Inductive Position Sensing With a Passive Quadrilateral Target

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inductive position measuring devices require separate power supplies and data connections for both the moving and stationary assemblies, leading to a complex design.

Innovation Solution

An inductive position measuring device with a first assembly containing field interaction elements connected to evaluation electronics and a second assembly that interacts passively with the first, eliminating the need for an active power supply and data connection in the second assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If both the moving and stationary assemblies use electrical components with separate power supplies and data connections, then position determination in multiple degrees of freedom is achieved, but the device complexity increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition determinationVSAvoiddesign complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the active electronics, power supply, and data connection requirements from the stationary assembly, leaving only passive field interaction elements. This eliminates the complexity of the stationary assembly while maintaining position determination capability through electromagnetic interaction with the moving assembly's active components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces electromagnetic fields as an intermediary between the active moving assembly and the passive stationary assembly. The electromagnetic interaction serves as a mediator that enables position determination without requiring direct electrical connections or active electronics in the stationary assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If separate power supplies and data connections are provided for both assemblies, then position and orientation measurement is enabled, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition and orientation measurementVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the power supply and data connection components from the stationary assembly, eliminating the manufacturing costs associated with these components and their installation. Only the simple passive field interaction elements remain in the stationary assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses identical field interaction elements in both assemblies, with the stationary assembly's passive elements serving as simplified copies that interact electromagnetically with the active elements in the moving assembly, eliminating the need for complex electronics in the stationary assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If the stationary assembly is designed with active electronics and power supply, then position determination accuracy is improved, but the compactness of the device is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition determination accuracyVSAvoiddevice compactness
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts all active electronics and power supply components from the stationary assembly, reducing its volume to only the necessary passive field interaction elements. This enables a more compact overall device design while maintaining measurement accuracy through electromagnetic interaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

The solution results in a compact and cost-effective design capable of determining position and orientation in multiple degrees of freedom without additional power or data connections for the passive assembly.

Implementation Method 1

The first and second field interaction elements can be brought into electromagnetic interaction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic interaction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4703674A1Inductive position measuring device
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 DR JOHANNES HEIDENHAIN GMBH
  • EP4703674A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4703674A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4703674A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6b

AI summary

An inductive position measuring device (1) comprising a first assembly (10) with a first interaction surface (11) and a second assembly (20) with a second interaction surface (21). The two assemblies (10, 20) are arranged opposite each other in a third direction (z) and are movable relative to each other. The first assembly (10) comprises several first field interaction means (10.X1-10.X2", 10.Y1-10.Y2"), which are arranged parallel to the first interaction surface (11) and connected to evaluation electronics (3). The second assembly (20) comprises several second field interaction means (20.1 to 20.n), which are arranged distributed over the area of ​​the second interaction surface (21). The inductive position measuring device (1) is characterized in that it comprises at least four first field interaction means (10.X1-10.X2", 10.Y1-10.Y2).Y2") comprises linear sensors arranged as a quadrilateral along a first and second direction (x, y), wherein the first field interaction means (10.X1-10.X2", 10.Y1-10.Y2") overlap at least partially at the corners (A, B, C, D) of the quadrilateral arrangement.