Replacing Throttle Valve Potentiometers with Non-Contac Inductive Sensors

摘要

Over the last few years, industry research and development of automated positioning devices has resulted in non-contacting linear and angular position sensor technologies which are now ready to use for x-by-wire systems and several other automotive applications. Because the major challenge for non-contacting sensors is to meet the price of potentiometers, only the use of highly integrated microelectronics, in combination with rigorous inductive sensor principles, leads to success. Transferring this strategy to concrete product development, Hella KG Hueck & Co. was able to begin the market introduction of high volume non-contacting inductive sensors in 2000. The first application was a vehicle level sensor for an automatic headlamp leveling system. Additional products launched in the series include turbocharger actuator systems, steering angle sensors and accelerator pedal sensors. Challenged by the steadily increasing market introduction of the x-by-wire systems, sensors are now made available for throttle valves or shift-by-wire systems.