Magnet Orientation Sensing with Gradient Correction for Joysticks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing magnetic position sensor systems face challenges in accurately determining the orientation of a magnet with two degrees of freedom, particularly in the presence of temperature variations, mounting tolerances, demagnetization, and external disturbance fields, while maintaining simplicity and robustness.

Innovation Solution

A sensor device comprising a silicon substrate with magnetic sensors that determine magnetic field gradients and angles using correction values, such as sums of squares and second-order gradients, to enhance accuracy and reduce sensitivity to environmental factors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If magnetic position sensor systems are used to determine orientation of a magnet with two degrees of freedom, then measurement capability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to sensitivity to temperature variations, mounting tolerances, demagnetization, and external disturbance fields

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement capabilityVSAvoidorientation determination accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses second-order magnetic field gradients as correction values to compensate for first-order measurement errors. By calculating curvature information (second derivatives) of the magnetic field components, the system corrects orientation measurements to reduce sensitivity to temperature variations, mounting tolerances, and external disturbance fields, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining two-degree-of-freedom measurement capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where second-order gradient measurements are used to correct first-order orientation measurements. The correction values derived from curvature information are fed back into the measurement calculation to compensate for environmental disturbances and systematic errors, creating a self-correcting measurement system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If correction values such as second-order gradients are used to improve accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveorientation determination accuracyVSAvoidsensor system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the measurement process into distinct computational stages: first-order gradient calculation from sensor outputs, second-order gradient calculation for correction, and final orientation determination. This segmentation allows the complex correction algorithm to be implemented in a structured, modular manner that manages computational complexity while achieving high measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If magnetic sensors are used to detect orientation, then measurement capability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to sensitivity to external disturbance fields and temperature variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidmeasurement stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of external disturbance fields and temperature variations into a beneficial correction mechanism. By measuring the second-order gradients, the system identifies and quantifies the impact of environmental disturbances, then uses this information to correct the orientation measurements, effectively turning reliability-damaging factors into sources of correction data

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 provides highly accurate orientation determination of a pivotable magnet with reduced sensitivity to temperature variations, mounting tolerances, and external disturbance fields, improving the precision of joystick orientation measurement.

Implementation Method 1

a silicon substrate comprising a plurality of magnetic sensors; a processing circuit configured for: a) determining a first magnetic field gradient (e.g. dBx/dx; dBz/dx) of a first magnetic field component (e.g. Bx; Bz)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field detection: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS12601794B2Device and method for determining an orientation of a magnet, and a joystick

Publication Date: 2026.04.14 MELEXIS TECHNOLOGIES SA

AI summary

A method of determining an orientation of a magnet which is pivotable about a reference position having a predefined position relative to a silicon substrate, includes: providing a silicon substrate; determining a first/second magnetic field gradient along a first/second direction; determining a first/second angle based on said first/second magnetic field gradient and a first/second correction value. A sensor device configured for performing this method. A sensor system includes such sensor device and a magnet, optionally connected to a joystick.