Kinematic-state encoder with magnetic sensor and target object having a plurality of interlocking segments

• US 9,217,751 B2
• Filed: 02/02/2010
• Issued: 12/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ABet SKF
• Original Assignee: ABet SKF
• Inventors: Mol, Hendrik Anne
• Primary Examiner(s): PATIDAR, JAY M
• Application Number:
  US13/575,631
• Publication Number:
  US 20130307530A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,149 Days
• Field of Search: 3242072-20725
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/145 influenced by the relative movement between the Hall device and magnetic fields see G01R33/06
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/147 influenced by the movement of a third element, the position of Hall device and the source of magnetic field being fixed in respect to each other
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/2013 by a movable ferromagnetic element, e.g. a core G01D5/2033 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/245 using a variable number of pulses in a train
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 3/487 delivered by rotating magnets

Abstract

An apparatus (1000) comprises a first physical component (1004), a second physical component (1006) and a sensor arrangement. The first and second physical components move relative to one another in operational use of the apparatus. The sensor arrangement senses a relative kinematic state of the first and second physical components. The sensor arrangement comprises a magnet (110) and a sensor (112). The sensor senses a property of a magnetic field of the magnet at a location of the sensor. The sensor is mounted stationary with respect to the first physical component. The sensor arrangement comprises a target object (114), mounted stationary with respect to the second physical component. The target object is configured for affecting an attribute of the property in dependence on the relative kinematic state. According to the invention target object (114) comprises a plurality of interlocking, segments.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a first physical component;

a second physical component; and

a sensor arrangement, wherein;

the first physical component and the second physical component are configured for moving relative to one another in operational use of the apparatus,

the sensor arrangement is configured for sensing a relative kinematic state of the first physical component and the second physical component,

the sensor arrangement comprises a magnet and a sensor,

the sensor is operative to sense a property of a magnetic field of the magnet at a location of the sensor,

the sensor is mounted stationary with respect to the first physical component,

the sensor arrangement comprises a target object that is mounted stationary with respect to the second physical component,

the target object is configured for affecting an attribute of the property in dependence on the relative kinematic state,

the target object comprises a plurality of interlocking segments,

the plurality of interlocking segments comprises a first segment and a second segment,

the first segment has a first interface and the second segment has a second interface,

the first interface and the second interface are configured for interlocking the first segment and the second segment,

a first shape of the first interface and a second shape of the second interface are formed spatially complementarily,

the first shape of the first interface extends in a first direction of the relative movement of the first physical component and the second physical component and has a first profile that varies in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction, and

the second shape of the second interface extends in the first direction and has a second profile that varies in the second direction.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the first profile and the second profile varies linearly with distance in the second direction.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the magnet is mounted stationary with respect to the sensor,

each respective one of the plurality of interlocking segments comprises respective guiding means for guiding a flux of the magnetic field, and

the guiding means is operative to affect the attribute in dependence on the relative kinematic state.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein,

the respective guiding means is formed as a respective top surface of the respective segment facing the first physical component, and

the respective top surface has a respective profile that varies over the respective segment along a direction of the moving of the first physical component and the second physical component relative to one another.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein:

the respective profile has a respective first track and a respective second track running parallel to each other in the direction of the moving of the first physical component and the second physical component relative to one another,

the first track comprises a first sequence of first elevations and first recesses that are alternating in the direction of the moving of the first physical component and the second physical component relative to one another, and

the second track comprises a second sequence of second elevations and second recesses that are alternating in the direction of the moving of the first physical component and the second physical component relative to one another.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

each respective one of the plurality of interlocking segments comprises a respective top surface facing the first physical object,

the magnet comprises a layer with magnetic particles,

the layer is accommodated on the respective top surface, and

the layer is configured to create the magnetic field that varies along the respective segment in the direction of the moving of the first physical component and the second physical component relative to one another.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the first physical component comprises an outer ring of a rolling element bearing,

the second physical component comprises an inner ring of the rolling element bearing,

the rolling element bearing comprises a plurality of rolling elements accommodated between the inner ring and the outer ring, and

the target object is shaped as a further ring that is mounted to the rolling element bearing and coaxially with one of the inner ring and the outer ring.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of interlocking segments have uniform shape.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of interlocking segments comprises segments having different material characteristics.