Torque sensor, in particular for electric steering mechanism

US5009110A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen AG · DE

Inventors

• Armin Lang · Schwäbisch Gmünd, DE
• Bernhard Schweizer · Darmstadt, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 12, 1989
• Grant date: Apr 23, 1991
• Expiry date: Jul 12, 2009

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01L3/104
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A torque sensor for measuring the torque being transmitted by a torque bar comprises a pair of coaxial input elements carried on a torque bar and secured thereto, and being connected by a lost motion coupling. Each such input element has flexible spokes fixed to respective sides of an output collar. Steering torque stress applied to the torque bar in either direction effects rotation of a respective input element depending on direction of rotation. Thus, such directional rotation causes flexing of the flexible spokes between an input element and the output collar. Linear longitudinal movement of the output collar is thus caused in a direction depending on the direction of rotation of a respective input element. The direction and degree of movement of the output collar serves to vary a magnetic field to which an electrical measuring circuit is responsive for torque measurement. Two torque sensors can be connected in series with respect to the same torque bar to achieve various measurement effects.