Grooved Or Slotted Torsion Shaft Patents (Class 73/862.334)
  • Patent number: 11561141
    Abstract: A method for measuring stress applied to a magnetoelastic body, simultaneously detecting a potential external magnetic field affecting a magnetoelastic sensor and allocating a non-stress related influence affected by the field on the body, including applying at least two opposite magnetic zones on the body, providing at least one sensor including at least one first (1) and second (2) channel having at least two axially aligned coils each, arranged adjacent to the magnetized zone of the body, both channels having different sensitivity relative to the field, setting-up channel 1 as a common mode rejection channel and channel 2 as a common mode acceptance channel, reading the magnetized zones when stress is applied to the body, measuring the stress by channel 1 leading to an opposite sensitive direction, and detecting the impact of the field to the magnetized zones by channel 2 leading to an identical sensitive direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Methode Electronics Malta Ltd.
    Inventor: Johannes Gießibl
  • Patent number: 11448523
    Abstract: A sensor device may include a rotor, a stator disposed outside the rotor and a sensor module disposed outside the stator. The rotor may include a sleeve and a magnet coupled to the sleeve, and the magnet may be disposed inside the sleeve. The sleeve may include a fixing part which protrudes from an end of the sleeve and is in contact with the magnet. The sleeve includes a second body, and a third body. The second body is disposed to cover an upper surface of the magnet, and the third body is disposed to cover an outer circumferential surface of the magnet. The magnet is disposed between the shaft and the third body, thereby providing an advantageous effect of increasing a coupling force between the magnet of the rotor and a yoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ho Chan Son
  • Patent number: 11385078
    Abstract: A rotation sensing apparatus includes a detected part including a first pattern portion with a plurality of first patterns and a second pattern portion with a plurality of second patterns; a first sensor disposed opposite to the first pattern portion; a second sensor disposed opposite to the second pattern portion; a third sensor disposed at an angle from the first sensor and disposed opposite to the first pattern portion; a fourth sensor disposed at an angle from the second sensor and disposed opposite to the second pattern portion; and a rotation information calculation circuit to calculate rotation information regarding rotation of a rotating body based on first, second, third, and fourth oscillation signals associated with outputs of the first, second, third, and fourth sensors and to compensate for nonlinearity of a differential signal generated based on the first, second, third, and fourth oscillation signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong Woon Ji, Joo Yul Ko
  • Patent number: 11377148
    Abstract: A vehicle steering apparatus. The durability of a sensor rotor to heat and abrasion is improved. The flatness of the sensor rotor is prevented from being lowered during calking for coupling of the sensor rotor to a steering shaft so that steering torque of a driver can be more accurately detected. A fabrication process is simplified, and fabrication costs are reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jong Han Kim
  • Patent number: 10996289
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes at least one coil responsive to an AC coil drive signal; at least two spaced apart magnetic field sensing elements responsive to a sensing element drive signal and positioned proximate to the at least one coil; and a circuit coupled to the at least two magnetic field sensing elements to generate an output signal of the magnetic field sensor indicative of a difference between a distance of a conductive target with respect to each of the at least two spaced apart magnetic field sensing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignees: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC, COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Alexander Latham, Claude Fermon, Myriam Pannetier-Lecoeur, Bryan Cadugan
  • Patent number: 10641842
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a conductive material having varying thickness along its length, the varying thickness providing varying response along a length of the conductive material to a magnetic field having a non-zero frequency; wherein the magnetic field produces an eddy current in the conductive material which generates a reflected magnetic field, wherein the varying response causes the reflected magnetic field to vary in strength along the length of the conductive material. The apparatus may include one or more reference portions of conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignees: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC, Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies
    Inventors: Alexander Latham, Claude Fermon, Gerardo A. Monreal, Alejandro Gabriel Milesi
  • Patent number: 10309848
    Abstract: A torque sensor for a steering system according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a first magnetic body having an open region and an unopened region arranged in an alternating manner along a circumference of a circular connecting member, the open region and the unopened region facing a magnet having N and S poles arranged in an alternating manner in a circular shape, the magnet installed at one end of a torsion bar, the first magnetic body connected to the other end of the torsion bar; a second magnetic body placed facing the magnet along an outer periphery of the magnet with the first magnetic body interposed between the second magnetic body and the magnet; a third magnetic body placed facing the first magnetic body while failing to face the magnet; and a magnetic sensing member placed between the second magnetic body and the third magnetic body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: LS AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chang-Nam Jun
  • Patent number: 10184847
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satomi Ishikawa, Hiroshi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 10151652
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for detecting an external magnetic field and/or a product-related magnetic field on a ferromagnetic component, which has a magnetization in the form of magnetic tracks. The apparatus comprises at least two magnetic field sensors which can detect an external magnetic field acting on the ferromagnetic component. Each magnetic field sensor comprises two coils, wherein each coil is assigned at least one magnetic track. Each two coils are configured so that they have a different sensitivity to one another, wherein one coil which has a higher sensitivity with respect to the other coil. The coil having the higher sensitivity ensures that the effect of an external magnetic field is amplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: METHODE ELECTRONICS MALTA LTD.
    Inventor: Johannes Gießibl
  • Patent number: 9506824
    Abstract: For providing a magnetostrictive film that can exhibit high magnetostrictive properties in the vicinity of zero magnetic field and their manufacturing methods, a magnetostrictive film thermal sprayed on an object under test includes a metallic glass film subjected to thermal processing at a temperature lower than the glass transition temperature and not lower than the Curie point, and shows a linearity between the magnetic field and the magnetostriction in at least a part of the magnetic field from ?15 kA/m to +15 kA/m (both inclusive).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: JAPAN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AGENCY
    Inventors: Yoshitsugu Motoe, Koji Nakashima, Tomohito Ishikawa, Masaharu Sugiyama, Takanori Igarashi, Hiroyuki Wakiwaka, Akihiro Makino, Akihisa Inoue
  • Patent number: 8955396
    Abstract: Disclosed are a stator assembly and a torque assembly device. The stator assembly includes a stator holder, a first stator which includes a first body making contact with an upper end of the stator holder and a plurality of first teeth extending from the first body so as to be disposed inside the stator holder, a second stator which includes a second body making contact with a lower end of the stator holder and a plurality of second teeth extending from the second body so to be alternately aligned with the first teeth inside the stator holder, and a fusion-welded material that is fusion-welded to the stator holder and the first and second bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Kyu Bae, Chang Hwan Lee
  • Patent number: 8943879
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a steering torque and steering angle measurement apparatus, the present invention including a stator fixed to an output shaft, a magnet disposed at the inner part of the stator and being fixed to an input shaft, a torque sensor measuring a steering torque by sensing a magnetic field produced between the stator and the magnet, and a steering angle signal generation part measuring the steering angle by outputting an ON signal ordinary times and outputting an OFF signal at each preset rotation duration of the output shaft when the output shaft rotates, thereby reducing a component number, simplifying a manufacturing process and saving a cost price.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Minchul Kang
  • Patent number: 8939038
    Abstract: Disclosed is a torque index sensor, the sensor including a housing, a stator mounted at a space inside the housing, a magnet arranged inside the stator to rotate with a rotation shaft, a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) fixedly mounted inside the housing and mounted with a first magnetic element outputting a magnetization signal in response to rotation of the magnet, at least one or more fixing bosses protrusively formed at the housing, and a collector having a plurality of through holes penetratively formed at a position corresponding to that of the fixing boss and concentrating a magnetic field for guiding a magnetic flux of the magnet, wherein the fixing boss is thermally fused after passing the through hole to tightly fix the collector at an inner surface of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Myungchul Woo
  • Patent number: 8886492
    Abstract: An angle measuring device or system can include a wrench or a bracket, for example, and a digital angle meter. The a wrench or bracket can include a head or head plate portion for engaging a nut, a bolt, or crankshaft, a central axis about which the wrench or bracket rotates during use, and a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the central axis. The digital angle meter can be attached to the wrench or bracket and include a housing, a processor, and at least one gyrometer. The at least one gyrometer including a first axis extending parallel to the longitudinal axis for determining the rotational orientation of the wrench or bracket relative to a reference position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Inventor: James Wener
  • Patent number: 8561481
    Abstract: Disclosed are a stator assembly and a torque assembly device. The stator assembly includes a stator holder, a first stator which includes a first body making contact with an upper end of the stator holder and a plurality of first teeth extending from the first body so as to be disposed inside the stator holder, a second stator which includes a second body making contact with a lower end of the stator holder and a plurality of second teeth extending from the second body so to be alternately aligned with the first teeth inside the stator holder, and a fusion-welded material that is fusion-welded to the stator holder and the first and second bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Kyu Bae, Chang Hwan Lee
  • Patent number: 8375810
    Abstract: Disclosed are a stator assembly and a torque assembly device. The stator assembly includes a stator holder, a first stator which includes a first body making contact with an upper end of the stator holder and a plurality of first teeth extending from the first body so as to be disposed inside the stator holder, a second stator which includes a second body making contact with a lower end of the stator holder and a plurality of second teeth extending from the second body so to be alternately aligned with the first teeth inside the stator holder, and a fusion-welded material that is fusion-welded to the stator holder and the first and second bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Kyu Bae, Chang Hwan Lee
  • Patent number: 8365628
    Abstract: A method for designing a pole piece for a power assist steering system, includes: selecting a number of teeth, k, for the pole piece where k=n/2 and n represents an even number of poles; and selecting a ratio between an angle made by an inner tooth tip and an outer tooth tip, ?tp, and an angle made by a magnet pole width, ?mp, to provide a desired torque function for the steering system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Mohammad S. Islam, Christian E. Ross, Matthew W. Mielke
  • Patent number: 8311760
    Abstract: An embodiment of a method for a determination, section after section, of a parameter-dependent correction value approximation course includes determining a first measurement signal value with a first parameter value associated with a sensor arrangement when the first parameter value fullfils a predetermined condition or a trigger condition is fulfilled, changing the first parameter value to obtain a second parameter value, determining a second signal value with the second parameter value and determining a second partial section of the correction value approximation course for a second parameter range based on a functional connection describing the second partial section, the first parameter value, the second parameter value, the first measurement signal value, the second measurement signal value and an initial correction value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Hohe, Michael Hackner, Markus Stahl-Offergeld
  • Patent number: 8069736
    Abstract: The present invention aims at detecting torque with a high degree of precision, by suppressing influences such as disturbance and rotation dependency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Ono Sokki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiko Sakai
  • Patent number: 8047084
    Abstract: A torque-index sensor having index sensor and torque sensor closely arranged and integrated therein with lightened interference between them is provided. The invented torque-index sensor is comprised of torque sensor that includes first magnetic sensor arranged beside first annular-shaped magnet and index sensor that includes second magnet arranged beside annular-shaped encoder and second magnetic sensor that are arranged being in-line on common axis; and means for varying magnetic flux, which changes direction of magnetic flux that is generated from second magnet toward first magnetic sensor, positioned between first magnetic sensor in torque sensor and second magnet in index sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi Cable, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ken Okuyama, Yukio Ikeda, Yukitoshi Terasaka, Takahiro Sanada
  • Publication number: 20100077870
    Abstract: The present invention aims at detecting torque with a high degree of precision, by suppressing influences such as disturbance and rotation dependency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventor: Masahiko Sakai
  • Patent number: 7644635
    Abstract: The invention relates to a position sensor which is intended, in particular, for detecting a steering column torsion. The invention consists of: a first magnetic rotor structure (10) comprising a plurality of radially-oriented magnets; a second stator structure comprising two rings (23, 24) which extend into axially-oriented overlapping teeth (25, 26); and a third fixed collector structure (30) comprising two flux-closing parts which define at least one air gap in which at least one magneto-sensitive element is placed. The invention is characterized in that the flux-closing parts and the stator rings (23, 24) define therebetween a constant collection surface that is independent of the relative radial position of the two structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Moving Magnet Technologies
    Inventors: Daniel Prudham, Gerald Masson, Antoine Foucaut
  • Patent number: 7500408
    Abstract: An inventive torque detection device includes: a magnetic circuit forming member having a tubular magnet provided at a first rotating body, and a magnetic ring that is located circumferentially of the tubular magnet and rotated together with a second rotating body connected to the first rotating body; a magnetic flux collecting ring part for collecting a generated magnetic flux; a detection part for detecting, based on a density of the collected magnetic flux, a torque applied to the first or second rotating body; and a molded body that is molded at an outer circumferential portion of the first rotating body, and is joined to longitudinal both sides of the tubular magnet so as to fix the tubular magnet to the first rotating body. A molding pressure, generated when the tubular magnet is molded, is applied in the longitudinal direction of the tubular magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignees: JTEKT Corporation, Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshitomo Tokumoto, Shingo Takayama, Mikio Nozaki, Naoki Nakane
  • Publication number: 20080250873
    Abstract: The invention relates to a position sensor which is intended, in particular, for detecting a steering column torsion. The invention consists of: a first magnetic rotor structure (10) comprising a plurality of radially-oriented magnets; a second stator structure comprising two rings (23, 24) which extend into axially-oriented overlapping teeth (25, 26); and a third fixed collector structure (30) comprising two flux-closing parts which define at least one air gap in which at least one magneto-sensitive element is placed. The invention is characterized in that the flux-closing parts and the stator rings (23, 24) define therebetween a constant collection surface that is independent of the relative radial position of the two structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2005
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: MOVING MAGNET TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: Daniel Prudham, Gerald Masson, Antoine Foucaut
  • Patent number: 7433758
    Abstract: A robot control apparatus capable of largely reducing a calculation amount to be capable of lowering a load of a CPU is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa Denki
    Inventor: Jun Hagihara
  • Patent number: 7320255
    Abstract: The magnetometer assembly according to this invention includes a first coil assembly and a second coil assembly for detecting separate magnetic fields along an axial portion of a torque transducer. The first and second coil assemblies are driven by independently adjustable circuits. Each of the circuits are independently adjustable to adjust the gain that is distributed to each of the first and second coils. This provides for an adjustment and precise alignment of a magnetic field generated by the first coil and the second coil assembly such that external magnetic fields can be cancelled providing increased accuracy and reduced hysteresis effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventor: David W. Cripe
  • Patent number: 7293472
    Abstract: In a torque detecting apparatus, in each of two flux concentrating rings, a portion along a circumferential direction is raised outward in a radial direction so that a flux concentrating section is provided that has a plate shape extending on one side in an axial direction. These flux concentrating rings are fixedly arranged such that the flux concentrating sections should oppose to each other in the circumferential direction with a predetermined gap in between. Leakage flux between opposing surfaces of the flux concentrating sections is detected by magnetic sensors aligned in an axial direction between these opposing surfaces. This improves the utilization of materials for the flux concentrating rings including the flux concentrating sections, and hence reduces the product cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshitomo Tokumoto, Toshiharu Ishihara, Naoki Nakane
  • Publication number: 20070186695
    Abstract: An inventive torque detection device includes: a magnetic circuit forming member having a tubular magnet provided at a first rotating body, and a magnetic ring that is located circumferentially of the tubular magnet and rotated together with a second rotating body connected to the first rotating body; a magnetic flux collecting ring part for collecting a generated magnetic flux; a detection part for detecting, based on a density of the collected magnetic flux, a torque applied to the first or second rotating body; and a molded body that is molded at an outer circumferential portion of the first rotating body, and is joined to longitudinal both sides of the tubular magnet so as to fix the tubular magnet to the first rotating body. A molding pressure, generated when the tubular magnet is molded, is applied in the longitudinal direction of the tubular magnet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Applicants: JTEKT Corporation, DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshitomo Tokumoto, Shingo Takayama, Mikio Nozaki, Naoki Nakane
  • Patent number: 7222541
    Abstract: A device for measuring torsional distortion of a body comprises first and second clip portions each having a central part and two legs depending from the central part, each leg having adjacent the free end thereof a groove or projection for engaging a respective projection or groove (14) provided in the body (16) to mount the clip portion the body rotationally fastened therewith. A bridge interconnects the clip portion. The bridge is less stiff than the clip portions whereby relative rotational displacement of the clip portions caused by torsional distortion of the body will cause proportional deflection of the bridge. Means, for example a SAW device (15), are provided for measuring the deflection of the bridge to provide an indication of the torsional distortion which produces the deflection of the bridge. Also (20) for the interior all of a hollow body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Transense Technologies PLC
    Inventors: Raymond David Lohr, David Daniel George Vile, Mark Lee
  • Publication number: 20070074924
    Abstract: The invention relates to a steering actuation device for a vehicle, in particular for an industrial truck, having an operating element (1) for inputting steering commands by exerting torques on the operating element (1), having a sensor arrangement (16) for monitoring the steering command input state of the operating element (1) and having a control device for converting the steering command input data detected by the sensor arrangement (16) into control information for a steering drive apparatus of a wheel, which can be steered, of the vehicle, the sensor arrangement (16) detecting the respective steering command input state of the operating element (1) by means of monitoring the elastic material deformation, in particular torsion, of an element (14), which is subjected to elastic deformation by means of a steering command input torque on the operating element (1) and is coupled to or associated with the operating element (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Publication date: April 5, 2007
    Inventors: Michael Schonauer, Robert Hammerl
  • Patent number: 7174795
    Abstract: An integrated torque and position sensor is set forth for measuring the relative rotational movement between an input and an output shaft and for measuring the final angle position of the output shaft. The integrated sensor includes a wheel that rotates with the shaft. An incremental sensing mechanism detects the incremental rotation of the shaft. In response to the shaft rotating to a predetermined angle, an actuation mechanism engages the wheel with a change gear for every new revolution in which the shaft passes. A segment sensing mechanism detects the segment in which the shaft is disposed. A method is set forth to calibrate and compensate the electrical outputs generated by the integrated torque and position sensor. The method produces common amplitudes and establishes a common angle with an expected phase angle shift for the electrical outputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sainan Feng, Mohammad Islam, Matthew W. Mielke, Christian Ross, Tomy Sebastian, Eric Pattok, Ryan Pavlawk, Samuel El-Nashef, Alan C. Davis, Harley D. Burkhard
  • Patent number: 7117755
    Abstract: A torque sensor including a first step formed on an inner peripheral surface of a sensor housing, a second step formed on an outer peripheral surface of a detection coil assembly, the first and second steps axially supporting each other, and a groove formed on the outer peripheral surface of the detection coil assembly at a position adjacent to the second step such that the groove faces an inner surface portion of the first step, so that the first step penetrates the groove while being plastically deformed when the detection coil assembly is pressed toward the first step, thereby causing the detection coil assembly to be fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the sensor housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Mando Corporation
    Inventor: I-Jin Yang
  • 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: 6988422
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignees: Denso Corporation, Nippon Soken, Inc.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Sugimura, Naoki Nakane, Shigetoshi Fukaya, Kenji Takeda
  • Patent number: 6978685
    Abstract: In a detecting apparatus for detecting a steering state at a steering member (1) by respectively providing targets (34 and 35) in the shape of a spur gear having teeth portions (34a and 35a) to an input shaft (32) connected to the steering member and an output shaft (33) connected to the input shaft (32) by interposing a torsion bar (31), when an allowable maximum value of rotational torque applied to the steering member is designated by notation T, a number of teeth Z of the teeth portions (34a and 35a) and a spring constant K of the torsion bar (31) are determined to satisfy the following inequality, 360(deg)/Z>T(Nm)/K(Nm/deg).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mahito Shiba, Naoki Maeda, Yoshitomo Tokumoto, Kenichi Kotaka
  • Patent number: 6973991
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshitomo Tokumoto, Mahito Shiba, Kenichi Kotaka, Naoki Maeda
  • Patent number: 6957590
    Abstract: A calculation processing circuit 10 executes a predetermined operation on the detection signals of a plurality of magnetic sensors A and B, disposed to face a target 3a made of a magnetic material and provided on a rotating member 6, for outputting detection signals with mutually different phases according to a rotation of the rotating member 6, calculates the electrical angle of the detection signals based on a table 2a representing the correlation of the result of the operation executed in advance with a corresponding electrical angle of detection signals, and detects the rotational angle of the rotating member 6 based on the calculated electrical angle. The calculation processing circuit 10 stores a plurality of tables 2a through 2c for different gaps between the target 3a and the magnetic sensors A and B, determines the gap based on the detection signals of the magnetic sensors A and B, and calculates the electrical angle of the detection signals based on the table corresponding to the determined gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Maeda, Masami Naka
  • Patent number: 6948385
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshitomo Tokumoto, Mahito Shiba, Naoki Maeda, Kenichi Kotaka
  • Patent number: 6935195
    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 1A and the second detecting means 1B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshitomo Tokumoto, Naoki Maeda, Mahito Shiba
  • Publication number: 20050103127
    Abstract: A torque sensor including a first step formed on an inner peripheral surface of a sensor housing, a second step formed on an outer peripheral surface of a detection coil assembly, the first and second steps axially supporting each other, and a groove formed on the outer peripheral surface of the detection coil assembly at a position adjacent to the second step such that the groove faces an inner surface portion of the first step, so that the first step penetrates the groove while being plastically deformed when the detection coil assembly is pressed toward the first step, thereby causing the detection coil assembly to be fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the sensor housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Publication date: May 19, 2005
    Inventor: I - Jin Yang
  • Publication number: 20050039548
    Abstract: A variable reluctance rotational displacement sensor with: an annular sleeve; a coil coaxially aligned within the sleeve; a first ring in magnetic communication with the sleeve, coaxially aligned and configured to rotate relative to the sleeve. The first ring including a first plurality of axially directed teeth arranged about a circumference of the ring on a front portion thereof. The sensor also includes a second ring in magnetic communication with the first ring and the sleeve, the second ring coaxially aligned and configured to rotate relative to the first ring and the sleeve and including a second plurality of axially directed teeth configured substantially the same as the first plurality of axially directed teeth and oriented adjacent to the first plurality of axially directed teeth on a rear portion of the second ring. The coil generates a signal responsive to a differential displacement between the first and second rings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Publication date: February 24, 2005
    Inventors: Mohammad Islam, Sayeed Mir, Tomy Sebastian, Christian Ross
  • Patent number: 6854343
    Abstract: Torsion in a shaft with two portions or a torsion bar caused by a torque is initially converted into an angular movement of a disc-shaped movement converter fastened to the first portion. A carrier surrounding the shaft as a sleeve is fastened to the second portion and converts the angular movement into an axial translation movement of the carrier which can be detected by a contactless displacement sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics AMP GmbH
    Inventors: Nouhad Bachnak, Stefan Stross
  • Patent number: 6846260
    Abstract: In an automatic transmission having a torque converter with a pump impeller, a turbine runner, and a stator, a stator shaft is provided to support the stator on its outer periphery and to rotatably support a transmission input shaft on its inner periphery. A magnetostrictive torque sensor is provided to detect the magnitude of input torque transmitted to the transmission input shaft. The magnetostrictive torque sensor includes a magnetic material having a magnetostrictive property and attached onto the outer periphery of the transmission input shaft, and a cylindrical magnetic-property detector mounted on the inner periphery of the stator shaft and arranged to be opposite to the magnetic material to detect a change in a magnetic property of the magnetic material, occurring owing to the input torque applied to the transmission input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: JATCO Ltd
    Inventor: Tomofusa Horiuchi
  • Patent number: 6763733
    Abstract: A target plate 3 is provided onto a shaft 1 and is has targets 3a arranged on an outer circumference. Facing the outer circumference of this target plate 3 is a sensor 5 that is provided with MR elements, which are arranged in a circumferential direction in accordance with an arrangement interval of the targets 3a. A rotational angle of the target plate 3 is calculated based on an output obtained between the MR elements in accordance with the displacement in the circumferential direction of the targets 3a, 3a with the rotation of the target plate 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshitomo Tokumoto
  • Patent number: 6701793
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a magnetostrictive sensor for measuring a torque in a shaft. The sensor comprises at least one active magnetostrictive region on the shaft, a surface pattern in the magnetostrictive region such that it obtains anisotropic properties, a first means arranged to generate a magnetic field varying in time in the magnetostrictive region and a second means arranged to sense variation in the permeability in the magnetostrictive region. Said magnetostrictive region comprises a first layer of a magnetostrictive material which is provided on the surface of the shaft and that said surface pattern is formed by a second layer of a non-magnetostrictive material comprising a low resistivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: ABB AB
    Inventors: Christer Wallin, Hans Ling, Lars Hassel
  • Publication number: 20030192386
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Applicant: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshitomo Tokumoto, Naoki Maeda, Mahito Shiba
  • Patent number: 6595073
    Abstract: A magnetostrictive device for a torque sensor which has a high sensor sensitivity whether the excitation frequency is in a high frequency range or in a low frequency range and can withstand excess load torques well, and also a method of easily manufacturing the device. In manufacturing the magnetostrictive device 1 for a torque sensor, which has a magnetic anisotropic portion 15 formed on the surface of a shaft body 10 thereof, the method of forming the magnetic anisotropic portion 15 comprises the steps of: forming spiral grooves in the surface of the shaft body 10 to form a plurality of troughs 16 and ridges 17 alternately; and directly applying a compressive stress only to the ridges 17 to cause deformations accompanied by plastic flow and to provide an almost planar plateau portion 171 at a crest portion of each of the ridges 17.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Wataru Yagi, Kouta Maruyama, Atsunao Itoh, Yoshio Kato
  • Patent number: 6557425
    Abstract: A torque sensor is comprised of a torque detection coil for detecting a torque generated between an input shaft and an output shaft by detecting a change of a relative rotational position between a cover member fixed to the input shaft and a covered member fixed to the output shaft as a change of impedance of a torque detection coil. The cover member is located between the covered member and the torque detection coil and has an outer cylinder portion which extends from an outer periphery of the cover member along a circumferential surface of the covered member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Unisia Jecs Corporation
    Inventors: Haruo Kamiya, Satoshi Kubosawa, Shigetoshi Kumazaki
  • Patent number: 6539816
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a compact torque detector. The present invention solving the object has a conversion member 23 provided on the outer circumferences of an input shaft 20 and an output shaft 21 to convert the amount of relative rotation of the input and output shafts to a displacement in the axial direction; an annular-shaped ring member 26 secured on the outer circumference of the conversion member 23 and made up of a magnet; and a plurality of magnetically sensitive devices 27 arranged at intervals around the ring member 26 and facing the ring member. The magnetically sensitive device 27 detects the amount of travel of the ring member 26 in the axial direction and supplying the detected amount as a voltage signal to a controller C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Kogiso, Koji Ando
  • Patent number: 6450045
    Abstract: A torque sensing calibration unit comprises a hollow torsion bar (2) to which torque is to be applied, associated with two or more pairs or positions sensors (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15) each pair being arranged to measure movement of the bar on diametrically opposite sides of a central axis through the bar (2). The pairs of sensors are arranged to measure movement in mutually perpendicular directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Crane Electronics Ltd.
    Inventors: David Ogilvie Crane, Hedley Lloyd Quinton