# US 7,465,918 B2 · Rotation angle sensor device for detecting rotation angle of a rotary shaft > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,465,918 B2 - Document ID: US7465918B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/357,978 - Filed: 2006-02-22 - Published: 2006-09-21 - Granted: 2008-12-16 - Earliest claimed: 2005-03-17 - Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Masaru Shimizu; Toru Arakawa; Hideki Tsukaoka; Toshihiro Nomura; Tsutomu Maeda - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7465918B2 ## CPC - B62D 15/0215: {by measuring on the steering column} - G01D 5/145: {influenced by the relative movement between the Hall device and magnetic fields (see G01R33/06)} - G01D 5/2451: {Incremental encoders (G01D5/2454 takes precedence)} - G01D 2205/26: Details of encoders or position sensors specially adapted to detect rotation beyond a full turn of 360°, e.g. multi-rotation - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - G01D: MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A rotation angle detector is provided with a spring to thrust a rotary body against protrusions formed on an inner wall of an opening via a detector body in a manner to keep the rotary body rotatable without any play in a linked motion with a steering shaft. As a result, the detector can detect rotation angles of the steering shaft with high accuracy. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A rotation angle sensing device comprising: a case having an opening therethrough, said opening being defined by an opening inner wall; a rotary body rotatably supported in said opening of said case and configured to be rotatable together with a steering shaft; a first detector body mounted in said case and engaged with said rotary body so as to rotate with rotation of said rotary body; a first detector device arranged to detect rotation of said first detector body and generate a first rotation detection signal; a control circuit configured to detect a rotation angle of said rotary body based on said first rotation detection signal; a plurality of protrusions formed on said opening inner wall and protruding radially inwardly from said opening inner wall into said opening of said case; and a thrusting device arranged to thrust one of said rotary body and said first detector body toward the other of said rotary body and said first detector body such that said rotary body is pressed toward and into contact against said protrusions protruding radially inwardly from said opening inner wall so that, during rotation of said rotary body relative to said case, said rotary body rotates in sliding contact with said protrusions, to prevent play and eccentricity of said rotary body during rotation thereof. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The rotation angle sensing device according to claim 1, wherein said protrusions are provided in locations symmetrically disposed about a center line of a thrust direction of a force applied by said thrusting device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The rotation angle sensing device according to claim 2, further comprising a second detector body mounted in said case and engaged with said first detector body so as to rotate with rotation of said first detector body; and a second detector device arranged to detect rotation of said second detector body and generate a second rotation detection signal; wherein said control circuit is configured to detect the rotation angle of said rotary body based on both said first rotation detection signal and said second rotation detection signal. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The rotation angle sensing device according to claim 3, wherein said rotary body, said first detector body, and said second detector body are all rotatable about different rotation axes. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The rotation angle sensing device according to claim 4, wherein said first detector body is engaged with said rotary body by mutual engagement of outer peripheral portions of said first detector body and said rotary body; and said second detector body is engaged with said first detector body by mutual engagement of outer peripheral portions of said second detector body and said first detector body. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The rotation angle sensing device according to claim 4, wherein said rotary body has gear teeth at an outer peripheral portion thereof; said first detector body has gear teeth at an outer peripheral portion thereof; said second detector body has gear teeth at an outer peripheral portion thereof; said first detector body is engaged with said rotary body by mutual engagement of said gear teeth of said first detector body and said gear teeth of said rotary body; and said second detector body is engaged with said first detector body by mutual engagement of said gear teeth of said second detector body and said gear teeth of said first detector body. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The rotation angle sensing device according to claim 1, further comprising a second detector body mounted in said case and engaged with said first detector body so as to rotate with rotation of said first detector body; and a second detector device arranged to detect rotation of said second detector body and generate a second rotation detection signal; wherein said control circuit is configured to detect the rotation angle of said rotary body based on both said first rotation detection signal and said second rotation detection signal. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The rotation angle sensing device according to claim 7, wherein said rotary body, said first detector body, and said second detector body are all rotatable about different rotation axes. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The rotation angle sensing device according to claim 8, wherein said first detector body is engaged with said rotary body by mutual engagement of outer peripheral portions of said first detector body and said rotary body; and said second detector body is engaged with said first detector body by mutual engagement of outer peripheral portions of said second detector body and said first detector body. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The rotation angle sensing device according to claim 8, wherein said rotary body has gear teeth at an outer peripheral portion thereof; said first detector body has gear teeth at an outer peripheral portion thereof; said second detector body has gear teeth at an outer peripheral portion thereof; said first detector body is engaged with said rotary body by mutual engagement of said gear teeth of said first detector body and said gear teeth of said rotary body; and said second detector body is engaged with said first detector body by mutual engagement of said gear teeth of said second detector body and said gear teeth of said first detector body. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The rotation angle sensing device according to claim 1, wherein said rotary body and said first detector body are rotatable about different rotation axes. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The rotation angle sensing device according to claim 11, wherein said first detector body is engaged with said rotary body by mutual engagement of outer peripheral portions of said first detector body and said rotary body. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The rotation angle sensing device according to claim 11, wherein said rotary body has gear teeth at an outer peripheral portion thereof; said first detector body has gear teeth at an outer peripheral portion thereof; and said first detector body is engaged with said rotary body by mutual engagement of said gear teeth of said first detector body and said gear teeth of said rotary body. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The rotation angle sensing device according to claim 1, wherein said first detector body is engaged with said rotary body by mutual engagement of outer peripheral portions of said first detector body and said rotary body. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The rotation angle sensing device according to claim 1, wherein said rotary body has gear teeth at an outer peripheral portion thereof; said first detector body has gear teeth at an outer peripheral portion thereof; and said first detector body is engaged with said rotary body by mutual engagement of said gear teeth of said first detector body and said gear teeth of said rotary body. ### Claim 16 A rotation angle sensing device comprising: a case having an opening therethrough, said opening being defined by an opening inner wall; a rotary body rotatably supported in said opening of said case and configured to be rotatable together with a steering shaft; a first detector body mounted in said case and engaged with said rotary body so as to rotate with rotation of said rotary body; a first detector device arranged to detect rotation of said first detector body and generate a first rotation detection signal; a second detector body mounted in said case and engaged with said first detector body so as to rotate with rotation of said first detector body; a second detector device arranged to detect rotation of said second detector body and generate a second rotation detection signal; a control circuit configured to detect a rotation angle of said rotary body based on both said first rotation detection signal and said second rotation detection signal; a plurality of protrusions formed on said opening inner wall of said opening of said case; and a thrusting device arranged to thrust one of said rotary body and said first detector body toward the other of said rotary body and said first detector body such that said rotary body is pressed toward and into contact against said protrusions formed on said opening inner wall so that, during rotation of said rotary body relative to said case, said rotary body rotates in sliding contact with said protrusions, to prevent play and eccentricity of said rotary body during rotation thereof; wherein said rotary body, said first detector body, and said second detector body are all rotatable about different rotation axes. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The rotation angle sensing device according to claim 16, wherein said protrusions are provided in locations symmetrically disposed about a center line of a thrust direction of a force applied by said thrusting device. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The rotation angle sensing device according to claim 16, wherein said first detector body is engaged with said rotary body by mutual engagement of outer peripheral portions of said first detector body and said rotary body; and said second detector body is engaged with said first detector body by mutual engagement of outer peripheral portions of said second detector body and said first detector body. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The rotation angle sensing device according to claim 16, wherein said rotary body has gear teeth at an outer peripheral portion thereof; said first detector body has gear teeth at an outer peripheral portion thereof; said second detector body has gear teeth at an outer peripheral portion thereof; said first detector body is engaged with said rotary body by mutual engagement of said gear teeth of said first detector body and said gear teeth of said rotary body; and said second detector body is engaged with said first detector body by mutual engagement of said gear teeth of said second detector body and said gear teeth of said first detector body.