Inductive Detector Winding Pitch Segmentation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inductive position detectors face challenges in achieving high precision and linearity in tight space constraints due to closely grouped windings, which result in interaction or cross-talk and increased complexity and cost, especially in applications requiring multiple targets and frequencies.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a transmit and receive winding system with a passive circuit comprising windings of different pitches, where a fine pitch portion and a coarse pitch portion of the winding interact with corresponding receive windings to measure position, allowing for precise position detection while minimizing space and cost, and includes electronic circuitry for signal processing and calibration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If windings are arranged closely together to fit tight space constraints, then space utilization is improved, but cross-talk between windings increases and measurement performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidmeasurement performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The detector is divided into multiple independent winding groups, each group containing transmit and receive windings that are spatially separated. This segmentation isolates the magnetic fields of different winding groups, reducing cross-talk while maintaining compact overall detector dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The windings are arranged in three-dimensional space with separation along the measurement axis rather than being closely grouped in a single plane. This dimensional arrangement reduces magnetic field interaction between windings while preserving the detector's compact footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple targets with different resonant frequencies are used to measure multiple positions, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement capabilityVSAvoidelectronic circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single detector design with multiple winding groups can measure multiple positions simultaneously by utilizing the different resonant frequencies of multiple targets. The electronic circuit processes signals from all winding groups to determine positions of multiple targets, making the detector universal for multi-position measurement applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple measurement functions for different positions are combined into a single detector unit with integrated winding groups and electronic circuitry. This merging approach allows simultaneous measurement of multiple positions without requiring separate detector systems, reducing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Volume of moving object

If winding size is reduced to fit tight space constraints, then space utilization is improved, but target distance must be reduced and linearity becomes more difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewinding sizeVSAvoidlinearity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The detector uses multiple smaller winding groups distributed in space rather than one large winding. Each small winding group maintains good linearity characteristics, and their combined output achieves high-resolution measurement without requiring large individual winding sizes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The winding groups are arranged in three-dimensional space with separation along the measurement axis. This spatial arrangement allows each winding to maintain appropriate size for good linearity while the overall detector remains compact, resolving the conflict between winding size and detector volume.

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

This approach enables compact, high-precision position measurement with reduced cross-talk and complexity, achieving accurate position detection in various topologies with improved linearity and cost-effectiveness, particularly suitable for rotary and linear detectors.

Implementation Method 1

the mutual inductance between the transmit winding and the receive winding is a function of the relative displacement of the passive circuit along the measurement axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a passive circuit comprising a winding in electrical series with a capacitor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentEP2203719B1detector
Publication Date: 2015.01.07 KREIT DARRAN
  • EP2203719B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2203719B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2203719B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An inductive detector arranged to measure position along a axis comprising: a transmit winding; a receive winding; a passive circuit comprising a winding in electrical series with a capacitor; wherein: the mutual inductance between the transmit winding and the receive winding is a function of the relative displacement of the passive circuit along the measurement axis; a first portion of one of the windings is wound on a first pitch and a second portion of the same winding is wound on a second pitch whose extent is greater than the first pitch.