Abstract: A steering column differential angle position sensor includes an upper target wheel and a lower target wheel. Each target wheel forms a plurality of similarly shaped slots that are equally spaced radially around the target wheels. Two receiver coils and a excitation coil are coaxially aligned with the target wheels. A hollow housing surrounds the target wheels and the coils. The excitation coil generates an alternating current magnetic field around itself, and this alternating current magnetic field generates eddy current in the target wheels. The receiver coils receive an alternating current signal that is a combination of the alternating current magnetic field generated by the excitation coil and the eddy current. The receiver coils sense changes in the alternating current signal due to differential slot alignment of the target wheels, and hence, the torque on a steering column that is mechanically coupled to the sensor.

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.

Abstract: A rolling contact bearing is fitted at one end thereof with a sealing device and a device for measuring the relative revolving speed between the bearing races. The sealing device comprises a metal insert (10) of annular shape fast for rotation with the rotating bearing race (11). The speed measuring device comprises a multipolar ring (18) mounted to the metal insert (10) and provided with magnetized segments of alternate polarity in the circumferential direction. The multipolar ring (18) is a ring of plastoferrite co-molded to the metal insert (10). Formed on the insert (10) is formed a plurality of radial recesses (21) adapted to yield, in the co-molding operation, a corresponding plurality of radial protrusions (22) in the multipolar ring (18). The radial recesses and protrusions (21, 22) are mutually engaged so as to prevent relative rotation between the multipolar ring (18) and the metal insert (10), but allow relative radial displacement owing to thermal variations.

Abstract: A torque sensor having a plurality of axial grooves formed on an outer circumferential surface of the end portion of a first rotation shaft to which a cylindrical member is fixed so as to be extended in an axial direction of the first rotation shaft. A circumferential groove is continuously and circumferentially formed on the outer circumferential surface of the end portion of the first rotation shaft. A plurality of protrusions are formed on an inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical member to be fitted into the plurality of axial grooves respectively to thereby prevent a rotation of the cylindrical member relative to the first rotation shaft. A portion of the cylindrical member which is disposed outward of the circumferential groove is deformed to fit into the circumferential groove to thereby prevent an axial displacement of the cylindrical member relative to the first rotation shaft. Further, a coil unit having a coil is disposed so as to enclose a second rotation shaft.

Abstract: An improved magnetostrictive torque sensor for sensing torque applied to a shaft that is rotatably supported in a housing. A magnetostrictive cylinder is fixed to the shaft. A stator is supported on the shaft by bearings to surround the magnetostrictive cylinder and is accommodated in the housing. The stator incorporates exciting coils and detecting coils such that the coils are located about the shaft. The magnetosttrictive cylinder is strained by torque applied to the shaft. The exciting coils generate flux running through the magnetostrictive cylinder. The generated flux is changed in accordance with the strain of the magnetostrictive cylinder. The detecting coils detect the flux changes. The stator is also rotatably fixed to the housing by bearings. Rotation of the stator relative to the housing is prevented by connectors that couple the stator with the housing. This prevents tension in wires that lead from the stator.