MAGNETIC POSITION SENSOR
A disclosed apparatus includes a sensor housing. First and second magnets may be disposed in the sensor housing. A magnetic field sensor may be disposed between the first and second magnets. A sensor element may be positioned in a vicinity of the sensor housing, the sensor element to cause a magnetic field between the first and second magnets to substantially bypass the magnetic field sensor. The sensor housing may be coupled to a movable rail. The sensor element may be coupled to a fixed rail. The movable rail may be engaged with the fixed rail and movable relative to the fixed rail.
1 . An apparatus, comprising:
a sensor housing;
first and second magnets disposed in the sensor housing;
a magnetic field sensor disposed between the first and second magnets; and
a sensor element positioned in a vicinity of the sensor housing, the sensor element to cause a magnetic field between the first and second magnets to substantially bypass the magnetic field sensor.
2 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor element is a switching plate made of ferromagnetic material.
3 . The apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the ferromagnetic material is a material including at least one of iron, nickel, or cobalt.
4 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor element is a switching plate that has a width at least as great as a distance between the first and second magnets.
5 . The apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the width of the switching plate is greater than the distance between the first and second magnets.
6 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor housing is disposed on a movable seat rail associated with a vehicular seat and the sensor element is disposed on a fixed seat rail engaged with the movable seat rail.
7 . The apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the sensor element is a switching plate made of ferromagnetic material.
8 . The apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the ferromagnetic material is a material including at least one of iron, nickel, or cobalt.
9 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the magnetic field sensor is a magnet effect sensor.
10 . The apparatus according claim 9 , wherein the magnet effect sensor is a Hall-effect sensor, Anisotropic Magneto-Resistive sensor, Giant magnetoresistance sensor, or Tunnel magnetoresistance sensor.
11 . An apparatus, comprising:
a fixed rail;
a movable rail engaged to the fixed rail, the movable rail movable relative to the fixed rail;
a sensor housing including a plurality of magnets and a magnetic field sensor, the sensor housing coupled to the fixed rail or the movable rail; and
a switching plate coupled to the fixed rail or movable rail that does not include the sensor housing, the switching plate to cause to cause a magnetic field between the first and second magnets to substantially bypass the magnetic field sensor.
12 . The apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the movable rail is coupled to a vehicular seat.
13 . The apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the switching plate is made of ferromagnetic material.
14 . The apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the switching plate is coupled to the fixed rail and the sensor housing is coupled to the movable rail.
15 . The apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the switching plate is coupled to the movable rail and in the sensor housing is coupled to the fixed rail.
16 . The apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the magnetic field sensor is positioned between the plurality of magnets.
17 . The apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the magnetic field sensor is disposed between the plurality of magnets within the sensor housing.
18 . The apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the magnetic field sensor is a magnet effect sensor.
19 . The apparatus according claim 18 , wherein the magnet effect sensor is a Hall-effect sensor, Anisotropic Magneto-Resistive sensor, Giant magnetoresistance sensor, or Tunnel magnetoresistance sensor.