Strut position sensor
First Claim
1. A actuator system for a vehicle comprising:
- an elongated strut having a first end pivotally connected to the vehicle and an opposed second end pivotally connected to a movable panel carried on the vehicle; and
a position sensor including a first portion supported on the vehicle or movable panel adjacent an associated end of the strut, and a second portion carried for displacement with the strut, said position sensor operative to detect relative movement of the strut during translational movement of the panel and generating an output signal as a function thereof.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A power actuator system for a movable vehicle panel such as a lift gate assembly includes a position sensor that detects the pivotal movement of a strut mechanism of the power lift gate assembly relative to the host vehicle. A rotary sensor is coupled directly to an end component of the strut mechanism and provides signals that indicate the total amount of pivotal or rotary movement of the strut mechanism and the lift gate during the opening and closing of the lift gate. The signals provide information to determine the absolute position of the strut and the lift gate for processing in the vehicle'"'"'s electronic control unit.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A actuator system for a vehicle comprising:
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an elongated strut having a first end pivotally connected to the vehicle and an opposed second end pivotally connected to a movable panel carried on the vehicle; and a position sensor including a first portion supported on the vehicle or movable panel adjacent an associated end of the strut, and a second portion carried for displacement with the strut, said position sensor operative to detect relative movement of the strut during translational movement of the panel and generating an output signal as a function thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An actuator system for a vehicle comprising:
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an elongated strut having a first end and an opposed second end; a first joint assembly adapted for pivotally interconnecting the first end of said strut to a relatively fixed mounting location on said vehicle; a second joint assembly adapted for pivotally interconnecting the second end of said strut to a movable panel carried on the vehicle, wherein at least one of said joint assemblies includes a ball stud operatively engaging a ball socket for at least limited relative freedom of rotation therebetween about at least one axis; and a position sensor including a stator portion affixed to said ball stud and a rotor portion affixed to said ball socket for relative rotation about said axis, one of said sensor portions carrying a galvanomagnetic sensing element and the other of said sensor portions carrying a magnet juxtaposed in substantially axial alignment with the galvanomagnetic sensing element for magnetic interaction therewith, said galvanomagnetic sensing element operative to produce a sensor output signal indicative of the relative angular position of said ball stud and ball socket. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A position sensor for application in a vehicle based actuator system of the type including an elongated strut having a first end connector pivotally affixed to the vehicle and a second end connector pivotally affixed to a movable panel carried on the vehicle, wherein at least one of said strut connectors includes a fixed portion attached to said vehicle and a movable portion attached to said strut, the position sensor comprising:
a stator portion adapted for affixation to said fixed connector portion and a rotor portion adapted for affixation to said movable connector portion for relative rotation about an axis, one of said sensor portions carrying a galvanomagnetic sensing element and the other of said sensor portions carrying a magnet juxtaposed in substantially axial alignment with the galvanomagnetic sensing element for magnetic interaction therewith, said galvanomagnetic sensing element operative to produce a sensor output signal indicative of the relative angular position of said movable and fixed connector portions.
Specification