Segmented Inductive Sensor Target for Accurate Angular Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inductive angular-position sensors face challenges in achieving accurate and efficient angular-position sensing due to limitations in target design and magnetic coupling, leading to inefficiencies in rotor position sensing and increased sensor size and weight.
Innovation Solution
The development of targets and sense coils with specific shapes and orientations that enhance magnetic coupling disruption, allowing for more accurate angular-position sensing by modulating sense signals in a sinusoidal pattern, thereby improving sensor accuracy and reducing size and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional target designs are used in inductive angular-position sensors, then the sensors can detect angular position, but the sensor size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The target is segmented into multiple discrete conductive elements (fins or bars) arranged radially around the rotation axis. This segmentation allows the target to interact with multiple sense coils simultaneously, enabling accurate angular position detection through comparative measurements while using smaller, lighter individual components rather than a large continuous structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional planar target designs to three-dimensional radially extending fins or bars. This dimensional change allows the target to effectively interact with sense coils at multiple radial positions, improving measurement accuracy while maintaining a compact overall structure that reduces weight.
2Measurement precision
If traditional target designs are used in inductive angular-position sensors, then the sensors can detect angular position, but the sensor size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The target is segmented into multiple discrete conductive elements (fins or bars) arranged radially around the rotation axis. This segmentation allows the target to interact with multiple sense coils simultaneously, enabling accurate angular position detection through comparative measurements while using smaller, lighter individual components rather than a large continuous structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The sense coils are arranged concentrically around the rotation axis, with multiple coils nested at different radial distances. This nested arrangement allows efficient use of space, enabling multiple measurement channels within a compact volume while maintaining accurate angular position sensing.
3Ease of manufacture
If targets with simple shapes are used, then manufacturing is easier, but magnetic coupling disruption is insufficient for accurate sensing
Solution Approach 1:
The target features fins or bars with specific local geometries optimized for magnetic coupling disruption. Each fin has a cross-sectional shape and size tailored to maximize its interaction with passing magnetic flux, creating strong local effects that improve measurement accuracy while the overall radial arrangement maintains manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes specific parameters of the fins or bars, such as cross-sectional area, radial length, and angular spacing, to maximize magnetic coupling disruption. By carefully selecting these parameters, the design achieves high measurement accuracy while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized geometric features.
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
The proposed targets and sense coils enable more accurate angular-position sensing with reduced size and weight, enhancing sensitivity and allowing for larger air gaps, thus improving the efficiency and performance of inductive angular-position sensors.
Implementation Method 1
The target disrupts magnetic coupling between the excitation coil and the sense coils when the target rotates
Implementation Method 2
If a coil of wire is placed in a changing magnetic field, a voltage will be induced at ends of the coil of wire
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a target for inductive angular-position sensing. The target has a target body including an inner circular ring and multiple fins. The multiple fins are formed with and radially extending from portions of the inner circular ring and equally spaced about a center axis of the inner circular ring. Respective ones of the multiple fins are formed as arc band-shaped rings. The respective ones of the multiple fins formed as the arc band-shaped rings have outer-circumferential portions that together define a discontinuous outer circular ring of the target body.