Abstract: A magnetostrictive sensor including a magnetic structure. The magnetic structure has a columnar substrate extending along an axis, and a magnetostrictive portion disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the substrate. The magnetostrictive portion includes a plurality of portions that have different concentrations of at least one of a plurality of elements, the portions being so arranged as to satisfy at least one of a first requirement that in a first cross sectional view of the magnetostrictive portion orthogonal to the axis, the portions are arranged clockwise about the axis, a second requirement that in the first cross sectional view, the portions are arranged in a thickness direction of the magnetostrictive portion, and a third requirement that, in a second cross sectional view of the magnetostrictive portion that is orthogonal to the first cross sectional view and passes through the axis, the portions are arranged along the axis.

Abstract: A low-cost magnetostrictive torque sensor having a high sensitivity is obtained. A torque sensor 10 includes a substrate 12, a magnetostrictive portion 26, a magnetostrictive portion 28, a detection coil 18a, a detection coil 18b, a detection circuit 48, and a detection circuit 50. The substrate 12 has a tubular shape. Each of the magnetostrictive portions 26 and 28 is constituted by a plating film and disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the substrate 12. The detection coil 18a generates a magnetic flux passing through the magnetostrictive portion 26. The detection coil 18b generates a magnetic flux passing through the magnetostrictive portion 28. Each of the detection circuits 48 and 50 detects a potential between the detection coil 18a and the detection coil 18b.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive sensor capable of obtaining both enhanced productivity and reduced variations in outputs can be obtained. A torque sensor includes a substrate and a plating film disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the substrate. The substrate includes a plating portion, masking portions, and tilt portions and. An outer peripheral surface of the plating portion is a surface parallel to a shaft center of the substrate in a side cross-sectional view. Outer peripheral surfaces of the tilt portions are slopes tilted relative to the shaft center in the side cross-sectional view. The plating film is formed on a plating surface and slopes in such a manner that end portions in the axial direction are located on the slopes. The plating film on the slopes has a thickness smaller than the thickness of the plating film on the plating surface.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive sensor, including a tubular or columnar substrate extending along an axis, and a magnetostrictive portion disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the substrate and including a plurality of magnetostrictive lines. The plurality of magnetostrictive lines include adjacent first and second magnetostrictive lines that extend along an extension direction, and that are disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the substrate via respectively first and second contact areas. In a cross sectional view of the magnetostrictive portion taken orthogonally to the extension direction, a first length, which is a width of a widest portion of the first magnetostrictive line in a width direction parallel to the outer peripheral surface of the substrate, is larger than a width of the first contact area in the width direction, and than a shortest distance between the first and second contact areas in the width direction.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive sensor capable of obtaining both enhanced productivity and reduced variations in outputs can be obtained. A torque sensor includes a substrate and a plating film disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the substrate. The substrate includes a plating portion, masking portions, and tilt portions and. An outer peripheral surface of the plating portion is a surface parallel to a shaft center of the substrate in a side cross-sectional view. Outer peripheral surfaces of the tilt portions are slopes tilted relative to the shaft center in the side cross-sectional view. The plating film is formed on a plating surface and slopes in such a manner that end portions in the axial direction are located on the slopes. The plating film on the slopes has a thickness smaller than the thickness of the plating film on the plating surface.

Abstract: A low-cost magnetostrictive torque sensor having a high sensitivity is obtained. A torque sensor 10 includes a substrate 12, a magnetostrictive portion 26, a magnetostrictive portion 28, a detection coil 18a, a detection coil 18b, a detection circuit 48, and a detection circuit 50. The substrate 12 has a tubular shape. Each of the magnetostrictive portions 26 and 28 is constituted by a plating film and disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the substrate 12. The detection coil 18a generates a magnetic flux passing through the magnetostrictive portion 26. The detection coil 18b generates a magnetic flux passing through the magnetostrictive portion 28. Each of the detection circuits 48 and 50 detects a potential between the detection coil 18a and the detection coil 18b.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive sensor including a magnetic structure. The magnetic structure has a columnar substrate extending along an axis, and a magnetostrictive portion disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the substrate. The magnetostrictive portion includes a plurality of portions that have different concentrations of at least one of a plurality of elements, the portions being so arranged as to satisfy at least one of a first requirement that in a first cross sectional view of the magnetostrictive portion orthogonal to the axis, the portions are arranged clockwise about the axis, a second requirement that in the first cross sectional view, the portions are arranged in a thickness direction of the magnetostrictive portion, and a third requirement that, in a second cross sectional view of the magnetostrictive portion that is orthogonal to the first cross sectional view and passes through the axis, the portions are arranged along the axis.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive sensor, including a tubular or columnar substrate extending along an axis, and a magnetostrictive portion disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the substrate and including a plurality of magnetostrictive lines. The plurality of magnetostrictive lines include adjacent first and second magnetostrictive lines that extend along an extension direction, and that are disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the substrate via respectively first and second contact areas. In a cross sectional view of the magnetostrictive portion taken orthogonally to the extension direction, a first length, which is a width of a widest portion of the first magnetostrictive line in a width direction parallel to the outer peripheral surface of the substrate, is larger than a width of the first contact area in the width direction, and than a shortest distance between the first and second contact areas in the width direction.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive load sensor includes an upper casing, a lower casing, a coil, and a bobbin. The upper casing having an approximate bell shape has an upper end that is provided with an opening and a lower end that is provided with a notch. The lower casing includes a disk-shaped member and a bar-shaped member that are integral with each other. The coil is formed by winding a conducting wire around the bobbin. A predetermined position of the bobbin is provided with a lead wire outlet for taking out the conducting wire of the coil. A method of manufacturing the magnetostrictive load sensor includes inserting the bar-shaped member into the axial center of the bobbin, and covering the lower casing with the upper casing. In this way, the notch of the upper casing and the lead wire outlet of the bobbin are fitted with each other. An upper end of the bar-shaped member projects through the opening of the upper casing.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive load sensor includes an upper casing, a lower casing, a coil, and a bobbin. The upper casing having an approximate bell shape has an upper end that is provided with an opening and a lower end that is provided with a notch. The lower casing includes a disk-shaped member and a bar-shaped member that are integral with each other. The coil is formed by winding a conducting wire around the bobbin. A predetermined position of the bobbin is provided with a lead wire outlet for taking out the conducting wire of the coil. A method of manufacturing the magnetostrictive load sensor includes inserting the bar-shaped member into the axial center of the bobbin, and covering the lower casing with the upper casing. In this way, the notch of the upper casing and the lead wire outlet of the bobbin are fitted with each other. An upper end of the bar-shaped member projects through the opening of the upper casing.