Multiple Current Sensor Device with Common Connecting Section
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multiple current sensor and shunt devices face challenges in achieving a balance between compact integration, efficient implementation, and accurate current determination, particularly in applications like brushless DC motors, where multiple currents need to be measured with high accuracy while minimizing space and cost.
Innovation Solution
A multiple current sensor device with two resistive sections and a common connecting section, where the resistive sections have a higher electrical resistivity with lower temperature variation, integrated with an evaluation circuit to determine voltage drops and provide accurate current values, reducing the number of electrical connections and signal lines on a printed circuit board.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple separate current sensor devices are used to measure multiple currents, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and area increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple current measurement functions into a single sensor device by integrating multiple resistive sections (first resistive section, second resistive section) and their associated evaluation circuits into one unified structure. This allows multiple currents to be measured simultaneously through a single device rather than requiring separate sensor devices for each current, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining measurement precision for each individual current.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor device is designed with multi-functionality to handle multiple current measurement tasks. The evaluation circuit can process voltage drops across different resistive sections (first voltage drop, second voltage drop) to determine multiple current values (first current value, second current value) independently, making the single device universal for measuring multiple currents in different circuit paths.
2Measurement precision
If multiple separate current sensor devices are used, then measurement precision is improved, but the area on the printed circuit board increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple measurement functions into one sensor device, the physical footprint on the printed circuit board is significantly reduced. Instead of allocating separate areas for multiple independent sensor devices, the unified structure occupies a single, compact area while still providing multiple measurement capabilities through its internal resistive sections and evaluation circuit.
3Area of stationary object
If a compact implementation is used to reduce space, then area is reduced, but manufacturing precision and accuracy may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by giving each resistive section its own dedicated evaluation circuit path within the compact device. The first evaluation circuit processes the first voltage drop across the first resistive section, while the second evaluation circuit processes the second voltage drop across the second resistive section. This localized processing ensures that each current measurement maintains its own precision without being compromised by the compact integration, as each measurement path is independently optimized.
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 configuration allows for accurate determination of multiple currents with reduced size and complexity, improving the trade-off between integration efficiency, compactness, and accuracy over a wider temperature range.
Implementation Method 1
Determining one or multiple currents may, for instance, be based on measuring at least one voltage drop of the multiple currents across a resistance. Based on the determined voltage drop at least one current value may then be determined, for instance, based on Ohm's law.
Implementation Method 2
at least one of the at least two resistive sections comprises a material with a smaller variation of the electrical resistivity with temperature and a higher electrical resistivity than a material of at least one of the at least two connecting sections and the common connecting section
Data Source
AI summary
A multiple current sensor device or a multiple current shunt device includes at least two resistive sections comprising a first resistive section and a second resistive section, at least two connecting sections comprising a first connecting section and a second connecting section and a common connecting section. The first resistive section is electrically coupled in between the first connecting section and the common connecting section. The second resistive section is electrically coupled in between the second connecting section and the common connecting section. Using an embodiment may improve a trade-off between an efficient integration, a compact integration, a compact implementation and an accurate determination of at least one value indicative of at least one of multiple currents.