Magnetic Sensor Position Detection Using Cartesian Coordinates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing magnetic sensors face challenges in accurately determining the position of a movable object connected to a magnet due to errors in sensed magnetic field components, which are compounded when converting to polar coordinates, and require precise orthogonal sensing elements and complex trigonometric calculations, making error detection and plausibility checking difficult.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic sensor system that senses components of the magnetic field along multiple axes without converting to polar coordinates, using sensing elements configured to detect components corresponding to Cartesian and non-Cartesian axes, allowing direct comparison of sensed values to predefined magnetic field ranges to identify the object's position, thereby improving coverage, error detection, and plausibility checking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If magnetic field components are converted to polar coordinates for position determination, then the position can be calculated using trigonometric functions, but errors in sensed magnetic field components are compounded and error detection becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the position determination process from the polar coordinate conversion approach and implements it directly in Cartesian coordinates. By removing the trigonometric conversion step, the system eliminates the source of error compounding while maintaining the ability to determine position accurately through direct comparison of magnetic field components to predefined ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of converting magnetic field components to polar coordinates and then determining position (the conventional approach), the patent inverts the process by determining position directly from Cartesian components through range comparison. This inversion eliminates the need for trigonometric functions and prevents error compounding.
2Device complexity
If sensing elements are arranged orthogonally to sense magnetic field components, then the measurement process is simplified, but precise orthogonal alignment is required which increases manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the coordinate system parameter from polar to Cartesian, which allows the sensing elements to be arranged in a simplified geometry. The magnetic field components are processed and compared to predefined ranges that account for the actual sensing element orientations, eliminating the need for precise orthogonal alignment while maintaining measurement accuracy.
3Productivity
If trigonometric calculations are used to convert magnetic field components to polar coordinates, then position can be determined, but the calculation process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the trigonometric conversion step from the position determination process. By directly comparing magnetic field components to predefined ranges in Cartesian coordinates, the system eliminates complex calculations while maintaining the ability to determine position, thereby improving processing speed and reducing computational complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If polar coordinate conversion is used for position determination, then the mathematical framework is well-established, but coverage and plausibility checking become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces predefined magnetic field ranges as an intermediary between the sensed magnetic field components and the position determination. These ranges serve as a reference framework that enables plausibility checking and improves coverage, replacing the need for polar coordinate conversion while maintaining mathematical rigor through range-based comparison.
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 approach enhances the accuracy and reliability of position determination by reducing errors and simplifying the calculation process, allowing for precise identification of the movable object's position without the need for trigonometric conversions, thus improving the sensor's coverage and error detection capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
one or more sensing elements configured to: sense a first magnetic field component corresponding to a first axis of a magnetic field produced by a magnet; sense a second magnetic field component corresponding to a second axis of the magnetic field
Data Source
AI summary
A magnetic sensor, may sense a first magnetic field component corresponding to a first axis of a magnetic field produced by a magnet. The magnetic sensor may sense a second magnetic field component corresponding to a second axis of the magnetic field. The magnetic sensor may determine information that defines potential positions of a movable object associated with the magnet. Each potential position, of the potential positions, may be defined by a first magnetic field range for the first magnetic field component and a second magnetic field range for the second magnetic field component. The magnetic sensor may identify a position of the movable object based on the first magnetic field component, the second magnetic field component, and the information that defines the potential positions. The magnetic sensor may provide an output based on identifying the position of the movable object.