for more expensive and larger optical sensors.

Innovation Solution

A shielding system using deflection elements redirects interfering magnetic fields away from the measurement volume, allowing magnetic sensors to operate effectively by guiding interference fields around the measuring area without complete attenuation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If magnetic sensors are used in the vicinity of electrical machines with magnetic brakes, then the measurement is distorted by interfering magnetic fields, but using other sensor types (optical) increases cost and installation space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidmagnetic interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A shielding system consisting of magnetically conductive deflection elements is introduced as an intermediary between the magnetic brake and the magnetic sensor. This shielding system redirects the interfering magnetic field lines around the measurement volume, allowing the magnetic sensor to accurately measure the pole wheel's magnetic field without distortion from the brake's interference field.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The shielding system is divided into multiple deflection elements arranged in specific spatial configurations. These segmented elements work together to create a shielded measurement volume, with each element contributing to redirecting field lines from specific directions, providing comprehensive protection while maintaining sensor accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If optical sensors are used instead of magnetic sensors to avoid magnetic interference, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but installation space and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic interference resistanceVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetically conductive shielding system acts as a mediator that enables magnetic sensors to operate in magnetically disturbed environments. By redirecting interference field lines around the measurement volume, the shielding allows compact magnetic sensor installations while maintaining immunity to magnetic interference, avoiding the space requirements of optical sensor systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the distance between the magnetic brake and rotary encoder sensor is increased to reduce interference, then magnetic interference is reduced, but installation space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic interference levelVSAvoidaxial distance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding system with deflection elements is positioned between the magnetic brake and the rotary encoder sensor, creating a magnetically shielded zone. This intermediary structure redirects magnetic field lines around the sensor assembly, enabling effective interference reduction without requiring increased axial distance, thus maintaining compact installation dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of solving the interference problem by increasing axial distance (one dimension), the shielding system uses radially arranged deflection elements to redirect field lines in three-dimensional space. This approach creates a shielded measurement volume that maintains compact axial dimensions while effectively blocking magnetic interference paths.

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 the use of magnetic rotary encoder sensors in magnetically disturbed environments, maintaining accurate measurements while being cost-effective and compact, thus overcoming the limitations of optical sensors.

Implementation Method 1

deflection elements (74) which redirect interfering magnetic field lines (14) around a spatial area, in particular around a measuring volume (76), in which a magnetic sensor (24) is intended to measure a useful field (38) of a pole wheel (26)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field deflection: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

xMR sensors have the following characteristics in common: they change their resistance depending on an external magnetic field

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetoresistance: Magnetoresistance

Data Source

PatentEP3400423B2Shieldingsystem for magnetic rotation sensor system
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 FRITZ KUEBLER
  • EP3400423B2 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3400423B2 patent drawingFigure 1C~1D
  • EP3400423B2 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B

AI summary

The invention relates to a shielding system (72) for a magnetic rotary encoder sensor system (22) in the surroundings (12) of a machine (16) with a magnetic interference field (14). The rotary encoder sensor system (22) has a magnetic sensor (24), a pole wheel (26), and preferably a pole wheel support (32), and the pole wheel (26) has a plurality of permanent magnets (28) with changing magnetic polarities in the circumferential direction (U), said magnets generating a usable field. The pole wheel support (32) is designed to be rotationally fixed to a rotating machine shaft (30), which extends in an axial direction and the rotational speed and/or angular position of which is to be determined by means of the rotary encoder sensor system (22), and when the rotary encoder sensor system (22) is assembled, the magnetic sensor (24) is positioned directly opposite the pole wheel (26) and on a pole wheel (26) rotation plane (36) which can be influenced by the interference field relative to the machine shaft (30). The shielding system (72) has at least one magnetically conductive deflection element (74) which is preferably fixed to the machine and which is shaped and dimensioned such that in the assembled state a measuring volume (76) is set which is substantially free of the interference field and which at least adjoins the magnetic sensor (24) and the permanent magnets (28) that are required to generate an analyzable usable field (38) when the interference field (14) is active.