Inductive Angular Sensor Offset Calibration via Six-Position Sampling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inductive angular position sensor systems require complex and computationally intensive methods for determining calibration values for offset-compensation, which are inefficient and prone to inaccuracies.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a substrate with three receiver coils generating 120° phase-shifted signals, where a target is positioned at six predefined angles to calculate and store correction values using pairwise difference signals and sum of squares, allowing for efficient offset determination and compensation without mechanical movement of the target.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If existing complex calibration methods are used for offset-compensation, then measurement precision may be maintained, but device complexity and computational intensity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveangular position measurement accuracyVSAvoidcalibration process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The calibration process is segmented into discrete steps with the target positioned at six specific angular positions (0°, 60°, 120°, 180°, 240°, 300°). This segmentation simplifies the complex continuous calibration problem into manageable discrete measurements, reducing computational intensity while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary measurements at six predetermined angular positions before final calibration computation. By pre-positioning the target at these specific angles and collecting signal data in advance, the system reduces the computational burden during actual operation while ensuring accurate offset-compensation values are obtained.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If existing calibration methods are used, then offset-compensation accuracy may be achieved, but the calibration process becomes computationally intensive and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoffset-compensation accuracyVSAvoidcalibration time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The calibration method employs periodic action by measuring signals at six equally spaced angular positions around the full 360° range. This periodic sampling approach efficiently captures the necessary calibration data with minimal measurements, reducing calibration time while maintaining accuracy through the systematic repetition of the measurement cycle at each position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If robust offset-compensation is implemented, then measurement reliability improves, but the algorithm complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverobustness against axial or radial position offsetVSAvoidalgorithm complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by using the measured signals from the six angular positions to calculate offset-compensation values, which are then applied to correct the angular position measurements. This feedback mechanism ensures robustness against axial or radial position offsets by continuously refining the compensation based on actual measured data, improving reliability without excessive algorithmic complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 method simplifies the calibration process, reduces computational intensity, and improves accuracy by converging in a few iterations, providing effective offset compensation for inductive angular position sensors.

Implementation Method 1

The excitation coil may for example be excited with an AC signal, which induces eddy currents in the target

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The receiving coils will generate signals caused by the eddy currents in the target and the current in the transmitting coil

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

The excitation coil may for example be excited with an AC signal, which induces eddy currents in the target

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEddy currents: Eddy Currents

Data Source

PatentEP4047323B1Inductive angular sensor method and system
Publication Date: 2023.07.26 MELEXIS TECHNOLOGIES SA
  • EP4047323B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4047323B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4047323B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A method of determining a set of calibration values (Aasym01, Aasym12, Aasym20) for offset-compensation of an inductive angular sensor arrangement comprising: a substrate with a transmitter coil and three receiver coils, and a rotatable target. The method comprises the steps of: a) exciting the transmitter coil; b) positioning the target at or near predefined positions, c) measuring and processing the signals, including calculating sums of squares of difference signals. A sensor device. An angular sensor system.