Electrical differential locker with eddy current sensor
AssigneeDana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
InventorsMichael Z. Creech, Justin S. Davis, Robert D. Keller, Terry W. McGraner, Timothy R. Zuehlke
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Abstract
An actuator assembly including a housing. The housing having an actuator component, an armature, and at least a portion of a sensor disposed therein. The armature is selectively positionable between a first position and a second position. The sensor includes at least one sensing element disposed within the housing adjacent to the armature. The sensing element has a physical property which varies based upon a position of the armature within the housing.
Claims20
An actuator assembly, comprising:
- a housing;
- an actuator component disposed within the housing;
- an armature disposed within the housing, the armature selectively positionable between a first position and a second position;
- and
- a sensor including a first sensing element disposed within the housing adjacent to the armature, wherein a physical property of the first sensing element varies based upon a position of the armature.
A method of determining a state of a differential apparatus, comprising the steps of:
- providing an axle assembly including a differential apparatus and an actuator assembly coupled to the differential apparatus, wherein the differential apparatus includes a locking gear, and wherein the actuator assembly includes a housing having an actuator component, an armature, and a sensor disposed therein, wherein the armature is selectively positionable between a first position and a second position, wherein the sensor includes a first sensing element disposed within the housing adjacent to the armature, and wherein a physical property of the first sensing element varies based upon a position of the armature;
- measuring the physical property of the first sensing element;
- transmitting the measured physical property of the first sensing element from the sensor to a controller;
- determining a position of the armature based upon the measured physical property of the first sensing element;
- and
- determining the state of the differential apparatus based upon the position of the armature.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.