Hall Effect Sensor Shutter Position Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shutter blade position sensing technologies, particularly those using infra-red emitters and receivers, are complex and prone to stray IR emissions, which is problematic in applications with or within IR-based cameras and viewers.
Innovation Solution
The use of Hall Effect sensors to indirectly sense the position of rotor magnets driving shutter blades in an electromagnetically driven actuator system, eliminating the need for optical sensors and addressing stray IR emissions by responding to magnetic fields produced by the rotors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical sensors (IR emitter and receiver) are used to sense shutter blade position, then position detection capability is achieved, but device complexity increases and stray IR emissions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical sensing system with a magnetic sensing system using Hall Effect sensors. The Hall Effect sensor detects the position of the rotor magnet directly, eliminating the need for IR emitters and receivers. This substitution of sensing mechanism reduces device complexity while maintaining position detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a rotor magnet as an intermediary element that couples the shutter blade position to the Hall Effect sensor. The magnet serves as a mediator that translates mechanical blade position into a detectable magnetic field signal, simplifying the overall sensing architecture compared to direct optical detection.
2Measurement precision
If optical sensors (IR emitter and receiver) are used to sense shutter blade position, then position detection capability is achieved, but stray IR emissions occur which interfere with IR-based cameras and viewers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical sensing system with a magnetic sensing system using Hall Effect sensors. The Hall Effect sensor detects the position of the rotor magnet directly, eliminating the need for IR emitters and receivers. This substitution of sensing mechanism reduces device complexity while maintaining position detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter used for sensing from optical (IR) to magnetic. By detecting magnetic field strength rather than light presence, the system eliminates stray IR emissions that interfere with IR-based cameras and viewers, while still achieving accurate shutter blade position detection.
3Device complexity
If Hall Effect sensors are used to sense rotor position, then device complexity is reduced and stray IR emissions are eliminated, but the system requires direct magnetic coupling between rotor and blade
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a rotor magnet as an intermediary element that couples the shutter blade position to the Hall Effect sensor. The magnet serves as a mediator that translates mechanical blade position into a detectable magnetic field signal, simplifying the overall sensing architecture compared to direct optical detection.
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 provides a reliable and non-optical means to sense shutter blade positions, reducing complexity and stray IR emissions, and is particularly effective in shutters where blades are directly driven by rotor magnets, offering clear high or low voltage signals for open or closed configurations.
Implementation Method 1
the use of a Hall Effect sensor (i.e., a Hall IC) in close proximity to the actuator
Data Source
AI summary
The instant invention senses shutter blade position indirectly by sensing the position of rotor(s) driving the shutter blade in an electromagnetically driven actuator system. It generally comprehends systems where a plurality of rotors each drive respective blades of a shutter such that the position of each of the rotors is indicative of the position of their respective shutter blades, and combines such systems with non-optical sensors responsive to the rotors which signal the position of the shutter blades based on the position of the rotors. The non-optical sensors used are preferably responsive to the magnetic fields produced by the rotors, and can be advantageously positioned adjacent stator poles associated with the rotors, which stator poles are associated with the open or closed positions of the shutter blades. The sensors are preferably Hall Effect (Hall IC) sensors producing voltages proportionate to and greatest when the pole of a magnet is proximate the Hall Effect sensor. Thus, the system can be arranged with sensors adjacent stator poles associated with a closed blade/shutter configuration, or arranged with sensors adjacent stator poles associated with an open blade/shutter configuration, so that the voltage signal produced is highest/lowest for either a closed/open shutter condition or the opposite.