Multi-Terminal Current Sensor with Common Conductor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sensors face challenges in accurately measuring multiple currents in complex power distribution systems, particularly in scenarios where currents split across multiple conductors, requiring a solution that can simultaneously measure and differentiate between multiple current branches without increasing complexity, cost, or power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A current sensor design featuring a conductive element with multiple terminal areas connected to a common conductive area, equipped with at least two magnetic field sensors positioned to maximize magnetic field detection, and an evaluator to compute current values based on sensed magnetic field components, allowing for simultaneous measurement of currents in multiple conductors without the need for digital signal processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple current sensors are used to measure multiple currents in parallel, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple current measurement functions into a single sensor node by integrating multiple magnetic field sensors that detect currents in different conductors simultaneously. The conductive element with multiple terminal areas and common conductive area allows one sensor to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate current sensors, reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor node is designed with universal functionality to measure multiple currents flowing through different conductors simultaneously. The common conductive area serves as a shared reference point for all terminal areas, enabling the single sensor to perform multiple measurement functions that would otherwise require separate dedicated sensors for each current branch.
2Measurement precision
If multiple current sensors are deployed to measure all current branches, then measurement completeness is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple current sensing functions into a single integrated sensor node with multiple magnetic field sensors, the patent reduces the total power consumption compared to deploying separate sensors for each current branch. The shared common conductive area and unified sensor architecture allow multiple currents to be measured simultaneously with lower cumulative power requirements.
3Measurement precision
If separate current sensors are used for each conductor, then measurement accuracy is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple current measurement capabilities into a single sensor node, reducing the total component count and cost. The conductive element with multiple isolated terminal areas connected to a common conductive area allows one sensor unit to measure currents in multiple conductors simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate sensors for each branch.
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 design enables accurate and efficient measurement of multiple currents in complex systems, reducing component count, power consumption, and costs, while enhancing reliability and simplifying data processing, thereby addressing the limitations of existing current sensing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
each of the at least two magnetic field sensors is configured to sense a magnetic field component of the current flowing into the common conductive area
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention provide a current sensor including a conductive element and at least two magnetic field sensors. The conductive element includes at least three terminal areas and a common conductive area, wherein each of the at least three terminal areas is connected to the common conductive area to guide a current applied to the respective terminal area into the common conductive area. The at least two magnetic field sensors are arranged at different geometric positions adjacent to the common conductive area, wherein each of the at least two magnetic field sensors is configured to sense a magnetic field component of each current flowing into the common conductive area to provide a sensor signal based on the sensed magnetic field component.