Path Sensor With Gradient Sections For Extended Measurement Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing displacement sensors have limited range of movement due to the requirement for a clear property value, which restricts their ability to accurately detect position over extended paths.
Innovation Solution
The displacement sensor employs sections with different gradients along the measurement path, allowing for the differentiation of sections based on the slope of property change, enabling unambiguous position determination even when property values repeat, and incorporating a clamping range where the sensor value remains constant.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sensor uses a property that changes from initial value to end value for position detection, then the position can be determined clearly, but the range of movement is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The measured value transmitter is divided into multiple sections along the direction of movement, where each section has a different gradient of property change. This segmentation allows the sensor to distinguish between different sections even when property values repeat, thereby extending the total measurement range while maintaining position determination accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the measured value transmitter are given different local qualities in terms of property change gradients. Each section has a unique gradient characteristic that allows it to be distinguished from others, enabling the sensor to determine position unambiguously across an extended range of movement.
2Length of moving object
If multiple sections with different gradients are used to extend measurement path, then the range of movement is extended, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sections with different gradients are merged into a single continuous measured value transmitter. This integration allows the extended measurement path to be achieved without proportionally increasing device complexity, as all sections work together as one unified sensor structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The measured value transmitter serves multiple functions: it provides position detection across an extended range while each section's unique gradient characteristics enable section identification. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
3Length of moving object
If property values repeat across sections, then the measurement range is extended, but unambiguous position determination becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The gradient parameter of property change is varied across different sections of the measured value transmitter. By changing this parameter, each section produces a unique pattern of property values even when the values themselves repeat, enabling unambiguous position determination through gradient analysis in addition to property value detection.
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 significantly extends the measurement path by allowing multiple sections with varying gradients, ensuring accurate position detection over larger distances and reducing interference from external fields through differential measurement principles.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor units being designed to detect the magnetic field orientation
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A
Figure 2B~2C
AI summary
The invention relates to a path sensor (1) having: a sensing device (2); at least two sensor units (3, 4) assigned to the sensing device (2), wherein the sensing device (2) can be displaced relative to the sensor units (3, 4) and has a property changing at least once from a starting value to an end value along the sensing device (2), which property can be detected by the sensor units (3, 4); and an evaluation unit (6), which is designed to determine the position of the sensing device (2) relative to the sensor units (3, 4) as a function of the property values detected by the sensor units (3, 4). According to the invention the sensing device (2) has at least two sections (I-IV) following on from one another in the direction of movement, along which sections the property changes from at least the starting value to at least the end value, wherein the change has different gradients in the sections (I-IV).