Non-contact position sensor utilizing multiple sensor elements

• US 7,009,386 B2
• Filed: 01/02/2002
• Issued: 03/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/02/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc. (Stoneridge Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc. (Stoneridge Incorporated)
• Inventors: Hedayat, Kayvan, Tromblee, Gerald
• Primary Examiner(s): PATIDAR, JAY M
• Application Number:
  US10/038,747
• Publication Number:
  US 20030169033A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,525 Days
• Field of Search: 324/207.2, 324/207.21, 324/207.23, 324/207.24, 324/207.25, 324/207.26, 324/252, 324/251, 338/32.R, 338/32.H
• US Class Current: 324/207.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/002 Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon detection means responsive to presence or absence of children B60N2/266
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0272 using sensors or detectors for detecting the position of seat parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/06 slidable B60N2/12 , B60N2/2209 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/14 rotatable, e.g. to permit easy access B60N2/10 , B60N2/2869 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01554 Seat position sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 11/245 Housings for sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/145 influenced by the relative movement between the Hall device and magnetic fields see G01R33/06
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/147 influenced by the movement of a third element, the position of Hall device and the source of magnetic field being fixed in respect to each other
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/2497 Absolute encoders G01D5/2454 takes precedence

Abstract

A non-contact position sensor including a plurality of sensor elements configured in an array. Each of the sensor elements is configured to provide an output associated with each of a plurality of positions of a sensor control element relative to the position sensor, whereby a separate combination of the outputs is provided for each of the positions. In one embodiment, the sensor elements may be Hall effect sensors, and the sensor control element may be a magnet. In another embodiment, the sensor elements may be Hall effect sensors and the sensor control element may be a shunt for blocking a magnetic field the Hall effect sensors. A vehicle seat position sensor system and a method of sensing vehicle seat position are also provided.

Claims

1. A non-contact position sensor comprising:

a plurality of sensor elements comprising Hall effect sensors configured in an array;

each said sensor element configured to provide an output associated with each of a plurality of positions of a sensor control element, said sensor control element comprising a magnet, relative to said array of sensor elements, whereby a separate combination of said outputs is provided for each of said positions; and

a biasing magnet mounted in a fixed position adjacent at least one of said sensor elements for biasing said at least one of said sensor elements to a selected output.

2. A sensor according to claim 1, wherein said sensor elements are configured in a linear array.

3. A sensor according to claim 2, wherein each said sensor element is configured to provide an associated output in response to movement of said sensor control element along said linear array to each of said plurality of positions.

4. A sensor according to claim 2, wherein each said sensor element is configured to provide an associated output in response to movement of said sensor control element across said array to each of said plurality of positions.

5. A sensor according to claim 1, wherein said sensor elements are configured in an arcuate array.

6. A sensor according to claim 1, wherein said magnet has a generally arcuate shape.

7. A sensor according to claim 6, wherein said array is a linear array.

8. A sensor according to claim 1, wherein said magnet has a length greater than a distance between adjacent ones of said Hall effect sensors.

9. A sensor according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said Hall effect sensors comprises first and second Hall elements;

each of said Hall elements providing an associated output in response to a position of said sensor control element relative to said position sensor.

10. A sensor according to claim 1, wherein said magnet is a coded magnet comprising at least one North magnetized region and at least one South magnetized region.

11. A sensor according to claim 10, wherein said coded magnet comprises said at least one North magnetized region disposed adjacent said at least one South magnetized region.

12. A sensor according to claim 12, wherein said at least one North magnetized region and said at least one South magnetized region are configured to cause changes in said Hall effect sensor outputs at a first rate with movement of a first region of said magnet relative to said sensor and to cause changes in said Hall effect sensor outputs at a second rate greater than said first rate with movement of a second region of said magnet relative to said sensor.