Magnetic Sensor with Integrated Solenoid for Noise Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Magnetic sensors face challenges in maintaining sensitivity and accuracy due to environmental noise and stray magnetic fields, and they often require recalibration, especially in applications where size and manufacturability are critical.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a magnetic sensor device with a substrate and solenoids where the total length of the closed magnetic circuit is at least twice the length of the gaps, allowing magnetic flux to pass through magnetic cores more than outside them, reducing susceptibility to noise and enabling recalibration by controlling current through the solenoids.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If magnetic sensors are integrated with electronic processing circuitry to reduce size, then device size is reduced, but susceptibility to environmental noise and stray magnetic fields increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic sensor sizeVSAvoidsusceptibility to environmental noise
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic circuit is segmented into distinct components: magnetic cores, gaps, and magnetic sensors positioned at specific locations. This segmentation allows the sensor to be integrated close to the magnetic circuit while maintaining controlled magnetic flux paths that reduce noise susceptibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Magnetic cores serve as intermediaries that guide and concentrate magnetic flux between the excitation source and the sensor. These cores create defined magnetic pathways that isolate the sensor from external magnetic interference while maintaining sensitivity to target magnetic fields.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If magnetic flux passes through gaps in the magnetic circuit, then magnetic field detection is enabled, but measurements drift over time due to varying sensitivity and offset

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic field detection capabilityVSAvoidmeasurement stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A recalibration mechanism is implemented that allows preliminary adjustment of magnetic flux through the gaps before actual measurement. By controlling current through solenoids to impose magnetic fields on the sensor, offset and sensitivity drift can be compensated for in advance, improving measurement reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic circuit design enables feedback-based recalibration where the sensor measurements are used to adjust the magnetic flux through the gaps. This closed-loop approach compensates for drift by actively adjusting the magnetic field to maintain accurate measurements over time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If ferromagnetic cores are used to increase magnetic flux density, then sensitivity is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic flux densityVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple magnetic cores and gaps are merged into an integrated magnetic circuit structure that can be manufactured as a single assembly. This combining of components simplifies manufacturing while maintaining the high magnetic flux density provided by ferromagnetic materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic cores serve multiple functions: they concentrate magnetic flux to improve sensitivity, provide structural support for the integrated design, and enable recalibration by controlling flux distribution. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, simplifying manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Measurement precision

If solenoids are integrated with magnetic sensors for recalibration, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Solenoids are merged with the magnetic sensor assembly, with coils wound around or near the magnetic cores. This integration allows recalibration functionality to be built into the sensor structure itself, improving accuracy while minimizing the increase in device complexity through shared components and compact arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 enhances the sensitivity and accuracy of magnetic sensors, reduces their susceptibility to environmental noise, and allows for effective recalibration, improving their performance in diverse environmental conditions.

Implementation Method 1

By applying an electrical current to the solenoid, a magnetic field is formed. The one or more coils are configured for, when a current passes through said one or more coils, generating a magnetic field wherein at least a portion of the generated magnetic flux passes through at least a portion of the magnetic sensor, of the cores, and of the gaps forming at least one closed magnetic circuit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The use of a ferromagnetic core increases the magnitude of the magnetic flux density in the solenoid, concentrating the magnetic field

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFerromagnetism: Ferromagnetism

Implementation Method 3

Magnetic sensors can incorporate Hall effect sensors that generate an output voltage proportional to an applied magnetic field

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHall effect: Hall Effect

Implementation Method 4

magneto-resistive materials whose electrical resistance changes in response to an external magnetic field

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagneto-resistive effect: Magnetoresistance

Data Source

PatentEP3477322B1Magnetic sensor with integrated solenoid
Publication Date: 2021.06.16 MELEXIS TECHNOLOGIES SA
  • EP3477322B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP3477322B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~3A
  • EP3477322B1 patent drawingFigure 3B~4A

AI summary

A magnetic sensor device (99) comprises a substrate (10) having a surface and a magnetic sensor (30) that detects magnetic fields disposed on, over, below, or in direct contact with the surface. One or more magnetic cores (22) are disposed on or over the substrate surface, at least one of the magnetic cores (22) having an electrical conductor (24) helically wound around the core (22) forming a coil (25) having a coil length. Each magnetic core (22) is separated from any other magnetic core by a gap (G) having a gap length. A current passing through the one or more coils (25) generates a magnetic field at least a portion of whose magnetic flux passes through at least a portion of the magnetic sensor, one or more coils (25), and one or more gaps (G). The sum of the coil lengths is greater than the sum of the gap lengths through which the at least a portion of the magnetic flux passes.