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Position sensing device

  • US 6,275,026 B1
  • Filed: 08/10/1999
  • Issued: 08/14/2001
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/10/1999
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A device for sensing a predetermined relative position of first and second parts which are movable relative to each other, said device comprising:

  • a magnet which creates a magnetic field;

    a Hall effect device in said magnetic field;

    a pivotal lever having first and second opposite surfaces, said lever having a first position in said magnetic field wherein said first surface has a first magnetic polarity and said second surface has a magnetic polarity opposite said first magnetic polarity and wherein a magnetic field of a first flux density acts on said Hall effect device to cause said Hall effect device to have a first output signal when said lever is in said first position;

    said lever having a second position in said magnetic field when said first and second parts are in said predetermined relative position wherein a magnetic field of a second flux density acts on said Hall effect device to cause said Hall effect device to have a second output signal when said lever is in said second position, different than said first output signal, said first and second surfaces moving away from said magnet as said lever pivots from said first position to said second position, said first magnetic polarity of said first surface switching to an opposite second magnetic polarity when said lever is in said second position, said second surface switching to a magnetic polarity opposite said second magnetic polarity when said lever is in said second position, said switching of said magnetic polarity causing said magnetic flux density to change from said first flux density to said second flux density; and

    said Hall effect device responding to the change in magnetic flux density from said first flux density to said second flux density.

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