Patent ID: 6469500
Filing Date: 2002-10-22
Classification: B60G,G01D

Abstract:
A method for simultaneously determining the position and/or the speed of movement of a control element that can move back and forth between a first and a second switching position, in which a plunger body that is connected to the control element is guided synchronously with the movement of the control element by at least one stationary plunger coil, said method comprising: providing a plunger body formed at least in part of a magnetically conductive material; supplying the plunger coil with an alternating current or an alternating voltage; providing a permanent magnet adjacent the plunger coil for movement relative to one of the plunger body and the plunger coil; determining a change in the voltage that is generated in the plunger coil due to a movement of the plunger body relative to the permanent magnet, or the movement of the permanent magnet relative to the plunger coil, as a signal for the movement speed of the control element; and determining changes in one of the impedance and a current in the plunger coil caused by the movement of the plunger body in the plunger coil as a signal for the position of the control element.