Incremental Magnetic Encoder With Frictionless Notching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing encoders used in aeronautical applications face challenges such as complexity, high friction and wear leading to reduced reliability and service life, and increased costs due to the need for high-precision parts.
Innovation Solution
The development of an incremental magnetic encoder that minimizes mechanical contact between moving parts, utilizing a configuration where magnetic elements on a movable body interact with magnetic elements on a fixed body to create encoding and notching effects without friction or wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If opto-mechanical or electromechanical encoders are used to achieve encoding and notching functions, then the encoder can perform detection and mechanical notching, but the mechanical contact generates high friction and wear leading to reduced reliability and service life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based notching system with a magnetic field-based system. Magnetic elements are arranged on the movable body to interact with magnetic detectors on the fixed body, eliminating mechanical friction and wear while maintaining both encoding and notching functions. This substitution of mechanical contact with magnetic field interaction directly resolves the reliability and service life issues caused by friction and wear.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex encoders with rotational and translational encoding and notching are used, then the encoder can perform multiple functions simultaneously, but the device complexity increases and requires high-precision parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the encoding and notching functions into a single integrated magnetic field interaction system. By arranging magnetic elements on the movable body and magnetic detectors on the fixed body, the system simultaneously achieves both encoding (position detection) and notching (tactile feedback) without requiring separate mechanical mechanisms. This merging reduces device complexity while maintaining full functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic field-based system serves multiple functions: it provides both encoding (through magnetic field detection) and notching (through magnetic interaction forces). The same magnetic elements and detectors that enable position detection also generate the tactile feedback for notching, making the system universal and eliminating the need for separate specialized components.
3Ease of operation
If mechanical notching solutions are used to provide tactile feedback, then the encoder can deliver notching ability, but friction and wear are generated limiting service life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes mechanical contact-based notching with a magnetic field-based notching system. Magnetic elements on the movable body interact with magnetic detectors on the fixed body to provide tactile feedback during operation. This magnetic interaction eliminates the friction and wear inherent in mechanical contact systems while maintaining the notching ability and tactile feedback required for ease of operation.
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 results in a more reliable, compact, and cost-effective encoder with extended service life, capable of performing multi-turns in rotation and linear travel while maintaining precise notching and encoding functions.
Implementation Method 1
one of the bodies, called first body, comprising: a first support comprising N magnetic elements arranged along the direction of encoding according to a homogeneous pitch PO and defining a magnetic alternation along said direction; the other body, called second body, comprising: a second medium comprising K*M magnetic elements arranged inhomogeneously along the direction of encoding
Implementation Method 2
at least one magnetic detector arranged opposite the first support and configured for quantifying each movement of the movable body along the direction of encoding
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an incremental magnetic encoder (10) defining an encoder axis (X) and comprising a fixed body and a movable body.One of the bodies, called the first body (21), comprises a first support (33) comprising N arranged magnetic elements.The other body, called second body (22), comprises:a second support (41) comprising K*M magnetic elements arranged inhomogeneously along the direction of encoding (C1, C2) opposite the N magnetic elements, the K*M magnetic elements forming M groups of K magnetic elements, initial elements of the M different groups being spaced apart along the direction of encoding (C1, C2) by a homogeneous pitch P1, the K−1 magnetic elements of each group being spaced apart from the initial magnetic element of said group by variable pitches Pi;at least one magnetic detector arranged opposite the first support (33).