| 摘要 |
<p>An angular position sensor (20, 20', 200) for sensing the angular position of a pivotally mounted device (28) includes a magnetically sensitive device (24, 210), such as a Hall effect IC, and a plurality of flux concentrators (44, 46, 206), rigidly disposed relative to the Hall effect IC (24, 210), forming an assembly. The assembly is disposed in a housing (22, 221) a fixed distance from a rotatably mounted standard magnet (42, 202) defining a fixed air gap therebetween. The magnet (42, 202) is disposed in rotatably mounted magnet holder which also acts as a drive arm (24, 210) that is adapted to be mechanically coupled to a pivotally mounted device (28). The configuration of the flux concentrators (44, 46, 206) assembled to the magnetically sensitive device (24, 210) cause the output of the Hall effect IC (24, 210) to be generally linear. In order to avoid problems associated with electrically adjustable angular position sensors, the angular position sensor (20, 20', 200) in accordance with the present invention is adjusted mechanically. In particular, a flux concentrator (48, 208), preferably having a halo shape, is disposed adjacent the magnet (42, 202). The sensor (20, 20', 200) is calibrated by varying the distance between the halo-shaped flux concentrator (48, 208) and the magnet. In one embodiment of the invention, the halo-shaped flux concentrator (48, 208) is formed to provide temperature compensation for the sensor. The sensor (20, 20') is hermetically sealed and is thus unaffected by wear or vibration. In an alternative embodiment, a circular magnet (202) with a central aperture (216) is utilized. In order to reduce the overall length of the sensor, the magnetic sensing element (218) is disposed within the central aperture (216). <IMAGE></p> |
