Single-Track Magnetic Encoding for Position Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing position measurement systems for hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders and rotating members require complex alignment and constrained motion to decode magnetic tracks, limiting their applicability due to the need for separate data and clock tracks.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic encoding technique where a single track includes both data and clock patterns interleaved and colinear, allowing magnetic field sensors to detect clock transitions and absences, enabling position measurement with reduced alignment complexity and unconstrained motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate data track and clock track are used, then position measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and alignment requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the data track and clock track into a single magnetic encoding track. The magnetic encoder includes both data elements and clock elements arranged in a single linear sequence, eliminating the need for separate tracks and their associated alignment requirements. This merging maintains position measurement accuracy while significantly reducing device complexity and sensor alignment constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The single magnetic track serves multiple functions simultaneously: it encodes both position data and clock reference signals. The magnetic sensor array reads both data elements and clock elements from the same track, allowing the system to perform position measurement and timing reference functions using a unified encoding structure rather than separate specialized tracks.
2Measurement precision
If separate data track and clock track are used, then position measurement accuracy is improved, but ease of operation and motion constraints increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging data and clock tracks into a single magnetic encoding track, the system eliminates the need for constrained motion paths required by separate track arrangements. The single track can be read by a linear array of magnetic sensors without requiring precise maintaining of separate track alignments, thereby improving ease of operation and allowing greater motion flexibility.
3Device complexity
If single track with interleaved patterns is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The single magnetic track is segmented into distinct data elements and clock elements arranged in an interleaved sequence. This segmentation allows the magnetic sensor array to differentiate between data readings and clock reference signals, maintaining measurement precision while using a unified track structure. The segmented encoding enables accurate position determination through correlation of data elements with their corresponding clock references.
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 simplifies the alignment and motion constraints of position measurement systems, allowing for accurate position determination of substrates with less complex sensor alignment and broader applicability across different motion types.
Implementation Method 1
Magnetic field sensors are positioned above the magnetic pattern such that, for each clock transition, at least one of the magnetic field sensors detects a magnetically recorded clock transition
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a substrate, a first and a second magnetic field sensor, and a computing device communicatively coupled to the first and second magnetic field sensors. The substrate has a surface encoded with a magnetic pattern sequenced along a direction of movement of the substrate. The magnetic pattern includes a data pattern that indicates a position of the substrate along the direction of movement and a clock pattern interleaved and substantially colinear with the data pattern that indicates a plurality of clock transitions. The computing device is configured to receive, from the first and second magnetic field sensors positioned above the magnetic pattern, a plurality of magnetic field signals detected from the magnetic pattern. The computing device is configured to determine, based on the plurality of magnetic field signals, the position of the substrate and output the position of the substrate.