Method for initializing increment position sensor
AssigneeContinental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
InventorsJeremy Schmidt, Mark Cronmiller
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An increment sensor assembly inquires an microcontroller as to the last known increment when a vehicle is started. The last known increment data is used to rotate the sensor backward to reach a lower mechanical stop position or forward to reach an upper mechanical stop position. A timer tracks the sensor to ensure that one of the known stop positions is reached within a predetermined time period or performs a system check to determine what error has occurred. Once the sensor reaches one of the known stop positions an increment counter is reset and the sensor assembly begins normal operation.
Claims20
A method of initializing an increment sensor for an engine actuator comprising:
- a) determining a last known position of a magnet for the increment sensor;
- b) moving the magnet to a closer one of a plurality of known stop positions based upon data regarding a last known position of the magnet;
- and
- c) resetting an increment counter for the sensor once the magnet has reached one of the plurality of known stop positions.
A method of initializing an increment sensor for an engine actuator comprising:
- a) determining if a magnet for the increment sensor is in a known position;
- b) rotating a magnet forward when closer to an upper stop position and rotating the magnet backward when closer to a lower stop position based upon data regarding a last known position of the magnet;
- and
- c) resetting an increment counter for the sensor at an upper stop increment when the magnet has reached the upper stop position and resetting the increment counter at a lower stop increment when the magnet has reached the lower stop position.
A method of controlling a component comprising:
- a) determining a last known position of an increment sensor connected to an output of the component;
- b) determining which of a plurality of known stop positions is closer to the determined last known position;
- c) rotating the increment sensor in one of a first direction and a second direction toward a determined closer one of a plurality of known stop positions based upon data regarding the last known position of the increment sensor;
- and
- d) resetting an increment counter for the increment sensor once in one of the plurality of known stop positions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.