Magnetic Sensor Packaging for Transmissions
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsNimrod Kapas, Joseph F. Kucharski, Gregory Michael Pietron, Diana Yanakiev, Mark Richard Dobson, Yuji Fujii
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Designs to package a magneto-elastic torque sensor in an automotive transmission for volume production applications are provided. One transmission includes an output shaft and a magnetic torque sensor. The output shaft has a magnetized region. The sensor, for detecting torque of the output shaft, is mounted on friction reduction members such as bushings supporting the output shaft. In another transmission, the sensor is alternatively mounted to a transmission case.
Claims27
A transmission comprising:
- an output shaft having a magnetized region;
- and
- a magnetic torque sensor, for detecting torque of the output shaft, mounted on at least one bushing supporting the output shaft.
A transmission comprising:
- a transmission case;
- an output shaft having a magnetized region;
- and
- a magnetic torque sensor, for detecting torque of the output shaft, mounted to the transmission case.
A transmission comprising:
- a stator tube encompassing an input shaft having a magnetized region, the stator tube having a window adjacent the magnetized region;
- and
- a magnetic torque sensor, for detecting torque of the input shaft, positioned within the window and affixed to the stator tube to be adjacent the magnetized region.
A transmission comprising:
- a transmission case;
- a gear having a magnetized region, wherein the gear is one of an idler gear and a transfer gear;
- and
- a magnetic torque sensor, for detecting torque transmitted by the gear, mounted to the transmission case.
A transmission comprising:
- a transmission case;
- a hollow idler shaft having a magnetized region on an inner surface thereof;
- and
- a magnetic torque sensor, for detecting torque of the idler shaft, positioned within the idler shaft and mounted to the transmission case.
A transmission comprising:
- a transmission case;
- a differential drive carrier having a magnetized region;
- and
- a magnetic torque sensor, for detecting torque of the drive carrier, mounted to the transmission case.
A transmission comprising:
- a transmission case;
- at least one half-shaft having a magnetized region;
- and
- a magnetic torque sensor, for detecting torque of the at least one half-shaft, mounted on the transmission case.
A transmission comprising:
- a transmission case;
- an idler shaft;
- an idler gear and a transfer gear spaced apart from one another about different portions of the idler shaft;
- wherein the idler shaft includes a magnetized region in a space between the idler gear and the transfer gear;
- and
- a magnetic torque sensor, for detecting torque of the idler shaft, mounted on the transmission case adjacent to the magnetized region.
A transfer case assembly comprising:
- a transfer case shaft having a magnetized region;
- and
- a magnetic torque sensor, for detecting torque of the transfer case shaft, mounted on at least one bushing supporting the transfer case shaft.
A drive axle assembly comprising:
- an axle housing;
- an input shaft having a magnetized region;
- and
- a magnetic torque sensor, for detecting torque of the input shaft, mounted to the axle housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.