Patent Application
20200284853
Hall effect sensors, circuits which vary voltage based on a magnetic field, may be used in a variety of circumstances to detect the presence of static or dynamic magnetism. Such Hall effect sensors may be used, for example, to determine the revolutions per minute (RPM) of a wheel (e.g., in a vehicle) having a magnet attached to the wheel. Other uses of a Hall effect sensor may include determining the position and/or proximity of a wholly or partially magnetic object. Hall effect sensors may be preferred over other magnetic sensors, such as reed switches, because Hall effect sensors have particularly long lives and may allow for nuanced measurement of magnetic fields.
Modern Hall effect sensors are quite small and, while powerful, often require that magnetic fields be very close, be particularly oriented, and/or very strong for detection. But in many circumstances, placing a magnetic object closer to the Hall effect sensor may be undesirable at least because it may risk damaging the Hall effect sensor (e.g., if the object is a spinning disk). The orientation of a magnetic field may be difficult to ensure in circumstances where an object may easily move (e.g., such that the magnetic field is prone to rapid change). Also, a magnetic field may be difficult to measure if, for example, the desired object to be measured is a particularly weak permanent magnet. Previous solutions to such problems have been expensive, fragile, and/or reliant on a magnetic environment being controlled.
The following summary presents a simplified summary of certain features. The summary is not an extensive overview and is not intended to identify key or critical elements.
Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described for a Hall effect sensor comprising a Hall effect integrated circuit (IC) and two or more rectangular flux guidance plates. The Hall effect IC may be any conventional Hall effect sensor such as, e.g., the DRV5013 Hall effect sensor sold by Texas Instruments of Dallas, Tex. Above the Hall effect IC, a first rectangular flux guidance plate may extend in a first direction such that the first rectangular flux guidance plate is at least partially on top of the Hall effect IC. Below the Hall effect IC, a second rectangular flux guidance late may extend in a second direction, opposite the first direction, such that the second rectangular flux guidance plate is at least partially below the Hall effect IC. The Hall effect IC, first rectangular flux guidance plate, and second rectangular flux guidance plate may be attached to a printed circuit board, which may comprise wiring such that voltage and current may be applied to the Hall effect IC. The printed circuit board may comprise one or more attachment points for connecting the Hall effect sensor to an object, such as a toy.
These and other features and advantages are described in greater detail below.
Some features are shown by way of example, and not by limitation, in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like numerals reference similar elements.
The accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, show examples of the disclosure. It is to be understood that the examples shown in the drawings and/or discussed herein are non-exclusive and that there are other examples of how the disclosure may be practiced.
The Hall effect IC 101 may be configured to measure magnetism along one or more axes. For example, the Hall effect IC 101 may be one-axis, two-axis, or three-axis, meaning that it may detect magnetism along a single or a plurality of axes. If the Hall effect IC 101 is configured to detect magnetism along a plurality of axes, it may be biased to detect magnetism more strongly along a first axis as compared to a second and/or third axis. The first arm 102a and/or the second arm 102b may be aligned along one or more of these axes.
The circuit board 103 may be any element configured to hold the Hall effect IC 101, the first aim 102a, and/or the second arm 102b. The circuit board 103 may comprise a non-conductive substrate and/or a conductive substrate. For example, one or more first portions the circuit board 103 may comprise a non-conductive but sturdy substance, whereas one or more second portions of the printed circuit board may be conductive and may couple the Hall effect IC 101 to a power source.
The first arm 102a and the second arm 102b may be magnetic guidance plates on opposite sides of the circuit board 103 which act as flux concentrators with respect to the Hall effect IC. The first arm 102a and the second arm 102b may be metal, made of a metallic substance, and/or may have properties which direct magnetism towards the Hall effect IC 101. The first arm 102a and/or the second arm 102b may be configured to react to the presence of magnetism that need not be present at the Hall effect IC 101. For example, the presence of magnetism at the first arm 102a may cause magnetism in the first arm 102a itself, which may cause corresponding magnetism at the Hall effect IC 101. The first arm 102a and/or the second arm 102b may thereby extend the magnetic sensitivity of the Hall effect IC 101 in two directions (e.g., a first direction and a second direction, wherein the second direction is opposite the second direction) while simultaneously limiting the sensitivity of the Hall effect IC 101 in other directions. Additional rectangular magnetic guidance plates (not shown) may be implemented to add sensitivity of the Hall effect IC 101 to other axes.
The first arm 102a may have a curvature 106a, and the second arm 102b may have a curvature 106b, such that the arms may be curve towards and contact the circuit board 103. The first arm 102a and/or the second arm 102b may otherwise be substantially rectangular. This contact occurs near the ends of the circuit board 103 such that the first arm 102a and the second arm 102b need not physically contact the Hall effect IC 101. Connection of the first arm 102a and/or the second arm 102b may be made by, e.g., inserting the first arm 102a and/or the second arm 102b into a slot of the circuit board 103 and/or gluing the first arm 102a and/or the second arm 102b in place. The first arm 102a and the second arm 102b may both have a length L extending in different directions away from the Hall effect IC 101, and both may cover the top and/or bottom of the Hall effect IC in the overlap region 105. For example, as shown in
The first arm 102a and/or the second arm 102b may be configured with respect to an axis. The Hall effect IC 101 may be particularly sensitive in a particular axis (e.g., to the left and right of
The first arm 102a and/or the second arm 102b may be configured to attach above and/or below the Hall effect IC 101. The first arm 102a and/or the second arm 102b may be curved or otherwise shaped to attach to the circuit board 103 using tabs and/or other fasteners. For example, the first arm 102a and/or the second arm 102b shown in
Use of two or more magnetic guidance plates, such as the first arm 102a and the second arm 102b, may advantageously avoid shielding effects present with larger and/or longer metal or metallic flux guides. For example, removing the second arm 102b and lengthening the first arm 102a to the entire length of the circuit board 103 may undesirably cause the first arm 102a to act as a shield for magnetism, thereby potentially preventing magnetism from reaching the Hall effect IC. As such, the first arm 102a and the second arm 102b need not exhibit the same or similar responses to magnetism imposed on and/or near the Hall effect sensor apparatus 100.
The circuit board 103 shown in
The leads 203 may be configured to carry power to the Hall effect IC, and/or may be configured to transmit voltage corresponding to the Hall effect. The leads 203 may comprise wire, such as copper wire. The leads 203 may be configured such that the overall resistivity of the leads 203 is minimized.
Although examples are described above, features and/or steps of those examples may be combined, divided, omitted, rearranged, revised, and/or augmented in any desired manner. Various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to be part of this description, though not expressly stated herein, and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the foregoing description is by way of example only, and is not limiting.
