Hall effect transfer case shift mechanism position sensor
First Claim
1. A transfer case having a shift mechanism position sensor comprising, in combination,an input member and a pair of output members,at least one clutch member operably associated with said input member and moveable between a first and a second position,a bi-directional driver for moving said clutch member between said first and said second positions,a structure for linking said driver and said clutch member,a planar member having a plurality of apertures and secured to said structure for movement therewith, anda plurality of Hall effect sensors disposed adjacent one side of said planar member for providing distinct combinations of binary signals corresponding to distinct positions of said plate and said structure.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A shift mechanism position sensor for a transfer case or transmission includes a plurality of Hall effect sensors disposed adjacent a ferrous, metallic plate having a plurality of apertures arranged to provide multi-bit binary signals in gray code. The metallic plate is secured to an internal component such as a shift control rod of the transfer case or transmission and translates bi-directionally adjacent the Hall effect sensors. Data coded in numerous distinct three or four bit binary numbers provides high resolution of the position of the shift mechanism, shift fork and associated clutch. Many four wheel drive motor vehicle transfer cases include a gear reduction assembly which provide direct and reduced speed drives. Such gear selection is often achieved by an electronic control system and it is important to provide information regarding the actual physical position of such gear selection mechanism to the control system. The Hall effect sensors and apertured plate are preferably disposed within the transfer case or transmission and provide accurate and well defined information to the control system.
90 Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A transfer case having a shift mechanism position sensor comprising, in combination,
an input member and a pair of output members, at least one clutch member operably associated with said input member and moveable between a first and a second position, a bi-directional driver for moving said clutch member between said first and said second positions, a structure for linking said driver and said clutch member, a planar member having a plurality of apertures and secured to said structure for movement therewith, and a plurality of Hall effect sensors disposed adjacent one side of said planar member for providing distinct combinations of binary signals corresponding to distinct positions of said plate and said structure.
-
8. A transfer case having a shift mechanism position sensor, comprising, in combination,
an input member, a first output member and a second output member, at least one clutch member moveable between a first and a second position, a bi-directional driver for moving said clutch member between said first and said second positions, a structure for linking said driver and said clutch member, a planar member having a plurality of apertures and secured to said structure for movement therewith, and a plurality of Hall effect sensors disposed adjacent one side of said planar member for providing distinct combinations of binary signals corresponding to distinct positions of said plate and said structure.
-
14. A transfer case having a shift mechanism position sensor comprising, in combination,
an input member, a first output member and a second output member, at least one clutch member operably associated with said input member and moveable between a first position and a second position, a bi-directional driver for moving said clutch member between said first and said second positions, a ferrous plate having an array of apertures disposed for movement with said clutch member, and a plurality of Hall effect sensors disposed adjacent one side of said ferrous plate for providing at least distinct combinations of binary signals corresponding to three distinct positions of said plate relative to said Hall effect sensors.
Specification