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 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 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 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: 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 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: In an air bag apparatus which is installed at an opening of a dashboard, a case fixed to a vehicle dashboard has an opening and side walls having through holes. A door to cover the opening of the case has connecting portions having through holes. The connecting portions of the door are connected to the side walls of the case by stays. In this case, one end of each of the stays is fixed to the outer face of one of the side walls and the other end penetrates both the respective through holes of one of the side walls and one of the connecting portions so that the door can move in three dimensions with respect to the case. As a result, the door can be disposed at the opening of the dashboard without tilting with respect to the upper surface of the dashboard.

Abstract: An airbag device 1 is composed of an inflator 2, a bag 3 and an electronic control unit (ECU) 4 created as a single unit as well as a pad 6 which is attached to the steering unit 5. There is connection from the ignition device 8 of the inflator 2 to the circuit board 18 by means of a connector 8a. The connector 8a realizes short-circuiting by means of external shorting member. In assembly operations of the airbag device, the shorting member can be easily removed to release the short-circuiting of the connector 8a. As a result, when attaching the airbag device to the ECU 4 the connector 8a does not occupy excessive space and there is no reduction in the assembly efficiency of the airbag device.

Abstract: An inflater and a control unit are integrally formed so that connector cables for electrically connecting the inflater and the control unit can be shortened to the minimum required length. In some cases, the inflater and the control unit are directly connected by soldering their terminals, and a space for disposing the connector cables is not provided in a steering wheel. Thus, the cone depth can be made as small as possible.

Abstract: An airbag safety module for automotive vehicles is provided. This module includes a box-like cover and a housing. The cover incorporates therein an airbag, an inflator, and an airbag control unit and has a plurality of openings formed in its side wall. The housing includes a base wall on which the airbag and the inflator are mounted and a side wall having thereon a plurality of protrusions engageble with the openings of the cover, respectively to complete the airbag safety module. Each of the protrusions is shaped to allow the housing to be inserted into the cover in an assembling direction of completing the airbag safety module to engage one of the openings of the cover while restricting the cover from being disengaged from the housing in a disassembling direction opposite to the assembling direction.