Motor assembly sensor capture systems and methods
AssigneeMedtronic MiniMed, Inc.
InventorsIan B. Hanson, Paul F. Bente, IV, Jacques L. Favreau, Lothar Westerweck
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A motor may be configured to drive a drive shaft and an engagement member supported on the drive shaft. A detectable feature comprising a rotary member may be supported on the drive shaft such that movement of the drive shaft by the motor changes a state of the detectable feature. At least one sensor may be arranged to detect the state of the detectable feature. Circuitry may be configured to provide a signal in response to a change in the state of the detectable feature detected by the at least one sensor.
Claims23
A sensor system, the system comprising:
- a drive shaft;
- an engagement member supported on the drive shaft;
- a motor configured to drive the drive shaft and the engagement member supported on the drive shaft;
- a detectable feature comprising a rotary member supported on the drive shaft such that movement of the drive shaft by the motor changes a state of the detectable feature;
- at least one sensor arranged to detect the state of the detectable feature;
- circuitry configured to provide a signal in response to a change in the state of the detectable feature detected by the at least one sensor;
- a seating surface against which the at least one sensor is retained;
- and
- a bias member arranged to press the at least one sensor against the seating surface to retain alignment of the at least one sensor relative to the drive shaft.
A sensor system, the system comprising:
- a drive shaft;
- an engagement member supported on the drive shaft;
- a motor configured to drive the drive shaft and the engagement member supported on the drive shaft;
- a detectable feature comprising a rotary member supported on the drive shaft such that movement of the drive shaft by the motor changes a state of the detectable feature;
- at least one sensor arranged to detect the state of the detectable feature;
- circuitry configured to provide a signal in response to a change in the state of the detectable feature detected by the at least one sensor;
- and
- a housing for containing the at least one sensor and the rotary member, the housing having at least one arm member configured to bias a respective sensor of the at least one sensor against a surface of the housing to retain alignment of the at least one sensor relative to the drive shaft.
A method of making a sensor system, the method comprising:
- providing a drive shaft;
- supporting an engagement member on the drive shaft;
- configuring a motor to drive the drive shaft and the engagement member supported on the drive shaft;
- providing a detectable feature comprising a rotary member supported on the drive shaft such that movement of the drive shaft by the motor changes a state of the detectable feature;
- arranging at least one sensor to detect the state of the detectable feature;
- configuring circuitry to provide a signal in response to a change in the state of the detectable feature detected by the at least one sensor;
- providing a seating surface against which the at least one sensor is retained;
- and
- arranging a bias member to press the at least one sensor against the seating surface to retain alignment of the at least one sensor relative to the drive shaft.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.