Gearbox Lever Position Detection Using Hall Sensor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lever operating units for motor-vehicle gearboxes lack effective detection mechanisms for the instantaneous position of the lever member, which hampers precise gear ratio selection and engagement.

Innovation Solution

A lever operating unit with a ball-and-socket joint incorporating a permanent magnet and a monolithic Hall-effect magnetic field sensor, allowing for the detection of the lever's position through magnetic flux analysis, enabling precise gear ratio selection and engagement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If no detection mechanism is used in the lever operating unit, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of lever position is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelever position detection precisionVSAvoiddetection mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical detection mechanisms with a magnetic field-based detection system. A permanent magnet is mounted on the lever member, and a Hall-effect sensor detects the magnet's position through magnetic flux analysis. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical encoders or potentiometers, achieving high measurement precision while reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a permanent magnet as an intermediary between the lever member and the detection system. The magnet serves as a mediator that converts the lever's mechanical position into a detectable magnetic field signal, enabling non-contact position detection and simplifying the overall detection mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If a detection mechanism is added to the lever operating unit, then the measurement precision of lever position is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelever position detection precisionVSAvoiddetection mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical detection mechanisms with a magnetic field-based detection system. A permanent magnet is mounted on the lever member, and a Hall-effect sensor detects the magnet's position through magnetic flux analysis. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical encoders or potentiometers, achieving high measurement precision while reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a permanent magnet as an intermediary between the lever member and the detection system. The magnet serves as a mediator that converts the lever's mechanical position into a detectable magnetic field signal, enabling non-contact position detection and simplifying the overall detection mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables accurate and instantaneous detection of the lever's position, facilitating precise gear ratio selection and engagement, thereby improving the operational efficiency of the gearbox.

Implementation Method 1

a permanent magnet 16 mounted eccentrically in the body or head 5 of the joint 4

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic flux: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

a monolithic Hall-effect magnetic field sensor 18 in the form of an integrated chip

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHall-effect: Hall Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2297487B1A lever operating unit for a motor-vehicle gearbox
Publication Date: 2012.02.29 SILA HLDG IND
  • EP2297487B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2297487B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2297487B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The operating unit (1) comprises a support housing (2) in which an operating lever (3) is mounted pivotably by means of a ball-and-socket joint (4-6). The joint (4-6) includes an at least partially spherical body (5) which is fixed firmly to the lever (3) and is movable relative to a seat (6) of at least partially complementary shape which is fixed firmly to the housing (2). The lever (3) is pivotable at least in a first plane and in a second plane which are inclined at an angle to one another, for the selection and for the engagement, respectively, of a gear ratio. A detector device (15) which is suitable for supplying electrical signals indicative of the position of the lever (3) includes a permanent magnet (16) mounted eccentrically on the body (5) and a monolithic Hall-effect magnetic field sensor (18) in the form of a single integrated chip suitable for supplying output signals indicative of the components of the magnetic flux which is applied thereto in operation. The sensor (18) is mounted on a plate or board (17) which is fixed to a stationary portion (2) of the operating unit (1) so as to be operatively exposed to the magnetic flux generated by the permanent magnet (16) in operation.