Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus has a torque sensor which, if the torsion of a torsion bar is within a predetermined angle, linearly outputs a detection signal converted by a first conversion ratio with respect to the torsion, and if the torsion has exceeded the predetermined angle and is within a limit angle, the torsion sensor outputs a detection signal converted by a second conversion ratio which is lower than the first conversion ratio. Further, if the detection signal has exceeded an upper threshold or dropped below a lower threshold, which thresholds being set outside the range of the detection signal outputted from the torsion sensor in its normal state in which the torsion of the torsion bar is within the limit angle, a determination is made that an abnormality has occurred in the torsion sensor.

Abstract: The invention broadly provides a method and apparatus for measuring the power output of one powering a chain driven vehicle. In a preferred embodiment described, the vehicle is a bicycle. The method of the invention comprises measuring the speed and tension of the drive chain and calculating the power output therefrom. The apparatus of the invention includes a chain speed sensor, a chain tension sensor, and electronic processing means to calculate and display the power output based upon the chain measurements.

Abstract: A cup-shaped flexible external gear 3 of a flexed meshing type gear drive 1 is flexed into an elliptical shape by a wave generator 4. A first torque detection device 6 is disposed on a portion of the external gear 3, for example, on a diaphragm 33 thereof which has a pair of torque detection elements arranged at an angular interval of 90° around a center axis 1a. Likewise, a second torque detection device 7 is also disposed, which has a pair of torque detection elements arranged at an angular interval of 90°. The first and second torque detection devices 6, 7 are arranged at an angular interval of (k×45°) around the center axis 1a with each other. A torque detection mechanism of this invention synthesizes outputs of the two torque detection devices 6, 7, thereby realizing a high accurate torque detection with quite few effect of rotational ripple and with high linearity.