Angle sensor

US7765702B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Leopold KOSTAL GmbH & Co. KG · DE

Inventors

• Christian Schirp · Bochum, DE
• Arnd Ruebenhagen · Dinslaken, DE
• Oliver Maier · Worms, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 29, 2008
• Grant date: Aug 3, 2010
• Expiry date: Apr 14, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01D2205/28
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An angle sensor includes two measuring pinions which rotate in the same direction in response to a drive pinion rotating. The measuring pinions have different absolute angular positions after rotating. The absolute angular position of the drive pinion is determinable from the absolute angular positions of the measuring pinions. A delta wheel between the measuring pinions has two coaxially arranged rings. One ring engages the second measuring pinion and the other ring engages the first measuring pinion such that the rings rotate relative to one another in the same direction in response to the measuring pinions rotating in the opposite direction. A spring connecting the rings together biases the rings to move in opposite directions toward one another after the rings have been rotated relative to one another in the same direction such that the rings respectively press the measuring pinions against the drive pinion.