Inductive Steering Angle Sensing for Multi-Turn Hysteresis Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering angle sensors in vehicles face challenges in accurately measuring small steering movements over multiple revolutions due to hysteresis issues caused by gear wheel play, leading to potential false detection of missing steering inputs, especially in low-angle steering scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A sensor arrangement using inductive sensors with detection coils influenced by annular disk transducers, which reduce the need for multiple gear wheels by employing a Vernier principle, allowing for precise angle determination with reduced hysteresis and improved detection of small steering movements through periodic inductance changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If gear wheels are used to transmit rotational movement for angle measurement, then the rotational angle can be determined over multiple revolutions, but hysteresis occurs due to gear wheel play causing measurement inaccuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical gear wheel transmission system with an inductive sensor system that uses magnetic fields and electrical signals to detect rotational angle. The inductive sensor with detection coil measures changes in inductance caused by the relative movement between the detection coil and the conductive track geometry, eliminating mechanical contact and gear wheel play, thus resolving the hysteresis issue while maintaining multi-revolution measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an inductive sensor as an intermediary between the rotating component and the measurement system. The sensor uses a detection coil and conductive track geometry to create an electrical field interaction that mediates the measurement process, replacing direct mechanical coupling and eliminating the hysteresis caused by mechanical play
2Duration of action of moving object
If multiple gear wheels are used to extend measurement range, then multi-revolution detection is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex mechanical gear wheel transmission system from the measurement device. By using an inductive sensor that directly couples to the rotating component, the patent removes the need for multiple gear wheels and their associated complexity, while still achieving multi-revolution measurement through the non-contact inductive detection method
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the entire mechanical gear wheel system with an electrical/electromagnetic inductive sensor system. This substitution eliminates the need for multiple mechanical components and reduces device complexity while maintaining the ability to measure rotational angles over multiple revolutions
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 solution enables accurate and reliable detection of rotational angles over multiple revolutions with reduced hysteresis, effectively capturing small steering movements and preventing false detection of missing inputs, enhancing driver safety by accurately monitoring steering activity.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one detection range of the respective measuring transducer influences the inductance of the at least one corresponding detection coil of the measuring pickup so that the inductance of the at least one detection coil changes periodically because of the rotational movement of the rotating component
Implementation Method 2
The inductive sensors are preferably configured as eddy current sensors. In general, the inductance of a conductive track geometry can be measured with eddy current sensors.
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor arrangement is configured to detect rotational angles on a rotating component in a vehicle. The rotating component is coupled to at least one measurement transmitter which generates at least one piece of angle information in connection with at least one measurement sensor in order to determine the rotational angle of the rotating component. A first measurement transmitter and a first measurement sensor form a first angle sensor which generates first angle information that is dependent on the rotational movement of the rotating component, and a second measurement transmitter and a second measurement sensor form a second angle sensor which generates second angle information that is dependent on the rotational movement of the rotating component. A current rotational angle of the rotating component is ascertained from the first angle information and the second angle information. The first angle sensor and the second angle sensor are designed as inductive sensors.