Angular position sensor for vehicle suspension

An apparatus for monitoring angular position, comprising:

• a Hall-effect type sensor that monitors angular position, the sensor being fixedly attached to a first member;
• a first arm having a first end pivotally attached to the sensor, and a second end including a first portion of a first universal joint, wherein the first portion of the first universal joint includes a first ball;
• a second arm having a first end including a second portion of the first universal joint pivotally attached to the first portion of the first universal joint, wherein the second portion of the first universal joint includes a first socket that pivotally receives the first ball and a second end including a first portion of a second universal joint, wherein the first portion of the second universal joint includes a second socket;
• and
• a second portion of the second universal joint fixedly attached to a second member and pivotally attached to the first portion of the second universal joint, wherein the second portion of the second universal joint includes a second ball, the second member moveable with respect to the first member;
• and
• wherein the first socket and the second socket each define a centerline, the centerline of the first socket and the centerline of the second socket are substantially orthogonal to one another, wherein the sensor monitors the distance between the first member and the second member by monitoring the angular position of the first arm as the second member moves with respect to the first member in a manner to increase or decrease the distance therebetween.

An apparatus for monitoring the position of a vehicle suspension, comprising:

• a Hall-effect type sensor that monitors angular motion, the sensor fixedly attached to a first member, wherein the first member includes a portion of a vehicle body;
• a first arm having a first end pivotally attached to the sensor, and a second end wherein the second end of the first arm includes a first half of a first universal joint, and wherein the first half of the first universal joint includes a first ball;
• and
• a second arm having a first end pivotally attached to the second end of the first arm, wherein the first end of the second arm includes a second half of a first universal joint attached with the first half of the first universal joint, and wherein the second half of the first universal joint includes a first socket that pivotally receives the first ball, and a second end pivotally attached to a second member, wherein the second end of the second arm includes a first half of a second universal joint, wherein the first half of the second universal joint includes a second socket, the second member includes a portion of a vehicle suspension system, a second half of the second universal joint pivotally attaches the second end of the second arm to the vehicle suspension system, and wherein the second half of the second universal joint includes a second ball pivotally received within the second socket, the second member moveable with respect to the first member;
• and
• wherein the first socket and the second socket each define a centerline, the centerline of the first socket and the center line of the second socket are substantially orthogonal to one another, and wherein the sensor monitors the distance between the first member and the second member by monitoring the angular position of the first arm as the first member and the second member move with respect to one another in a manner to increase or decrease the distance therebetween.