Magnetic Sensor Arrangement for Miniaturized Multi-DOF Position Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sensor systems face challenges in miniaturization without compromising measurement accuracy and often require different signal conversion principles for various sensor types, leading to increased system design and processing complexity.

Innovation Solution

A sensor arrangement utilizing magnetically sensitive elements and magnets, where the relative position of a movable structure to a rigid structure is determined by measuring the magnetic field, allowing for uniform signal conversion across different sensor types and enabling high miniaturization without sacrificing accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If different signal conversion principles are used for different sensor types, then each sensor can be optimized for its specific measurement, but system design complexity and signal processing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidsystem design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by using the same magnet-sensitive element and magnet configuration across multiple sensor types (acceleration sensor, rotation rate sensor, orientation sensor, and height sensor). This allows a single uniform signal conversion principle to be used for all sensor types, reducing system design complexity and signal processing complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy for each specific measurement type.

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

2Volume of moving object

If sensor size is continuously miniaturized, then space requirements are reduced, but measurement accuracy may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor sizeVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical measurement structures with a magnetic field-based measurement system using magnet-sensitive elements. This substitution allows for significant miniaturization of the sensor while maintaining measurement accuracy, as the magnetic field interaction does not require large mechanical structures and can be implemented at the micro-scale level.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple sensor types are combined in one system, then comprehensive measurement capabilities are achieved, but signal processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement capabilitiesVSAvoidsignal processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves versatility by combining multiple sensor types (acceleration, rotation rate, orientation, and height sensors) in one system, while simultaneously reducing signal processing complexity through the use of a uniform magnet-sensitive element and magnet configuration across all sensor types. This allows all sensors to use the same signal conversion principle, simplifying the overall signal processing architecture.

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

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 allows for the simultaneous determination of multiple degrees of freedom with high measurement accuracy, reduced system complexity, and simplified signal processing, enabling the use of uniform signal conversion principles across different sensors.

Implementation Method 1

the relative position of the movable structure to the associated rigid structure is determined by determining the magnetic field at the position of the associated magnet-sensitive element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field detection: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

one of which is arranged on a movable structure and the other on a rigid structure, wherein the relative position of the movable structure to the associated rigid structure is determined by determining the magnetic field at the position of the associated magnet-sensitive element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field generation: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP3167265B1Sensor
Publication Date: 2019.12.25 TDK ELECTRONICS AG
  • EP3167265B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3167265B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3167265B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a sensor (1) which has a fixed structure (2), a moveable structure (3) which is moveable relative to the fixed structure (2), a magnet (5) which generates a magnetic field, and a first magnetic-sensitive element (4) which is additionally configured to determine the magnetic field at the position of the magnetic-sensitive element, wherein the magnet (5) is attached to the fixed structure (2) and the first magnetic-sensitive element (4) is attached to the moveable structure (3), or wherein the magnet (5) is attached to the moveable structure (3) and the first magnetic-sensitive element (4) is attached to the fixed structure (2).