Rotational Angle Measuring System with Modular Multiturn Sensor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rotation angle measuring systems face challenges in adapting to different shaft geometries, requiring precise alignment of sensor magnets and sensors for reliable detection of rotational movements.

Innovation Solution

A modular multiturn sensor unit with a separate sensor unit board housing Wiegand and Hall sensors, arranged on opposite axial sides to detect magnetic fields effectively, allowing for easy adaptation to various shaft geometries and precise rotation detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the sensor magnet and sensors are precisely aligned for a specific shaft geometry, then the detection reliability is improved, but the adaptability to different shaft geometries deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoidadaptability to different shaft geometries
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor system is divided into separate functional modules: a rotor unit with sensor magnets and a stator unit with Wiegand sensors and Hall sensors. This segmentation allows each module to be independently positioned and oriented to accommodate different shaft geometries while maintaining reliable magnetic field detection between the modules

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor system is designed with universal mounting capabilities that allow it to adapt to various shaft geometries. The stator unit can be positioned at different axial distances and angular orientations relative to the rotor unit, enabling the same sensor system to reliably detect rotational movements across different shaft configurations without requiring redesign

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If the Hall sensor is positioned close to the rotor unit for better magnetic field detection, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic field detection precisionVSAvoidsensor positioning complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor system utilizes the axial dimension (distance from the shaft) in addition to radial positioning. The Hall sensor is positioned on the axial side of the sensor unit circuit board facing the rotor unit, allowing it to detect the magnetic field at an optimized axial distance. This dimensional approach enables precise magnetic field detection while maintaining a compact overall structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Enables reliable and precise detection of rotational movements across different shaft geometries, with the Wiegand and Hall sensors positioned to maximize magnetic field detection, facilitating easy direction determination and cost-effective implementation.

Implementation Method 1

a Hall sensor... so that the sensor magnetic field can be reliably detected by the Hall sensor. The sensor magnetic field thus has a large axial magnetic field component at the position of the Hall sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHall effect: Hall Effect

Implementation Method 2

The Wiegand sensor... The sensor magnetic field thus exhibits a large transverse magnetic field component at the position of the Wiegand sensor, allowing the sensor's magnetic field to be reliably detected by the Wiegand wire of the Wiegand sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWiegand effect: Wiegand Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3824250B1Rotational angle measuring system
Publication Date: 2024.08.28 FRABA
  • EP3824250B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3824250B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3824250B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a rotational angle measuring system (10) for detecting a rotary movement of a shaft (12), comprising a rotor unit (18) which is connected to the shaft (12) for conjoint rotation, radially surrounds the shaft (12) and has at least one sensor (24), a stationary stator unit (20), and a multiturn sensor unit (30) which is arranged radially spaced apart from the shaft (12) on the stator unit (20) and interacts functionally with the sensor magnet (24) in order to detect rotations of the shaft, also comprising a Wiegand effect sensor (34), at least one Hall effect sensor (40) and an evaluation unit (38) which is electrically connected to the Wiegand effect sensor (34) and the Hall effect sensor (40), the multiturn sensor unit (30) having a separate sensor unit circuit board (32) which is fastened to the stator unit (20) and on which the Wiegand effect sensor (34), the at least one Hall effect sensor (40) and the evaluation unit (38) are arranged.