Magnetic Sensor Angle Estimation for Foldable Hinge

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for estimating the angle between components of foldable or expandable electronic devices, such as smartphones, face challenges in accurately determining the attitude of parts due to variations in magnetic fields and hysteresis effects, leading to reduced accuracy and reliability.

Innovation Solution

The use of a magnetic sensor and a magnet section to measure magnetic flux density, combined with a control unit that estimates the angle based on reference information and updates this information to account for hysteresis and environmental impacts, allowing for precise estimation of the angle and position of device components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If magnetic sensors are used to detect the angle between hinge portions, then the angle detection function is enabled, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to magnetic field variations and hysteresis effects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveangle detection reliabilityVSAvoidangle measurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by detecting not only the magnitude of magnetic flux density but also its direction (angular information). By utilizing multiple components of magnetic flux density vectors and calculating angular relationships, the system transforms the detection parameters to extract angle information that is less susceptible to magnetic field variations and hysteresis effects, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring magnetic flux density measurements and using this information to calculate and update angle estimates. The system compares detected magnetic field patterns with expected patterns to refine angle detection, compensating for magnetic field variations and hysteresis effects through iterative correction, thus improving both measurement precision and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If magnetic field-based angle detection is used, then non-contact measurement is achieved, but accuracy deteriorates due to external magnetic field interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenon-contact measurement capabilityVSAvoidangle measurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from scalar magnetic flux density magnitude detection to vector-based detection by measuring multiple components (e.g., X, Y, Z components) of the magnetic flux density. This dimensional expansion allows the system to calculate angular relationships and detect angle information that is invariant to certain magnetic field interferences, thereby maintaining measurement precision while preserving the non-contact measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces mathematical calculations and coordinate transformations as intermediaries between the raw magnetic field measurements and the final angle determination. By processing magnetic flux density vectors through computational algorithms that account for magnetic field variations, the system filters out external interference and extracts accurate angle information, thus improving measurement precision without sacrificing the ease of non-contact operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 enhances the accuracy of angle estimation and position determination, even in the presence of external magnetic field variations, thereby improving the operational reliability of foldable or expandable devices.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetic sensor and a magnet section to measure magnetic flux density

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic flux density measurement: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

updates this information to account for hysteresis and environmental impacts

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHysteresis: Hysteresis

Data Source

PatentUS20240328771A1Estimation apparatus, apparatus, estimation method and computer readable storage medium
Publication Date: 2024.10.03 ASAHI KASEI MICRODEVICES CORP
  • US20240328771A1 patent drawing
  • US20240328771A1 patent drawing
  • US20240328771A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Provided is an estimation apparatus for estimating a position and an attitude of a second portion with respect to a first portion in an apparatus including the first portion, the second portion, a movable mechanism which changes at least one of the position or the attitude of the second portion with respect to the first portion, at least one magnetic sensor provided in one of the first portion or the second portion, and a magnet section which is provided in another of the first portion or the second portion and which provides a magnetic field measured by the at least one magnetic sensor. The estimation apparatus includes an update unit which updates the reference information indicating a combination of measured values based on a correlation of measured values of the at least two components in the at least one direction measured by the at least one magnetic sensor.