Inductive Sensor Parallel Oscillators for Continuous Position Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inductive sensors in motor vehicles face unavailability issues due to non-instantaneous detection of faulty power circuits, leading to gaps in position measurement, which can be critical for vehicle functionality.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of at least two electric circuits connected in parallel to the field coil, each comprising an inverter element and a capacitive element, forming an electric oscillator of the same resonance frequency, ensuring continuous operation even if one circuit fails, with integrated circuits determining target position from measuring coils and providing redundant information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single power circuit with H-shaped bridge is used to supply AC voltage to the field coil, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to non-instantaneous fault detection causing measurement gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The single power circuit is segmented into multiple independent oscillating circuits (first and second oscillating circuits), each capable of independently driving the field coil. This segmentation allows parallel operation and instantaneous failover, eliminating measurement gaps when one circuit fails while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is configured with multiple oscillating circuits ready to operate in parallel before any fault occurs. When a fault is detected in one circuit, another circuit is already prepared and can immediately take over without waiting for fault detection and switching, thus preventing measurement gaps proactively.
2Reliability
If multiple power circuits are connected in parallel to the field coil terminals, then the reliability is improved through redundancy, but the device complexity increases due to additional circuit components
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple oscillating circuits are merged to share common components, particularly the field coil itself, which serves all circuits. The measuring coil and evaluation circuitry are also shared. This merging approach provides redundancy for reliability while reducing overall component count and complexity compared to having completely separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The field coil serves multiple functions by being part of multiple oscillating circuits simultaneously. Each circuit can independently drive the field coil, making the field coil a universal component that provides magnetic field generation for position measurement regardless of which oscillating circuit is active, thus improving reliability without proportionally increasing complexity.
3Reliability
If H-shaped bridge circuits are used for power supply, then the ease of manufacture is improved through conventional design, but the reliability deteriorates due to delayed fault detection and switching
Solution Approach 1:
The conventional H-shaped bridge circuit with mechanical/electronic switching is replaced by oscillating circuits based on electronic oscillation principles. This substitution eliminates the need for complex switching mechanisms and fault detection logic, enabling instantaneous response to faults while simplifying the overall circuit implementation through a more straightforward oscillation-based approach.
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 ensures continuous position measurement and enhanced reliability by maintaining oscillations and signal transmission even if one electric circuit becomes faulty, reducing downtime and ensuring critical position data availability.
Implementation Method 1
forming, together with said field coil, an electric oscillator designed to form an AC voltage at the terminals of said field coil by means of electric resonance
Implementation Method 2
a field coil designed to form an electromagnetic field
Implementation Method 3
a coil for measuring a magnetic field, said coil being designed to provide an output signal representative of the position of a metal target in the magnetic field formed by the field coil
Data Source
AI summary
An inductive sensor (100) for a motor vehicle, includes:a field coil (101) designed to form an electromagnetic field,a coil (103) for measuring a magnetic field and designed to provide an output signal representative of the position of a metal target (102) in the magnetic field formed by the field coil (101), andat least two electric circuits (111) connected simultaneously in parallel to the terminals of the field coil (101), each electric circuit (111) including an inverter element (112) and a capacitive element (113), and forming, together with the field coil (101) an electric oscillator (110) designed to form an AC voltage at the terminals of the field coil (10) via electric resonance, the electric oscillators (110) being of the same resonance frequency.