Three-piece torque sensor assembly
AssigneeBourns, Inc.
InventorsKenneth McDonald, James Thomas, Lawrence B. Reimer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A target magnet assembly configured to be secured to a rotating shaft of a steering gear assembly. The target magnet assembly includes an index hub with a mount and a magnet secured by the mount. The mount includes a tab with a protrusion extending from the tab, a finger, and a stop. The magnet includes an axial retention groove receiving the finger, a top surface abutting the stop, and a radial retention groove receiving the protrusion.
Claims17
A three-piece torque sensor assembly comprising:
- a stator subassembly comprising a stator molding including an engagement aperture, and a magnetic stator secured to the stator molding;
- a magnet subassembly comprising a multi-pole magnet;
- and
- a sensor module comprising a sensor housing including a protrusion opening, a carrier secured to the housing, a torque sensor secured to the carrier, and a sensor module locator slidably received by the sensor housing, the sensor module locator comprising a body including a protrusion extending from the body, the protrusion sized to be received by the protrusion opening and to engage the engagement aperture, and a biasing member.
A sensor module configured for use as a component of a torque sensor assembly, the sensor module comprising:
- a sensor housing;
- a carrier secured to the sensor housing;
- a torque sensor secured to the carrier;
- a first collector secured to the carrier and a second collector secured to the carrier, each of the collectors extending from a first portion to a tab, the tab positioned adjacent to the torque sensor.
A method of positioning a torque sensor relative to a stator subassembly, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a stator subassembly comprising a stator molding including an engagement aperture, and a magnetic stator secured to the stator molding;
- providing a sensor module comprising a sensor housing including a protrusion opening, a carrier secured to the housing, a torque sensor secured to the carrier, and a sensor module locator slidably received by the sensor housing, the sensor module locator comprising a body including a protrusion extending from the body, the protrusion sized to be received by the protrusion opening and to engage the engagement aperture, and a biasing member;
- providing a steering gear housing with an input shaft and an output shaft extending through the steering gear housing;
- securing the stator subassembly to one of an input shaft and an output shaft;
- positioning the sensor module relative to the stator subassembly by extending the sensor module locator to an engagement position where the protrusion engages the protrusion aperture;
- and
- securing the sensor module to the steering gear housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.