Magnetic Thin Film Power Meter with Self-Aligning Sensor Array
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical power measurement devices, particularly those using magnetic thin films, face challenges in size reduction, ease of installation on already wired circuits, and accurate positional alignment with conducting wires, leading to complexity and inefficiency in measuring electrical power consumption, especially in high-frequency circuits.
Innovation Solution
An electrical power measurement device with a magnetic element having terminals at both ends of a magnetic film, connected in series with a measurement resistor, and a detecting mechanism that outputs a voltage component based on detected voltage changes, is designed to measure power consumption by arranging multiple sensor parts around the electric wire with a fixing mechanism that aligns the magnetic elements with the wire's virtual axis, allowing for accurate measurement without significant size increase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a magnetic thin film is used to measure electrical power consumption, then the device size is reduced and measurement capability is achieved, but the device structure becomes complicated and installation on existing circuits becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional modules: sensor parts with magnetic elements for detection, connection terminals for circuit integration, and fixing means for installation. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently and simplifies installation on existing circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement device is designed to be universally applicable to existing circuits through standardized connection terminals and flexible fixing means. The sensor parts can detect power consumption in various circuit configurations without requiring circuit modification, achieving multi-functionality across different applications.
2Volume of moving object
If a magnetic thin film is used to measure electrical power consumption, then the device size is reduced, but accurate positional alignment with conducting wires becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing means is designed to establish the positional relationship between sensor parts and conducting wires before operation. By pre-positioning the magnetic elements relative to the wires through mechanical fixation, accurate alignment is achieved without requiring high-precision manual adjustment during installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor parts are designed with self-aligning features where the magnetic elements naturally position themselves relative to the conducting wires through the fixing mechanism. This self-service approach reduces the need for external alignment tools and skilled manual positioning.
3Measurement precision
If the magnetic thin film width is increased to output voltage orthogonal to load current, then measurement capability is improved, but the device becomes more difficult to install on existing circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The device utilizes the third dimension (depth/thickness) by positioning magnetic elements at specific distances from the conducting wires rather than increasing in-plane width. This dimensional transition allows voltage output orthogonal to load current while maintaining a compact profile suitable for existing circuit installations.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor parts employ thin-film magnetic elements that can be positioned close to conducting wires without adding significant bulk. These thin-film structures provide the necessary measurement capability while maintaining flexibility for installation on existing circuits with limited space.
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 configuration enables a compact, accurate, and easy-to-install power measurement solution that reduces measurement errors and maintains efficiency even when the wire's position deviates slightly from the expected alignment, effectively addressing the limitations of previous devices.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic element 14 employing a magneto-resistance effect
Implementation Method 2
a detecting means 27 that detects a voltage change of the magnetic element 14 and outputs a voltage component based on the detected voltage change
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
Figure 3
AI summary
An electrical power meter that utilizes a magnetic thin film is required to be mountable to wiring that has already been disposed and to be able to define the positional relationship between the wiring and the magnetic thin film regardless of the position at which the power meter is attached to the wiring. Provided is an electrical power measurement device characterized by comprising the following: a sensor part that is connected to a circuit to be measured via a pair of connection terminals, and that is provided with the pair of connection terminals for connecting a load in parallel to a power source, a magnetic element provided with element terminals on either end of a magnetic film, a measurement resistor connected in series to the magnetic element, and a detection means that detects voltage changes in the magnetic element and outputs a prescribed component; a sensor unit comprising a plurality of the sensor parts; an addition means that adds the outputs of the detection means of all of the sensor parts; and a securing means that secures the magnetic elements of the sensor parts in positions at equal distances from a virtual axis, which serves as a positional reference for disposing one electric wiring, in orientations facing the virtual axis.