Abstract: Embodiments herein are directed to a pedal assembly. The pedal assembly includes a housing, a pedal arm, at least one elongated member, and at least one strain gauge sensor. The pedal arm has a pedal pad on one end. The at least one elongated member is positioned within a cavity and configured to deflect upon a movement by the pedal arm caused from a load applied to the pedal pad. The at least one strain gauge sensor is positioned in communication with the at least one elongated member and configured to sense an amount of the deflection of the at least one elongated member. When the load is applied to the pedal pad, the pedal arm moves and deflects the at least one elongated member, which is sensed by the respective at least one strain gauge sensor indicative of an amount of load applied to the pedal pad.

Abstract: Embodiments herein are directed to a pedal pad assembly. The pedal pad assembly includes an outer housing that has a cavity, an inner housing that has an outer surface and is slidably received within the cavity of the outer housing, a pedal pad coupled to the inner housing and is configured to translate the inner housing along a movement axis in response to a load applied to the pedal pad and a sensor assembly that includes a plurality of target members coupled to the outer surface of the inner housing and a sensor configured to sense a position of at least one target member. During a translation of the inner housing along the movement axis, at least one target member of the plurality of target members moves with the inner housing from a first position to a second position indicative of the movement of the inner housing within the cavity.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes an electronic control unit and a pedal assembly. The electronic control unit switches from a powered off state to a powered on state during predetermined intervals. The pedal assembly includes pedal arm, a target, and a switch. The pedal arm moves between a plurality of positions. The target moves with the movement of the pedal arm. The target generates a magnetic field strength. The switch activates when the magnetic field strength of the target exceeds a predetermined threshold. When the switch activates, a signal is sent to the electronic control unit to activate the electronic control unit from the powered off state to the powered on state.

Abstract: Embodiments herein are directed to a redundant sensing system that includes a first sensor, a second sensor, and an electronic control unit. The first sensor is configured to output a first data indicative of a position data and the second sensor is configured to output a second data indicative of the position data. The electronic control unit is configured to determine whether the first data is within a first predetermined threshold range. When the first data is outside of the first predetermined threshold range, determine whether the second data is within a second predetermined threshold range. The electronic control unit is configured to control the redundant sensing system to operate with the second sensor when the first data is outside of the first predetermined threshold range and the second data is within the second predetermined threshold range.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes an electronic control unit and a pedal assembly. The electronic control unit selectively switches between a powered off state and a powered on state. The pedal assembly includes pedal arm, a target, and a switch. The pedal arm moves between a plurality of positions. The target moves with the movement of the pedal arm. The target generates a magnetic field strength. The switch activates when the magnetic field strength of the target exceeds a predetermined threshold. When the switch activates, a signal is sent to the electronic control unit to activate the electronic control unit from the powered off state to the powered on state.

Abstract: Embodiments herein are directed to a pedal pad assembly. The pedal pad assembly includes an outer housing that has a cavity, an inner housing that has an outer surface and is slidably received within the cavity of the outer housing, a pedal pad coupled to the inner housing and is configured to translate the inner housing along a movement axis in response to a load applied to the pedal pad and a sensor assembly that includes a plurality of target members coupled to the outer surface of the inner housing and a sensor configured to sense a position of at least one target member. During a translation of the inner housing along the movement axis, at least one target member of the plurality of target members moves with the inner housing from a first position to a second position indicative of the movement of the inner housing within the cavity.

Abstract: Embodiments herein are directed to a pedal assembly. The pedal assembly includes a housing, a pedal arm, at least one elongated member, and at least one strain gauge sensor. The pedal arm has a pedal pad on one end. The at least one elongated member is positioned within a cavity and configured to deflect upon a movement by the pedal arm caused from a load applied to the pedal pad. The at least one strain gauge sensor is positioned in communication with the at least one elongated member and configured to sense an amount of the deflection of the at least one elongated member. When the load is applied to the pedal pad, the pedal arm moves and deflects the at least one elongated member, which is sensed by the respective at least one strain gauge sensor indicative of an amount of load applied to the pedal pad.

Abstract: A pedal assembly includes an upper housing member separated from a lower housing member defining a cavity. The pedal arm is configured to move within the cavity and apply a force to the upper housing member. A pair of fixed magnets are attached to the upper and lower housing. Both of the fixed magnets are orientated with similar polarity facing in the same direction. A moveable magnetic is positioned between the pair of fixed magnets, the moveable magnet positioned with a polarity that is opposite of the pair of fixed magnets. A magnetic sensor is positioned in the housing. When a load is applied to the pedal arm, the pedal arm applies a force to the upper housing member moving the moveable magnet in the housing wherein the magnetic sensor senses movement of the moveable magnet indicative of the amount of depression of the pedal arm.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, an inductive sensor assembly is provided. The inductive sensor assembly includes a housing formed of a magnetic plastic material and a sensor assembly having a transmitter coil and a receiving coil. The housing encapsulates the transmitter coil and the receiving coil. A movable target having a magnetic material is spaced apart from the housing and is configured to move along a predetermined trajectory relative to the housing. When the target is moved along the predetermined trajectory, the movement causes an area of low permeability in regions of the housing that is sensed by the receiving coil to determine the location of the target with respect to the housing.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes an electronic control unit and a pedal assembly. The electronic control unit selectively switches between a powered off state and a powered on state. The pedal assembly includes pedal arm, a target, and a switch. The pedal arm moves between a plurality of positions. The target moves with the movement of the pedal arm. The target generates a magnetic field strength. The switch activates when the magnetic field strength of the target exceeds a predetermined threshold. When the switch activates, a signal is sent to the electronic control unit to activate the electronic control unit from the powered off state to the powered on state.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, an inductive position sensor assembly is provided. The inductive sensor assembly includes a sensor and a coupler element. The sensor includes a transmitter coil having an inner diameter and an outer diameter and a receiver coil positioned within the outer diameter of the transmitter coil. The coupler element has a geometric continuous curve shape. The coupler element is positioned within the outer diameter of the transmitter coil such that a maximum diameter of the geometric continuous curve shape is the outer diameter of the transmitter coil. When the coupler element is moved, the geometric continuous curve shape of the coupler element modify an inductive coupling between the transmitter coil and the receiver coil.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, an inductive sensor assembly is provided. The inductive sensor assembly includes a sensor assembly and a shaft. The sensor assembly include a transmitter coil and a two-part receiver coil. The shaft includes a first end. The first end includes a first planar surface and a second planar surface. The second planer surface extends from the first planar surface. A target is formed from the first planar surface and the second planar surface. When the target is moved about a shaft axis, the first planar and second planar surfaces modify an inductive coupling between the transmitter coil and the two-part receiver coil.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein are directed to a sensing system. The sensing system includes a pair of sensors, a target, and a pair of magnets. The target is configured to move along an axis of movement with respect to the pair of sensors. The pair of magnets are coupled to the target. Each of the pair of magnets has a first end and a second end. Each of the second ends of the pair of magnets are positioned axially adjacent to one another in a system longitudinal direction. The pair of magnets provide a greater field strength for determining a position of the target.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, an inductive sensor assembly includes a shaft and a multilayered printed circuit board (PCB). The shaft includes a first end. The first end has a bottom surface. A target including a flat forming a straight edge is integrally formed into the first end of the shaft. The PCB includes a transmitter coil and a two part receiving coil. The two part receiving coil has a first receiving coil and a second receiving coil. The first receiving coil is on a different layer of the PCB than the second receiving coil in an axial direction. The target is rotated about a central axis of the two part receiving coil. The straight edge of the target and the bottom surface is detected by the two part receiving coil.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein are directed to a sensing system. The sensing system includes a pair of sensors, a target, and a pair of magnets. The target is configured to move along an axis of movement with respect to the pair of sensors. The pair of magnets are coupled to the target. Each of the pair of magnets has a first end and a second end. Each of the second ends of the pair of magnets are positioned axially adjacent to one another in a system longitudinal direction. The pair of magnets provide a greater field strength for determining a position of the target.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, an inductive position sensor assembly is provided. The inductive sensor assembly includes a sensor and a coupler element. The sensor includes a transmitter coil having an inner diameter and an outer diameter and a receiver coil positioned within the outer diameter of the transmitter coil. The coupler element has a geometric continuous curve shape. The coupler element is positioned within the outer diameter of the transmitter coil such that a maximum diameter of the geometric continuous curve shape is the outer diameter of the transmitter coil. When the coupler element is moved, the geometric continuous curve shape of the coupler element modify an inductive coupling between the transmitter coil and the receiver coil.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, an inductive sensor assembly is provided. The inductive sensor assembly includes a sensor assembly and a shaft. The sensor assembly include a transmitter coil and a two-part receiver coil. The shaft includes a first end. The first end includes a first planar surface and a second planar surface. The second planer surface extends from the first planar surface. A target is formed from the first planar surface and the second planar surface. When the target is moved about a shaft axis, the first planar and second planar surfaces modify an inductive coupling between the transmitter coil and the two-part receiver coil.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, an inductive sensor assembly includes a shaft and a multilayered printed circuit board (PCB). The shaft includes a first end. The first end has a bottom surface. A target including a flat forming a straight edge is integrally formed into the first end of the shaft. The PCB includes a transmitter coil and a two part receiving coil. The two part receiving coil has a first receiving coil and a second receiving coil. The first receiving coil is on a different layer of the PCB than the second receiving coil in an axial direction. The target is rotated about a central axis of the two part receiving coil. The straight edge of the target and the bottom surface is detected by the two part receiving coil.

Abstract: An inductive sensor includes a sensor package and a coupler package. The sensor package includes a signal processor, an integrated capacitor, a ferrite layer, a transmitter coil, a two part receiving coil, and a plurality of discrete components. The coupler package includes an integrated capacitor, a ferrite layer, and a coupler coil. The transmitter coil in the sensor package is energized by an external power source which in turn energizes the coupler coil in the coupler package. The sensor then measures the rotational position of the coupler package relative to the sensor package by detecting and measuring, with the two part receiving coil, the signal returned by the coupler coil. The signal processor calculates the position of the coupler package relative to the sensor package by comparing the coupling factors between the coupler package and the sensor package.

Abstract: An inductor sensor assembly for determining to position of object includes a layer of ferrite overlaying exciting and receiving coils formed on a substrate. A magnet attached to the target produces a virtual coupler in an area of ferrite overlaying the coils. An application for a shock absorber includes a sensor module mounted in a recess in a dust cover and a magnet mounted to a cylinder tube of the shock absorber.