Shift Fork Angle Sensing for Precise Manual Transmission Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems for detecting the position of shifting elements in manual transmissions suffer from inaccuracies due to wear, play, elasticity, and thermal expansion, which affect the precision of automated shifting processes in commercial vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A sensor arrangement comprising a first and second sensor element, where the first sensor element is coupled to the actuating means for direct rotation detection, and the second sensor element is fixed on a mount to generate a sensor signal upon relative movement, utilizing magnetic, inductive, or optical principles, with an evaluation circuit and housing for precise angle detection, and optionally including a temperature sensor for correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If linear displacement detection is used for shift fork position, then the system structure is simple, but measurement precision deteriorates due to wear, play, elasticity and thermal expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical linear displacement detection with magnetic field-based angular position detection. A magnet is mounted on the shift fork and a magnetic sensor detects its position, eliminating mechanical contact and associated wear, play, and thermal expansion issues. This substitution of mechanical sensing with magnetic sensing achieves high measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Productivity
If automated shifting is implemented, then productivity increases, but measurement precision deteriorates due to accumulation of inaccuracies in the measurement chain
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic field-based detection system replaces mechanical measurement chains that accumulate errors through wear and play. By using non-contact magnetic sensing, the system maintains high measurement precision over time, enabling reliable automated shifting operations without the degradation seen in mechanical systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from linear displacement to angular position. By detecting the angular position of the shift fork through magnetic field changes rather than measuring linear displacement through mechanical means, the system achieves more stable and accurate measurements that do not degrade with wear, thereby supporting automated shifting with maintained precision.
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
The sensor arrangement achieves precise detection of the shift fork's rotational position, reducing inaccuracies and enhancing the efficiency of automated shifting by directly measuring the angle of rotation, thereby improving the controllability and efficiency of the drive train.
Implementation Method 1
the first sensor element includes a permanent magnet that generates a variable magnetic field when the adjusting means rotates, and the second sensor element is designed to generate the sensor signal in response to a change in the magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
This change can be caused by a change in resistance along a current path, or an inductive change, or a change caused by the Lorentz force
Implementation Method 3
This change can be caused by a change in resistance along a current path, or an inductive change, or a change caused by the Lorentz force
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a sensor arrangement for detecting an angle of a control device (50) which is rotationally arranged on a support (60), comprising a first sensor element (110) and a second sensor element (120). The first sensor element (110) can be coupled to the control device (50) in order carry out a movement with respect to the support (60) in accordance with a rotation of the control device (50). The second sensor element (120) can be rotationally fixed on the support (60) and can be coupled to the first sensor element (110) in order to produce, when rotating the control device (50) and a thus resulting movement between the first sensor element (110) and the second sensor element (120), a sensor signal which is dependent on the rotation carried out by the control device (50).