Method for producing a magnet unit for a sensor device of a motor vehicle, magnet unit, sensor device and motor vehicle

• US 9,518,880 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2014
• Issued: 12/13/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH (Valeo SE)
• Original Assignee: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH (Valeo SE)
• Inventors: Schoepe, Roman, Froehlich, Ekkehart
• Primary Examiner(s): Caputo, Lisa
• Assistant Examiner(s): Plumb, Nigel
• Application Number:
  US14/781,971
• Publication Number:
  US 20160054187A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,023 Days
• Field of Search: 738/62, 738/623.25, 738/623.21, 738/621.91, 738/620.8, 296/021
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 3/104 involving permanent magnets

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing a magnet unit (1) for a sensor device for detecting a measured variable which characterizes a rotational state of a steering shaft of a motor vehicle, by way of provision of an annular magnet element (3), provision of a sleeve (2) for connecting the magnet unit (1) to a shaft part of the steering shaft, and connection of the magnet element (3) to the sleeve (2), the sleeve (2) being configured with a main body (6) and a multiplicity of tabs (7) which protrude from the main body (6), and the connection comprising the tabs (7) being embedded into respective cut-outs (5) of the magnet element (3) with heating of the magnet element (3).

Claims

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

connecting an annular magnet element to a sleeve, the sleeve being for connecting the magnet unit to a shaft part of the steering shaft,

wherein the sleeve is configured with a main body and a plurality of tabs that protrude from the main body, and the connection comprises the tabs being embedded into respective cut-outs of the magnet element with heating of the magnet element, and

wherein at least one axial edge of each tab of the plurality of tabs is configured with a tooth structure.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein as a result of the heating, the magnet element is melted within the cut-outs and, and as a result, a positively locking connection is formed between the tabs on one side and the magnet element on the other side.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the tabs protrude from the main body in the axial direction and are received into the respective cut-outs in the axial direction.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the cut-outs are formed by slot-like, axial pockets which are configured on an axial end side of the magnet element.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the heating is carried out by way of loading of the magnet element and/or the sleeve with ultrasound.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the heating comprises the tabs first of all being heated, in particular inductively and/or by means of a heated punch, and then being embedded into the respective cut-outs.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve is configured in one piece.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve is made from metal.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the magnet element is made from filled plastic.

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

an annular magnet element and a sleeve, which is connected to the magnet element, and via which the magnet unit can be connected to a shaft part of the steering shaft,

wherein the sleeve has a main body and a plurality of tabs that protrude from the main body and are embedded into respective cut-outs of the magnet element in a positively locking manner, and

wherein at least one axial edge of each tab of the plurality of tabs is configured with a tooth structure.

11. A sensor device for detecting a measured variable which characterizes a rotational state of a steering shaft of a motor vehicle, comprising the magnet unit according to claim 10.

12. A motor vehicle having a sensor device according to claim 11.