Operator interface assembly including a Hall effect element and machine using same

A method of actuating an actuator of a machine, comprising:

• moving a movable component of an operator interface of the machine to one of a first position and a second position, wherein one of a magnet and a Hall effect sensor is positioned to move with respect to the other of the magnet and the Hall effect sensor in response to movement of the movable component;
• modulating a signal of the Hall effect sensor to produce a first pulse width modulated signal, wherein the signal is altered in response to movement of one of the Hall effect sensor and the magnet relative to the other;
• transmitting the first pulse width modulated signal to an electronic controller of the machine;
• determining the position of the movable component based on the first pulse width modulated signal;
• and
• generating an actuator command signal from the electronic controller to the actuator based on the determined position.

An operator interface assembly for actuating an actuator of a machine, comprising:

• a first port for supplying power to the operator interface assembly;
• a movable component of the operator interface, wherein the movable component is movable among at least two positions;
• a magnet;
• a Hall effect sensor;
• wherein one of the magnet and the Hall effect sensor is positioned to move in response to movement of the movable component, and the other of the magnet and the Hall effect sensor has a stationary position relative to the movable component;
• a pulse width modulator operably coupled to the Hall effect sensor for producing a pulse width modulated signal, wherein the pulse width modulated signal is altered in response to movement of one of the Hall effect sensor and the magnet relative to the other;
• and
• a second port for transmitting the pulse width modulated signal from the pulse width modulator to an electronic controller of the machine.