Allison Transmission, Inc.

Aaron Ransdell

James D Shaw

A switch assembly configured to determine when input received from a switch is caused by proper actuation of the switch and should be accepted, or is caused instead by a fault in the switch or in the intervening circuitry and should be ignored and/or reported. The switch assembly optionally includes a logic circuit that is electrically connected to the switch. The logic circuit may provide power to the switch, for example, as a time varying signal, which may then be presented to the logic circuit as input when the switch is properly actuated. The logic circuit may then compare the input from the switch with the signal sent to the switch to determine if a fault is present, or if the switch is operating properly.

Switch assembly with feedback signal for fault detection

A switching assembly configured to use different sensing technologies to detect a button press and to thereby determine when the switch is malfunctioning. The switch assembly may include an actuator that is configured to selectively open or close an electric circuit, and may also include a sensor responsive to the position of the actuator. A logic circuit may be included that is configured to compare input from the sensor with input from the circuit the switch is electrically connected to so as to determine whether the switch assembly is operating properly. The logic circuit may generate a signal indicating the operational status of the switch and may optionally provide this signal to a fault detection circuit. The actuator, sensor, and logic circuit may also be mounted within a common housing thus providing a single installation package.

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Brownsburg, IN, United States of America

Aaron Ransdell