Enhanced neutral gear sensor
US10385964B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 8, 2016 |
| Grant date | Aug 20, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 15, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01D5/147
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Embodiments provide systems and methods for determining a position of a gear shift lever of a vehicle. A ferromagnetic target object having selected characteristics influences a magnetic field generated by a back bias magnet. A magnetic field sensor includes magnetic field sensing elements disposed proximate to the target object. Each magnetic field sensing element generates an electronic signal in response to sensed magnetic fields. The gear shift lever moves among a plurality of gears of the vehicle. The magnetic field sensor selects a set of the magnetic field sensing elements to determine a magnetic field difference based on a difference of amplitudes between the electronic signals that is related to a current position of the gear shift lever. Characteristics of the target object enable the magnetic field sensor to detect the position of the gear shift lever. The characteristics include edges proximate to a perimeter of the target object.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.