Position detection unit, clutch actuator with a position detection unit, and vehicle clutch with a position detection unit

A position detection unit for detecting a position of an actuating element, disposed within a housing of a clutch actuator of a vehicle clutch, comprising:

• a magnetic encoder element, which is on the actuating element in the housing of the clutch actuator;
• a sensor outside the housing of the clutch actuator and is configured so that it has a detection space within which the sensor can detect a position of the magnetic encoder element within a predefined range of motion of the magnetic encoder element;
• and
• a protective device configured to prevent ferritic filings, which are outside the housing of the clutch actuator, and inside a housing of the vehicle clutch, and which are attracted by the magnetic encoder element, from accumulating inside the detection space;
• wherein the protective device includes the housing of the clutch actuator, and separate metal elements including collection pockets, the metal elements being provided on the housing of the clutch actuator, wherein the collection pockets are formed as depressions in the metal elements, so that the metal elements and the depressions are arranged outside the housing of the clutch actuator, wherein each of the metal elements is situated directly adjacent to a housing of the sensor, and each of the metal elements include a plurality of the collection pockets,
• wherein the collection pockets are arranged outside the detection space of the sensor and within an active region of a magnetic field of the magnetic encoder element, wherein the collection pockets in conjunction with a magnetic permeability of adjacent material of the protective device from which the protective device is made, are configured such that the ferritic filings attracted by the magnetic encoder element are deposited outside the detection space of the sensor and within the active region of the magnetic field, so that the ferritic filings attracted by the magnetic encoder element are collected in the collection pockets,
• wherein due to dimensions of the protective device in conjunction with a material of the protective device having a predefined magnetic permeability, the protective device is configured to allow the ferritic filings attracted by the magnetic encoder element to accumulate outside of the detection space.