Patent ID: 6441610
Filing Date: 2002-08-27
Classification: G01B,G01D,H03K

Abstract:
A work holding device and proximity sensing assembly for sensing the proximity of a metallic workpiece to the work holding device, said assembly comprising:a gripper having a pair of gripper appendages movable relative to each other to hold a workpiece; a proximity sensor affixed to one said appendages for sensing the proximity of the workpiece; and said proximity sensor comprising a magnet and a Hall-effect sensor, wherein said Hall-effect sensor is positioned in an offset relationship to the poles of said magnet, with said magnet defining an axis extending between said poles, and said magnet defining a cross-sectional area in a plane perpendicular to said axis, with said Hall-effect sensor being positioned with its sensing plane perpendicular to said axis and offset of said area such that said sensor is not within said area.