Magnetic Tilt Input Sensing With Shared Sensor Error Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing input devices face challenges in accurately detecting tilting operations without mechanical wear and resistance to dust and water, while maintaining a compact size and precise error detection.

Innovation Solution

A non-contact magnetic field detection system using a sensor and magnet arrangement that allows for tilting operations, with a magnet moving unit and a three-axis magnetic sensor to detect changes in magnetic fields, and a magnetic field generation unit to correct for temperature effects, enabling precise disturbance sensing and error handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a non-contact magnetic field detection system is used to eliminate mechanical wear and resist dust and water, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for precise sensor and magnet arrangement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to mechanical wear, dust, and waterVSAvoidsensor and magnet arrangement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical contact-based detection systems with a non-contact magnetic field detection system. A magnet is attached to the operation unit, and a magnetic sensor detects the magnet's position and movement through magnetic field changes, eliminating the need for mechanical contacts and improving resistance to wear, dust, and water.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic detection system serves multiple functions: detecting tilting operations, detecting pushing operations, and providing error detection capabilities. The same magnet and sensor arrangement is used for both normal operation detection and error detection, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If a three-axis magnetic sensor is used to detect tilting operations in multiple directions, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetilting operation detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The three-axis magnetic sensor is used to detect tilting operations in multiple directions (up-down, left-right, forward-backward) as well as pushing operations. This single sensor performs multiple detection functions, improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If error detection capabilities are added to detect sensor malfunctions and magnet misalignment, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveerror detection capabilityVSAvoiddetection system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-diagnosis by monitoring the magnetic field data for anomalies. The controller detects errors such as sensor malfunctions, magnet misalignment, or magnet detachment by analyzing whether the magnetic field changes are within expected ranges, enabling the system to self-monitor without additional dedicated error detection hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The controller continuously monitors magnetic field data from the sensor and compares it against expected operational ranges. When anomalies are detected (such as unexpected magnetic field values or patterns), the system generates error signals to indicate problems like magnet misalignment or sensor failure, providing feedback for system reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 system provides accurate detection of tilting operations with reduced mechanical wear, resistance to dust and water, and improved precision in disturbance sensing, while maintaining a compact form factor and enabling error handling.

Implementation Method 1

a three-axis magnetic sensor to detect changes in magnetic fields

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field detection: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

a magnet moving unit and a three-axis magnetic sensor to detect changes in magnetic fields

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field generation: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS12458871B2Input device, controller, and error detection method

Publication Date: 2025.11.04 ASAHI KASEI MICRODEVICES CORP

AI summary

There is provided an input device including a magnet that generates a magnetic field; a sensor for detecting the magnetic field generated by the magnet; and a magnet moving unit for moving a position of the magnet in a predetermined first plane, in which the magnet includes a first magnet and a second magnet, the sensor is provided in a region different from a region in which the magnet moves in a top view with respect to the first plane, the magnet moving unit is configured to move the first magnet in a predetermined first direction in the first plane, and move the second magnet in a second direction different from the first direction in the first plane, the first direction and the second direction are orthogonal to each other in the first plane, and the sensor is provided in common to the first magnet and the second magnet.