IP Library Granted Patent US 7,406,884
Granted Patent B2
US 7,406,884 · App. 10/586,051 · Granted Aug 5, 2008

Device for determining a steering angle and a torque that is exerted on a steering shaft

Assignee: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,406,884
App. No.
10/586,051
Granted
Aug 5, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

A device determines a torque that is exerted on a shaft, the shaft having a first shaft section and a second shaft section, the two shaft sections being rotatable in relation to one another. The device comprise a multi-pole magnetic ring and a stator support that is fixed to the second shaft section. Two stator elements are fixed to the stator support and each stator element has fingers that project in an axial or radial direction, are uniformly distributed at least over part of the circumference and are interspaced by gaps. The magnetic ring is situated between the fingers of one stator element and the fingers of the other stator element. A second magnetic ring is located on one of the two shaft sections and a magnetic sensor is mounted on one of the two shaft sections.

Claims (17)

1. A device for determining a steering angle and a torque exerted on a shaft, the shaft having a first shaft section and a second shaft section, which can rotate relative to the first shaft section, the device comprising:

a first multi-pole magnetic ring disposed to surround the first shaft section and to cooperate therewith;

a stator holder mounted to the second shaft section;

a first stator element mounted to said stator holder, said first stator element having first fingers which project outwardly in an axial or radial direction and which are distributed substantially uniformly about at least a portion of a periphery of said first stator element, said first fingers defining interposed first gaps, wherein said first fingers communicate with said first magnetic ring;

a second stator element mounted to said stator holder, said second stator element having second fingers which project outwardly in an axial or radial direction and which are distributed substantially uniformly about at least a portion of a periphery of said second stator element, said second fingers defining interposed second gaps, wherein said second fingers communicate with said first magnetic ring;

a second magnetic ring disposed on one of the first and the second shaft sections; and

at least one magnetic sensor communicating with said second magnetic ring.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein said second magnetic ring is a multi-pole magnetic ring.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein said second magnetic ring comprises two magnetic tracks.

4. The device of claim 3 , wherein each said magnetic track communicates with said at least one magnetic sensor.

5. The device of claim 1 , further comprising one single board for receiving sensors communicating with said first and said stator elements and for receiving said at least one magnetic sensor communicating with said second magnetic ring.

6. The device of claim 5 , further comprising a housing in which said board is accommodated.

7. The device of claim 5 , wherein said stator holder comprises an outer toothing cooperating with a toothed wheel to form a translation gear.

8. The device of claim 7 , wherein said toothed wheel has at least one additional magnet.

9. The device of claim 8 , further comprising an additional magnetic sensor communicating with said additional magnet.

10. The device of claim 8 , wherein said additional magnetic sensor is disposed on said board.

11. The device of claim 7 , wherein an axis of said toothed wheel extends parallel or orthogonal to the shaft.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 14, 2006
From: JEREMS, FRANK; RACHUI, DIRK; FROEHLICH, EKKEHARD; RUETZ, CHRISTIAN
To: VALEO SCHALTER UND SENSOREN GMBH
Reel/Frame 018082/0412 →
Priority Claims (4)
DE 20 2004 020 417 U · Jan 20, 2004 · national
DE 20 2004 020 418 U · Jan 20, 2004 · national
DE 20 2004 020 419 U · Jan 20, 2004 · national
DE 10 2004 023 801 · May 5, 2004 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20070157740A1 · Jul 12, 2007