Inductive Position Sensor Stacked Coils Signal-to-Noise Ratio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Small inductive position sensors have a low signal-to-noise ratio due to their lower output, limiting their downsizing for certain applications, as the size of the sensor is constrained by the need for adequate coil area and geometry to achieve sufficient induced voltage.
Innovation Solution
The use of stacked and nested coils with variable sizes on a multi-layer printed circuit board, where at least two interlaced receiver coils are connected in series through a single connection point arrangement of through-hole vias, increases the coil area and output voltage, allowing for a higher signal-to-noise ratio without requiring blind vias.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the sensor size is reduced for small applications, then the device can be downscaled to meet space constraints, but the signal-to-noise ratio decreases due to lower output
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a planar coil arrangement to a three-dimensional stacked configuration by placing receiver coils on multiple PCB layers. This vertical stacking enables the sensor to maintain a compact footprint while increasing the effective coil area and output signal through the z-dimension, thereby resolving the contradiction between small sensor size and adequate signal output
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nested coil structures where receiver coils are stacked vertically within the same footprint area. The coils are arranged in a nested configuration across multiple layers, allowing the sensor to achieve higher output signal through vertical integration rather than horizontal expansion, thus maintaining small dimensions while improving signal-to-noise ratio
2Reliability
If the coil area is increased to improve induced voltage output, then the signal-to-noise ratio improves, but the sensor dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by moving from two-dimensional planar coil expansion to three-dimensional vertical stacking. Multiple receiver coils are placed on different PCB layers, allowing the effective coil area to be multiplied without increasing the sensor's footprint. This dimensional transition enables high signal output while maintaining compact dimensions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple receiver coils into a single integrated receiver system by stacking them vertically and connecting them through via holes. This merging of multiple coils into a compact vertical arrangement achieves the equivalent of a large planar coil while maintaining a small sensor footprint, thus improving signal-to-noise ratio without increasing sensor area
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 design achieves a double gain in signal output by duplicating receiver coils and placing them on multiple PCB layers, enabling the creation of smaller sensors with improved performance for applications like rotor and linear position sensing.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor herein disclosed uses the principle of coupled coils... one excitation coil and one receiver system
Implementation Method 2
the induced voltage signal gives information about the target position... the induced voltage is mainly affected by the spanned area of the receiver coils
Data Source
AI summary
An inductive positioning sensor (100) for small electrical and electronic applications that allows to achieve a higher induced voltage output. The inductive positioning sensor (100) is arranged in a multi-layer printed circuit board, that comprises an excitation coil (1) and at least one receiver coil A (2) and a corresponding duplicated receiver coil A (22), where the excitation coil circularly surrounds the limits defined by the at least one receiver coil A (2) and the corresponding duplicated receiver coil A (22). The at least one receiver coil A (2) comprises a main convergence point (106) and at least one auxiliary convergence point (104), and the corresponding duplicated receiver coil A (22) comprises at least one auxiliary convergence point (104). The at least one receiver coil A (2) and the corresponding duplicated receiver coil A (22) merge together in a secondary convergence point (104).