Steering angle detecting device for a motor vehicle
AssigneesFuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Nsk Ltd.
InventorsAkira Takahashi, Satoshi Takahashi, Junji Kojima, Kiyoharu Higashino
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A steering angle detecting device has an intermediate shaft comprising a first shaft and a second shaft, and a clutch provided between the first and second shafts for disengaging both the shafts from each other. A steering angle sensor is operated by a steering shaft through gears and the intermediate shaft. The clutch is disengaged and the steering angle sensor is set to a neutral position. The adjusted steering angle sensor is attached to a steering column and the input shaft is operatively connected to the steering shaft positioned at a neutral position thereof. Thereafter, the clutch is engaged, so that the input shaft of the sensor can be rotated by the steering shaft.
Claims4
A steering angle detecting device for a motor vehicle having a steering shaft rotatably mounted in a steering column, comprising:
- a case secured to said steering column;
- a first gear provided on said steering shaft coaxially therewith and exposed to an outside through an opening;
- an intermediate shaft means comprising a first shaft and a second shaft and rotatably mounted in the case in parallel with said steering shaft;
- a clutch provided between said first and second shafts for engaging and disengaging said first and second shafts;
- a second gear provided on said first shaft and engaged with said first gear;
- a third gear on said second shaft;
- a steering angle sensor having an input shaft and attached to the case;
- a fourth gear mounted on said input shaft of the steering angle sensor and engaged with the third gear;
- and
- clutch disengaging means for disengaging said clutch.
The steering angle detecting device according to claim 4, wherein
- said clutch disengaging means comprises a rod slidably inserted in an axial hole formed in the first shaft and abutted on the end of the second shaft so as to shift the second shaft to a clutch disengagement position, and holding means for resiliently holding said rod at the clutch disengaging position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.