Position Sensing Apparatus Phase Alignment Resonant Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inductive position sensors face challenges in accurately determining the relative rotary position between two members due to limitations in signal processing and phase alignment when using integrated circuits designed for conductive materials or tracks, especially when an intermediate coupling element is a resonant circuit.
Innovation Solution
The position sensing apparatus employs an integrated circuit with excitation signal generation and detection signal processing circuitry, along with phase-shift circuitry, to generate and process alternating signals at a resonant frequency, ensuring the excitation and detection signals are in phase or anti-phase, utilizing a resonant circuit as the intermediate coupling element to enhance signal strength and filtering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If integrated circuits designed for conductive materials or tracks are used, then cost is reduced and commercial viability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates when the intermediate coupling element is a resonant circuit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters by tuning the resonant frequency of the parallel-resonant circuit to match the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit on the second member. This frequency matching enables the existing integrated circuit to accurately detect position when a resonant circuit is used as the intermediate coupling element, resolving the precision issue while maintaining cost benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback through phase-shift circuitry that introduces a phase shift to align the excitation signal and detection signal in phase or anti-phase. This feedback mechanism compensates for the phase differences introduced by the resonant circuit, enabling accurate position measurement while using cost-effective integrated circuits.
2Device complexity
If the excitation signal and detection signal are not aligned in phase, then the circuit design is simpler, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inaccurate position detection
Solution Approach 1:
The phase-shift circuitry provides feedback by continuously adjusting the phase of the excitation signal to match the phase of the detection signal. This ensures optimal signal alignment for accurate position detection while maintaining relatively simple circuit design through the use of standard phase-shift components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the phase relationship dynamic by using phase-shift circuitry that can adjust the phase of the excitation signal in real-time to match the detection signal phase. This dynamic phase alignment enables accurate position detection across different operating conditions without requiring complex fixed-phase circuit designs.
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 improves signal strength and filtering, enabling accurate detection of the relative position between members by matching the resonant frequency of the parallel-resonant circuit with the resonant circuit on the second member, effectively addressing the limitations of existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic field generated by alternating current flowing through the transmit aerial induces an electromotive force in the receive aerial
Implementation Method 2
An integrated circuit comprising excitation signal generation and detection signal processing circuitry is arranged to generate an alternating excitation signal at a resonant frequency of the resonant circuit
Data Source
AI summary
Position sensing apparatus is provided. In one example implementation, the position sensing apparatus comprises a first member having an excitation conductive winding and a detection conductive winding formed thereon, and a second member having a resonant circuit formed thereon. An integrated circuit comprising excitation signal generation and detection signal processing circuitry is arranged to generate an alternating excitation signal at a resonant frequency of the resonant circuit and to process an alternating detection signal induced in the detection conductive winding as a result of a magnetic field generated by the alternating excitation signal flowing through the excitation conductive winding, and the excitation conductive winding and the detection conductive winding are arranged so that the detection signal varies in dependence on the relative position of the first and second member. Phase-shift circuitry is arranged to introduce a phase shift to one of the excitation signal and the detection signal such that the excitation signal output by the integrated circuit and the detection signal input to the detection circuit are in phase or in anti-phase with each other.