DE102021107969A1 - COUPLING AND CONTROL UNIT WITH A CONTACTLESS, INDUCTIVE POSITION SENSOR - Google Patents

Abstract

A coupling and control unit with a contactless, inductive displacement sensor is provided. The unit contains a controllable coupling unit with a first and a second coupling element, which are mounted rotatably relative to one another about an axis of rotation. The first coupling element has a first coupling plane surface which has a sensor pocket that receives the sensor. A control element, which consists of an electrically conductive material, is installed for controlled switching movement with small adjustment relative to the sensor. The sensor is designed to generate a magnetic field in order to generate eddy currents in the electrically conductive material of the control element, a switching movement of the control element changing a magnetic field caused by the eddy currents. The sensor provides a position feedback signal for controlling the vehicle transmission, the signal being correlated with the position of the control element.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This invention claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application filed on March 31, 2020, Serial No. 63/002 668 and claims priority over U.S. application filed February 9, 2021, Serial No. 17/171 067 , the full disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference at this point.

The full disclosure thereof is hereby incorporated by reference at this point.

TECHNICAL AREA

The invention relates generally to coupling and control units, each of which has a contactless, inductive displacement sensor, and in particular to such units which use inductive position sensors to directly sense the position of a control element.

OVERVIEW

• Typ mit Rollen, der aus federbelasteten Rollen zwischen der inneren und der äußeren Laufscheibe der Freilaufkupplung besteht. (Rollentyp wird in einigen Anwendungen auch ohne Federn verwendet); und
• Typ mit Freilauf, der aus asymmetrisch geformten Keilen besteht, die zwischen der inneren und der äußeren Laufscheibe der Freilaufkupplung angeordnet sind.

A typical one-way clutch (OWC) consists of an inner ring, an outer ring, and a locking device between the two rings. The overrunning clutch is designed so that it locks in one direction and allows free rotation in the other direction. Two types of overrunning clutches that are often used in vehicle automatic transmissions include:

• Roller type consisting of spring-loaded rollers between the inner and outer race of the overrunning clutch. (Roller type is also used without springs in some applications); and
• One-way clutch type consisting of asymmetrically shaped wedges located between the inner and outer races of the one-way clutch.

The overrunning clutches are typically used in the transmission to prevent disruption of drive torque (i.e., flow of energy) during certain gears and to enable engine braking when idling.

Controllable or switchable one-way clutches (i.e., OWC) are a departure from traditional one-way clutch designs. Switchable overrunning clutches include a second set of locking elements in combination with a sliding plate. The additional amount of locking elements plus the sliding plate adds multiple functions to the overrunning clutch. Depending on the needs of the design, controllable free-air clutches are capable of establishing a mechanical connection between a rotating or stationary shaft in one or both directions. Also depending on the design, overrunning clutches are able to move in one or both directions when disengaged. A controllable one-way clutch contains an externally controlled selection or control mechanism. A movement of this selection mechanism can be between two or more positions which correspond to different modes of operation.

in the U.S. Patent No. 5,927,455 is a bidirectional overrunning clutch with pawl, im U.S. Patent No. 6,244,965 a flat overrunning clutch and im U.S. Patent No. 6,290,044 disclosed a switchable overrunning clutch unit for use in an automatic transmission.

In U.S. Patent No. 7,258,214 and 7 344 010 overrunning clutch units are disclosed, and in U.S. Patent No. 7,484,605 a radial freewheel clutch unit or clutch is disclosed.

An appropriately designed, controllable overrunning clutch can have reactive losses of almost zero when it is switched off. It can also be activated by electromechanics and has neither the complexity nor the blind losses of a hydraulic pump and valves.

Other related U.S. patent publications include: 2016/0377126 , 2015/0014116 , 2011/0140451 , 2011/0215575 , 2011/0233026 , 2011/0177900 , 2010/0044141 , 2010/0071497 , 2010/0119389 , 2010/0252384 , 2009/0133981 , 2009/0127059 , 2009/0084653 , 2009/0194381 , 2009/0142207 , 2009/0255773 , 2009/0098968 , 2010/0230226 , 2010/0200358 , 2009/0211863 , 2009/0159391 , 2009/0098970 , 2008/0223681 , 2008/0110715 , 2008/0169166 , 2008/0169165 , 2008/0185253 , 2007/0278061 , 2007/0056825 , 2006/0252589 , 2006/0278487 , 2006/0138777 , 2006/0185957 , 2004/0110594 , and the following U.S. Patents No. 9 874 252 , 9 732 809 , 8 888 637 , 7,942,781 , 7 806 795 , 7 695 387 , 7 690 455 , 7 491 151 , 7 484 605 , 7 464 801 , 7 349 010 , 7 275 628 , 7 256 510 , 7 223 198 , 7 198 587 , 7 093 512 , 6 953 409 , 6 846 257 , 6 814 201 , 6 503 167 , 6 328 670 , 6 692 405 , 6 193 038 , 4,050,560 , 4,340,133 , 5 597 057 , 5,918,715 , 5 638 929 , 5,342,258 , 5 362 293 , 5 678 668 , 5,070,978 , 5 052 534 , 5,387,854 , 5 231 265 , 5,394,321 , 5 206 573 , 5,453,598 , 5 642 009 , 6 075 302 , 6 065 576 , 6,982,502 , 7 153 228 , 5 846 257 , 5 924 510 and 5,918,715 .

A linear motor is an electric motor that lets its stator and rotor roll over each other, so that instead of creating torque (rotation) it creates a linear force along its length. The most common operating mode is a Lorenz drive, in which the force applied is linearly proportional to the current and the magnetic field. In the published U.S. application 2003/0102196 a bidirectional linear travel motor is disclosed.

Linear stepper motors are used for positioning applications that require fast acceleration and high speed movements with low mass loads. Additional features of linear stepper motor systems are mechanical simplicity and accurate idle operation.

A linear stepper motor works on the same electromagnetic principles as a rotary stepper motor. The stationary part or platen is a passive steel rod with teeth that extends the desired length of movement. Permanent magnets, electromagnets with teeth and bearings are included in the moving elements or the driver. The driver moves in two directions along the platen and takes individual positions in response to the state of the currents in the field windings. In general, the motor is a two-phase motor, but a larger number of phases can be used.

The linear stepper motor is well known in the art and operates on established principles of magnet theory. The stator or platen element of the linear stepping motor consists of an elongated, rectangular steel rod with a plurality of parallel teeth that extend over the distance to be traversed and function in the manner of a rail for the so-called driver element of the motor.

The platen is completely passive when the motor is operating, with all magnets and electromagnets embedded in the driver or rotor component. The driver moves in two directions along the platen and takes individual positions in response to the state of the electrical current in the field windings.

The U.S. patents which are assigned to the same assignee as the following application and which are related to the present application are closing 8 813 929 , 8 888 637 , 9 109 636 , 9 121 454 , 9 186 977 , 9 303 699 , 9 435 387 , 2012/0149518 , 2013/0256078 , 2013/0277164 , 2014/0100071 , 2015/0014116 , 9 255 614 , 2015/0001023 , 9 371 868 , 2016/0369855 , 2016/0131206 , 2016/0377126 , 2016/0131205 , 2016/0047439 , 2018/0328419 , 2018/0010651 , 2018/0038425 , 2018/0106304 , 2018/0156332 , 2018/0231105 , 2019/0170198 , 9 482 294 , 9 482 297 , 9 541 141 , 9 562 574 , 9 638 266 , 8 286 722 , 8 720 659 and 9 188 170 a. The complete disclosures of all of the jointly assigned patents specified above are hereby incorporated by reference at this point.

A linear, electrically controllable, mechanical, two-position diode is disclosed in some of the above related patents, which are assigned to the assignee by the assignment of the present application. This device is a dynamic one-way clutch as both race disks (i.e., pocket and pocket plate) rotate. The linear motor or actuator moves, which in turn moves the piston, which is connected to struts, through a magnetic field generated by a stator. The actuator has a ring of permanent magnets that engages the clutch in two states, ON and OFF. Electricity is only consumed when transitioning from one state to the other. As soon as it is in the desired state, the magnet locks into place and the current is interrupted.

In the US patent documents 2015/0000442 , 2016/0047439 and U.S. Patent No. 9,441,708 Magnetically locking, controllable, mechanical 3-position 2-way diodes with linear motors are disclosed.

Mechanical forces arising from local or remote magnetic sources, i. H. Electric currents and / or permanent magnet materials (PM) can be determined by examining the magnetic fields generated or “excited” by the magnetic sources. A magnetic field is a vector field that indicates the size and direction of the influencing power of the local or remote magnetic sources at any point in space. The strength or magnitude of the magnetic field at a point in an area of interest will depend on the strength, size, and relative position of the exciting magnetic sources and the magnetic characteristics of the various media between the positions of the exciting sources and the given area of interest. Magnetic properties are material properties that determine “how easy” it is to “magnetize” a unit volume of the material or “how low” a level of excitation is required to “magnetize” a unit volume of the material, that is, a specific one Establish height of magnetic field strength. In general, areas that contain ferrous material are much easier to “magnetize” compared to areas that contain air or plastic.

Magnetic fields can be represented or described as three-dimensional lines of force that are closed curves and traverse areas in space and within material structures. When a magnetic "effect" (generation of measurable levels of mechanical force) takes place within a magnetic structure, it is recognized that these lines of force connect or link the magnetic sources within the structure. Magnetic lines of force are connected to a power source when they surround all or part of the current path in the structure. Lines of force are connected to a permanent magnet source when they pass through the permanent magnet material in general in the direction or opposite direction of permanent magnetization. Individual lines of force or field lines that do not cross each other show heights of tensile stress at every point along the line extension, very similar to the tensile force in a stretched rubber band that is stretched to form a closed curve of field lines. This is the primary method of generating force via air gaps in the structure of a magnet machine.

One can generally determine the direction of the pure force generation in parts of a magnetic machine by checking graphical representations of magnetic field lines within the structure. The more field lines there are (the more stretched rubber bands) in each direction over an air gap separating machine elements, the more tensile force there is between machine elements in this given direction.

The term “sensor” as used here is used to describe a circuit or an arrangement that contains a sensing element or other components. In particular, the term “magnetic field sensor” used here is used to describe a circuit or an arrangement which comprises a magnetic field sensing element and electronics connected to the magnetic field sensing element.

The term “magnetic field sensor” used here is used to describe a large number of electronic elements that can sense a magnetic field. The magnetic field sensors can be Hall effect elements, elements with a change in magnetic resistance or magnetotransistors, but are not limited thereto. As is known, there are different types of Hall effect elements such as a planar Hall element, a vertical Hall element, and a circular vertical Hall element (CVH). It is also known that there are different types of magnetic resistance change elements, for example, a largest magnetic resistance change (GMR) element, an anisotropic element (TMR), an indium antimonide sensor (InSb), and a magnetic tunnel connection (MTJ).

As is known, some of the magnetic field sensing elements described above tend to have an axis of maximum sensitivity parallel to a substrate carrying the magnetic field sensing element and others of the magnetic field sensing elements described above tend to have an axis of maximum sensitivity perpendicular to a substrate own, which carries the magnetic field scanning element. In particular, planar Hall elements tend to have axes of sensitivity perpendicular to a substrate, while resistivity-changing elements and vertical Hall elements (including circular vertical Hall sensors, CVH) tend to have axes of sensitivity parallel to a substrate.

Magnetic field sensors are used in a variety of applications, including, but not limited to, an angle sensor that senses the directional angle of a magnetic field, a current sensor that senses a magnetic field generated by a current carried by a live conductor , a magnetic switch that scans the vicinity of a ferromagnetic object, a rotation detector that senses ferromagnetic particles passing through, for example magnetic areas of a ring magnet and a magnetic field sensor that scans the magnetic field density of a magnetic field.

Modern automobiles employ an engine transmission system with gears of different sizes to transfer the power generated by the vehicle engine to the vehicle wheels based on the speed at which the vehicle is traveling. The engine transmission system typically includes a clutch mechanism that can engage and disengage these gears. The clutch mechanism can be operated manually by the vehicle operator or automatically by the vehicle itself based on the speed at which the driver wishes to operate the vehicle.

In vehicles with automatic transmissions, there is a need for the vehicle to sense the position of the clutch for smooth, effective shifts between gears in the transmission and for all-encompassing effective transmission control. Therefore, vehicles with automatic transmissions can use a clutch position transmitter to sense the linear position of the clutch to facilitate gear changing and control of the transmission.

Current clutch position sensors use magnetic sensors. One advantage of using magnetic sensors is that the sensor does not have to be in physical contact with the object to be scanned, as a result of which mechanical wear between the sensor and the object is avoided. However, the effective accuracy of a clutch length measurement can be compromised if the sensor is not in physical contact with the object being scanned because of a necessary gap or tolerance that exists between the sensor and the object. In addition, current scanning systems addressing this problem use solenoids and certain application specific integrated circuits which are relatively expensive.

in the U.S. Patent No. 8,324,890 discloses a position sensor of a transmission clutch that contains two Hall sensors that are located at opposite ends of a power flow compressor outside of the transmission housing in order to sample a magnetic field that is generated by a magnet attached to the clutch piston. To reduce the sensitivity to tolerances from magnet to magnet gap, a ratio of the voltage from one Hall sensor to the sum of the voltages from both Hall sensors is used to correlate the piston and thus the clutch position. The following U.S. and foreign patent documents are related to the present invention: GB 253 319 , DE 1020 16118266 , FR 3 025 878 and U.S. 10,247,578 .

For the purposes of this application, the term “clutch” should be interpreted to include clutches or brakes, one of the disks being drivably connected to a torque output element of the transmission and the other disk being drivably connected to a further torque output element, or with respect to a transmission housing is anchored or held stationary. The terms “clutch”, “clutch” and “brake” can be used interchangeably.

Notwithstanding the above, there is still the need to scan the position of a control element or an indexing disk directly because the scanning that occurs at the actuator of the indexing disk has the potential to inaccurate the state of the clutch in the event of damage to the actuator Report.

SUMMARY OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

An object of at least one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a coupling and control unit with a contactless, inductive displacement sensor which scans the control element position directly, whereby there is no need to infer a state of the structural unit indirectly.

When carrying out the above-mentioned object and other objects of the at least one embodiment of the present invention, a coupling and control unit with a contactless, inductive displacement sensor is provided. The unit comprises a controllable coupling unit with first and second coupling elements which are mounted rotatably relative to one another about an axis of rotation. The first coupling element has a first coupling plane surface with a locking element pocket which receives a locking element. The first plane of the coupling also has a sensor pocket that holds the sensor. The second coupling element has a second coupling plane surface with an arrangement of locking structures. A control element, which consists of electrically conductive material, is installed for the controlled switching movement with small adjustment between the first and the second coupling plane surface relative to the locking element and the sensor for controlling the position of the locking element. The control element enables the locking element to engage in one of the locking structures in a first position of the control element, the control element holding the locking element in the locking element pocket in a second position of the control element. The sensor is designed to generate a magnetic field for inducing eddy currents in the electrically conductive material of the control element, a switching movement of the control element changing a magnetic field caused by the eddy currents. The sensor provides a position feedback signal for controlling the vehicle transmission, the signal being correlated with the position of the control element.

The control element can be rotatable about the axis of rotation, the sensor being a rotary position sensor.

The control element can be an electrically conductive switching disk.

The control element may include an opening that is at least partially axially aligned with the sensor during the switching movement between the first and second positions in order to change the magnetic field caused by the eddy currents.

The sensor can contain a printed circuit board, and the control element can be received directly on the board.

The sensor may have a transmitter coil with a resonance frequency that changes when the control element moves.

The first and the second coupling element can be a pocket plate and a recess plate, respectively.

The locking element can be a strut.

The control element can be an opening control element.

In yet another embodiment of the above-mentioned object and other objects of at least one embodiment of the present invention, a clutch and control unit with a contactless, inductive displacement sensor is provided. The unit comprises a controllable clutch unit with first and second clutch elements which are rotatably mounted relative to one another about an axis of rotation. The first shift clutch element has a first shift clutch plane surface with a plurality of locking element pockets. Each of the pockets receives a locking element. The first shift clutch plane surface also has a sensor pocket that holds the sensor. The second shift clutch element has a second shift clutch plane surface with an arrangement of locking structures. A control element consists of an electrically conductive material and is installed for the controlled switching movement with small adjustment between the first and the second coupling plane surface relative to the locking elements and the sensor for controlling the position of the locking elements. The control element allows the locking elements to engage the locking structures in a first position of the control element, the control element retaining the locking elements in their locking element pockets in a second position of the control element. The sensor is designed to generate a variable magnetic field in order to induce eddy currents in the electrically conductive material of the control element, the switching movement of the control element changing a magnetic field caused by the eddy currents. The sensor provides a position feedback signal for controlling the vehicle transmission, the signal being correlated with the position of the control element.

The control element can be rotatable about the axis of rotation, the sensor being a rotary position sensor.

The control element can be an electrically conductive switching disk.

The control element may include an opening that is at least partially aligned with the sensor during a toggle movement between the first and second positions to vary the magnetic field generated by the eddy currents.

The sensor can contain a printed circuit board, and the control element can be received directly on the board.

The sensor may include a transmitter coil with a resonant frequency that changes when the control element moves.

The first and the second clutch element can be a pocket plate or recess plate.

Each of the locking elements can be a strut.

The control element can be an aperture control element.

Figure list

• 1 Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a prior art overrunning clutch and clutch assembly modified in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention;
• 2 Figure 4 is a top plan view, partially broken away, of a pocket plate modified in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention;
• 3 FIG. 13 is a side view, partially broken away, of the modified pocket plate of FIG 2 ; and
• 4th FIG. 13 is a top plan view, partially broken away, of the modified pocket plate of FIG 2 and 3 which now includes an open indexing disk, a sensor and a vehicle control unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein as needed, but it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The images are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to make details more specific To show components. For this reason, the structural and functional details disclosed here should not be interpreted as restrictive, but rather only as an illustrative basis, in order to show the person skilled in the art how to use the present invention in various ways.

With reference again to the drawing figures is 1 Figure 12 is an exploded perspective view of an overrunning clutch or clutch assembly indicated generally at 10, modified in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that the present invention can be used in a wide variety of precisely modified switchable clutches, such as clutches with three or more operating modes or operating states. Indeed, the present invention can be used with controllable mechanical diodes (CMD) that have an unlimited number of modes of operation or mechanical states.

Like in U.S. Patent No. 8,602,187 described and in the U.S. Patent Application No. 2014/0190785 published, both of which are transferred to the successor in title by assignment, comprises the entity 10 an annular inverted pocket plate or first external coupling member, indicated generally at 12. An outer, axially extending surface 14th the plate 12th has external profiles 16 for coupling the plate 12th with the inner surface of a gear housing (not shown). A radially extending inner surface or coupling face 18th the plate 12th is with spaced pockets 20th formed in which inverted struts 22nd are pivotably biased outward through in the pockets 20th under their respective pursuits 22nd arranged coil springs (not shown). Preferably there are twelve inverted struts 22nd intended. However, it should be understood that a greater or lesser number of inverted struts 22nd can be provided.

The structural unit 10 also contains a control element or an element in the form of a sliding plate of the selection device, generally at 26th indicated with a plurality of spaced apart openings 28 that extend completely through this to make it the opposite brace 22nd to allow themselves to be in their pockets 20th to turn and through the opening 28 to protrude to engage spaced locking structures or ramped inverted recesses (not shown) formed in a radially extending surface or coupling face of a front or inner pocket plate or coupling member 34 specified when the plate 26th exactly angularly about a common middle first axis of rotation 36 by an output element in the form of an adjusting pin or arm 38 is positioned. The pencil 38 is with the plate 26th connected or attached to this in order to move with it.

The pencil 38 can protrude through a recess or an elongated slot through a wall or a wall section of an outer, circumferential end wall of the plate 12th is formed as it is in the U.S. Patent No. 8,602,187 will be shown. The wall can be a common wall that separates and from the first coupling element 12th and a housing of the control system is shared. The elongated slot can extend between an inner surface of the housing and an inner surface of the wall of the first coupling element 12th extend and relate to it. The pencil 38 can move in the slot between different insert positions to cause the plate 26th shifts or switches between their control positions to alternate the struts 22nd to cover or expose (i.e., to the inverted struts 22nd move in or move out).

The plate 34 consists of a wedge ring with internal wedges 46 on its axially extending inner surface 48 are trained. A radially extending surface 50 or at a distance from the other coupling plane surface (not shown) of the plate 34 arranged coupling face has a plurality of spaced pockets formed therein 52 on to it a multitude of forward striving 54 received, which are rotatably biased by appropriate coil springs (not shown). Preferably there are fourteen forward struts 54 intended. It should be understood, however, that a greater or lesser number of forward facing rods 54 can be provided.

The unit 10 may also include a second outer coupling member or recess plate, indicated generally at 58, having a plurality of locking structures, cams or recesses (not shown) formed in a radially extending surface or coupling face (not shown) thereof which the forward striving 54 the forward facing plate 54 with the recess plate in one direction around the axis 36 lock, but freewheel in the opposite direction around the axis 36 allow. The recess plate 58 contains external wedges 64 on an axial outer surface 66 the plate 58 are formed and in axially extending recesses 68 that are in the axially extending inner surface 47 the outer circumferential end wall of the plate 12th trained, recorded and recorded.

The unit 10 can furthermore a general at 72 specified snap ring with End sections 74 contained in one in the inner surface 47 the front wall of the plate 12th formed, annular recess 76 is built to the panels 12th , 26th , 34 and 48 to hold together and to limit axial movement of the plates relative to one another.

The pencil 38 has a control position for disengaging the inverted struts 22nd on. In one embodiment is a pen 38 by 7 ° in a forward freewheeling direction around the axis 36 rotated to the indexing disc 26th to rotate and brace it the other way round 22nd in turn to enable them to move out of their disengaged position in their pockets 20th into their engaged position with the recesses (not shown) of the plate 34 to move.

As described above, a typical switchable one-way clutch consists of a recess plate, a pocket plate, a switching disk, struts, springs and a snap ring. The recess plate and the pocket plate rotate relative to one another. The struts prevent rotation in one direction when engaged, but the indexing disc can prevent the struts from engaging. The position of the indexing disc is typically controlled by a hydraulically operated mechanism called a lever.

In the prior art, it is possible to determine the positions of the switching disk by scanning the position of the adjusting lever. If the control lever were to be removed from the indexing disc, there would no longer be a way to find the position of the indexing disc. The valve position was previously measured with Hall cells, but the position of the valve was only measured on the basis of a prototype.

The importance of knowing the position of the shift disk is that if the part were to be locked in improper conditions, the vehicle would suddenly be pulled into first gear. A vehicle pulled into first gear on the road could damage the engine due to extreme engine speeds. Monitoring the position of the switching disk can help protect against the risk of undesired changes in the state of the switching clutch. The sensor could also detect if the control lever is damaged and restrict the shifting of the transmission.

Because of the above scenarios, there is a need for a more direct way to find the location of the openings in the indexing disc.

It is an object of at least one embodiment of the present invention to locate the switching disk directly with an eddy current or an inductive position sensor. As disclosed below, the location or position of an indexing disc 26 ' Changes in the performance of an eddy current or an inductive displacement sensor 100 be equated.

With reference now to 2 , 3 and 4th is a pocket plate 12 ' and a switching disk 26 ' shown, with the two out of the unit 10 from 1 have been modified to make it a general one 100 to enable specified, contactless, inductive displacement sensor to scan the movement of a control element or a switching disk directly. The sensor 100 can be a coil circuit board 116 have on which one or more coils 110 are included, and an electronic circuit board 114 have, which the active electronics (not shown) of the sensor 100 records.

In 2 , 3 and 4th parts illustrated that are the same as parts of 1 such as the struts 26th have the same reference number. In 2 , 3 and 4th illustrated parts that are part of the modified unit have the same reference numerals as the corresponding part of the unit 100 on, but with a single line mark (ie, an area 14 ' , Wedges 16 ' , a coupling plane surface 18 ' , Bags 20 ' , a plate 26th 'and openings 28 ' ). The new features or parts are given a new reference number, such as the sensor 100 , an opening formed through a wall of the pocket plate 12 ' 102 and one in the indexing disc 26 ' formed, circular opening 104 . The opening 104 is a dedicated opening in the switching disk 26 ' to the sensor 100 to be determined beforehand. The sensor 100 is under the switching disk 26 ' in one in the pocket plate 12 ' built-in sensor pocket. The opening 102 possesses a size and shape that allow the coil circuit board 116 of the sensor 100 through a side wall of the pocket plate 12 ' and in the one in the coupling face 18 ' the pocket plate 12 ' insert formed sensor pocket. The electronic circuit board 114 typically remains outside the pocket plate 12 ' . The two circuit boards 114 and 116 can be stacked vertically and horizontally offset from each other.

The eddy current sensor 100 works by creating variable magnetic fields in one or more coils 110 of the sensor 100 are generated to in the electrically conductive material of the switching disc 26 ' induce closed eddy current circuits. The resulting cycle of electrical current in the conductive material creates an electromagnet that acts on the magnetic field of the coil 110 is opposite. The sensor 100 can measure the change in the magnetic field caused by the eddy currents, whereby this change correlates with how close the electrically conductive field is Switching disk material 26 ' to the sensor 100 is. There is a coupling between the magnetic field of the coil and the eddy currents, similar to the coupling between the windings of a transformer which creates mutual inductance. The coupling depends on the distance and changes the inductance of the coil when the coupling is effective 100 and the coupling system. The change in inductance results from the change in the resonance frequency of the coil 100 measured. When the current reaches a steady amplitude, the inductance of the system can be calculated from the measured time constant and the known resistance of the sensor electronics. The sensor 100 can be modeled as a lossy inductor parallel to a capacitor.

With known inductance, capacitance and resistance of the sensor 100 the resonance frequency can be calculated.

The eddy current or inductive position sensor 100 gives a value to a vehicle controller 112 off for use in controlling the vehicle's transmission, which is relatively high when the sensor is on 100 under the air gap or opening 104 and is relatively low if the sensor is under a section without the opening of the switching disk 26 ' is located.

While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the individual illustration are those of description rather than limitation, it being understood that various changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, the features of various implementing embodiments can be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

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Claims (18)

Coupling and control unit with a contactless, inductive displacement sensor, the unit comprising: a controllable coupling unit with a first and a second coupling element, which are rotatably mounted relative to each other about an axis of rotation, wherein the first coupling element has a first coupling face with a locking element pocket that receives a locking element, wherein the first coupling face also has a sensor pocket that holds the sensor receives, wherein the second coupling element has a second coupling plane with an arrangement of locking structures; a control element, which consists of an electrically conductive material and is installed for controlled switching movement with small adjustment between the first and the second coupling plane surface relative to the locking element and the sensor for controlling the position of the locking element, the control element allowing the locking element in one of the locking structures engages in a first position of the control element and the control element holds the locking element in the locking element pocket in a second position of the control element; and a contactless, inductive displacement sensor, designed to generate a magnetic field to induce eddy currents in the electrically conductive material of the control element, wherein a switching movement of the control element changes a magnetic field caused by the eddy currents, the sensor supplies a feedback signal of the position to control the vehicle transmission , where the signal is related to the position of the control element. Clutch and control unit according to Claim 1 wherein the control element is rotatable about the axis of rotation and wherein the sensor is a rotary position sensor. Clutch and control unit according to Claim 1 , wherein the control element is an electrically conductive indexing disc. Clutch and control unit according to Claim 1 wherein the control element includes an opening which is at least partially axially aligned with the sensor upon a switching movement between the first and the second position in order to change the magnetic field caused by the eddy currents. Clutch and control unit according to Claim 1 , wherein the sensor contains a printed circuit board, and wherein the control element is received directly on the board. Clutch and control unit according to Claim 1 wherein the sensor includes a transmitter coil having a resonant frequency that changes when the control element moves. Clutch and control unit according to Claim 1 wherein the first and second coupling elements are a pocket plate and a recess plate, respectively. Clutch and control unit according to Claim 1 , wherein the locking element is a strut. Clutch and control unit according to Claim 1 wherein the control is an apertured control. Clutch and control unit with a contactless, inductive displacement sensor, the unit comprising: a controllable clutch unit with a first and a second clutch element, which are rotatably mounted relative to each other about an axis of rotation, wherein the first clutch element has a first plane clutch surface with a plurality of locking element pockets, each of the pockets receiving a locking element, the first plane clutch surface also has a sensor pocket which receives the sensor, wherein the second clutch element has a second clutch plane with an arrangement of locking structures; a control element, which consists of electrically conductive material and is installed for the controlled switching movement with small adjustment between the first and the second switching clutch plane surface relative to the locking elements and the sensor for controlling the position of the locking elements, the control element allowing the locking element in the Engaging locking structures in a first position of the control element and the control element holding the locking elements in their locking element pockets in a second position of the control element; and a contactless, inductive displacement sensor designed to generate a variable magnetic field to induce eddy currents in the electrically conductive material of the control element, the switching movement of the control element changing a magnetic field caused by the eddy currents, the sensor a feedback signal of the position for controlling the vehicle transmission where the signal is correlated with the position of the control element. Clutch and control unit according to Claim 10 wherein the control element is rotatable about the axis of rotation, and wherein the sensor is a rotational position sensor. Clutch and control unit according to Claim 10 , wherein the control element is an electrically conductive indexing disc. Clutch and control unit according to Claim 10 wherein the control element includes an opening which is at least partially axially aligned with the sensor during a switching movement between the first and second positions to change the magnetic field caused by the eddy currents. Clutch and control unit according to Claim 10 , wherein the sensor contains a printed circuit board, and wherein the control element is received directly on the board. Clutch and control unit according to Claim 10 wherein the sensor includes a transmitter coil having a resonant frequency that changes when the control element moves. Clutch and control unit according to Claim 10 wherein the first and second clutch elements are a pocket plate and a recess plate, respectively. Clutch and control unit according to Claim 10 wherein each of the locking elements is a strut. Clutch and control unit according to Claim 10 wherein the control is an apertured control.

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