Analog rotary position sensor
AssigneeBorgWarner Inc.
InventorMichael George DeSoto
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An analog output Hall effect sensor provides a proportional output representative of the angular position of a rotary shift member in a transfer case, transmission or the like. The rotary shift member is driven by a bidirectional electric motor through a speed reducing gear train. A wheel having a single spiral bipolar (N-S) magnetic track rotates with the output of the gear train and the shift member. The analog output Hall effect sensor is proximate the spiral magnetic track and provides an analog (ramp) output proportional to the position of the rotary shift member relative to first and second end points.
Claims20
An analog rotary position sensor comprising, in combination,
- a motor,
- a speed reduction assembly having an input driven by said motor and a rotary output,
- a shift member driven by said rotary output,
- a shift mechanism driven by said shift member and adapted to translate a clutch between at least a first position providing a first driving connection and a second position providing a second driving connection,
- a spiral magnet having North and South poles and disposed for rotation with said shift member and,
- a Hall effect sensor disposed adjacent said spiral magnetic pattern.
A rotary position sensor comprising, in combination,
- a drive mechanism having a rotary output,
- a member driven by said rotary output,
- a shift mechanism driven by said member and adapted to translate a clutch between a first position and a second position,
- a spiral magnet having North and South poles disposed for rotation with said shaft and,
- a Hall effect sensor disposed adjacent said magnetic pattern,
- whereby said Hall effect sensor provides a ramp output as said magnet pattern moves adjacent said sensor.
A rotary shaft position sensor comprising, in combination,
- a shaft having an axis and disposed for rotation about said axis,
- a spiral magnet having North and South poles disposed for rotation with said shaft, and
- an analog Hall effect sensor disposed adjacent said magnetic pattern,
- whereby said analog Hall effect sensor provides a ramp output as said spiral magnet rotates adjacent said sensor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.