Magnet unit for a sensor device of a motor vehicle, sensor device having a magnet unit and motor vehicle having a sensor device

• US 10,641,670 B2
• Filed: 06/09/2017
• Issued: 05/05/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH (Valeo SE)
• Original Assignee: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH (Valeo SE)
• Inventors: Smolders, Griet, Jerems, Frank, Rachui, Dirk, Froehlich, Ekkehart
• Primary Examiner(s): Hollington, Octavia
• Application Number:
  US16/309,261
• Publication Number:
  US 20190195714A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,061 Days
• Field of Search: 73862325, 73862335, 73862191
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/14 influencing the magnitude of a current or voltage
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/142 using Hall-effect devices measuring magnetic variables using Hall-effect or other galvanomagnetic devices G01R33/06
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/24442 by mounting means
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 3/104 involving permanent magnets
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 5/221 to steering wheels, e.g. for power assisted steering
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 7/021 Construction of PM H01F7/0278 takes precedence; PM compositions H01F1/032
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 7/0221 Mounting means for PM, supporting, coating, encapsulating PM

Abstract

A magnet unit for a sensor device for acquiring a measured variable that characterizes a rotational state of a steering shaft of a motor vehicle, to a sensor device and to a motor vehicle, the magnet unit comprises: a sleeve and a magnet element that is connected in a positive-locking manner to the sleeve.

Claims

1. A magnet unit for a sensor device for acquiring a measured variable that characterizes a rotational state of a steering shaft of a motor vehicle, the magnet unit comprising:

a sleeve; and

a magnet element that is connected in a positive-locking manner to the sleeve,

wherein the sleeve comprises a bush-shaped attaching section for connecting the magnet unit to a first part of the steering shaft and a connecting flange that extends outwards in the radial direction and comprises at least one cut-out having a radial outer face for connecting to the magnet element,

wherein the magnet element comprises a magnetically-effective magnet section and at least one connecting element that extends in the axial direction and comprises a radial inner face for connecting to the sleeve,

wherein when the magnet unit is being used in the state of use in accordance with a function of the magnet unit, at least one connecting element of the magnet element extends through at least one cut-out in the connecting flange of the sleeve and is configured in such a manner that the connecting element-of the magnet element forms a positive-locking connection in the tangential direction and in the axial direction with the connecting flange of the sleeve,

wherein the magnet unit is configured so that in at least one operating state, in a reference state in the case of a reference ambient temperature, the radial inner face at least of one connecting element is spaced in the radial direction with respect to the radial outer face of the associated cut-out of the connecting flange of the sleeve,

wherein, when the magnet unit is being used in the state of use in accordance with the intended function, at least one connecting element of the magnet element comprises at least one undercut so as to form the axial positive-locking connection with the connecting flange of the sleeve, wherein the connecting element is configured in one selection from the group consisting of;

a hook-shaped, T-shaped and anchor-shaped manner.

2. The magnet unit according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve comprises at least four cut-outs that are arranged distributed in the peripheral direction, wherein the magnet element comprises at least four connecting elements that are arranged distributed in a corresponding manner to cut-outs.

3. The magnet unit according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve and the magnet element have different coefficients of thermal expansion, wherein the length and/or volume of the coefficient of thermal expansion of the magnet element are/is greater than the length and/or volume of the coefficient of thermal expansion of the sleeve, and wherein the sleeve and the magnet element are configured in such a manner that at least one positive-locking connection between the sleeve and the magnet element in the reference state in the case of the reference ambient temperature is free of play in the tangential and/or axial direction.

4. A sensor device for acquiring a measured variable that characterizes a rotational state of a steering shaft of a motor vehicle, wherein the sensor device comprises a magnet unit according to claim 1.

5. The motor vehicle having a sensor device, wherein the sensor device is configured according to claim 4.