Hall Effect Sensor Cable Position Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for detecting the position of a gearbox control lever in motor vehicles are either complex, require significant space, or are not compatible with the gearbox environment, particularly when measuring linear movements of transmission members like cables.

Innovation Solution

A device using a magnet fitted inside a cable end piece and a Hall Effect Sensor on the sheath end piece to detect the linear position of the cable, allowing for precise measurement of the lever's position by measuring the movement between the cable and sheath end pieces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a specific linear position sensor is used to detect the linear position of the cable end piece, then the position detection precision is improved, but the device complexity and space requirement increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition detection precisionVSAvoidsensor system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical linear position sensors with a magnetic field-based detection system. A magnet is attached to the cable end piece, and a Hall effect sensor mounted on the sheath detects the magnet's position through the sheath wall, converting mechanical position measurement into magnetic field measurement, thereby simplifying the device structure while maintaining detection precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnet is positioned inside the cable end piece, nested within the existing cable-sheath structure. The Hall effect sensor is mounted on the sheath exterior, detecting the magnetic field through the sheath wall, thus utilizing the existing structural space without requiring additional external mounting space

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Measurement precision

If a linear position sensor system is installed to detect cable movement, then the measurement accuracy is improved, but the space requirement becomes incompatible with the gearbox environment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelinear position measurement accuracyVSAvoidsensor system space requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The magnet is integrated inside the cable end piece, utilizing the existing cable assembly space. The Hall effect sensor is mounted on the sheath exterior, detecting through the sheath wall, thus requiring no additional internal space within the compact gearbox environment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic field-based detection system requires minimal space compared to mechanical linear position sensors, as the magnetic field penetrates the sheath wall without requiring physical access to the cable end piece, reducing the space footprint within the gearbox

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If angular movement detection of the lever is used, then the system complexity is reduced, but the ability to detect neutral position precision is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection system complexityVSAvoidneutral position detection precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes angular movement detection with linear movement detection along the cable axis. The Hall effect sensor tracks the magnet's linear displacement as the cable extends or retracts, providing precise neutral position detection by measuring the cable's linear position relative to the sheath, which directly corresponds to the lever's neutral position

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 effectively detects the position of the gearbox control lever with high precision, using magnetic technology that is compact and compatible with the gearbox environment, enabling accurate gear selection and shifting detection.

Implementation Method 1

a Hall Effect Sensor positioned on one part of the sheath end piece in order to detect the movement between the cable end piece and the sheath end piece

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHall Effect: Hall Effect

Data Source

PatentUS9845867B2Device for sensing the linear position of a transmission member in the form of a cable attached to a lever of a motor vehicle gearbox

Publication Date: 2017.12.19 DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS SAS

AI summary

A device for detecting the position of a lever includes a member being connected on at least one of its ends to a cable end piece that is fitted sliding into a fixed sheath end piece. The device comprises a magnet fitted inside a pipe that constitutes the cable end piece and a Hall Effect Sensor positioned on one part of the sheath end piece in order to detect the movement between the cable end piece and the sheath end piece, which corresponds to a movement of the lever.