Abstract: A torque sensor has a torsion bar coaxially in alignment with input and output shafts, a ring shaped magnet fixed to an axial end of the input shaft, a pair of magnetic yokes fixed to an axial end of the output shaft, and a magnetic sensor for detecting magnetic flux density generated between the pair of magnetic yokes. Each of the magnetic yokes is provided with claws, which are circumferentially spaced at constant intervals, and whose number is equal to that of each of N and S poles alternately arranged circumferentially in the magnet. Each center of the claws coincides with a boundary between immediately adjacent N and S poles of the magnet, when the torsion bar is not twisted. The magnetic sensor is inserted into an axial gap between the pair of magnetic yokes without contacting the magnetic yokes.

Abstract: A torque detecting apparatus having a permanent magnet fixed to an input shaft, magnetic yokes fixed to an output shaft coaxially connected to the input shaft via a torsion bar and disposed within a magnetic field of the permanent magnet to form a magnetic circuit, and a Hall IC for detecting a magnetic flux induced by the magnetic yokes. The permanent magnet is of a truncated conical shape, and the bevel circumference surface thereof is magnetized by magnetic poles alternately in a reverse polarities along circumference direction, so as to oppose the magnetic yokes. A torque applied to the input shaft or the output shaft can be detected through detection by the Hall IC of the magnetic flux generated between the magnetic yokes. The configuration allows reducing the length in an axial direction of the input shaft.

Abstract: A torque detecting apparatus according to the present invention includes a first shaft and a second shaft connected coaxially to each other through a connecting shaft, a permanent magnet fixed to the first shaft, a plurality of soft magnetic members having a collar provided therein, fitted by pressing with the second shaft and disposed in a magnetic field of the permanent magnet to form a magnetic circuit, and a detector for detecting magnetic flux generated from the soft magnetic members, wherein the soft magnetic members are integrally molded with a mold body made of synthetic resin, and when a torque is applied to the first shaft or the second shaft, the torque is detected based on an output of the detector. The collar is made of a non-magnetic material.

Abstract: A pair of magnetic flux collecting rings and a magnetic sensor are integrally covered by a molded resin to form a sub unit of a torque sensor. The pair of rings and sensors are integrated and are in contact with each other, i.e., the magnetic sensor is held in between respective magnetic flux collecting portions of the rings without any air gap formed therebetween. Magnetic flux collected by the rings can be detected by the magnetic sensor to a maximum degree, whereby the signal output of the magnetic sensor is enhanced and made stable.

Abstract: A first shaft and a second shaft are connected coaxially. A torsion bar converts a torque applied between two shafts into a torsion displacement. A multipolar magnet is fixed to the first shaft. One set of magnetic yokes is fixed to the second shaft and disposed in a magnetic field generated by the multipolar magnet. The magnetic yokes are opposed to each other via an air gap in an axial direction. A magnetic sensor is provided for detecting the density of magnetic flux generated in the air gap. A non-magnetic spacer is disposed between the magnetic yokes as a means for positioning the magnetic yokes. The spacer and the magnetic yokes are integrated by resin molding.

Abstract: A pair of magnetic flux collecting rings and a magnetic sensor are integrally covered by a molded resin to form a sub unit of a torque sensor. The pair of rings and sensors are integrated and are in contact with each other, i.e., the magnetic sensor is held in between respective magnetic flux collecting portions of the rings without any air gap formed therebetween. Magnetic flux collected by the rings can be detected by the magnetic sensor to a maximum degree, whereby the signal output of the magnetic sensor is enhanced and made stable.

Abstract: A first shaft and a second shaft are connected coaxially. A torsion bar converts a torque applied between two shafts into a torsion displacement. A multipolar magnet is fixed to the first shaft. One set of magnetic yokes is fixed to the second shaft and disposed in a magnetic field generated by the multipolar magnet. One set of flux collecting rings is disposed along an outer surface of the set of magnetic yokes and opposed to each other via an air gap in an axial direction. A magnetic sensor is provided for detecting the density of magnetic flux generated in the air gap. An outer cylindrical surface of the set of flux collecting rings is surrounded by a magnetic shield.

Abstract: A detecting unit for detecting a torque applied to a rotor according to rotation of the rotor having an input shaft and an output shaft connected with each other by a torsion bar and a detection circuit board connected with the detecting unit are molded with synthetic resin material to form a mold member. The installation of the mold member into a housing, which has a cylinder portion to surround the rotor and a retainer having an opening formed at the peripheral wall of the cylinder portion, is achieved by inserting the mold member into the retainer from the radial direction through the opening of the retainer.

Abstract: A first shaft and a second shaft are connected coaxially. A torsion bar converts a torque applied between two shafts into a torsion displacement. A multipolar magnet is fixed to the first shaft. One set of magnetic yokes is fixed to the second shaft and disposed in a magnetic field generated by the multipolar magnet. The magnetic yokes are opposed to each other via an air gap in an axial direction. A magnetic sensor is provided for detecting the density of magnetic flux generated in the air gap. A non-magnetic spacer is disposed between the magnetic yokes as a means for positioning the magnetic yokes. The spacer and the magnetic yokes are integrated by resin molding.

Abstract: A first shaft and a second shaft are connected coaxially. A torsion bar converts a torque applied between two shafts into a torsion displacement. A multipolar magnet is fixed to the first shaft. One set of magnetic yokes is fixed to the second shaft and disposed in a magnetic field generated by the multipolar magnet. One set of flux collecting rings is disposed along an outer surface of the set of magnetic yokes and opposed to each other via an air gap in an axial direction. A magnetic sensor is provided for detecting the density of magnetic flux generated in the air gap. An outer cylindrical surface of the set of flux collecting rings is surrounded by a magnetic shield.

Abstract: A pair of magnetic flux collecting rings and a magnetic sensor are integrally covered by a molded resin to form a sub unit of a torque sensor. The pair of rings and sensors are integrated and are in contact with each other, i.e., the magnetic sensor is held in between respective magnetic flux collecting portions of the rings without any air gap formed therebetween. Magnetic flux collected by the rings can be detected by the magnetic sensor to a maximum degree, whereby the signal output of the magnetic sensor is enhanced and made stable.

Abstract: A torque sensor is provided which consists of a magnet, an assembly of magnetic rings, and a magnetic sensor. The magnetic rings have claws arrayed thereround at regular intervals. Each of the claws of one of the rings is interposed between adjacent two of the claws of the other ring. Upon input of torque, the magnet is rotated relative to the ring assembly, thereby causing the density of magnetic flux to change as a function of the torque which is sensed by the magnetic sensor. Each of the claws is geometrically shaped so as to increase the density of magnetic flux flowing through the ring assembly, thereby improving the sensitivity of the sensor.

Abstract: A torsion bar type torque sensor system is provided with the following: an elastic member that receives a torque and converts the torque to a torsion displacement; a multipolar ring magnet in which N poles and S poles are circumferentially and alternately magnetized; a pair of magnetic yoke halves disposed coaxially with the ring magnet; and a magnetometric sensor that detects magnetic flux generated between the pair of the magnetic yoke halves. The magnetometric sensor is made of a semiconductor that integrates a semiconductor magnetometric sensor, a non- volatile memory, a computation circuit, and an output circuit. This structure provides a torque sensor system that has an excellent maintainability.

Abstract: A torque sensor has a torsion bar coaxially in alignment with input and output shafts, a ring shaped magnet fixed to an axial end of the input shaft, a pair of magnetic yokes fixed to an axial end of the output shaft, and a magnetic sensor for detecting magnetic flux density generated between the pair of magnetic yokes. Each of the magnetic yokes is provided with claws, which are circumferentially spaced at constant intervals, and whose number is equal to that of each of N and S poles alternately arranged circumferentially in the magnet. Each center of the claws coincides with a boundary between immediately adjacent N and S poles of the magnet, when the torsion bar is not twisted. The magnetic sensor is inserted into an axial gap between the pair of magnetic yokes without contacting the magnetic yokes.

Abstract: A pair of magnetic flux collecting rings and a magnetic sensor are integrally covered by a molded resin to form a sub unit of a torque sensor. The pair of rings and sensors are integrated and are in contact with each other, i.e., the magnetic sensor is held in between respective magnetic flux collecting portions of the rings without any air gap formed therebetween. Magnetic flux collected by the rings can be detected by the magnetic sensor to a maximum degree, whereby the signal output of the magnetic sensor is enhanced and made stable.

Abstract: A torque sensor is provided which consists of a magnet, an assembly of magnetic rings, and a magnetic sensor. The magnetic rings have claws arrayed thereround at regular intervals. Each of the claws of one of the rings is interposed between adjacent two of the claws of the other ring. Upon input of torque, the magnet is rotated relative to the ring assembly, thereby causing the density of magnetic flux to change as a function of the torque which is sensed by the magnetic sensor. Each of the claws is geometrically shaped so as to increase the density of magnetic flux flowing through the ring assembly, thereby improving the sensitivity of the sensor.

Abstract: An angular position determining apparatus is provided which includes a magnet affixed to a rotary shaft and a plurality of magnetic sensor elements and works to determine an angular position of the rotary shaft using outputs of the magnetic sensor elements. The apparatus also includes a malfunction detector which specifies which of the magnetic sensor elements is now malfunctioning and takes an action required to determine the angular position of the rotary shaft correctly in the event of such a malfunction.

Abstract: A torsion bar type torque sensor system is provided with the following: an elastic member that receives a torque and converts the torque to a torsion displacement; a multipolar ring magnet in which N poles and S poles are circumferentially and alternately magnetized; a pair of magnetic yoke halves disposed coaxially with the ring magnet; and a magnetometric sensor that detects magnetic flux generated between the pair of the magnetic yoke halves. The magnetometric sensor is made of a semiconductor that integrates a semiconductor magnetometric sensor, a non-volatile memory, a computation circuit, and an output circuit. This structure provides a torque sensor system that has an excellent maintainability.

Abstract: A torque sensor includes first and second shafts, an elastic shaft, a magnet, a pair of ring plates, and a magnetic sensor. The elastic shaft connects the first and second shafts coaxially. The magnet is fixed to the first shaft. The pair of ring plates is fixed to the second shaft, and faces each other in an axial direction of the elastic shaft so that the pair of ring plates sandwiches the magnet. The magnetic sensor is disposed in a gap between the pair of ring plates so that the magnetic sensor detects a magnetic flux density in the gap. Each ring plate includes a convexity and a concavity in an inner circumference of each ring plate, respectively. The pair of ring plates is rotatable against the magnet in accordance with a twist of the elastic shaft so that the rotation of the ring plates causes the magnetic flux density in the gap.

Abstract: An angular position sensor is provided which is designed to an angular position of a rotary shaft. The angular position sensor has a magnet affixed to the rotary shaft. The magnet has an N-pole and an S-pole and is so geometrically shaped as to produce magnetic flux which is substantially uniform in amount within a range extending around each of centers of the N-pole and the S-pole. This improves the linearity of a change in sensor output upon rotation of the rotary shaft.