Dual axis magnetic field detector
AssigneeCherry GmbH
InventorDaniel J. Mattson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A dual axis magnetic field detector is able to detect the presence of a magnetic field in two axes, such as a rotary axis and a linear axis. The detector includes a magnet for generating a magnetic field and two magnetic field sensors for detecting the strength and angle of the magnetic field as the magnet moves. The sensors may detect the axial and rotary displacement of an object, such as a shaft, to which the magnet is affixed.
Claims19
A dual position detector, comprising:
- a housing;
- a first magnetic sensor and a second magnetic sensor apart from the first magnetic sensor for sensing a magnetic field, said sensors attached to the housing;
- and
- at least one magnet for attaching to a movable object, wherein the first and second magnetic sensors are oriented for detecting motion of the at least one magnet in a linear axis of motion and a rotary axis of motion.
A dual position detector for a transmission, comprising:
- a first magnetic sensor and a second magnetic sensor separate from the first sensor;
- at least one magnet;
- and
- a trunnion for supporting said at least one magnet for reciprocating movement;
- wherein the first magnetic sensor is oriented for detecting motion of the at least one magnet along a linear axis of motion and the second magnetic sensor is oriented for detecting motion of the at least one magnet along a rotary axis of motion.
A method of detecting movement of a magnet in two axes using a dual axis magnetic field detector, the method comprising:
- mounting a magnet on a movable object;
- mounting on a housing a first sensor and a second sensor apart from the first sensor for sensing a magnetic field from the magnet;
- orienting the sensors or the magnet such that the magnetic field is parallel to a sensing face of at least the first or second sensor;
- and
- detecting movement of the magnet with the first and second sensors, such that the first sensor detects movement of the magnet along a linear axis, and the second sensor detects movement of the magnet along a rotary axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.