Metamaterial Torque Measurement for High Resolution and Unambiguous Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic sensors in vehicles are sensitive to magnetic disturbances, particularly in hybrid and electric vehicles, leading to inaccurate speed, position, and angle measurements due to harsh environments with high current wires, and existing torque sensors face tradeoffs between resolution and unambiguous measurement range.
Innovation Solution
A torque measurement system using metamaterial arrays with different pairs of metamaterial tracks that undergo distinct rotational shifts in response to torque, allowing selection or combination for desired resolution and range, measured via electromagnetic waves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If magnetic sensors are used in hybrid and electric vehicles, then speed, position, and angle measurements can be obtained, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to magnetic disturbances from high current wires
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces magnetic field-based sensing with electromagnetic wave-based sensing using metamaterial arrays. Instead of using magnetic sensors that are susceptible to magnetic interference, the system uses electromagnetic waves transmitted through or reflected from metamaterial structures to encode mechanical displacement information, thereby eliminating sensitivity to magnetic disturbances while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces metamaterial arrays as intermediary structures that convert mechanical displacement into electromagnetic wave phase or amplitude modulations. These metamaterial arrays act as mediators between the mechanical system (whose displacement is to be measured) and the electromagnetic wave field, enabling contactless measurement that is immune to magnetic interference from nearby current-carrying wires
2Measurement precision
If a single pair of metamaterial arrays is used, then the measurement system is simple, but both resolution and unambiguous range cannot be simultaneously optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measurement system into multiple independent metamaterial array pairs, each optimized for specific measurement ranges. By segmenting the measurement function across multiple arrays with different geometries and coupling characteristics, the system can select appropriate arrays based on the required resolution and range, or combine their outputs to achieve both high resolution and extended unambiguous measurement range
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the measurement capability by adding multiple metamaterial array pairs that operate in different spatial configurations or electromagnetic frequency ranges. This multi-dimensional approach allows the system to achieve high resolution through one array configuration while maintaining unambiguous range through another, effectively resolving the trade-off by operating in multiple measurement dimensions simultaneously
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
Enhances torque measurement accuracy by mitigating magnetic interference and achieving high resolution with unambiguous range, improving vehicle sensor performance.
Implementation Method 1
metamaterial arrays of the first pair of metamaterial arrays are mutually coupled to each other by a first torque-dependent coupling, thereby forming a first mutually coupled structure; and a second pair of metamaterial arrays arranged at least partially around the rotational axis of the rotational shaft, wherein the second pair of metamaterial arrays are coupled to the rotational shaft and are configured to rotate about the rotational axis, wherein metamaterial arrays of the second pair of metamaterial arrays are mutually coupled to each other by a second torque-dependent coupling
Implementation Method 2
a processor configured to determine the torque based on a change in the coupling effect
Data Source
AI summary
A measurement system includes a first pair and a second pair of metamaterial arrays respectively configured to rotate about a rotational axis. The first pair of metamaterial arrays are mutually coupled to each other by a first torque-dependent coupling, thereby forming a first mutually coupled structure. The second pair of metamaterial arrays are mutually coupled to each other by a second torque-dependent coupling, thereby forming a second mutually coupled structure. In response to a torque applied to the rotational shaft, metamaterial arrays of the first pair of metamaterial arrays are configured to undergo a first rotational shift relative to each other, and metamaterial arrays of the second pair of metamaterial arrays are configured to undergo a second rotational shift relative to each other. A change in the first torque-dependent coupling caused by the torque is different than a change in the second torque-dependent coupling caused by the same torque.