Combination hall effect position sensor and switch
First Claim
1. A sensor for sensing movement of a movable object, comprising:
- a) at least one magnet attachable to the movable object, the magnet generating either a variable magnetic field or a variable polarity field, the magnet having a first end, a second end and a central portion;
b) a first magnetic flux sensor positioned near the central portion of the magnet, the first magnetic flux sensor generating an electrical signal that is indicative of a specific position of the movable object; and
c) a second magnetic flux sensor positioned near the first end of the magnet, the second magnetic flux sensor generating an electrical signal that is indicative of when the movable object has reached a pre-determined location.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A combination Hall effect position sensor and switch for sensing the position of a moveable object. The sensor has a magnet that is attachable to the moveable object. The magnet has a pair of ends and a central portion. A linear magnetic flux sensor is positioned about the central portion of the magnet. The linear magnetic flux sensor generates an electrical signal indicative of a specific position of the movable object. A switch type magnetic flux sensor is positioned about one of the ends of the magnet. The switch type magnetic flux sensor generates an electrical signal that is indicative of the movable object reaching a pre-determined location.
94 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A sensor for sensing movement of a movable object, comprising:
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a) at least one magnet attachable to the movable object, the magnet generating either a variable magnetic field or a variable polarity field, the magnet having a first end, a second end and a central portion;
b) a first magnetic flux sensor positioned near the central portion of the magnet, the first magnetic flux sensor generating an electrical signal that is indicative of a specific position of the movable object; and
c) a second magnetic flux sensor positioned near the first end of the magnet, the second magnetic flux sensor generating an electrical signal that is indicative of when the movable object has reached a pre-determined location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A sensor for sensing position of a moveable object, comprising:
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a magnet attachable to the object, the magnet having a pair of ends and a central portion;
a first magnetic flux sensor positioned about the central portion of the magnet, the first magnetic flux sensor generating an electrical signal indicative of a specific position of the movable object; and
a second magnetic flux sensor positioned about the first end of the magnet, the second magnetic flux sensor generating an electrical signal indicative of when the movable object has reached a pre-determined location. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A sensor for sensing movement of a movable object, comprising:
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a) at least one magnet attachable to the movable object, the magnet having a first end, a second end and a central portion;
b) the first and second ends of the magnet having a first flux density that changes about the ends;
c) the central portion of the magnet having a second flux density that changes more slowly about the central portion than about the ends of the magnet;
d) a first magnetic flux sensor positioned about the central portion of the magnet, the first magnetic flux sensor generating a first electrical signal indicative of a specific position of the movable object; and
e) a second magnetic flux sensor positioned about the first end of the magnet, the second magnetic flux sensor generating a second electrical signal indicative of the movable object reaching a pre-determined location. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A sensor for sensing movement of an attached movable object, comprising:
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a) a first magnet connectable with the movable object, the magnet adapted to generate a magnetic field as the magnet is moved, the magnet having a first north pole, a first south pole and a central portion;
b) a second magnet attached to the first magnet, the second magnet having a second north pole and a second south pole, the second north pole located adjacent the first south pole and the second south pole located adjacent the first north pole;
c) a first magnetic flux sensor positioned near the central portion of the magnet, the first magnetic flux sensor adapted to generate an electrical signal that is indicative of a specific position of the movable object; and
d) a second magnetic flux sensor positioned near the first north pole, the second magnetic flux sensor adapted to generate an electrical signal that is indicative of when the movable object has reached a pre-determined location. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification