Torque detection apparatus
AssigneeSuzuki Motor Corporation
InventorsKenichi Higashi, Takahiro Suzuki, Yoshiyuki Ideno
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A torque detection apparatus includes a torque sensor, a sensor circuit, a signal processing circuit, and an abnormal state monitoring circuit. The torque sensor is arranged on a rotary shaft and operates to output a predetermined electric signal related to a torque applied to the rotary shaft. The sensor circuit outputs the predetermined electric signal as a sensor circuit signal. The signal processing circuit processes the sensor circuit signal in order to output a torque detection signal. The abnormal state monitoring circuit is arranged proximate the signal processing circuit and operates according to the sensor circuit signal to detect an abnormal operation.
Claims9
A torque detection apparatus, comprising:
- a torque sensor arranged on a rotary shaft that outputs a predetermined electric signal related a torque applied to the rotary shaft;
- a sensor circuit that outputs said predetermined electric signal, output from said torque sensor, as a sensor circuit signal;
- a signal processing circuit that processes said sensor circuit signal to output a torque detection signal;
- and
- an abnormal state monitoring circuit arranged adjacent to said signal processing circuit and operating according to the sensor circuit signal so as to detect an abnormal operation, said abnormal state monitoring circuit comprising:
- a signal monitoring circuit that detects a hunting state in said sensor circuit signal;
- a control circuit that operates to forcibly converge an output value of the torque detection signal to a predetermined value upon detecting said hunting state;
- and
- an error signal output circuit which operates, in response to said control circuit, to output an error signal having a predetermined level to an EPS controller.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.