Inductive Displacement Sensor With Offset Flux Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor arrangements for detecting longitudinal displacement and position are not sufficiently compact or concealed for integration into vehicle systems, particularly in seatbelt and automatic transmission gearshift applications, and lack effective resolution for precise displacement determination.
Innovation Solution
A sensor arrangement comprising a flux element assembly and a coil assembly with flat coils arranged transversely, where the flux elements are offset in both longitudinal and transverse directions, allowing for inductive detection of displacement by varying the coverage of flat coils, enabling precise determination of displacement and position through an evaluation device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional sensor arrangements are used for detecting longitudinal displacement, then the basic detection function is achieved, but the sensor arrangement is not sufficiently compact and cannot be well concealed for integration into vehicle systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional linear coil arrangements to a two-dimensional array of flat coils arranged in transverse and longitudinal directions. This dimensional change allows the sensor to achieve compact integration while maintaining high measurement precision through the multi-dimensional flux element coverage pattern.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor arrangement divides the detection function into multiple discrete flat coils arranged in an array, with each coil contributing to the overall measurement. The flux elements are similarly segmented and offset from each other, allowing distributed sensing that achieves both compactness and precision.
2Measurement precision
If the flux elements are arranged offset from each other in longitudinal and transverse directions, then the displacement detection precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple flat coils are merged into a coordinated array system that works together to detect displacement. The offset flux elements are merged with the multi-directional coil arrangement to create a unified sensing mechanism that achieves high precision without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flat coil array serves multiple functions: detecting displacement in the longitudinal direction, providing redundancy for improved precision, and enabling compact integration. The offset flux element configuration similarly provides both precision enhancement and structural stability.
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 configuration allows for a compact and concealed sensor arrangement with enhanced displacement and positional resolution, suitable for determining seatbelt extension and gearshift positions, particularly in automatic transmissions, by accurately measuring changes in inductance based on flux element movement.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor arrangement is designed for inductive detection of the displacement and/or position in the longitudinal direction
Implementation Method 2
The actual inductances depend on a displacement of the flux element assembly and/or the flux elements relative to the coil assembly and/or flat coils
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a sensor arrangement (7) for detecting a position and/or a displacement of a flux element assembly (8) along a longitudinal direction, with a coil assembly (1) and the flux element assembly (8), wherein the coil assembly (1) comprises at least two flat coils (2a, b), wherein the flux element assembly (8) comprises at least two flux elements (9a, b), wherein the at least two flux elements (9a, b) are arranged adjacent to one another in the longitudinal direction and offset in transverse direction, wherein the flux element assembly (8) and the coil assembly (1) are movable and/or displaceable relative to one another in the longitudinal direction, wherein the flat coils (2a, b) are designed, such that an actual inductance (L1, L2) of each flat coil (2a, b) is dependent on the actual displacement of the flux element assembly (8) relative to the coil assembly (1), with an evaluation device, which is set up to determine the actual inductance (L1, L2) for each flat coil (2a, b) and determine the actual displacement based on the determined actual inductances (L1, L2).