Steering force detecting magnetostrictive torque sensor

Abstract

The present invention provides a steering force detecting magnetostrictive torque sensor including a magnetism detection unit 12 and a casing 15 made from a non-magnetic high conductive material. The magnetism detection unit 12 includes a coil bobbin 23 having excitation coils 22a and 22b and detection coils 20 and 21 and a yoke 24 formed into a unitary block. The magnetism detection unit 12 is attached into the casing 15. Through holes 26a and 26b are arranged in the casing 15, and a sensor shaft 8 is inserted into the through holes via bearings 27a and 27b. The casing 15 prevents magnetic leak and noise intrusion, so as to assure the torque detection accuracy by the magnetism detection unit 12 and eliminate the energy loss due to heat generation between the magnetism detection unit 12 and the casing 15. Moreover, unnecessary external force transmitted from the steering shaft connected to the sensor shaft 8 and the steering output shaft 3 is received by the casing 15 via the bearings 27a and 27b, thereby eliminating an affect to the magnetism detection unit 12 enabling to stabilize the torque detection accuracy.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.