Magnetic Sensor Gradient Layout for 2-DOF Magnet Orientation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing magnetic position sensor systems face challenges in accurately determining the orientation of a pivotable magnet with two degrees of freedom while being sensitive to temperature variations, mounting tolerances, demagnetization, and external disturbance fields, and often require complex sensor arrangements.
Innovation Solution
A sensor device with a semiconductor substrate and spaced magnetic sensors measuring magnetic field components in multiple directions, using magnetic field gradients to determine angles, and incorporating temperature compensation to reduce sensitivity to disturbances and improve accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If magnetic position sensor systems use complex sensor arrangements to measure magnet orientation with two degrees of freedom, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measurement task into two separate single-degree-of-freedom measurement systems. Each sensor device measures one rotational degree of freedom independently, allowing the use of simpler sensor arrangements while achieving accurate two-DOF orientation determination through combination of both measurements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from attempting to measure two rotational degrees of freedom simultaneously in a complex 3D arrangement to measuring each degree of freedom separately in two different dimensional planes. This dimensionality separation simplifies the sensor arrangement while maintaining measurement precision
2Device complexity
If magnetic position sensor systems use simple sensor arrangements, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to sensitivity to temperature variations, mounting tolerances, and external disturbance fields
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates temperature sensors that continuously monitor temperature variations and feed this information back to the processing circuit. The processing circuit uses this feedback to compensate for temperature-induced measurement errors, maintaining precision despite environmental changes
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-diagnosis and error detection by monitoring measurement consistency and identifying when errors occur. The processing circuit automatically detects measurement errors and can request re-measurement or compensate for errors, allowing the simple sensor arrangement to maintain high precision through self-correcting mechanisms
3Adaptability or versatility
If magnetic position sensor systems operate in environments with external disturbance fields, then adaptability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to sensitivity to stray fields
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors measurement quality and environmental conditions, using feedback to detect when external disturbance fields affect measurements. The processing circuit adjusts measurement strategies or compensates for interference based on this feedback, maintaining precision across varying environmental conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system performs self-diagnosis to detect measurement errors caused by external disturbance fields. When errors are detected, the system can automatically request re-measurement or apply error correction, enabling the system to maintain adaptability to different environments while preserving measurement precision
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
The sensor device provides highly accurate orientation determination of a pivotable magnet with reduced sensitivity to temperature variations, mounting tolerances, and external disturbance fields, using a simpler sensor arrangement.
Implementation Method 1
each of the first and second magnetic sensor (51, 52) is configured for measuring a first magnetic field component (e.g. Bx1, Bx2) oriented in said first direction (X), and a second magnetic field component (e.g. By1, By2) oriented in a second direction (e.g. Y) parallel to the semiconductor substrate
Implementation Method 2
the processing circuit is configured: i) for determining a first magnetic field gradient (e.g. dBx/dx) of the first magnetic field components (e.g. Bx1, Bx2) along said first direction (e.g. X); and ii) for determining a second magnetic field gradient (e.g. dBy/dx) of the second magnetic field components (e.g. By1, By2) along said first direction (e.g. X)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4A~5
AI summary
A sensor device for determining an orientation (α,β,ϕ,ψ) of a magnet (701) that is pivotable about a reference point (Pref), the sensor device comprising a semiconductor substrate (703) comprising a first and a second magnetic sensor (51, 52) spaced apart in a first direction (X), each configured for measuring a first magnetic field component (Bx1, Bx2) oriented in the first direction (X), and a second magnetic field component (By1, By2) oriented in a second direction (Y); wherein the sensor device further comprises a processing circuit configured for determining: i) a first magnetic field gradient (dBx/dx); ii) a second magnetic field gradient (dBy/dx); iii) a first angle (α,ψ) based on the first magnetic field gradient (dBx/dx); iv) a second angle (β,ϕ) based on the second magnetic field gradient (dBy/dx). A sensor system comprising said sensor device and said magnet.