Discrete logarithm records

An auto tachometer has a sweep of about 240-250 degrees and typically uses an air core gauge.

An air core gauge is a specific type of rotary actuator in an analog display gauge that allows an indicator to rotate a full 360 degrees. It is used in gauges and displays, most commonly automotive instrument clusters.

A typical automotive application is shown at the right. The air core gauge is a type of "air-core motor". It may be considered a "gauge movement" or "pointer indication device".

Background

There are four common types of rotary actuators:

• Physical gauges, in which the needle is attached directly to the value being measured; for example, a mechanical pressure gauge
• Analog volt meters or d'Arsonval movements, which consist of a coil and a permanent magnet
• Stepper motors, which move in one-notch increments or steps
• Air-core motors, as described below.

Construction and operation

The air core gauge consists of two independent, perpendicular coils surrounding a hollow chamber. A needle shaft protrudes into the chamber, where a permanent magnet is affixed to the shaft. When current flows through the perpendicular coils, their magnetic fields superimpose and the magnet is free to align with the combined fields.

Back side of an auto instrument cluster showing four mounting terminals for an air core gauge.

A typical air core gauge has four terminals, two for each coil, as shown. The two coils are identified as the sine coil and the cosine coil.

Theory

The direction $\theta$ of the overall magnetic field is approximately:

$\theta =\arctan \left(\frac{y}{x}\right)$

Where $x$ and $y$ are the coils' respective currents. The permanent magnet aligns itself with that field, eventually settling near $\theta$. In this way, by proportioning the current through each coil, the needle can reach all 360° of rotation.

Example

If the sin coil current is 50 mA and the cos current is 29 mA:

The coil current ratio is 0.58, and arctan 0.58 = 30 degrees.

Drivers

Air core gauges require special electronics to properly drive the coils. Driver integrated circuits typically have a serial input data port and two pair of output lines. One pair of the output lines drives the sin coil and one pair drives the cos coil.

The input data defines:

• The quadrant to which the actuator will point. This defines the polarity of the voltage to the sin coil and the cos coil.
• The desired number of degrees within the quadrant.

Some typical driver ICs include:

• On Semiconductor CS4172 16 pin dual inline package
• On Semiconductor CS4192 surface mount package
• Melexis MLX10407
• Melexis MLX10420

See also

• Electronic instrument cluster
• Electric motor
• Dashboard
• Gauge (instrument)

References

43 year old Petroleum Engineer Harry from Deep River, usually spends time with hobbies and interests like renting movies, property developers in singapore new condominium and vehicle racing. Constantly enjoys going to destinations like Camino Real de Tierra Adentro.