Potentiometer for electric power streering system
AssigneeKayaba Industry Co., Ltd.
InventorYoshinori Kogiso
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A potentiometer to be utilized in an electric power steering system of a vehicle for generation of assist torque. The power steering system includes a torsion bar spring which receives steering torque and is twisted by the torque. The potentiometer comprises a magnet device having two magnetic polar faces, which create a magnetic field and a magneto-sensitive device placed in the magnetic field. The magnet device is rotatable relative to the magneto-sensitive device in proportion to the twist of the torsion bar spring and changes the relative angle between the magneto-sensitive device and the magnetic field causing the potentiometer to generate voltage for use in generating assist torque.
Claims18
A potentiometer for use in an electric power steering system of a vehicle for generation of assist torque, said power steering system including a torsion bar spring which receives steering torque and is twisted thereby, said potentiometer comprising:
- a magnet device having two magnetic polar faces which create a magnetic field therebetween;
- and
- a magneto-sensitive device placed in said magnetic field between said magnetic polar faces;
- wherein said magnet device is rotatable relative to said magneto-sensitive device in proportion to the twist of said torsion bar spring and changes the relative angle between said magneto-sensitive device and said magnetic field causing said potentiometer to generate voltage for use in generating assist torque.
A potentiometer for use in an electric power steering system of a vehicle for generation of assist torque, said power steering system including a torsion bar spring which receives steering torque and is twisted thereby, said potentiometer comprising:
- magnetic field creating means;
- and
- a magneto-sensitive device placed in said magnetic field between said magnetic polar faces;
- wherein said magnet device is rotatable relative to said magneto-sensitive device in proportion to the twist of said torsion bar spring and changes the relative angle between said magneto-sensitive device and said magnetic field causing said potentiometer to generate voltage for use in generating assist torque.
A method for steering a vehicle comprising turning a steering wheel, wherein said steering wheel is connected to a torsion bar spring and said turning causes said torsion bar spring to twist by an angle which causes a potentiometer linked to the torsion bar spring to generate an output voltage in proportion to the twist of the torsion bar, and said output voltage is transmitted to an assist motor which steers a wheel on the vehicle, wherein said potentiometer comprises:
- a magnet device having two magnetic polar faces which create a magnetic field therebetween;
- and
- a magneto-sensitive device placed in said magnetic field between said magnetic polar faces;
- wherein said magnet device is rotatable relative to said magneto-sensitive device in proportion to the twist of said torsion bar spring and changes the relative angle between said magneto-sensitive device and said magnetic field causes said potentiometer to generate voltage for use in generating assist torque, wherein the vehicle is steered thereby.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.