Magnetic Field Sensor Positioning via Conductor Track Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the position of components on substrates, such as printed circuit boards, are inaccurate due to manufacturing tolerances and hidden components, requiring costly and effort-intensive optical or x-ray checks for precise positioning, especially for magnetic field sensors where orientation affects measurement accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A method using a dedicated conductor track structure on the substrate to generate a static magnetic field with a known distribution, detected by a vectorial magnetic field sensor to determine the component's position relative to the substrate, allowing for precise and cost-effective positioning in mass production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical measurement methods are used to determine sensor position, then position information can be obtained, but the method only works for components where the circuit side is visible which is almost never the case in practice
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical measurement methods with electromagnetic field-based measurement. Instead of using light to detect component positions (which requires visual access), the invention uses magnetic field sensors that can detect positions of hidden components through electromagnetic field interactions, eliminating the need for the circuit side to be visible.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces conductor tracks as intermediary elements that generate magnetic fields. These conductor tracks serve as mediators between the measurement system and the hidden components, allowing position determination through electromagnetic field interactions without direct visual access to the components being measured.
2Measurement precision
If x-ray measurement is used to find sensor position, then precise positioning can be achieved, but this involves a great deal of effort in a production process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses simple, inexpensive conductor tracks made of conductive material that can be easily manufactured and integrated into the substrate. These conductor tracks replace expensive and complex x-ray measurement systems, providing a cost-effective and efficient solution for position determination that can be mass-produced without significant effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes complex x-ray imaging equipment with simple electromagnetic field generation and detection using conductor tracks and magnetic field sensors. This replacement dramatically simplifies the measurement process, eliminating the need for expensive, time-consuming x-ray equipment while maintaining measurement capability.
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional optical check after assembly is performed, then component position can be specified with appropriate tolerances, but not the position of the sensor within the component and any tilting of the same
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional optical checking with electromagnetic field-based measurement using magnetic field sensors and conductor tracks. This substitution enables detection of three-dimensional sensor positions and orientations within components, including tilting angles, by measuring magnetic field interactions from multiple conductor track configurations, providing comprehensive position and orientation data that optical methods cannot obtain for hidden components.
4Productivity
If multiple discrete sensors are arranged to measure the same magnetic field, then sensor arrays can be created, but the position and orientation of the individual sensors should be known which is difficult to determine accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces conductor tracks as intermediary elements that generate known magnetic field patterns. These conductor tracks serve as reference mediators for multiple magnetic field sensors, allowing each sensor to determine its own position and orientation by measuring the magnetic field generated by the conductor tracks. This enables accurate calibration of sensor arrays without requiring complex external measurement equipment.
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 accurate and efficient determination of component position and orientation on substrates with minimal additional effort, reducing manufacturing costs and improving measurement accuracy for sensor applications.
Implementation Method 1
producing a purpose-specific conductor track structure on the substrate for generating a static magnetic field with a known field distribution... An electrical voltage is applied to the purpose-specific conductor track structure so that the purpose-specific conductor track structure generates the static magnetic field with the known field distribution
Implementation Method 2
The static magnetic field generated by means of the purpose-specific conductor track structure is detected with the magnetic field sensor... the position of the magnetic field sensor, and thus the position of the component, relative to the purpose-specific conductor track structure and thus relative to the substrate can be determined
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device (20) and a method for determining the position of a component (11) arranged on a substrate (10). The method has the steps of providing a substrate (10) with at least one device (12) arranged thereon for detecting an electromagnetic field, generating a goal-oriented conductor path structure (13) on the substrate (10), said goal-oriented conductor path structure (13) being designed for the purpose of generating an electromagnetic field (14') with a known field distribution (14), applying an electric voltage to the goal-oriented conductor path structure (13) such that the goal-oriented conductor path structure (13) generates the electromagnetic field (14') with the known field distribution (14), and detecting the generated electromagnetic field (14) with the known field distribution (14) using the device (12) for detecting an electromagnetic field. According to the invention, the position of the component (11) relative to the substrate (10) is determined on the basis of the aforementioned detection of the electromagnetic field (14') with the known field distribution (14).