Steering System Rotation Sensor Magnetic Interference Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional rotary sensors in motor vehicle steering systems face challenges in ensuring high reliability and accuracy under specific operating conditions, particularly due to external magnetic interference fields.

Innovation Solution

The proposed steering system incorporates an anti-twist device with ferromagnetic material on the steering shafts and flux guides with specific area ratios between collecting and compensator sections, which helps in deflecting and compensating external magnetic interference fluxes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional rotary sensors are used in steering systems, then the basic rotation detection function is provided, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates due to external magnetic interference fields

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotation detection accuracyVSAvoidexternal magnetic interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces flux conductors as intermediary components that guide and filter magnetic flux from the sensor element to the stator elements. These flux conductors act as mediators that selectively transmit the measuring flux while blocking external magnetic interference fields, thereby protecting the measurement system from harmful external magnetic factors without requiring direct shielding of the sensor element itself

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful external magnetic interference flux into a useful compensation signal. By allowing the interference flux to couple into the compensator section of the flux conductor, the system measures and compensates for the interference effect, transforming the harmful external field into a correctable parameter that improves measurement accuracy through active compensation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Reliability

If flux conductors with compensator sections are added to counteract interference, then measurement robustness improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement robustnessVSAvoidsensor structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the interference compensation function into the existing flux conductor structure by adding compensator sections to the flux conductors that are already present in the sensor assembly. Instead of introducing separate compensation devices, the compensator sections are integrated into the flux conductors, combining the flux guidance and interference compensation functions into a single unified structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The flux conductors are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: guiding the magnetic flux from the sensor element to the stator elements, filtering out external magnetic interference, and providing compensation for remaining interference effects. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity

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

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 configuration significantly improves the accuracy and robustness of steering input detection, enhancing the operational reliability of the motor vehicle steering system by effectively mitigating the impact of external magnetic interference.

Implementation Method 1

The magnetic element is designed such that it couples a magnetic flux into the stator elements that depends on the relative angular orientation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic flux coupling: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

The sensor element, for example, comprises a Hall or magnetoresistive (GMR) sensor element, in which the magnetic flux introduced via the flux conductors is converted into an electrical signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic to electrical conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

an anti-twist device arranged on the upper steering shaft is engaged with an anti-twist device arranged on the lower steering shaft to limit twisting of the torsion bar in itself, wherein the anti-twist device comprises a ferromagnetic material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFerromagnetic flux deflection: Ferromagnetism

Data Source

PatentEP4163599B1Steering system for a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.06.04 THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG
  • EP4163599B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4163599B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4163599B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a steering system (1) for a motor vehicle with a rotation sensor (4), comprising a magnetic element (41) attached to a steering shaft (10) rotatable with it about an axis (L) and two stator elements (42a,b) arranged coaxially relative to the steering shaft (10) and spaced axially apart from each other, which are operatively connected to at least one sensor element (6) via two flux conductors (5a,b), wherein each flux conductor (5a,b) has a collecting section (51a,b), a connecting section (53a,b) and a compensator section (52a,b), wherein the collecting section (51a,b) is connected to a stator element (42a,b) and is connected to the compensator section (52a,b) via a connecting section (53a,b), and wherein the sensor element (6) is arranged between the two flux conductors (5a,b).To enable improved and more robust detection of steering inputs, the invention proposes that the compensator section (52a,b) has a compensator area that is less than or equal to a collecting area of ​​the collecting section (51a,b).