Long range magnetic proximity sensor
First Claim
1. A magnetic proximity sensor comprising:
- a first wing including a protrusion protruding outwardly from an edge thereof;
a second wing including a protrusion protruding outwardly from an edge thereof, the edge of the second wing being spaced from and facing the edge of the first wing to form a gap therebetween, and the protrusions facing each other to provide a gap area between the protrusions, and the first wing and the second wing are aligned in a common plane and the second wing is a mirror image of the first wing;
a magnetic assembly secured to the first wing adjacent the edge of the first wing and secured to the second wing adjacent the edge of the second wing, and spaced from the gap area, wherein the magnetic assembly extends across the gap and is aligned to project magnetic flux toward the first wing; and
a magnetic sensor element disposed at the gap area between the first wing and the second wing,wherein the magnetic assembly projects the magnetic flux toward the first wing, and the magnetic flux passes via the first wing and the protrusion of the first wing across the gap area that includes the magnetic sensor element to the protrusion of the second wing and via the second wing to return to the magnetic assembly.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A magnetic proximity sensor includes first and second spaced wings. Each wing has a protrusion extending outwardly from an edge near or at a corner thereof. The protrusions face each other to provide a narrow gap area. A magnetic assembly secured to each of the wings extends across the gap and is spaced from the protrusions. A magnetic sensor element is disposed at the narrow gap area. The magnetic assembly projects magnetic flux toward the first wing. Magnetic flux passes via the first wing and the protrusion thereof and crosses the narrow gap area to the protrusion of the second wing. The second wing provides a return path for magnetic flux to the magnetic assembly. The magnetic proximity sensor senses decreased magnetic flux when a target approaches.
18 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A magnetic proximity sensor comprising:
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a first wing including a protrusion protruding outwardly from an edge thereof; a second wing including a protrusion protruding outwardly from an edge thereof, the edge of the second wing being spaced from and facing the edge of the first wing to form a gap therebetween, and the protrusions facing each other to provide a gap area between the protrusions, and the first wing and the second wing are aligned in a common plane and the second wing is a mirror image of the first wing; a magnetic assembly secured to the first wing adjacent the edge of the first wing and secured to the second wing adjacent the edge of the second wing, and spaced from the gap area, wherein the magnetic assembly extends across the gap and is aligned to project magnetic flux toward the first wing; and a magnetic sensor element disposed at the gap area between the first wing and the second wing, wherein the magnetic assembly projects the magnetic flux toward the first wing, and the magnetic flux passes via the first wing and the protrusion of the first wing across the gap area that includes the magnetic sensor element to the protrusion of the second wing and via the second wing to return to the magnetic assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A magnetic proximity sensor comprising:
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a first wing having a substantially planar face and a protrusion protruding from an edge; a second wing having a substantially planar face and a protrusion protruding from an edge thereof, the edge of the second wing being spaced from and facing the edge of the first wing to form a gap therebetween, and the protrusions facing each other to provide a gap area between the first wing and the second wing, and the first wing and the second wing are aligned in a common plane and the second wing is a mirror image of the first wing; a magnetic assembly secured to the first wing at the edge of the first wing and secured to the second wing at the edge of the second wing, and the magnetic assembly being spaced from the gap area, wherein the magnetic assembly extends substantially across the gap and is aligned to project magnetic flux toward the first wing; and a magnetic sensor element disposed in the gap area between the first wing and the second wing, wherein the magnetic assembly projects the magnetic flux toward the first wing, and at least a portion of the magnetic flux passes via the first wing and the protrusion of the first wing across the gap area to the protrusion of the second wing and via the second wing to the magnetic assembly, and wherein the magnetic sensor element senses the magnetic flux to determine when an approaching target approaches the magnetic proximity sensor. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification