MAGNET POSITION LOCATOR
First Claim
1. A magnet position locator, comprising:
- a first magnetic field sensor positioned at a first point, said first magnetic field sensor comprising a first pair of directionally disposed magnetic field sensing devices, wherein said first pair of directionally disposed magnetic field sensing devices is adapted to sense a magnetic field strength along two differing orientations, wherein said first point is a common mounting point of said first pair of directionally disposed magnetic field sensing devices;
a second magnetic field sensor positioned at a second point, said second magnetic field sensor comprising a second pair of directionally disposed magnetic field sensing devices, wherein said second pair of directionally disposed magnetic field sensing devices is adapted to sense a magnetic field strength along two differing orientations wherein said second point is a common mounting point of said second pair of directionally disposed magnetic field sensing devices; and
a mounting axis defined by a line passing through said first and second points, wherein said first and second magnetic field sensors are spaced a distance apart on said mounting axis.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
In one illustrative embodiment, the present subject matter is directed to a device adapted to determine the position of a target magnet, wherein the device includes a pair of orthogonal magnetic field sensors laterally disposed along an axis that is substantially transverse to an axis defined by one that is nominally parallel to the direction of the target magnet. In another illustrative embodiment, the subject matter is adapted for use on an automated guided vehicle (AGV), whereby detection of the target magnet'"'"'s location facilitates correction of the vehicle'"'"'s heading and position while traversing an AGV system. The present subject matter is also directed to a method whereby the position of a target magnet may be determined by triangulation, utilizing trigonometric calculations based upon the strength and direction of the magnet field to determine the magnet'"'"'s position relative to the magnetic field sensors.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A magnet position locator, comprising:
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a first magnetic field sensor positioned at a first point, said first magnetic field sensor comprising a first pair of directionally disposed magnetic field sensing devices, wherein said first pair of directionally disposed magnetic field sensing devices is adapted to sense a magnetic field strength along two differing orientations, wherein said first point is a common mounting point of said first pair of directionally disposed magnetic field sensing devices; a second magnetic field sensor positioned at a second point, said second magnetic field sensor comprising a second pair of directionally disposed magnetic field sensing devices, wherein said second pair of directionally disposed magnetic field sensing devices is adapted to sense a magnetic field strength along two differing orientations wherein said second point is a common mounting point of said second pair of directionally disposed magnetic field sensing devices; and a mounting axis defined by a line passing through said first and second points, wherein said first and second magnetic field sensors are spaced a distance apart on said mounting axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A magnet position locator, comprising:
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at least three spaced apart magnetic field sensors, wherein said at least three spaced apart magnetic field sensors are directionally disposed to sense a magnetic field strength signal along an axis and adapted to obtain a magnetic field strength signal of a magnet, said magnet having a center on a first axis wherein a projection of said first axis is oriented substantially transverse to a mounting axis defined by a line passing through at least two of said at least three spaced apart magnetic field sensors; and a means for computing a position of said magnet from said magnetic field strength signals obtained by said at least three magnetic field sensors.
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11. An automated guided vehicle steering correction system, comprising:
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at least one mobile apparatus adapted to travel in a direction, said mobile apparatus comprising a body, said body supported by a plurality of wheels, and said plurality of wheels adapted for moving said body over a surface; a pair of spaced apart magnetic field sensors, said pair of magnetic field sensors mounted on said body of said mobile apparatus on a mounting axis that is oriented substantially transverse to said direction of travel, wherein each of said pair of magnetic field sensors comprises a pair of directionally disposed magnetic field sensing devices, and wherein each of said pairs of directionally disposed magnetic field sensing devices is adapted to sense a magnetic field strength along two differing orientations; a pathway for said at least one mobile apparatus; and at least one magnet disposed along said pathway. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for determining the position of a magnet, comprising:
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disposing a pair of magnetic field sensors on a mounting axis and separating said pair of magnetic field sensors by a distance, wherein each of said pair of magnetic field sensors is adapted to sense a magnetic field strength of a magnet along two differing sensing orientations, said magnet having a center on a first axis wherein a projection of said first axis intersects said mounting axis at a point between said pair of magnetic field sensors; sensing a magnetic field strength signal of said magnet using said pair of magnetic field sensors; and computing a position of said magnet from said magnetic field strength signals by determining an angular relation between each of said magnetic field sensors and said magnet. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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Specification