Magnetoelectric Angle Sensor Saturation Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing magnetic-field-dependent angle sensors for position and rotational measurements require large mechanical and electronic components, limiting their compactness and resolution.

Innovation Solution

The use of magnetoelectric converters with electrical properties independent of magnetic field polarity, arranged in bridge circuits to enhance resolution, and conversion of output signals into binary or linearly changing signals for improved measurement accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If magnetoresistive elements with linear output signal dependence on magnetic field strength are used, then the sensor can detect magnetic field variations, but the component size and number of sensory/electronic components increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveangle measurement resolutionVSAvoidnumber and size of sensory and electronic components

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operating parameter of the magnetoresistive elements by controlling the magnetic field strength to operate the converters in saturation. This non-linear operating point changes the output characteristics to be independent of magnetic field polarity, enabling higher resolution with fewer components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical angle sensors with a magnetic field-based sensing system using magnetoresistive elements in saturation. This substitution eliminates mechanical contact and reduces the number of moving parts while maintaining measurement capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If the magnetic field strength is increased to control converters in saturation, then measurement resolution improves, but the magnetic field strength requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoutput signal resolutionVSAvoidmagnetic field strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 approach allows for high-resolution angle measurements with reduced component size and complexity, particularly beneficial in automotive applications, by generating binary or linearly changing signals from sinusoidal outputs, thereby increasing measurement precision.

Implementation Method 1

the angle sensor consists of at least one magnetoelectric converter, the electrical properties of which are dependent on the magnetic field strength but independent of the polarity of the magnetic field acting on the at least one converter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetoresistance: Magnetoresistance

Implementation Method 2

a magnetic-field-dependent angle sensor which is effectively connected to a magnetic transmitter which is arranged such that it can rotate with respect to the angle sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS8378664B2Arrangement comprising a magnetic-field-dependent angle sensor

Publication Date: 2013.02.19 NXP BV

AI summary

In order to reduce the dimensions of the mechanical components and the number and size of the sensory and electronic components in an arrangement comprising a magnetic-field-dependent angle sensor which is effectively connected to a magnetic transmitter which is arranged such that it can rotate with respect to the angle sensor, while maintaining or improving the resolution of the output signal, the angle sensor is formed by at least one magnetoelectric converter, the electrical properties of which are dependent on the magnetic field strength but independent of the polarity of the magnetic field acting on the at least one converter. The magnetic field strength is selected such that the at least one converter is controlled in saturation.