Magnetostrictive torque sensor and electric power steering apparatus
AssigneeHonda Motor Co., Ltd.
InventorsYoshihiro Oniwa, Takashi Miyoshi, Yasuo Shimizu, Atsuhiko Yoneda
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Abstract
A magnetostrictive torque sensor includes first and second magnetostrictive films mounted on a pinion shaft and having different magnetic anisotropic properties, a first detecting coil disposed in facing relation to the first magnetostrictive film, a second detecting coil disposed in facing relation to the second magnetostrictive film, a transistor, and a detector for detecting a torque applied to the pinion shaft based on a first detected signal representative of a potential at the junction between the first detecting coil and the second detecting coil.
Claims8
A magnetostrictive torque sensor comprising:
- a power supply voltage;
- a first damping resistor;
- first and second magnetostrictive portions mounted on a shaft and having different magnetic anisotropic properties;
- a first detecting coil disposed in facing relation to the first magnetostrictive portion;
- a second detecting coil disposed in facing relation to the second magnetostrictive portion;
- a second damping resistor;
- a switching device, wherein the first damping resistor, the first detecting coil, the second detecting coil, the second damping resistor, and the switching device are connected in series in this order between the power supply voltage and a ground;
- and
- a torque detector, wherein the torque detector detects a torque applied to the shaft based on a potential at a junction between the first detecting coil and the second detecting coil.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.