Gear Shaft Position Sensing With Split Magnet Signal Differentiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current position sensing systems for gear shafts in vehicles require two sets of magnets and circuitry elements, leading to high manufacturing costs and increased failure rates, making it difficult to effectively detect neutral and reverse gear positions without additional sensors.
Innovation Solution
A sensing system that uses a single magnet partitioned into two length regions with opposite magnetic field directions to generate distinct magnetic field changes, allowing a single sensing unit to differentiate between forward, reverse, and neutral gear positions by comparing sensed magnetic field changes against pre-stored reference signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If two separate position sensing apparatuses are used to detect neutral and reverse gear positions, then the detection capability is improved, but the manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate position sensing apparatuses into a single integrated sensing system. The sensing apparatus includes a single sensor that detects magnetic field signals from magnets positioned on the gear shaft, enabling detection of both neutral and reverse gear positions through unified signal processing and comparison circuitry, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The single position sensing apparatus is designed to perform multiple functions: detecting both neutral gear position and reverse gear position. The sensing system uses magnetic field detection and signal comparison to identify different gear positions, making the single apparatus universal for multiple detection tasks that previously required separate dedicated sensors
2Reliability
If two sets of magnets and circuitry elements are used, then the detection reliability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two sets of magnets and circuitry elements into a single integrated system. The sensing apparatus uses one set of magnets positioned on the gear shaft and a unified circuitry structure that processes signals for both neutral and reverse position detection, reducing component count and manufacturing cost while maintaining detection reliability through integrated signal processing
3Measurement precision
If two sets of circuitry elements are used, then the measurement precision is improved, but the failure rate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate circuitry elements into a single integrated circuitry system. The unified circuitry includes signal processing and comparison functions that handle both neutral and reverse gear position detection, reducing the number of potential failure points while maintaining measurement precision through integrated signal processing and centralized control logic
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces manufacturing costs and failure rates by enabling effective detection of gear positions with a single set of components, while maintaining compatibility with existing mechanical designs.
Implementation Method 1
a sensing magnet that is fixedly arranged on the gear shaft and moves with the gear shaft... a magnetic field direction of the first length region magnet... a magnetic field direction of the second length region magnet... a sensing unit arranged to be capable of sensing a magnetic field change
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a sensing system for sensing a position of a gear shaft. The present disclosure may implement determination of whether the gear shaft is at a reverse gear position, a forward gear position or a neutral gear position by: partitioning a magnet into a first length region magnet and a second length region magnet, wherein the first length region magnet and the second length region magnet have different magnetic field directions, sensing and generating an inductive electrical signal reflecting motions of the first length region magnet and the second length region magnet; storing, by a memory unit, a first type reference signal for the first length region magnet and a second type reference signal for the second length region magnet, which are sensed by simulation; and comparing, by a processing unit, the inductive electric signal against the first type reference signal and the second type reference signal, which reflect different gear positions, respectively. By arranging only one magnet and one set of circuity mechanical elements to sense a position of the gear shaft, the sensing apparatus according to the present disclosure effectively implements detection of the neutral gear position and the reverse gear position of the gear shaft, which reduces the manufacturing cost and lowers the failure rate.