×

Torque sensor unit

  • US 9,448,129 B2
  • Filed: 09/17/2013
  • Issued: 09/20/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2012
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A torque sensor unit for detecting a torque applied to a rotating element, the rotating element having first and second shaft members formed of a metal material and connected to each other through a torsion bar, the torque sensor unit comprising:

  • a sleeve formed of a metal material and including;

    an annular or arc-shaped sleeve body surrounding the first shaft member;

    a fixing part provided on the sleeve body and fixing the sleeve body to the first shaft member;

    an axial position restricting part provided on the sleeve body and having a flanged portion extending radially inwardly from the sleeve body, the flanged portion having a support surface directed vertically upward during use of the torque sensor unit; and

    a radial position restricting part provided on the sleeve body and extending in a direction of a rotation axis of the rotating element;

    an annular magnet formed of a composite material of resin and magnetic materials, with different magnetic poles alternately arranged in a circumferential direction, and surrounding the first shaft member, the magnet being placed on the support surface and thereby restricted in position in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotating element while being restricted in position in a radial direction by the radial position restricting part;

    a filling material formed from a resin material having a smaller Young'"'"'s modulus than that of the magnet and held in contact with the magnet and the radial position restricting part;

    a first yoke member formed of a magnetic material, fixed to the second shaft member so as to rotate together with the second shaft member and including;

    a plurality of first claw portions facing the magnet; and

    a first annular portion connecting the first claw portions;

    a second yoke member formed of a magnetic material, fixed to the second shaft member so as to rotate together with the second shaft member and including;

    a plurality of second claw portions circumferentially alternated with the first claw portions and facing the magnet; and

    a second annular portion connecting the second claw portions; and

    a magnetic sensor having a hall element to detect a change in magnetic field between the first and second yoke members and generate an output signal such that the torque applied to the rotating element is detected based on the output signal from the magnetic sensor.

View all claims
  • 3 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×