Magnetic Field Sensor 3D Detection Vector Sum

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional magnetic field sensors can only detect magnetic fields above a threshold level in one or two dimensions, limiting their ability to sense magnetic fields in any direction effectively.

Innovation Solution

A magnetic field sensor system comprising multiple magnetic field sensing elements with different maximum response axes, coupled with an electronic circuit that determines the magnitude of a vector sum of their signals, allowing detection of magnetic fields in three-dimensional space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional magnetic field sensors are used, then the device structure is simple, but the sensor can only detect magnetic fields in one or two dimensions, limiting detection capability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidsensor structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic field sensor is divided into multiple sensing elements (first, second, and third elements) with different maximum response axes. Each element detects magnetic field components along different directions, and the electronic circuit combines these segmented measurements to achieve comprehensive three-dimensional detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from one-dimensional or two-dimensional magnetic field detection to three-dimensional detection by adding sensing elements with maximum response axes pointing along different coordinate axes. This dimensional expansion enables detection of magnetic fields in any direction through vector sum calculation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple magnetic field sensing elements with different maximum response axes are used, then magnetic fields in any direction can be detected, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection directionalityVSAvoidcircuit configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic circuit is designed with multi-functionality to perform multiple operations: receiving signals from multiple sensing elements, calculating vector sums, comparing with thresholds, and generating appropriate output signals. This universal circuit design handles all processing tasks despite the increased complexity of having multiple sensing elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic circuit acts as an intermediary that receives and processes signals from the multiple magnetic field sensing elements. It performs the complex vector sum calculation and threshold comparison operations, mediating between the raw sensor data and the final detection output, thereby managing the system complexity centrally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If conventional single-axis sensors are used, then the device is simple, but the measurement precision for three-dimensional magnetic fields is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemagnetic field magnitude detectionVSAvoidsensor array

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The three-dimensional magnetic field measurement is segmented into three separate orthogonal components detected by individual sensing elements. Each element measures the magnetic field component along its maximum response axis, and the electronic circuit reconstructs the total magnetic field magnitude through vector sum calculation, achieving precise three-dimensional measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 the detection of magnetic fields in any direction with a magnitude above a threshold, enhancing sensitivity and applicability in various applications such as tamper detection and smart meters.

Implementation Method 1

Hall Effect elements generate an output voltage proportional to a magnetic field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHall Effect: Hall Effect

Implementation Method 2

magnetoresistance elements change resistance in proportion to a magnetic field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetoresistance: Magnetoresistance

Data Source

PatentUS9897464B2Magnetic field sensor to detect a magnitude of a magnetic field in any direction

Publication Date: 2018.02.20 ALLEGRO MICROSYSTEMS LLC

AI summary

In one aspect, a magnetic field sensor includes first and second magnetic field sensing elements having respective first and second maximum response axes. The first and second maximum response axes point along respective first and second different coordinate axes. In response to a magnetic field, the first and second magnetic field sensing elements are operable to generate first and second magnetic field signals. The magnetic field sensor includes an electronic circuit coupled to receive the first and the second magnetic field signals. The electronic circuit is configured to determine a magnitude of a vector sum of the first and the second magnetic field signals and provide one or more signals in response to the magnitude of the vector sum determined.