System for testing magnetic sensitivity of Hall-effect switch
AssigneeResearch In Motion Limited
InventorQian Huang
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for determining the magnetic sensitivity of a Hall-effect switch through the use of a variable powered DC electromagnet having a permanent magnet attached to it. In use the electromagnet is placed in contact with a Hall-effect switch component and the DC voltage varied until a detector determines the Hall-effect switch has been triggered. The electromagnet is then moved to be in contact with a probe connected to a Gauss meter to determine the magnetic sensitivity of the Hall-effect switch.
Claims19
A system for testing the magnetic sensitivity of a Hall-effect switch, the system comprising:
- a subsystem for creating a magnetic field in which the Hall-effect switch is to be tested, the subsystem comprising:
- an electromagnet;
- a permanent magnet attached to the electromagnet;
- and
- a first adjustable direct current (DC) power supply connected to the electromagnet to provide power to the electromagnet;
- a probe connected to a Gauss meter to measure the magnetic field created by the subsystem;
- and
- a Hall-effect switch component for receiving the Hall-effect switch, wherein the Hall-effect switch component is able to indicate, when the Hall-effect switch is magnetically coupled to the electromagnet and to the permanent magnet, whether the Hall-effect switch has been triggered.
A method for testing the magnetic sensitivity of a Hall-effect switch, the method comprising:
- providing power to an electromagnet to generate a first magnetic field component, wherein a permanent magnet having a second magnetic field component is attached to the electromagnet;
- aligning the Hall-effect switch with the electromagnet, such that the electromagnet is located between Hall-effect switch and the permanent magnet, thus magnetically coupling the Hall-effect switch to the electromagnet and to the permanent magnet;
- and
- providing power to the Hall-effect switch and monitoring a response of the Hall-effect switch to a magnetic field having the first magnetic field component and the second magnetic field component.
An apparatus for testing the magnetic sensitivity of a Hall-effect switch, the system comprising:
- a subsystem for creating a magnetic field in which the Hall-effect switch is to be tested, the subsystem comprising:
- an electromagnet;
- a permanent magnet attached to the electromagnet;
- and
- means for connecting the electromagnet to a first adjustable direct current (DC) power supply;
- and
- a Hall-effect switch component for receiving the Hall-effect switch, wherein the Hall-effect switch component is able to indicate, when the Hall-effect switch is magnetically coupled to the electromagnet and to the permanent magnet, whether the Hall-effect switch has been triggered.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.