Integrated Sensing Magnet Pole Design for EPS

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing electronic power steering (EPS) systems require complex magnetization processes and additional materials, leading to increased costs and potential interference that can degrade sensing accuracy due to the presence of a dummy track and dual magnetization processes in the sensing magnet structure.

Innovation Solution

A sensing magnet design where some poles serving as sub magnets extend to function as main magnets, eliminating the need for a separate main magnet and dummy track, thereby simplifying the magnetization process and reducing material costs, while maintaining or improving sensing accuracy by using hall IC sensors to detect changes in magnetic flux.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a dummy track is disposed between the main magnet and the sub magnet to minimize magnetic flux interference, then magnetic flux interference is reduced, but device complexity and material costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic flux interferenceVSAvoidsensing magnet structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes the dummy track from the sensing magnet structure. By eliminating this non-functional component, the patent reduces device complexity and material costs while maintaining the magnetic flux isolation function through alternative means (proper pole arrangement and spacing).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the main magnet and sub magnet into a single integrated sensing magnet structure without requiring a separating dummy track. The magnets are directly adjacent to each other, with the interface between them serving as the magnetic flux isolation boundary, thereby simplifying the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Manufacturing precision

If dual magnetization processes are performed at predetermined intervals for the main magnet and sub magnet, then sequential magnetization is achieved, but manufacturing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesequential magnetizationVSAvoidmagnetization time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention combines the magnetization processes into a single unified operation. By designing the sensing magnet with an odd number of poles where adjacent poles have opposite polarities, both the main magnet and sub magnet regions are magnetized simultaneously in one process, eliminating the need for separate sequential magnetization steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If the sub magnet includes a larger number of poles than the main magnet to finely divide rotation angle measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but magnetic flux interference between magnets increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotation angle measurementVSAvoidmagnetic flux interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies different pole configurations to different regions: the main magnet has poles arranged to match the motor rotor poles for basic rotation detection, while the sub magnet has additional poles for finer angle division. The interface between magnets creates a magnetic flux isolation zone that prevents interference while allowing each region to fulfill its specific measurement function.

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 design simplifies the magnetization process, reduces material costs, and enhances sensing accuracy by eliminating interference and the need for dual magnetization, while maintaining precise rotation angle measurement capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

The sensor detects a change in magnetic flux in accordance with rotation of the main magnet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic flux: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

using hall IC sensors to detect changes in magnetic flux

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHall effect: Hall Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2744087B1Motor and sensing magnet of the same
Publication Date: 2020.08.12 LG INNOTEK CO LTD
  • EP2744087B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2744087B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2744087B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided are a motor and a sensing magnet of the motor. The sensing magnet includes a through hole that is positioned at a center portion thereof, and a plurality of poles which are formed along an outer periphery thereof. Here, the plurality of poles include a first pole and a second pole extending from the first pole in a direction of the through hole.