Virtual Hall Effect Sensor for Magnetic Field Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for detecting magnetic sources using Hall effect sensors are unreliable, particularly due to orientation-dependent detection issues and bulk constraints that prevent sensors from being placed in all desired locations, making it difficult to detect undesirable magnetic fields near devices like smart electricity meters.
Innovation Solution
A method and equipment that utilize a linear combination of magnetic field measurements from multiple Hall effect sensors to detect the presence of a magnetic source, even when individual sensors cannot, by defining thresholds and weighting coefficients to generate a virtual sensor, allowing for the detection of magnetic fields with intensities greater than a predefined threshold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple Hall effect sensors are used to detect magnetic sources, then the detection coverage is improved, but the reliability of detection is worsened due to orientation-dependent issues and bulk constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines measurements from multiple Hall effect sensors through a linear combination operation to create a virtual sensor output. This merging approach integrates the detection capabilities of individual sensors while compensating for their individual limitations, particularly orientation-dependent detection issues. The combined measurement provides more reliable detection coverage than any single sensor could achieve alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual Hall effect sensor created through linear combination serves multiple detection functions simultaneously. It can detect magnetic sources regardless of the specific orientation relative to individual sensors, effectively making the detection system universal across different magnetic field orientations and sensor placements.
2Device complexity
If Hall effect sensors are placed in limited locations due to bulk constraints, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The linear combination operation acts as an intermediary that processes measurements from available sensors to reconstruct what would be equivalent to having sensors in optimal locations. This mathematical intermediary compensates for the physical limitations of sensor placement, maintaining measurement precision without requiring complex physical sensor arrangements.
3Ease of operation
If individual Hall effect sensors use fixed thresholds for detection, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability is worsened when magnetic field orientation varies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the detection parameter from individual sensor readings to a linear combination of multiple sensor readings. This parameter change allows the system to maintain simple fixed thresholds for operation while simultaneously adapting to various magnetic field orientations, as the combined measurement inherently accounts for directional variations.
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 enhances the detection capability of magnetic sources, enabling the detection of disturbances that individual sensors might miss, thereby improving the reliability of monitoring systems and preventing fraud by generating alarms when a combined magnetic field intensity exceeds a predefined threshold.
Implementation Method 1
A winding makes it possible to generate a current in the presence of a magnetic field, thus making it possible to detect the presence of a magnetic field
Data Source
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AI summary
Each Hall effect sensor among a plurality of such sensors is adapted to detect the presence of a magnetic source generating a magnetic field of intensity greater than a first predefined threshold Tsrc, when said Hall effect sensor measures a magnetic field intensity greater in absolute value than a second respective predefined threshold Si. A monitoring equipment: obtains (301) magnetic field measurements made respectively by said Hall effect sensors; and detects (304), when a value H of linear combination of said measurements obtained in absolute value is greater than a third predefined threshold Stot, the presence of a magnetic source generating a magnetic field of intensity greater than said first predefined threshold Tsrc, while the magnetic field measured by each Hall effect sensor is of intensity less than or equal in absolute value to said second respective predefined threshold Si.