Inductive position sensor with integrated led indicators
First Claim
1. A position sensing and visual indication system for use in association with a mechanical transmission, comprising:
- a transmission gear shifter mechanism including a gear selector lever movable between a plurality of predetermined shift positions corresponding to respective transmission settings;
an inductive position sensor configured to sense a relative shift position of said selector lever associated with a selected one of said transmission settings, said inductive position sensor comprising;
a first inductive sensor element mechanically coupled to said selector lever;
a second inductive sensor element electromagnetically coupled to said first sensor element; and
inductive position sensor circuitry integrated onto a primary circuit board, wherein movement of said selector lever between said plurality of predetermined shift positions correspondingly displaces said first sensor element relative to said second sensor element, and wherein said first and second sensor elements cooperate to generate a sensor output signal corresponding to a position of said first sensor element relative to said second sensor element which in turn corresponds to said shift position of said selector lever associated with said selected transmission setting; and
a visual indicator configured to provide a visually perceptible indication of said selected transmission setting, said visual indicator comprising;
an indicator panel including alphanumeric characters positioned adjacent corresponding ones of said predetermined shift positions of said selector lever, said alphanumeric characters designating said respective transmission settings;
a plurality of light emitting diodes positioned adjacent respective ones of said alphanumeric characters; and
indicator control circuitry associated with said light emitting diodes, said control circuitry providing an indicator control signal in response to said sensor output signal, wherein one of said light emitting diodes positioned adjacent a respective one of said alphanumeric characters corresponding to said selected transmission setting is illuminated or brightened in response to said indicator control signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for use in association with a mechanical transmission, including a gear selector lever movable between a plurality of shift positions corresponding to respective transmission settings, an inductive position sensor that senses a shift position of the gear selector lever, and a visual indicator that provides a visual indication of the selected transmission setting. The position sensor includes inductive sensor elements electromagnetically coupled together and sensor circuitry integrated onto a circuit board which generates a sensor output signal corresponding to the shift position of the gear selector lever. The visual indicator includes an indicator panel having alphanumeric characters that designate respective transmission settings, a plurality of LEDs integrated onto the circuit board and positioned adjacent respective ones of the alphanumeric characters, and control circuitry that provides a control signal in response to the sensor output signal which illuminates or brightens an LED positioned adjacent a respective one of the alphanumeric characters corresponding to the selected transmission setting.
32 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A position sensing and visual indication system for use in association with a mechanical transmission, comprising:
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a transmission gear shifter mechanism including a gear selector lever movable between a plurality of predetermined shift positions corresponding to respective transmission settings; an inductive position sensor configured to sense a relative shift position of said selector lever associated with a selected one of said transmission settings, said inductive position sensor comprising; a first inductive sensor element mechanically coupled to said selector lever; a second inductive sensor element electromagnetically coupled to said first sensor element; and inductive position sensor circuitry integrated onto a primary circuit board, wherein movement of said selector lever between said plurality of predetermined shift positions correspondingly displaces said first sensor element relative to said second sensor element, and wherein said first and second sensor elements cooperate to generate a sensor output signal corresponding to a position of said first sensor element relative to said second sensor element which in turn corresponds to said shift position of said selector lever associated with said selected transmission setting; and a visual indicator configured to provide a visually perceptible indication of said selected transmission setting, said visual indicator comprising; an indicator panel including alphanumeric characters positioned adjacent corresponding ones of said predetermined shift positions of said selector lever, said alphanumeric characters designating said respective transmission settings; a plurality of light emitting diodes positioned adjacent respective ones of said alphanumeric characters; and indicator control circuitry associated with said light emitting diodes, said control circuitry providing an indicator control signal in response to said sensor output signal, wherein one of said light emitting diodes positioned adjacent a respective one of said alphanumeric characters corresponding to said selected transmission setting is illuminated or brightened in response to said indicator control signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A position sensing and visual indication system for use in association with a mechanical transmission, comprising:
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a transmission gear shifter mechanism including a gear selector lever movable between a plurality of predetermined shift positions corresponding to respective transmission settings; an inductive position sensor configured to sense a relative shift position of said selector lever associated with a selected one of said transmission settings, said inductive position sensor comprising; a movable inductive sensor element including radio frequency resonator circuitry, said movable inductive sensor element mechanically coupled to said selector lever; and a stationary inductive sensor element including excitation and sensor circuitry integrated onto a primary circuit board, said excitation and sensor circuitry electromagnetically coupled to said radio frequency resonator circuitry; and wherein movement of said selector lever correspondingly displaces said movable sensor element relative to said stationary sensor element, and wherein said excitation and sensor circuitry and said radio frequency resonator circuitry cooperate to generate a sensor output signal corresponding to a position of said movable sensor element relative to said stationary sensor element which in turn corresponds to said shift position of said selector lever associated with said selected transmission setting; and a visual indicator configured to provide a visually perceptible indication of said selected transmission setting, said visual indicator comprising; an indicator panel including alphanumeric characters positioned adjacent corresponding ones of said predetermined shift positions, said alphanumeric characters designating said respective transmission settings; a plurality of light emitting diodes positioned adjacent respective ones of said alphanumeric characters; and indicator control circuitry associated with said light emitting diodes, said control circuitry generating an indicator control signal in response to said sensor output signal, wherein one of said light emitting diodes positioned adjacent a respective one of said alphanumeric characters corresponding to said selected transmission setting is illuminated or brightened in response to said indicator control signal. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification