Abstract: The rotation angle detecting device comprises: a target of a spur gear shape made rotatable together with a rotary member and having a plurality of teeth of magnetic members protruding at a substantially equal pitch in the circumferential direction of the axis of the rotary member; and magnetic sensors arranged at positions to confront the teeth for outputting output signals according to the rotation of the rotary member. This device detects the angle of rotation of a rotary member with the output signals from the magnetic sensors. In the target of the spur gear shape, moreover, the two circumferential end portions of the crests of all the teeth are formed into angular portions.

Abstract: A rotation angle detecting device and a torque detecting device, which can prevent waveforms to be outputted from a plurality of semiconductor MR elements, from dispersing due to the material difference of a semiconductor wafer. A plurality of semiconductor MR elements are formed over a common cell of a semiconductor wafer and are arranged to confront at such positions different from each other in a target circumferential direction with respect to corresponding input and output shafts that signals to be outputted according to the rotations of the input and output shafts to be detected may establish a predetermined phase difference in an electrical angle.

Abstract: A torque detecting apparatus which can detect steering torque applied on a steering shaft which connects a steering wheel and a steering mechanism from the steering wheel side and inverse input torque applied on the same from the steering mechanism side, and an electric power steering apparatus which can prevent deterioration of steering feeling when the inverse input torque acts, by driving and controlling the steering force assisting motor to cancel the inverse input torque. The torque detecting apparatus and the electric power steering apparatus judge that the inverse input torque is applied when a predetermined interrelation exists among a vehicle speed and angular velocities which are calculated at two positions distant in the axial direction of the steering shaft.

Abstract: A driving control unit (21b) of a controller (21) determines which of an input shaft (32) and an output shaft (33) in a steering shaft (3) is dynamically superior and when the output shaft (33) is dynamically superior to the input shaft (32), a motor (6) is driven so that torque resulting in a time integral value smaller than a time integral value of relative torque between the input shaft (32) and the output shaft (33) is generated in a backward assist direction.

Abstract: One or plural rotors are coaxially provided on a first shaft and a second shaft connected with each other by a connection shaft. Plural targets are provided at each rotor. Two detecting means disposed opposite to the targets output detection signals having phases different from each other as the rotor rotates. The steering apparatus assists steering according to a steering torque applied to the first shaft detected based on the detection signals and a steering angle of the first shaft. The steering apparatus has comparing means for comparing the detection signals with each other; malfunction judging means for judging whether any one of the detecting means is malfunctioning or not on the basis of a comparison result; and notifying means for notifying a malfunction when the malfunction judging means judges that there is a malfunction and can notify the driver of a malfunction in a torque sensor when it occurs.

Abstract: A rotational angle detecting apparatus wherein one or more first targets 3a are provided on a steering shaft 13 so that first detecting means 1A outputs a detection signal as the steering shaft 13 rotates, second detecting means 1B outputs a detection signal having a phase different from that of the detection signal of the first detecting means 1A, and the rotational angle of the steering shaft 13 is detected on the basis of the detection signals outputted by the first detecting means IA and the second detecting means 1B.

Abstract: A torque detecting apparatus which can detect steering torque applied on a steering shaft which connects a steering wheel and a steering mechanism from the steering wheel side and inverse input torque applied on the same from the steering mechanism side, and an electric power steering apparatus which can prevent deterioration of steering feeling when the inverse input torque acts, by driving and controlling the steering force assisting motor to cancel the inverse input torque. The torque detecting apparatus and the electric power steering apparatus judge that the inverse input torque is applied when a predetermined interrelation exists among a vehicle speed and angular velocities which are calculated at two positions distant in the axial direction of the steering shaft.

Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus for detecting the rotational angles of a steering shaft, which connects the steering wheel of a vehicle and the steering mechanism, at different positions in the axial direction of the steering shaft, calculating torque applied to the steering shaft based on the difference between the detected rotational angles, and driving and controlling a steering force assisting motor according to the direction and magnitude of the calculated torque. The angular velocities of the steering shaft at the respective detection positions are calculated based on the rotational angles. Based on the relation between the calculated angular velocities, a judgment is made as to whether the torque was caused by an input from the steering wheel side or an input from the steering mechanism side. Based on the result of the judgment, the motor is driven and controlled.

Abstract: A torque detecting apparatus for each input shaft and output shaft that are connected with a torsion bar, a detecting device for detecting regions of a plurality of targets arranged so that the regions to be detected change periodically and continuously with rotation of rotors for detecting a torque applied to the input shaft based on a difference between the detected regions resulting from twist of the torsion bar, a correction section for obtaining a correction amount for each of the targets so as to correct the detected regions upon one rotation of the rotors based on the maximum values of signals indicating the regions of each of the targets detected by the detecting device, a storing section storing the correction amounts, a correcting section for correcting the regions detected by the detecting device based on the correction amounts stored in a storing section for storing the correction amounts for the targets discriminated by a discriminating section, the torque detecting apparatus capable of restraini

Abstract: A torque detecting apparatus which can detect steering torque applied on a steering shaft which connects a steering wheel and a steering mechanism from the steering wheel side and inverse input torque applied on the same from the steering mechanism side, and an electric power steering apparatus which can prevent deterioration of steering feeling when the inverse input torque acts, by driving and controlling the steering force assisting motor to cancel the inverse input torque. The torque detecting apparatus and the electric power steering apparatus judge that the inverse input torque is applied when a predetermined interrelation exists among a vehicle speed and angular velocities which are calculated at two positions distant in the axial direction of the steering shaft.

Abstract: A target plate 3 fit onto the first shaft 1 is configured by a gear with a plurality of teeth arranged on an outer circumference as targets 3a, 3a . . . Facing the outer circumference of this target plate 3, an MR sensor 5 is fixed being provided with MR elements which are arranged in a circumferential direction in accordance with an arrangement interval of the targets 3a, 3a . . . A rotational angle of the target plate 3 is calculated based on an output obtained between both MR elements in accordance with the deviation in the circumferential direction of the targets 3a, 3a . . . with the rotation of the target plate 3. With respect to the target plate 4 fit onto the second shaft 2, similar targets 4a, 4a . . . are provided on the outer circumference. A rotational angle of the target plate 4 is calculated on the basis of the output of the MR sensor 6. By a difference in these rotational angles, the rotational torque applied to the first shaft 1 and the second shaft 2 is calculated.

Abstract: A cylindrical rotating member is provided with a magnetic element, which are an object that is detected, on the outer surface thereof. The magnetic element is led around the rotating member by one turn and is at an angle relative to the rotating direction of the rotating member in an approximately linear manner. End portions of the magnetic element are disposed at approximately the same position in the radial direction of the rotating member. Magnetoresistive elements are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the rotating direction of the magnetic element (in other words, axial direction of the rotating member) with a gap therebetween and oppose the magnetic element.

Abstract: A rotational angle detecting device included in a steering apparatus or a torque detecting device includes a rotor having a portion which is magnetically discontinuous in an axial and a circumferential directions of the rotor; and a magnetic sensor for detecting the position where magnetic change occurs in an axial direction of the rotating shaft when the rotor rotates, wherein a rotational angle of the rotor from the magnetic sensor as the base point is detected in accordance with the position detected by the magnetic sensor. Therefore, the device does not comprise any contact and sliding member so that excellent durability is realized.

Abstract: A rotational angle detecting device includes a rotating member and a target which is provided on the rotating member. The target has a variable inclining portion to be detected is continuously changed as the rotating member rotates, and at least one detecting device, for detecting the portion close to the target. The detecting displacement angle of the rotating member from the detecting device is detected in a rotational direction based on the portion detected by the detecting device. Thus, it is possible to achieve a rotational angle detecting device, a torque detecting device using the rotational angle detecting device, and a steering apparatus capable of easily forming targets, stabilizing a peak value of a detection signal of the detecting means and readily calculating and correcting a rotational angle.

Abstract: A rotational angle detecting device comprises a rotating member 2a, a target 20a which is provided on the rotating member 2a and whose portion to be detected is continuously changed as the rotating member 2a rotates, and one or more detecting means 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B for detecting a portion close to the target 20a and detecting a displacement angle of the rotating member 2a from the detecting means 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B in a rotational direction based on the portion detected by the detecting means 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B. Thus, it is possible to realize a rotational angle detecting device, a torque detecting device using the rotational angle detecting device, and a steering apparatus capable of easily forming targets, stabilizing a peak value of a detection signal of the detecting means and readily calculating and correcting a rotational angle.

Abstract: A torque detecting apparatus including, for each of an input shaft 23 and an output shaft 18 that are connected with a torsion bar 5, detecting means 1, 2 for detecting regions of a plurality of targets 7, 9 arranged so that the regions to be detected change periodically and continuously with rotation of rotors 6, 8, for detecting a torque applied to the input shaft 23, based on a difference between the detected regions resulting from twist of the torsion bar 5.

Abstract: A cylindrical rotating member is provided with a magnetic element, which are an object that is detected, on the outer surface thereof. The magnetic element is led around the rotating member by one turn and is at an angle relative to the rotating direction of the rotating member in an approximately linear manner. End portions of the magnetic element are disposed at approximately the same position in the radial direction of the rotating member. Magnetoresistive elements are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the rotating direction of the magnetic element (in other words, axial direction of the rotating member) with a gap therebetween and oppose the magnetic element.

Abstract: A torque detecting apparatus which can detect steering torque applied on a steering shaft which connects a steering wheel and a steering mechanism from the steering wheel side and inverse input torque applied on the same from the steering mechanism side, and an electric power steering apparatus which can prevent deterioration of steering feeling when the inverse input torque acts, by driving and controlling the steering force assisting motor to cancel the inverse input torque. The torque detecting apparatus and the electric power steering apparatus judge that the inverse input torque is applied when a predetermined interrelation exists among a vehicle speed and angular velocities which are calculated at two positions distant in the axial direction of the steering shaft.

Abstract: A stepless speed changing apparatus is disclosed that has movable bodies to move in the radial direction of an input shaft, wherein stepless speed reduction is achieved with a simple configuration by converting the movement of the movable bodies into the movement of a speed change ring, and is capable of setting an appropriate mode of changing output, rotational speed and providing such a characteristic that the output rotational speed changes in the reverse manner to the change of the input rotational speed.