Multi-position switch having dual output hall device
View Patent ↗A multi-output switch includes a dipole magnet configured to move from a central position to either a first position or a second position and a Hall Effect sensor having a first sensitive area with a first output and a second sensitive area with a second output, wherein the sensor is relatively positioned such that when the magnet is in the central position, the first output and second output read off, when the magnet is in the first position the first sensitive area is activated and the first output reads on, and when the magnet is in the second position the second sensitive area is activated and the second output reads on. The switch may further include a magnet holder configured to house the magnet and define a pathway of movement for the magnet.
1. A switch comprising:
a dipole magnet configured to move from a central position to either a first position or a second position; and
a Hall Effect sensor having a first sensitive area with a first output and a second sensitive area with a second output, wherein the sensor is relatively positioned such that when the magnet is in the central position, the first output and second output are off, when the magnet is in the first position the first sensitive area is activated and the first output is on, and when the magnet is in the second position the second sensitive area is activated and the second output is on.
2. The switch of claim 1 , wherein the first sensitive area is sensitive to a north pole of the magnet and the second sensitive area is sensitive to a south pole of the magnet.
3. The switch of claim 2 , wherein no net magnetic field is detected by either the first or the second sensitive areas when the magnet is in the central position.
4. The switch of claim 2 , wherein a net magnetic field is detected by the first sensitive area when the magnet is in the first position.
5. The switch of claim 2 , wherein a net magnetic field is detected by the second sensitive area when the magnet is in the second position.
6. The switch of claim 1 , further comprising a magnet holder configured to house the magnet and define a pathway of movement for the magnet from the central position to either the first position or the second position.
7. The switch of claim 6 , wherein the pathway of movement for the magnet is a rotational pathway.
8. The switch of claim 1 , wherein the central position of the magnet is an off position for the switch.
9. The switch of claim 1 , wherein the first output and the second output are both digital outputs.
10. A switch, comprising:
a magnet having a north pole and a south pole; and
a dual output Hall Effect sensor having a north pole magnetic field sensitive area with a first output and a south pole magnetic field sensitive area with a second output, wherein the sensor is relatively positioned such that when the magnet is in the central position, the first output and the second output both are off, when the magnet is in the first position the north pole magnetic field sensitive area is activated and the first output is on, and when the magnet is in the second position the south pole magnetic field sensitive area is activated and the second output is on.
11. The switch of claim 10 , further comprising a magnet holder configured to house the magnet and define a pathway of movement for the magnet from the central position to either the first position or the second position.
12. The switch of claim 11 , wherein the pathway of movement for the magnet is a rotational pathway.
13. The switch of claim 10 , wherein the central position of the magnet is an off position for the switch.
14. The switch of claim 10 , wherein the first output and the second output are both digital outputs.
15. A switch; comprising:
a magnet having a north pole and a south pole and producing a magnetic field; and
a dual output Hall Effect sensor having a north pole magnetic field sensitive area with a first digital output and a south pole magnetic field sensitive area with a second digital output, wherein the sensor is relatively positioned such that when the magnet is in the central position, both the north pole magnetic field sensitive area and the south pole magnetic field sensitive area measure zero net magnetic field and both the first digital output and the second digital output are off, when the magnet is in the first position the north pole magnetic field sensitive area measures a net magnetic field and is activated resulting in the first digital output being on, and when the magnet is in the second position the south pole magnetic field sensitive area measures a net magnetic field and is activated resulting in the second digital output being on.
16. The switch of claim 15 , further comprising a magnet holder configured to house the magnet and define a pathway of movement for the magnet from the central position to either the first position or the second position.
17. The switch of claim 16 , wherein the pathway of movement for the magnet is a rotational pathway.