Position sensor

Abstract

A position sensor device determines a position of a reciprocating object and includes, (a) at least one magnetically encoded region fixed on a reciprocating object, (b) at least one magnetic field detector, and (c) a position determining unit. The magnetic field detector is adapted to detect a signal generated by the magnetically encoded region when the magnetically encoded region reciprocating with the reciprocating object passes a surrounding area of the magnetically encoded region. The position determining unit is adapted to determine a position of a reciprocating object based on the detected magnetic signal.

1 . A position sensor device for determining a position of a reciprocating object, comprising:
 at least one magnetically encoded region fixed on a reciprocating object;   at least one magnetic field detector;   a position determining unit;   wherein the magnetic field detector is adapted to detect a signal generated by the magnetically encoded region when the magnetically encoded region reciprocating with the reciprocating object passes a surrounding area of the magnetic field detector;   wherein the position determining unit is adapted to determine a position of a reciprocating object based on the detected magnetic signal.   
     
     
         2 . The position sensor device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the at least one magnetically encoded region is a permanent magnetic region.   
     
     
         3 . The position sensor device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the at least one magnetically encoded region is a longitudinally magnetized region of the reciprocating object.   
     
     
         4 . The position sensor device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the at least one magnetically encoded region is a circumferentially magnetized region of the reciprocating object.   
     
     
         5 . The position sensor device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the at least one magnetically encoded region is formed by a first magnetic flow region oriented in a first direction and by a second magnetic flow region oriented in a second direction, and wherein the first direction is opposite to the second direction.   
     
     
         6 . The position sensor device according to  claim 5 ,
 wherein, in a cross-sectional view of the reciprocating object, there is a first circular magnetic flow having the first direction and a first radius and a second circular magnetic flow having the second direction and a second radius, and wherein the first radius is larger than the second radius.   
     
     
         7 . The position sensor device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the at least one magnetically encoded region is manufactured in accordance with the following manufacturing steps:
 applying a first current pulse to a magnetizable element; 
 wherein the first current pulse is applied such that there is a first current flow in a first direction along a longitudinal axis of the magnetizable element; 
 wherein the first current pulse is such that the application of the current pulse generates a magnetically encoded region in the magnetizable element. 
   
     
     
         8 . The position sensor device according to  claim 7 ,
 wherein a second current pulse is applied to the magnetizable element;   wherein the second current pulse is applied such that there is a second current flow in a second direction along the longitudinal axis of the magnetizable element.   
     
     
         9 . The position sensor device according to  claim 8 ,
 wherein each of the first and second current pulses has a raising edge and a falling edge;   wherein the raising edge is steeper than the falling edge.   
     
     
         10 . The position sensor device according to  claim 8 ,
 wherein the first direction is opposite to the second direction.   
     
     
         11 . The position sensor device according to  claim 7 ,
 wherein the magnetizable element has a circumferential surface surrounding a core region of the magnetizable element;   wherein the first current pulse is introduced into the magnetizable element at a first location at the circumferential surface such that there is the first current flow in the first direction in the core region of the magnetizable element;   wherein the first current pulse is discharged from the magnetizable element at a second location at the circumferential surface; and   wherein the second location is at a distance in the first direction from the first location.   
     
     
         12 . The position sensor device according to  claim 8 ,
 wherein the second current pulse is introduced into the magnetizable element at the second location at the circumferential surface such that there is the second current flow in the second direction in the core region of the magnetizable element; and   wherein the second current pulse is discharged from the magnetizable element at the first location at the circumferential surface.   
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The position sensor device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the at least one magnetically encoded region is a magnetic element attached to the surface of the reciprocating object.   
     
     
         15 . The position sensor device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the at least one magnetic field detector comprises at least one of the group consisting of
 a coil having a coil axis oriented essentially parallel to a reciprocating direction of the reciprocating object; 
 a coil having a coil axis oriented essentially perpendicular to a reciprocating direction of the reciprocating object; 
 a Hall-effect probe; 
 a Giant Magnetic Resonance magnetic field sensor; and 
 a Magnetic Resonance magnetic field sensor. 
   
     
     
         16 . The position sensor device according to  claim 1 ,
 further comprising: a plurality of magnetically encoded regions fixed on the reciprocating object.   
     
     
         17 . The position sensor device according to  claim 16 ,
 wherein the plurality of magnetically encoded regions are arranged on the reciprocating object at constant distances from one another.   
     
     
         18 . The position sensor device according to  claim 16 ,
 wherein the plurality of magnetically encoded regions are arranged on the reciprocating object at different distances from one another.   
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . The position sensor device according to  claim 16 ,
 wherein the plurality of magnetically encoded regions are arranged on the reciprocating object with constant dimensions.   
     
     
         21 . The position sensor device according to  claim 16 ,
 wherein the plurality of magnetically encoded regions are arranged on the reciprocating object with different dimensions.   
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . The position sensor device according to  claim 1 ,
 further comprising: a plurality of magnetic field detectors.   
     
     
         25 . The position sensor device according to  claim 24 ,
 wherein the plurality of magnetic field detectors are arranged along the reciprocating object at constant distances from one another.   
     
     
         26 . The position sensor device according to  claim 24 ,
 wherein the plurality of magnetic field detectors are arranged along the reciprocating object at different distances from one another.   
     
     
         27 . The position sensor device according to  claim 26 ,
 wherein the different distances are selected as a function of one of a linear function, a logarithmic function and a power function.   
     
     
         28 . The position sensor device according to  claim 1 ,
 further comprising: a plurality of magnetically encoded regions fixed on the reciprocating object; and   a plurality of magnetic field detectors.   
     
     
         29 . The position sensor device according to  claim 28 ,
 wherein the arrangement of the plurality of magnetically encoded regions along the reciprocating object corresponds to the arrangement of the plurality of magnetic field detectors.   
     
     
         30 . The position sensor device according to  claim 29 ,
 wherein at least a part of the plurality of magnetic field detectors are arranged displaced from an arrangement of a corresponding one of the plurality of magnetically encoded regions arranged along the reciprocating object.   
     
     
         31 . The position sensor device according to  claim 28 ,
 wherein a number of the magnetically encoded regions equals the number of magnetic field detectors.   
     
     
         32 . The position sensor device according to  claim 27 , wherein a number of the magnetically encoded regions differs from the number of magnetic field detectors. 
     
     
         33 . The position sensor device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the reciprocating object is a push-pull-rod in a gearbox of a vehicle.   
     
     
         34 . A position sensor array, comprising
 a reciprocating object; and   a position sensor device determining a position of the reciprocating object,   wherein the position sensor device includes
 at least one magnetically encoded region fixed on a reciprocating object, 
 at least one magnetic field detector, and 
 a position determining unit, 
   wherein the magnetic field detector is adapted to detect a signal generated by the magnetically encoded region when the magnetically encoded region reciprocating with the reciprocating object passes a surrounding area of the magnetic field detector and wherein the position determining unit is adapted to determine a position of a reciprocating object based on the detected magnetic signal.   
     
     
         35 . The position sensor array according to  claim 34 ,
 wherein the reciprocating object is a shaft.   
     
     
         36 . The position sensor array according to  claim 34 ,
 wherein the magnetically encoded region is provided along a part of a length of the reciprocating object.   
     
     
         37 . The position sensor array according to  claim 34 ,
 wherein the magnetically encoded region is provided along an entire length of the reciprocating object.   
     
     
         38 . The position sensor array according to  claim 34 ,
 wherein the reciprocating object is divided into a plurality of equally spaced segments, each segment comprising one magnetically encoded region, the magnetically encoded regions of the segments being arranged in an asymmetric manner.   
     
     
         39 . The position sensor array according to  claim 34 ,
 further comprising: a control unit controlling a reciprocation of the reciprocating object based on the position of the reciprocating object which is provided to the control unit by the position sensor device.   
     
     
         40 . A concrete processing apparatus, comprising
 a concrete processing chamber;   a reciprocating shaft arranged in the concrete processing chamber adapted to reciprocate to mix concrete; and   a position sensor device determining a position of the reciprocating shaft,   wherein the position sensor device includes
 at least one magnetically encoded region fixed on a reciprocating object, 
 at least one magnetic field detector, and 
 a position determining unit, 
   wherein the magnetic field detector is adapted to detect a signal generated by the magnetically encoded region when the magnetically encoded region reciprocating with the reciprocating object passes a surrounding area of the magnetic field detector and wherein the position determining unit is adapted to determine a position of a reciprocating object based on the detected magnetic signal.   
     
     
         41 . The concrete processing apparatus according to  claim 40 ,
 further comprising: a control unit controlling a reciprocation of the reciprocating shaft based on a position of the reciprocating shaft which is provided to the control unit by the position sensor device.   
     
     
         42 . The concrete processing apparatus according to  claim 40 ,
 further comprising: a vehicle on which the concrete processing chamber, the reciprocating shaft and the position sensor device are mounted.   
     
     
         43 . The concrete processing apparatus according to  claim 40 ,
 further comprising: a further reciprocating shaft arranged in the concrete processing chamber adapted to reciprocate to mix concrete;   wherein the reciprocating shaft and the further reciprocating shaft are operable in a countercyclical manner.   
     
     
         44 . A method for determining a position of a reciprocating object, comprising:
 detecting a signal by a magnetic field detector, the signal being generated by a magnetically encoded region fixed on a reciprocating object when the magnetically encoded region reciprocating with the reciprocating object passes a surrounding area of the magnetic field detector; and   determining a position of a reciprocating object based on the detected signal.