Linear Magnetic Sensor Array for Compact Distance Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional measuring devices that determine the distance to a magnetic body require a large installation area due to the three-dimensional arrangement of magnetic sensors, making them bulky.
Innovation Solution
A measuring device using at least two magnetic sensors aligned in a specific direction to measure the magnitude of a magnetic field component, allowing for reduced size by limiting the sensor arrangement to a single direction, and employing a method to calculate distance based on the ratio of time changes in measurement values from adjacent sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If three magnetic sensors are arranged three-dimensionally to measure distance to a magnetic body, then measurement capability is improved, but device size and installation area increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a three-dimensional sensor arrangement to a one-dimensional linear arrangement of magnetic sensors. By arranging sensors along a single line rather than distributing them in three-dimensional space, the device maintains distance measurement capability while significantly reducing the installation area required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential measurement function by using at least two magnetic sensors arranged linearly, removing the requirement for three-dimensional sensor distribution. This extraction of the core functionality enables compact device design while preserving the ability to measure distance to magnetic bodies.
2Volume of stationary object
If at least two magnetic sensors are arranged lined up in a specific direction, then device size is reduced, but measurement accuracy may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameters by using time changes in magnetic field measurements from multiple sensors arranged linearly. By analyzing how the magnetic field strength changes over time at different sensor positions, the system can calculate distance accurately despite the compact one-dimensional arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the measurements from multiple linearly arranged sensors are processed together. The system uses the combined information from all sensors, comparing their respective measurements to determine the distance to the magnetic body, thereby maintaining accuracy in a compact configuration.
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
Enables accurate measurement of distance and magnetic moment in a compact form, reducing processing load and maintaining precision through graphical and linear calculations.
Implementation Method 1
magnetic sensors capable of selectively measuring the magnitude of a component in a specific direction of a magnetic field
Data Source
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AI summary
This measuring device is provided with at least two magnetic sensors capable of selectively measuring the magnitude of a specific direction component of a magnetic field, the sensors being disposed side by side in the specific direction. The measuring device repeatedly acquires measured values representing the magnitudes of the magnetic fields detected by the magnetic sensors, with a plurality of timings (S11). The measuring device identifies the largest measured value from among the measured values acquired with a specific timing (S13). The measuring device identifies a first magnetic sensor which detected the identified largest measured value (S15). The measuring device identifies, on the basis of a change over time in the measured values, the distance between the first magnetic sensor and an object being measured, in an orthogonal direction which is orthogonal to the specific direction (S25).