Spiral Magnet Array for Consistent Air Gap in Angle Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for determining the precise absolute angle position of movable members within a defined range, such as aircraft flaps, face technical challenges in accurately sensing the angle position along a curved path, particularly in maintaining a consistent air gap and generating reliable periodic position signals.
Innovation Solution
An angle position sensor system comprising an arc magnet array with tilted magnetized pole layers arranged in a spiral pattern and a magnetic field sensor that generates periodic position signals based on the movement relative to the arc magnet array, allowing for the determination of the angle position of a movable member along a defined path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a magnetic field sensor is used to detect angle position of a movable member along a curved path, then the angle position can be determined, but maintaining a consistent air gap between the sensor and the magnet array becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by arranging the magnetized pole layers in a spiral pattern along an arc path rather than a straight line. This curved configuration allows the magnetic field sensor to maintain a more consistent air gap as the movable member travels along the curved path, improving measurement precision while reducing the operational difficulty of maintaining gap consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional linear magnet array to a two-dimensional spiral arrangement of magnetized pole layers. This dimensional change enables the creation of multiple periodic position signals (N periods per arc cycle) and allows the sensor to accurately track angle position along the curved path while maintaining a consistent air gap through the spiral geometry.
2Measurement precision
If a spiral pattern of magnetized pole layers is used to generate periodic position signals, then multiple periods per arc cycle can be achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the magnetic field into multiple periodic components by creating N magnetized pole layers arranged in a spiral pattern. Each pole layer contributes to generating periodic position signals, allowing the system to achieve high measurement precision through multiple periods per arc cycle while distributing the structural complexity across multiple segmented pole layers rather than a single complex component.
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 system effectively determines the absolute angle position of movable members by maintaining a consistent air gap and generating accurate periodic signals, enabling precise control of aircraft flaps and other applications with improved sensing accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic field sensor disposed proximate to the arc magnet array, wherein: the arc magnet array is movable relative to the magnetic field sensor
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments are directed to an angle position sensor system for detecting angle position of a movable member along a defined path comprising: an arc magnet array defining an arc path and configured to be coupled to the movable member. The arc magnet array comprising at least two magnetized pole layers arranged in a spiral pattern and having a tilt angle. A magnetic field sensor disposed proximate to the arc magnet array and movable relative to the magnetic field sensor. The magnetic field sensor configured to generate one or more periodic position signals having N number of periods per arc cycle along the arc path. The magnetic field sensor configured to transmit the one or more periodic position signals to a controller associated with the movable member. The angle position of the movable member is determined based at least in part on the one or more periodic position signals.