Magnetic field concentrator array for rotary position sensors
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A magnetic rotary position sensor comprising:
- a ring magnet for producing a generally uniform magnetic field over a sensor region;
a mounting base having a center of relative rotation between the base and the magnetic field;
a plurality of generally triangular shaped concentrators generally uniformly spaced about the center of relative rotation within the predetermined area, with each of the concentrators spaced from adjacent concentrators to form gaps, and with the concentrators made of a magnetizable material;
a plurality of magnetic field sensors mounted to the base and extending radially outward from the center of relative rotation, with each of the magnetic field sensors located in a different one of the gaps; and
means for communicating signals through each of the magnetic field sensors.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A magnetic rotary position sensor including a base (20) upon which a plurality of radially extending magnetic sensing elements (22) are mounted. Interleaved with the sensing elements (22) are a plurality of uniformly spaced magnetic concentrators (30). The sensor assembly (18) is placed in a uniform magnetic field created, for example, by opposite polarity magnets (32, 34) mounted on opposite sides of the sensor assembly, and rotatable relative to it. The relative rotary position of the sensor assembly to the magnetic field is determined by comparing the relative values of the sensor elements (22) in the array to each other.
33 Citations
16 Claims
-
1. A magnetic rotary position sensor comprising:
-
a ring magnet for producing a generally uniform magnetic field over a sensor region;
a mounting base having a center of relative rotation between the base and the magnetic field;
a plurality of generally triangular shaped concentrators generally uniformly spaced about the center of relative rotation within the predetermined area, with each of the concentrators spaced from adjacent concentrators to form gaps, and with the concentrators made of a magnetizable material;
a plurality of magnetic field sensors mounted to the base and extending radially outward from the center of relative rotation, with each of the magnetic field sensors located in a different one of the gaps; and
means for communicating signals through each of the magnetic field sensors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A magnetic rotary position sensor comprising:
-
a ring magnet for producing a generally uniform magnetic field over a sensor region;
a mounting base having a center of relative rotation between the base and the magnetic field;
a plurality of generally triangular shaped concentrators generally uniformly spaced about the center of relative rotation within the predetermined area, with each of the concentrators spaced from adjacent concentrators to form gaps, and with the concentrators made of a magnetizable material;
a plurality of giant magnetoresistive sensors mounted to the base and extending radially outward from the center of relative rotation, with each of the giant magnetoresistive sensors located in a different one of the gaps; and
means for communicating signals through each of the giant magnetoresistive sensors. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A magnetic rotary position sensor comprising:
-
a ring magnet for producing a generally uniform magnetic field over a sensor region;
a mounting base having a center of relative rotation between the base and the magnetic field;
a plurality of generally triangular shaped concentrators generally uniformly spaced about the center of relative rotation within the predetermined area, with each of the concentrators spaced from adjacent concentrators to form gaps, and with the concentrators made of a magnetizable material;
a plurality of Hall effect sensors mounted to the base and extending radially outward from the center of relative rotation, with each of the Hall effect sensors located in a different one of the gaps; and
means for communicating signals through each of the Hall effect sensors.
-
Specification