IP Library Granted Patent US 8,872,510
Granted Patent B2
US 8,872,510 · App. 13/124,060 · Granted Oct 28, 2014

Device for detecting a rotational angle of a rotatable part

Inventors: Alexander Braun (Pforzheim, DE); Matthias Waibler (Remshalden-Hebsack, DE); Thorsten Droigk (Marbach Am Neckar, DE); Hansjoerg Vollmer (Sandringham, AU)
Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
G01D5/145
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,872,510
App. No.
13/124,060
Granted
Oct 28, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

An apparatus for sensing a rotation angle of a rotatable part, preferably a steering wheel or steering column of a vehicle includes at least one magnet, at least one sensor that senses the magnetic field of the magnet, at least one housing in which the sensor and/or magnet are disposed movably relative to one another, wherein a hub is provided which is connected to the magnet to yield an integrated component, and which is connectable to the rotatable part.

Claims (20)

1. An apparatus for sensing a rotation angle of a rotatable part, comprising:

at least one magnet;

at least one sensor adapted to sense a magnetic field of the at least one magnet;

at least one housing, at least one of (a) the sensor and (b) the at least one magnet arranged in the housing and disposed movably relative to one another; and

a hub connected to the at least one magnet to provide an integrated component and connectable to the rotatable part;

wherein the integrated component made up of the hub and the magnet includes the magnet injection-embedded in plastic, and wherein the magnet has a substantially L-shaped cross section.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the rotatable part includes at least one of (a) a steering wheel and (b) a steering column of a vehicle.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the magnet includes an annular magnet having multiple north and south magnetic poles.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the hub includes at least one entraining element adapted to transferring a rotary motion of the rotatable part.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the rotatable part includes a steering column.

6. The apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the entraining element includes at least one of (a) a component and (b) a recess extending in a radial direction toward a rotation axis of the rotatable part.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the hub includes at least one bearing surface adapted for rotatably journaling the hub in the housing.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the bearing surface is oriented transversely to a rotation axis.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the hub is formed, at least at one bearing surface, of a low-wear material.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the hub is formed of a same material as the magnet.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the hub and the magnet are formed of at least one of (a) plastic and (b) a completely magnetizable material.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of (a) the hub and (b) the magnet is adapted to interact with an immobilizing element for immobilization with respect to the housing.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the immobilizing element provides for motion of at least one of (a) the magnet and (b) the hub in a rotational direction, but suppresses a motion parallel to a rotation axis in an assembled state.

14. The apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the immobilizing element is arranged at least one of (a) movably, (b) resiliently, and (c) as a latching hook.

15. The apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the immobilizing element is connected to at least one of (a) the housing and (b) the hub.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 8, 2011
From: BRAUN, ALEXANDER; WAIBLER, MATTHIAS; DROIGK, THORSTEN; VOLLMER, HANSJOERG
To: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
Reel/Frame 026873/0124 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2008 042 791 · Oct 13, 2008 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20110309826A1 · Dec 22, 2011