Magnetic Position Sensor Orientation Recognition via Vector Progression Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing magnetic position sensors struggle to automatically and accurately determine the axial/radial orientation of target magnets without user intervention or magnet movement, especially in areas where different magnet arrangements are indistinguishable based on magnetic field vector components.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a sensor array with multiple elements, where magnetic vector data is gathered, vector angle data is calculated and monotonized, and specific sets of circumstances are excluded to determine the target magnet orientation by comparing calculated progressions with expected progressions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If magnetic field vector components are used to determine magnet orientation, then measurement capability is provided, but ambiguity arises in certain areas where different magnet arrangements are indistinguishable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension by moving the magnet through the detection area and analyzing the sequence of magnetic field measurements over time. This transforms the problem from a static 2D plane measurement to a 3D spacetime analysis, allowing distinction between different magnet orientations based on the temporal progression of field component signs and magnitudes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary movement of the magnet through the detection area before final orientation determination. By systematically moving the magnet and recording field components at multiple positions, the system gathers sufficient information to unambiguously identify the magnet orientation, resolving the ambiguity present in static measurements.
2Measurement precision
If magnet movement is required to determine orientation, then accurate detection is achieved, but system complexity and installation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the magnet's own movement through the detection area during normal operation to gather orientation information. The magnet's movement, which is inherent in the measurement process, serves the dual purpose of both position detection and orientation determination, eliminating the need for separate orientation calibration procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection area serves multiple functions: it simultaneously performs position measurement and orientation determination. By analyzing the magnetic field components at different positions during magnet movement, the system extracts both positional and orientational information from a single measurement process, eliminating the need for separate calibration steps.
3Manufacturing precision
If sensor elements are pre-aligned during production, then manufacturing precision is improved, but automation of orientation detection is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary analysis of magnetic field component relationships during the measurement process itself. By examining the sign changes and magnitude ratios of field components at different positions, the system automatically determines magnet orientation without requiring post-manufacturing calibration or complex assembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously analyzes the magnetic field measurements during magnet movement and provides real-time feedback to determine orientation. The algorithm processes the sequence of measurements and automatically identifies the magnet arrangement based on the observed field component patterns, enabling fully automated orientation detection.
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
Enables reliable and automatic recognition of target magnet orientation, allowing the sensor to operate correctly from initial startup, reducing installation time and costs, and facilitating self-diagnosis of the BMP system.
Implementation Method 1
measuring a first magnetic field component in a first direction and a second magnetic field component in a second direction
Data Source
AI summary
The method disclosed herein for determining the orientation of a target magnet (120) in a magnetic position sensor, in particular in a magnetic position sensor with a sensor array (100) having a number of at least three sensor elements (105-115), has the following steps in particular:gathering (1100) a number of magnetic vector data;calculating (1105) vector angle data from the gathered vector data and calculating (1110) progressions of the gathered vector data;monotonizing (1115, 1120) the calculated vector angle data for at least two predefined specific sets of circumstances, that is to say by increasing or reducing individual angle values of the calculated vector angle data;excluding (1125) at least one of the at least two predefined specific sets of circumstances on the basis of the monotonized vector angle data;calculating (1135) expected progressions for non-excluded specific sets of circumstances;determining (1140) the orientation of the target magnet (120) using the calculated (1110) progressions of gathered vector data and the calculated (1135), expected progressions.