Phase Angle Detection Patents (Class 73/862.326)
  • Patent number: 7197945
    Abstract: A torque direction detecting device for an electric motor includes a resolver which provides a pair of a sin ? signal and a cos ? signal with ? changing from 0 degree to 360 degrees in electric angle according to rotation of the brushless motor, a circuit which calculates an electric angle of the brushless motor from the sin ? signal and the cos ? signal, a current sensor for detecting phase current flowing through the phase windings, a circuit which provides a signal if the phase currents is in a prescribed magnitude relation, a circuit which divides a period of the 360 degree-electric angle into 8 timing sections according to magnitude relation between the sin ? signal and the cos ? signal and comparison of the sin ? signal and the cos ? signal with 0, and a circuit which determines a torque direction of the brushless motor if the comparison signal is provided in one of prescribed two timing sections each of which has a specific combination of the magnitude relation and the comparison of the sin ? signal an
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventor: Toshihisa Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7181983
    Abstract: A system to diagnose a malfunction of a torque sensor in a vehicle steering system includes a voltage difference generator that outputs a voltage difference by comparing a voltage of a contact part between a temperature correcting coil and a torque detecting coil in a torque sensor for a steering system and an offset voltage generated from an offset voltage generator, a malfunction determining part that determines a malfunction by comparing a reference voltage and an output voltage of said voltage difference generator, and a controller that executes a neutral steering when a malfunction is determined in said malfunction determining part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seung-Ho Paek
  • Publication number: 20070039401
    Abstract: The torque detection apparatus has a detector and a computing unit. The detector includes a first rotating member and a second rotating member that are coaxially disposed, and that are capable of transferring torque and being relatively rotated in a forward rotation direction and a reverse rotation direction, a forward rotation-side load detection element that is mounted on a forward rotation transfer side of each of the two rotating members, and a reverse rotation-side load detection element that is mounted on a reverse rotation transfer side of each of the two rotating members. The entire amount of the transfer torque transferred between the two rotating members is transferred via the forward rotation-side load detection element and the reverse rotation-side load detection element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: February 22, 2007
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroshi Isono
  • Patent number: 7178412
    Abstract: An encoder failure detector system and method for detecting failure of an encoder at near-zero rotational speeds. For example, in one embodiment a failure is indicated if a torque command exceeds a selected threshold for a selected period of time and no movement of a rotor is detected during the selected period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Venkatapathi Raju Nallapa
  • Patent number: 7165465
    Abstract: A dynamic load fixture (DLF) applies a torsion load to a unit under test (UUT) to achieve the demanding aerodynamic load exposures encountered by a control actuation system (CAS) in flight. Instead of fixing the end of the torsion bar, the DLF controls the application of torque to the torsion bar, hence the UUT via a DLF motor. The dynamic load can be independent of the angular rotation of the UUT, which allows the DLF to more effectively reproduce desired acceptance tests such as torque-at-rate and nonlinear loads. Furthermore, application of the loads through a torsion bar allows the system the compliance needed to generate precise loads while allowing for the flexibility of changing torsion bars to test a wide variety of UUT on one test platform. To achieve the demanding aerodynamic load exposures encountered by a CAS in flight, the controller must be able to respond both very fast and very precisely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Charles M. De Lair, R. Brian Cline, Christopher P. Owan, Donald E. Croft, Shane P. Stilson
  • Patent number: 7155985
    Abstract: A torque sensor for a vehicle steering system includes a voltage boosting circuit that boosts a voltage supplied from a power source, an oscillator, a current amplifier, an inverting current amplifier, first and second coils, first and second resistors, a differential amplifier, a sampling pulse generator that generates a sampling pulse, a synchronous wave detector that detects the AC voltage output from the first differential amplifier, a first sample-and-hold circuit section that samples and holds the voltage output from the first synchronous wave detector, and a voltage-current converter that converts the voltage output from the first sample-and-hold circuit section into current and outputs the current as a torque signal Ts, thereby stably supplying power to the torque sensor for a steering system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seung-Ho Paek
  • Publication number: 20060288800
    Abstract: The rotation angle detection device detects the rotation angle of a rotary member by employing, at the least, either a sine wave signal or a cosine wave signal that is generated as the rotary member is rotated, and employs a change per unit time in the sine wave signal or cosine wave signal to determine whether an output abnormality has occurred in the rotation angle detection device. Further, this rotation angle device is employed to detect the motor angle of an electric power steering apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Publication date: December 28, 2006
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Mukai, Hiroaki Horii, Fumihiro Morishita
  • Publication number: 20060283268
    Abstract: Rotation angle sensor, in particular for an electrical steering system of an industrial truck, in which two magnetic field sensitive sensor elements are arranged on orthogonal axes and a permanent magnet is attached to a shaft extending through the axis intersection point and the output signals X, Y of the sensor elements are given to an evaluation unit, which determines from the two output signals X, Y the rotation angle value by means of a function saved in the evaluation unit, characterized in that for a plurality of predetermined values of one of the output signals X or Y associated ideal values calculated from the geometrical relationship of the sensors of the other output signal Y, X are saved in the evaluation unit, the measured values of the other output signal Y, X are compared with the ideal values and a warning or stop signal is created if the difference between the measured and ideal value reaches a predetermined amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Publication date: December 21, 2006
    Inventors: Robert Hammerl, Frank Manken, Christoph Weber
  • Patent number: 7134329
    Abstract: The present invention provides a torque detecting apparatus that includes a drive plate that is elastically deformable in response to an applied torque, strain gauges, and a torque detecting circuit, and the torque detecting apparatus can accurately detect torque transmitted from an engine output element of a vehicle having an automatic transmission to a torque converter input element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Kyoung Pyo Ha
  • Publication number: 20060225520
    Abstract: A method and a device for determining the torques on gear shafts. With the help of this method and the device in the case of a constant transmission ratio, the rotational speed of a first gear shaft (2, 19) and the rotational speed of a second gear shaft (3, 22) are measured cyclically. A first torque is present on the first gear shaft and a second torque is present at the second gear shaft. The second gear shaft is driven by the first gear shaft directly or indirectly, via gears (5, 6, 7, 8; 20, 21). A quotient is computed from these two rotational speeds, and stored so the current quotient can be compared with the quotient of the previous measuring cycle. In the case of a difference in the quotients of the current and the previous measurement, a change in the torque of the first gear shaft can be assumed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Publication date: October 12, 2006
    Inventor: Karl-Fritz Heinzelmann
  • Patent number: 7107862
    Abstract: A method of assembling a torque sensor includes the steps of fixing a first inner coil portion at one end side of a torsion bar, fixing a second inner coil portion at an other end side of the torsion bar, measuring an angle difference between an angle of the first inner coil portion and an angle of the second inner coil portion, fixing a first outer coil portion and a second outer coil portion, of which angle difference is substantially equivalent to the measured angle difference between the first inner coil portion and the second inner coil portion, at a housing, and rotatably disposing the torsion bar fixed with the first inner coil portion and the second inner coil portion in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Toyoda Koki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jun Onoda, Takuo Shibata
  • Patent number: 7104145
    Abstract: The torque sensor outputs a signal from a first detector which corresponds to the rotation angle of a first shaft, as a first alternating signal the phase of which changes in accordance with this change in the rotation angle, via a resistance and a capacitor which function as a low-pass filter and a high-pass filter. A signal is output from a second detector corresponding to the change in the rotation angle of a second shaft capable of performing relative rotation, elastically, with respect to the first shaft, as a second alternating signal, the phase of which changes in accordance with the change in the rotation angle, via a resistance and a capacitor which function as a low-pass filter and high-pass filter. A value corresponding to the torque transmitted by the first and second shafts is determined from a phase difference correspondence signal the waveform of which changes in accordance with change in the phase difference between the first alternating signal and the second alternating signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeki Nagase
  • Patent number: 7093505
    Abstract: A speed sensor (B, C) produces a signal that reflects the angular velocity of a shaft (4) which rotates in a case (2) having a mounting surface (10), beyond which the shaft projects to provide a target (6), and threaded holes (12) which open out of the mounting surface. The speed sensor includes a housing (20) and a sensing element (22) which is embedded in the housing. The housing, which is formed from a deformable material, has slots (44, 60) which align with the threaded holes in the case, and receive screws (24, 66) which thread into the holes to secure the speed sensor to the case. The speed sensor is positioned such that the proper air gap exists between its sensing element and the target. The screws, which extend through the slots, produce indentations (56, 74) in the deformable material of the housing, and these indentations receive the screws, so that the position of the sensor is fixed. Thus, the sensor, if removed, may be reinstalled in the same location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: The Timken Company
    Inventors: Wayne V. Denny, Richard Smith, Kevin Rehfus
  • Patent number: 7089808
    Abstract: A torque sensor for a vehicle steering system includes a voltage boosting circuit, an oscillator, an offset voltage circuit part and a current amplifier. The torque sensor further includes a phase inversion part that outputs an offset voltage and a phase-inverted alternating current voltage which is in-phase with the voltage outputted from said oscillator, a waveform selecting part that rectifies the voltages outputted from said current amplifier and said phase inversion part, and first and second coils that are in series each other and connected at each end thereof to an output terminal of said waveform selecting part and an output terminal of said offset voltage circuit part, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seung-Ho Paek
  • Patent number: 7073398
    Abstract: A rotation angle detection apparatus for reducing power consumption. A magnetoresistance element generates first and second analog signals, which change cyclically and continuously each time a steering shaft is rotated by 60 degrees. A microcomputer determines the rotation angle of the steering shaft from the output value and number of cycles of the analog signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Seiji Kondo, Toru Ueno, Yasuhiko Futamura, Norimasa Sengoku, Mikihisa Araki, Yousuke Obata
  • Publication number: 20060123926
    Abstract: A torque sensor for a vehicle steering system includes a voltage boosting circuit, an oscillator, an offset voltage circuit part and a current amplifier. The torque sensor further includes a phase inversion part that outputs an offset voltage and a phase-inverted alternating current voltage which is in-phase with the voltage outputted from said oscillator, a waveform selecting part that rectifies the voltages outputted from said current amplifier and said phase inversion part, and first and second coils that are in series each other and connected at each end thereof to an output terminal of said waveform selecting part and an output terminal of said offset voltage circuit part, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Applicant: Hyundai MOBIS Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seung-Ho Paek
  • Patent number: 7059204
    Abstract: A torque sensor is provided with a torsion bar, first and second elongate sleeves respectively secured to one and the other ends of the torsion bar, and a pair of resolvers respectively mounted on the first and second elongate sleeves. First and second stop portions are provided respectively at overlapping portions of the first and second elongate sleeves where the second elongate sleeve is fit partly on the external surface of the first elongate sleeve with a play. A rotary sleeve given to one of the resolvers is press-fit on the external surface of the stop portion provided on the second elongate sleeve for mounting one of the resolvers thereon as well as for reinforcing the mechanical strength of the stop portion provided on the second elongate sleeve. Further, the resolvers used therein are chosen as those respectively having n-poles and m-poles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Toyoda Koki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mitsunori Naruse, Yuji Yoshizawa, Yusuke Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 7010990
    Abstract: In a detecting apparatus, a resolver generates signals whose magnitudes vary periodically in accordance with a positional change of a fixed element side rotating shaft, which is a base for rotation of a rotator and whose position is offset when force of a component parallel to a rotation plane is applied thereto, and in accordance with a rotational state of the tire. An R/D converter generates pulses whose periods correspond to a rotational angle of the rotator and to positional offset of the rotating shaft. From the pulses, a computer detects a characteristic amount which varies in accordance with the positional offset of the shaft. On the basis of the detected amount and a relationship which is determined in advance on the basis of stiffness of the shaft and the amount, the computer detects a moment applied to the shaft, and computes a force generated at the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Chuo Kenkyusho
    Inventors: Takaji Umeno, Katsuhiro Asano, Yoshitoshi Watanabe, Masaru Sugai, Shu Asami
  • Publication number: 20060048585
    Abstract: A method and a device for operating a vehicle allow a torque of the vehicle during operation of the vehicle to be measured. A torsional angle at at least one drive shaft of the vehicle is measured, and the torque transmitted via the at least one drive shaft is ascertained as a function of the measured torsional angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Publication date: March 9, 2006
    Inventor: Peter Meissner
  • Publication number: 20060021450
    Abstract: An encoder failure detector system and method for detecting failure of an encoder at near-zero rotational speeds. For example, in one embodiment a failure is indicated if a torque command exceeds a selected threshold for a selected period of time and no movement of a rotor is detected during the selected period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Publication date: February 2, 2006
    Inventor: Venkatapathi Nallapa
  • Patent number: 6985018
    Abstract: A multi-turn pulse width modulation (PWM) generator for generating a PWM output corresponding to multiple 360 degree turns. A counter receives a reference signal, and counts a number of cycles of the reference signal to generate a binary output corresponding to the number of cycles counted. A frequency divider receives a sensor output signal, and divides the frequency of the sensor output signal by the number of turns in the multiple turns to generate a frequency divided signal. The sensor output signal has substantially the same frequency as the reference signal, but can be offset in phase from the reference signal. A demultiplexer receives the binary output, and generates a plurality of turn indicator signals, each corresponding to one of the multiple turns. A multiplexer receives the turn indicator signals and a mechanical turn indication signal, and selects one of the turn indicator signals that corresponds to the mechanical turn indication signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: BEI Sensors & Systems Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Asad M. Madni, Jim B. Vuong, Philip Vuong
  • Patent number: 6957713
    Abstract: In a steering angle detection device for an electric power steering apparatus, a steering wheel shaft rotation angle is derived by calculating a rotation angle signal which corresponds to a rotation angle of a steering wheel shaft within a single rotation, based upon detection signals of first and second resolvers which detect the rotation angle of the steering wheel shaft and which have different pole pair numbers. A third resolver detects, as a motor rotation angle, a rotation angle of an output shaft of an electric motor that imparts assistance force to an output member of a steering gear having a reduction ratio that varies in accordance with a steering angle of the steering wheel from a straight ahead position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Toyoda Koki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akihiro Tomita
  • Publication number: 20050211002
    Abstract: A rotation-detecting apparatus includes a rotation-detecting means for detecting a rotation of a rotor, a rotational speed-detecting means (3) for detecting a rotational speed of the rotor and a transfer signal-generating means for generating a digitized transfer signal on the basis of items of transferred information. Either a pulsed first output waveform synchronized with rotation of the rotor, or a pseudo output waveform having a period independent of the period of the rotation of the rotor and having a first property that is different from that of the first output waveform, is selected on the basis of the rotational speed of the rotor. A second property of the output waveform selected is changed on the basis of the transfer signal. The output waveform of which the second property has been changed on the basis of the transfer signal is emitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Inventors: Takashi Hara, Kenichi Taguchi
  • Patent number: 6948382
    Abstract: An angle detection device that accurately detects a rotational angle even if the ratio of an detection voltage relative to an excitation voltage of a resolver fluctuates. The angle detection device includes an angle detector and a controller connected to the angle detector. The angle detector includes an excitation coil, which is arranged on a predetermined rotary shaft and supplied with excitation voltage, and a pair of detection coils. Each detection coil is arranged near the excitation coil to induce detection voltage when excitation voltage excites the excitation coil. The detection voltages of the detection coils have different phases. A controller calculates the rotational angle of the excitation coil with the detection voltages induced to the detection coils. Further, the controller includes a correction unit for correcting the amplitude of the excitation voltage to maintain each of the induced detection voltages at a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Toyoda Koki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsuo Sakai, Jiro Nakano, Tsutomu Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20050204857
    Abstract: A steering wheel (13) for a motor vehicle includes a steering wheel module (1) supporting electrical/electronic subassemblies (18). The steering wheel module is inserted from a front side of the steering wheel into a center of the steering wheel in order to be attached to the steering wheel. A lower end of the steering wheel module forms a torsion module (8) of a torque detection device for a steering power-assist system. The torsion module is operable to receive and be attached to a steering spindle (14) of a steering column on the back side of the steering wheel in order to attach the steering wheel to the steering spindle when the steering wheel module is attached to the steering wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Applicant: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Hirschfeld, Martin Deitmerg, Ralf Bobel, Klaus Nieding, Frank Blasing, Holger Lettmann, Rudiger Menz
  • Patent number: 6935194
    Abstract: A dual resolver device that includes a first resolver having a first rotary shaft, and a second resolver having a second rotary shaft, wherein the absolute value of a difference between a shaft angle multiple of the first resolver and a shaft angle multiple of the second resolver is 1. In one embodiment, the dual resolver device further includes a torsion bar connecting the first and second rotary shafts. In another embodiment, the first and second rotary shafts constitute different portions of the same rotary shaft. In either embodiment, the first resolver preferably produces an output indicative of a rotation angle of the first rotary shaft, and the second resolver preferably produces an output indicative of a rotation angle of the second rotary shaft. The dual resolver device preferably further includes a processor that determines an absolute shaft rotation angle in response to the first and second outputs, and the shaft angle multiples of the first and second resolvers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mutsumi Matsuura, Taiichi Miya
  • Publication number: 20050166686
    Abstract: A torque direction detecting device for an electric motor includes a resolver which provides a pair of a sin ? signal and a cos ? signal with ? changing from 0 degree to 360 degrees in electric angle according to rotation of the brushless motor, a circuit which calculates an electric angle of the brushless motor from the sin ? signal and the cos ? signal, a current sensor for detecting phase current flowing through the phase windings, a circuit which provides a signal if the phase currents is in a prescribed magnitude relation, a circuit which divides a period of the 360 degree-electric angle into 8 timing sections according to magnitude relation between the sin ? signal and the cos ? signal and comparison of the sin ? signal and the cos ? signal with 0, and a circuit which determines a torque direction of the brushless motor if the comparison signal is provided in one of prescribed two timing sections each of which has a specific combination of the magnitude relation and the comparison of the sin ? signal an
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Publication date: August 4, 2005
    Inventor: Toshihisa Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6901816
    Abstract: A power steering apparatus includes a motor, a torque sensor, and a motor resolver. The motor generates an assisting force to reduce the steering force of the steering wheel. The torque sensor detects the steering torque of the steering wheel. The motor resolver detects the rotational angle of the motor. An electronic control unit (ECU) detects the absolute position of the steering wheel based on a detection signal Rt sent from a second resolver of the torque sensor and a detection signal Rm sent from a motor resolver. As a result, the cost is reduced and the absolute position of the steering wheel is accurately detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Toyoda Koki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shigetoshi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 6892588
    Abstract: A first alternating signal of which phase changes according to changes in the rotation angle of a first shaft is output, and a second alternating signal of which phase changes according to changes in the rotation angle of a second shaft capable of rotating elastically with respect to the first shaft is output. A phase difference correspondence signal of which waveform changes according to changes in the phase difference between the first alternating signal and second alternating signal is output. A value corresponding to the torque transmitted by the first and second shafts is found from the phase difference correspondence signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeki Nagase, Masahiko Sakamaki, Katsutoshi Nishizaki, Shirou Nakano, Yoshikazu Kuroumaru, Ken Matsubara
  • Publication number: 20050066749
    Abstract: A rotation detecting device for detecting a rotation number and a rotation direction of a rotating member based on at least two detection signals having different phases from each other and output from at least two sensor elements provided on the rotating member so as to face each other includes a waveform processing means for performing a waveform processing on the detection signals based on one of a plurality of predetermined conversion rules, a setting signal receiving means for receiving a setting signal for determining the predetermined conversion rule to be used from the plurality of predetermined conversion rules, and a conversion rule setting means for determining the predetermined conversion rule to be used based on the setting signal received by the setting signal receiving means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Publication date: March 31, 2005
    Applicant: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Hara, Kenichi Taguchi, Toshiyuki Matsuo
  • Patent number: 6851325
    Abstract: A method of detecting a sensed parameter for a motor control system comprising: receiving a sensor signal, the sensor signal exhibiting a frequency responsive to an inductance of a non-contacting variable reluctance rotational displacement sensor, wherein the inductance is indicative of a displacement of the sensor and responsive to the sensed parameter; capturing a first transition of the sensor signal and a time associated therewith; capturing a second transition of the sensor signal and a time associated therewith; calculating a period for the sensor signal; and computing a value for the sensed parameter, the value responsive to the period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sayeed A. Mir, Mohammad S. Islam, Tomy Sebastian
  • Publication number: 20050022614
    Abstract: A torque sensor is provided with a torsion bar, first and second elongate sleeves respectively secured to one and the other ends of the torsion bar, and a pair of resolvers respectively mounted on the first and second elongate sleeves. First and second stop portions are provided respectively at overlapping portions of the first and second elongate sleeves where the second elongate sleeve is fit partly on the external surface of the first elongate sleeve with a play. A rotary sleeve given to one of the resolvers is press-fit on the external surface of the stop portion provided on the second elongate sleeve for mounting one of the resolvers thereon as well as for reinforcing the mechanical strength of the stop portion provided on the second elongate sleeve. Further, the resolvers used therein are chosen as those respectively having n-poles and m-poles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Publication date: February 3, 2005
    Applicant: TOYODA KOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mitsunori Naruse, Yuji Yoshizawa, Yusuke Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 6843142
    Abstract: The torque sensor outputs a sinusoidal first alternating signal the phase of which changes in accordance with change in the rotation angle of a first shaft, and a sinusoidal second alternating signal the phase of which changes in accordance with change in the rotation angle of a second shaft capable of performing relative rotation, elastically, with respect to the first shaft. A phase difference correspondence signal the waveform of which changes in accordance with change in the phase difference between the first alternating signal and the second alternating signal is output. A value corresponding to the torque transmitted by the first and second shafts is determined from the phase difference correspondence signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeki Nagase
  • Publication number: 20040261545
    Abstract: A driving mechanism includes a motor and a wave gear device. Three sets of torque sensors are attached at intervals of 120° on a diaphragm of a flexible external gear of the wave gear device. In the rotational angle detecting part of the signal processing circuit, signal components that are included in the outputs of the torque sensors, that vary in the form of two cycles of a sine wave per rotation of the wave generator and are synchronous with a rotational angle of the wave generator are extracted and a coordinate transformation is carried out for the obtained three-phase sinusoidal signals to calculate two-phase sinusoidal signals that are 90° out of phase, with the rotational angle of the wave generator being calculated based on these signals. Without providing a rotational angle detector separately, it is possible to detect the rotational angle of the wave generator using the outputs of the torque sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Applicant: Harmonic Drive Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Naoki Kanayama, Masashi Horiuchi
  • Publication number: 20040194558
    Abstract: The torque sensor outputs a signal from a first detector which corresponds to the rotation angle of a first shaft, as a first alternating signal the phase of which changes in accordance with this change in the rotation angle, via a resistance and a capacitor which function as a low-pass filter and a high-pass filter. A signal is output from a second detector corresponding to the change in the rotation angle of a second shaft capable of performing relative rotation, elastically, with respect to the first shaft, as a second alternating signal, the phase of which changes in accordance with the change in the rotation angle, via a resistance and a capacitor which function as a low-pass filter and high-pass filter. A value corresponding to the torque transmitted by the first and second shafts is determined from a phase difference correspondence signal the waveform of which changes in accordance with change in the phase difference between the first alternating signal and the second alternating signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Applicant: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeki Nagase
  • Publication number: 20040194557
    Abstract: The torque sensor outputs a sinusoidal first alternating signal the phase of which changes in accordance with change in the rotation angle of a first shaft, and a sinusoidal second alternating signal the phase of which changes in accordance with change in the rotation angle of a second shaft capable of performing relative rotation, elastically, with respect to the first shaft. A phase difference correspondence signal the waveform of which changes in accordance with change in the phase difference between the first alternating signal and the second alternating signal is output. A value corresponding to the torque transmitted by the first and second shafts is determined from the phase difference correspondence signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Applicant: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeki Nagase
  • Patent number: 6761075
    Abstract: The invention proposes a method for determining a rotation angle (&PHgr;) and/or an angular difference (&dgr;) in a divided shaft (3), which has a number of phase tracks (1a, 1b, 2a, and 2b) disposed on it, which are provided with codes. Via an evaluation unit, each group of tracks (1a, 1b, 2a, and 2b) supplies a phase signal (&agr;1, &agr;2), which is respectively ambiguous with regard to a rotation of the shaft (3). The at least two phase signals (&agr;1, &agr;2) are added up in a weighted fashion to produce a signal S from which the integer portion and the non-integer portion are calculated. The non-integer portion is proportional to the angular difference (&dgr;) between the two track groups. The torque (M) is determined through multiplication with the spring rate of an interposed torque rod. The unambiguous torque (&PHgr;) is determined from the integer portion of the signal (S) and a phase value (&agr;1) or (&agr;2) with the aid of a weighted addition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Siegbert Steinlechner, Lutz Dorfmueller, Axel Wenzler, Ralf Noltemeyer
  • Publication number: 20040085063
    Abstract: A rotation sensor includes a rotor rotatable together with an automotive steering shaft, a conductive band formed on the rotor, a magnetic coil/core unit fixed near the rotor, the unit having a core body and an exciting coil, and a rotation angle detection circuit electrically connected to the coil. The width of the band gradually increases along a half-circumference of the rotor and then gradually decreases along the remaining half-circumference of the rotor, as viewed in the rotating direction of the rotor. The detection circuit applies an alternating signal to the coil. As the rotor is rotated with the alternating signal applied to the coil, the band causes the impedance of the coil to change in accordance with the rotation angle of the rotor, and based on the impedance change, the detection circuit detects the rotation angle of the rotor, that is, the steering shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dongzhi Jin, Fumihiko Abe
  • Patent number: 6694828
    Abstract: A device includes at least one magnetic field generator placed on a first plane of a right section of a shaft and at least one magnetic field detector placed in a second plane of a right section of the shaft. The detector produces a signal proportional to the torque following the relative angular shift of the field generator in relation to the detector, the magnetic field generator having a magnetic structure supported by support mechanisms connected to the turning shaft. The magnetic field detector is located roughly opposite the magnetic field generator and is supported by support mechanisms connected to the turning shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventor: Christophe Nicot
  • Patent number: 6672175
    Abstract: A rotation sensor provided with a first rotor fixed to a shaft, a second rotor fixed to the same or other shaft and adjoining the first rotor, and a core having a resonance coil, arranged around the first rotor, and which coil forms a magnetic circuit working with the first rotor. The first rotor is formed of a magnetic material comprising an insulator; an irregular magnetic field is formed with the core; and the second rotor is provided with a conductor cutting across areas of different intensities of the irregular magnetic field in accordance with the difference of the angle of rotation when a difference in the angle of relative rotation occurs at a shaft position where the first rotor is fixed and at a shaft position where the second rotor is fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dongzhi Jin, Fumihiko Abe, Kengo Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6591200
    Abstract: A method and system for dynamic testing of loaded or unloaded electrical rotating electric motors, wherein a dynamic speed-time characteristic of the electric motor is determined during acceleration of the motor from standstill to steady-state speed or after the motor has reached steady-state speed, depending on the performance characteristic to be derived, and analyzed to derive a performance characteristic of the electric motor. Accurate measurement of the motor speed may be achieved by attaching to the shaft a digital rotary encoder which generates successive HIGH and LOW logic levels during respective successive time intervals. The shaft is rotated and the respective periods of each successive logic level are accumulated so as to allow derivation of the angular rotation or a function thereof of the shaft. Dynamic performance may be determined accurately as well as steady-state performance without slowing the electric motor's speed of rotation by use of a flywheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: M.E.A. Motor Inspection Ltd.
    Inventors: Menachem Cohen, Eyal Cohen
  • Patent number: 6581478
    Abstract: Torque in a torsion member, such as a rotating shaft, is sensed by a piezoelectric element that is attached to the torsion member. The piezoelectric element has a resonant frequency that varies with changes in the torque and is part of a transducer oscillator that produces a first signal. A reference oscillator has a similar piezoelectric element and produces a second signal having a frequency that varies in response to environmental parameters. The first and second signals are heterodyned, thereby cancelling the effects due to environmental parameters acting on both piezoelectric elements and producing a resultant signal that has a frequency which corresponds to the torque applied to the torsion member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Birger Pahl, James E. Hansen, Matthew F. Planning, Robert H. Mathews
  • Patent number: 6546816
    Abstract: An eccentricity compensator for preventing wear induced rotational displacement. The eccentricity compensator is mounted between two rotating shafts joined by a torsion bar that have non-coaxial axes of rotation. The compensator includes a first ring attached to a first shaft and a second ring located adjacent the first ring. A third ring is attached to a second shaft and the third ring is located adjacent the second ring. One or more pin-slot pairs are located between any two of the first, second or third rings. A spring is mounted adjacent each pin-slot pair. The spring biases the pin-slot pair such that hysteresis is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventor: Roderic A. Schlabach
  • Publication number: 20030041677
    Abstract: An eccentricity compensator for preventing wear induced rotational displacement. The eccentricity compensator is mounted between two rotating shafts joined by a torsion bar that have non-coaxial axes of rotation. The compensator includes a first ring attached to a first shaft and a second ring located adjacent the first ring. A third ring is attached to a second shaft and the third ring is located adjacent the second ring. One or more pin-slot pairs are located between any two of the first, second or third rings. A spring is mounted adjacent each pin-slot pair. The spring biases the pin-slot pair such that hysteresis is prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Roderic A. Schlabach
  • Patent number: 6520031
    Abstract: A non contacting angular differential displacement torque sensor utilizes a split shaft with a connecting torsion bar with a pair of receive disks each with an intervening coupler disk carrying a conductive attenuating pattern where the inductive coupling between transmit and receive disks is individually attenuated in accordance with the angular position of the shaft on which the disks are mounted. The pair of receive disks which receive signals from a common transmitter have their angular difference taken and this is the actual torque on the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: BEI Sensors & Systems Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Asad M. Madni, Jim B. Vuong, Robert K. Hansen
  • Publication number: 20030005780
    Abstract: Torque in a torsion member, such as a rotating shaft, is sensed by a piezoelectric element that is attached to the torsion member. The piezoelectric element has a resonant frequency that varies with changes in the torque and is part of a transducer oscillator that produces a first signal. A reference oscillator has a similar piezoelectric element and produces a second signal having a frequency that varies in response to environmental parameters. The first and second signals are heterodyned, thereby cancelling the effects due to environmental parameters acting on both piezoelectric elements and producing a resultant signal that has a frequency which corresponds to the torque applied to the torsion member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Inventors: Birger Pahl, James E. Hansen, Matthew F. Planning, Robert H. Mathews
  • Patent number: 6439065
    Abstract: The present invention provides a novel torque detecting apparatus capable of detecting torque with a simple structure and high precision by way of transmitting drive force via a pair of rotary bodies that cause own relative position to be varied by effect of torque to enable detection of variation of resonant frequency corresponding to variation of the relative position under non-contact condition or by way of transmitting drive force via a pair of rotary bodies that cause own relative position to be varied by effect of torque to enable transmission of modulated signal corresponding to variation of the relative position under non-contact condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Syunji Ooshima, Yasuhito Eguchi, Naomasa Sato, Shoji Tanina, Toshiro Hayashi
  • Patent number: 6427542
    Abstract: Two external rings and an internal ring form an assembly that is connected to a column so it rotates with it, to which column the torque to be measured is applied. Elastically deformable members connect the internal ring to one external ring, and the other external ring remaining essentially unstressed. A measurement device, such as, for example, a probe having at least one with Hall effect device, measures relative displacement of the two external rings to determine the torque applied. The invention also concerns the steering devices equipped with such torque sensors, for example, for power or assisted steering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventor: Christophe Nicot
  • Patent number: 6356847
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for determining the torque exerted on a body of revolution 2 capable of being driven rotatably about an axis of rotation 1. The device possesses a first and a second measurement generator 3 and 4 which are arranged on the body of revolution 2 at an axial distance from one another and which consist of rings 7 and 8 radially surrounding the body of revolution 2 and composed of fields having an alternately different signal behavior. At the same time, the number of fields of the two rings 7 and 8 is identical. The first measurement generator 3 is assigned a first measurement transducer 9 and the second measurement generator 4 is assigned a second measurement transducer 10, the measurement transducers both supplying output signals, from which first and second square-wave signals 11 and 12 are formed, the torque being determined from the distances between edges of the first and second square-wave signals over one complete revolution of the body of revolution 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Inventor: Siegfried Gerlitzki
  • Publication number: 20020000129
    Abstract: A non contacting angular differential displacement torque sensor utilizes a split shaft with a connecting torsion bar with a pair of receive disks each with an intervening coupler disk carrying a conductive attenuating pattern where the inductive coupling between transmit and receive disks is individually attenuated in accordance with the angular position of the shaft on which the disks are mounted. The pair of receive disks which receive signals from a common transmitter have their angular difference taken and this is the actual torque on the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Inventors: Asad M. Madni, Jim B. Vuong, Robert K. Hansen