sensor

Abstract

A sensor comprises a permanent magnet (48) mounted on a shaft (13), a yoke (42, 43), a magnetic collecting ring (44, 45), a circuit board (61), and a sensor housing (31) through which the shaft is inserted. The sensor housing has a box-shaped accommodation chamber (33) that accommodates at least the circuit board via an opening (33a) that is open in a direction passing through the axial direction of the shaft. A reinforcing member (91) is provided in the accommodation chamber to connect two wall surfaces of the accommodation chamber that face each other in the axial direction of the shaft.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to sensors. Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent No. 5090162 (JP 5090162 B) discloses a sensor for detecting the torsion of a steering shaft. The sensor disclosed in JP 5090162 B has a rotor structure, a stator structure and a collector structure. The rotor structure includes a magnet. The stator structure has two stator rings facing each other in the axial direction. The collector structure has two collectors, and the two surfaces of the two collectors define a measurement gap, wherein a Hall probe is arranged in the measurement gap.

[0003] When the steering shaft is torsionally deformed, the relative position between the magnet and the stator ring in the rotation direction changes. The magnetic flux density guided from the magnet through the stator ring into the measuring gap between the current collectors changes accordingly. The Hall probe is mounted on the circuit board. The Hall probe detects the magnetic flux density guided into the measuring gap between the current collectors. The sensor detects the torsion of the steering shaft based on the change in the magnetic flux density detected by the Hall probe. Summary of the invention

[0004] It is assumed that the components of the sensor disclosed in JP 5090162 B are accommodated in a sensor housing. In this case, for example, an opening may be formed in the sensor housing, and a stator ring, a current collector, and a circuit board on which a Hall probe is mounted may be mounted in the sensor housing through the opening. However, forming the opening in the sensor housing reduces the rigidity of the sensor housing.

[0005] The present invention provides a sensor capable of ensuring that a sensor housing has sufficient rigidity even when the sensor housing has an opening.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a sensor, comprising: a permanent magnet, which is mounted on a shaft detected by the sensor so that the permanent magnet can rotate with the shaft; a yoke, which is configured so that the rotational position of the yoke relative to the permanent magnet changes according to the torsion of the shaft; a magnetic collecting ring, which is configured to surround the yoke and collect magnetic flux from the yoke; a circuit board, on which a magnetic sensor for detecting the magnetic flux collected by the magnetic collecting ring is mounted; and a sensor housing, through which the shaft is inserted, the sensor housing accommodating the permanent magnet, the yoke, the magnetic collecting ring and the circuit board. The sensor housing has a accommodating chamber, which accommodates at least the circuit board via an opening that is open in a direction across the axial direction of the shaft. The accommodating chamber has a box shape. A reinforcing member is provided in the accommodating chamber to connect two wall surfaces of the accommodating chamber that face each other in the axial direction of the shaft.

[0007] The sensor housing sometimes has a common opening through which a circuit board and other components are installed in the sensor housing. Since the circuit board and other components are accommodated and installed in the sensor housing through the opening, the opening may need to be widened. As the opening becomes wider, the rigidity of the sensor housing may decrease, and the sensor housing needs to be strengthened. In this regard, according to the above configuration, a reinforcing member is arranged in the accommodating chamber of the sensor housing. Therefore, the sensor housing is less likely to deform. Therefore, even when the sensor housing has an opening, the sensor housing still has sufficient rigidity.

[0008] In the above-mentioned sensor, the magnetic collecting ring may include a first magnetic collecting ring and a second magnetic collecting ring arranged adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the shaft. Each of the first magnetic collecting ring and the second magnetic collecting ring may include a first part surrounding the magnetic yoke and a second part protruding outward in the radial direction of the first part, the second parts may face each other in the axial direction of the shaft, and the magnetic sensor mounted on the circuit board may be arranged between the second parts. The first magnetic collecting ring may be positioned close to the surface of the circuit board on which the magnetic sensor is mounted. The first part and the second part of the first magnetic collecting ring may be separate components. Preferably, the first part of the first magnetic collecting ring is installed at a position inside the reinforcing member, and the second part of the first magnetic collecting ring is attached to the first part of the first magnetic collecting ring from the outside of the reinforcing member so that the reinforcing member is arranged between the first part and the second part.

[0009] With this configuration, the first part of the first magnetic collecting ring can be pre-installed in the sensor housing. Therefore, it is not necessary to install the first part of the first magnetic collecting ring in the sensor housing through the opening. After the circuit board is installed in the accommodation chamber, it is only necessary to attach the second part of the first magnetic collecting ring to the first part from the outside of the reinforcing member. Therefore, even when the reinforcing member is present in the accommodation chamber, the first magnetic collecting ring can still be properly installed in the sensor housing.

[0010] In the above sensor, when the sensor housing is viewed from the opening side, the reinforcing member may be located at a middle position of the accommodation chamber in a width direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the shaft.

[0011] This configuration improves the rigidity of the sensor housing in a balanced manner. In the above sensor, a rotation angle sensor that detects a rotation angle of the shaft may be installed in the sensor housing.

[0012] With this configuration, not only the torque acting on the shaft but also the rotation angle of the shaft can be detected using a single sensor. In the above sensor, the shaft may be a pinion shaft meshing with a steered shaft that steers a steering wheel of a vehicle.

[0013] According to the sensor of the present invention, even when the sensor housing has an opening, the sensor housing still has sufficient rigidity. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like elements, and in which:

[0015] Figure 1 is a structural diagram of a steering device equipped with a sensor according to an embodiment;

[0016] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the torque angle sensor of the embodiment taken along the axial direction of the pinion shaft;

[0017] Figure 3 is along Figure 2 A cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG.

[0018] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between a yoke and a magnetic flux collecting ring in a torque sensor according to an embodiment;

[0019] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a housing of a torque sensor according to an embodiment before a circuit board and a magnetic flux collecting protrusion are installed in the housing;

[0020] Figure 6 is a front view of a housing on which a circuit board is mounted of the torque sensor of the embodiment as viewed from the opening side; and

[0021] Figure 7 It is a perspective view of a case on which a circuit board and a magnetic flux collecting protrusion of the torque sensor according to the embodiment are mounted. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The embodiment of applying the sensor to the steering device of a vehicle will be described. Figure 1 As shown, the steering device 10 of the vehicle includes a steering shaft 12 connected to a steering wheel 11. A pinion shaft 13 is provided at the end of the steering shaft 12 opposite to the steering wheel 11. A steered shaft 14 extends in a direction crossing the pinion shaft 13, and pinion teeth 13a of the pinion shaft 13 are meshed with rack teeth 14a of the steered shaft 14. Left and right steering wheels 16 are connected to respective ends of the steered shaft 14 via tie rods 15.

[0023] The steering device 10 includes a motor 21 as a structure for generating a steering assist force (assist force), a speed reduction mechanism 22 , a pinion shaft 23 , a torque angle sensor (hereinafter referred to as “TAS”) 24 , and a control device 25 .

[0024] The motor 21 is a source of steering assist force, and, for example, a three-phase brushless motor is used as the motor 21. The motor 21 is connected to the pinion shaft 23 via the speed reduction mechanism 22. The pinion teeth 23a of the pinion shaft 23 mesh with the rack teeth 14b of the steered shaft 14. The rotation of the motor 21 is reduced in speed by the speed reduction mechanism 22, and the resulting rotational force is transmitted from the pinion shaft 23 to the pinion shaft 13 through the steered shaft 14 as the steering assist force.

[0025] The TAS 24 is mounted on the pinion shaft 13 (specifically, mounted on a gear housing that accommodates the steered shaft 14 and the pinion shaft 13). The TAS 24 is a combination of a torque sensor and a rotation angle sensor. The TAS 24 detects the torque applied to the pinion shaft 13 by the operation of rotating the steering wheel 11 as a steering torque Th. The TAS 24 also detects the rotation angle θpa of the pinion shaft 13 that exceeds 360° in multiple rotations as a steering angle θs.

[0026] The control device 25 receives the steering torque Th and the steering angle θs detected by the TAS 24. The control device 25 also receives the vehicle speed V detected by the vehicle speed sensor 26 mounted on the vehicle. The control device 25 performs assist control by generating a steering assist force (assist force) by controlling the current applied to the motor 21 according to the steering torque Th and the vehicle speed V. The control device 25 controls the power supplied to the motor 21 based on the steering torque Th detected by the TAS 24 and the vehicle speed V detected by the vehicle speed sensor 26.

[0027] TAS configuration

[0028] Next, the configuration of the TAS 24 will be described. Figure 2 As shown, the TAS 24 has a sensor housing 31. The sensor housing 31 is attached to the gear housing 17 that accommodates the steered shaft 14. The sensor housing 31 has an insertion hole 32 and a accommodating chamber 33. The pinion shaft 13 is inserted through the insertion hole 32. Although not shown in the figure, the pinion shaft 13 includes an input shaft located on the steering shaft 12 side, an output shaft located on the steered shaft 14 side, and a torsion bar connecting the input shaft with the output shaft. The accommodating chamber 33 is in the shape of a box that is open in a direction that crosses the axial direction of the pinion shaft 13. The accommodating chamber 33 is connected to the insertion hole 32 and is open to the outside of the sensor housing 31. The opening 33a of the accommodating chamber 33 is closed by a cover 34.

[0029] The torque sensor 41 and the rotation angle sensor 51 are installed in the sensor housing 31. Figure 3As shown, the rotation angle sensor 51 has a main drive gear 52 and two driven gears 53, 54. The main drive gear 52 is assembled on the input shaft of the pinion shaft 13 so that the main drive gear 52 can rotate with the input shaft of the pinion shaft 13. The two driven gears 53, 54 are rotatably supported in the accommodating chamber 33 of the sensor housing 31 via a supporting member 55. The two driven gears 53, 54 are meshed with the main drive gear 52. Therefore, when the pinion shaft 13 rotates, the main drive gear 52 also rotates with the pinion shaft 13, and the two driven gears 53, 54 rotate accordingly. The number of teeth of the two driven gears 53, 54 is different. Therefore, when the main drive gear 52 rotates with the pinion shaft 13, the rotation angles of the two driven gears 53, 54 suitable for the rotation angle of the main drive gear 52 are different from each other. The permanent magnets 57 , 58 are installed for the driven gears 53 , 54 so that the permanent magnets 57 , 58 can rotate with the driven gears 53 , 54 , respectively.

[0030] like Figure 2 As shown, the circuit board 61 is disposed on the inner bottom surface of the receiving chamber 33 of the sensor housing 31. Two magnetic sensors ( Figure 2 Only one is shown) 62, 63 are mounted on the side surface of the circuit board 61 on the side of the driven gears 53, 54 ( Figure 2 ). The magnetic sensors 62, 63 face the permanent magnets 57, 58 in the axial direction of the insertion hole 32 of the sensor housing 31 ( Figure 2 Only one is shown in the figure). Hall sensors or magnetoresistive (MR) sensors are used as the magnetic sensors 62, 63. The magnetic sensors 62, 63 generate electrical signals according to changes in the magnetic field that occur when the driven gears 53, 54 rotate. The control device 25 detects the rotation angle θpa of the pinion shaft 13 as the steering angle θs based on the electrical signals generated by the magnetic sensors 62, 63.

[0031] like Figure 4 As shown, the torque sensor 41 includes a first magnetic yoke 42 , a second magnetic yoke 43 , a first magnetic collecting ring 44 , a second magnetic collecting ring 45 , a first magnetic sensor 46 , a second magnetic sensor 47 and a permanent magnet 48 .

[0032] The permanent magnet 48 is fixed to the input shaft of the pinion shaft 13. The permanent magnet 48 has a cylindrical shape and has S poles and N poles arranged alternately in the circumferential direction thereof. The first yoke 42 and the second yoke 43 are arranged in the axial direction ( Figure 4The first yoke 42 and the second yoke 43 are arranged adjacent to each other in the vertical direction in the pinion shaft 13. The first yoke 42 and the second yoke 43 are fixed to the output shaft of the pinion shaft 13 via a retainer (not shown). The permanent magnet 48 is provided on the pinion shaft 13 so that the permanent magnet 48 can rotate with the pinion shaft 13, and the permanent magnet 48 is located on the inner side of the first yoke 42 and the second yoke 43. The first yoke 42 and the second yoke 43 form a magnetic circuit according to the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 48.

[0033] The first yoke 42 has an annular portion 42a in the shape of an annular plate and a plurality of plate-shaped teeth 42b. The teeth 42b are positioned at regular intervals along the inner peripheral edge of the annular portion 42a. The teeth 42b extend in the axial direction of the pinion shaft 13. Like the first yoke 42, the second yoke 43 has an annular portion 43a in the shape of an annular plate and a plurality of teeth 43b. The teeth 42b of the first yoke 42 and the teeth 43b of the second yoke 43 extend toward opposite sides in the axial direction of the pinion shaft 13 and are positioned alternately in the circumferential direction.

[0034] The first magnetism collecting ring 44 and the second magnetism collecting ring 45 are arranged adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the pinion shaft 13. The first magnetism collecting ring 44 and the second magnetism collecting ring 45 are installed in the sensor housing 31. The first magnetism collecting ring 44 is arranged in a manner surrounding the first magnetic yoke 42. The second magnetism collecting ring 45 is arranged in a manner surrounding the second magnetic yoke 43. The first magnetism collecting ring 44 guides the magnetic flux from the first magnetic yoke 42. The second magnetism collecting ring 45 guides the magnetic flux from the second magnetic yoke 43.

[0035] The first magnetic collecting ring 44 has a first part 71 and a second part 72. The first part 71 is in a C-shape bent along the outer peripheral surface of the first magnetic yoke 42. The second part 72 is formed by plastically deforming a single plate. The second part 72 has two fixed parts 73a, 73b, a connecting part 74 and two magnetic collecting protrusions 75a, 75b. The two fixed parts 73a, 73b are parts attached to the outer peripheral surface of the first part 71. The two fixed parts 73a, 73b are bent along the outer peripheral surface of the first part 71. The connecting part 74 is a part connecting the two fixed parts 73a, 73b. There is a gap δ between the inner surface of the connecting part 74 and the outer peripheral surface of the first part 71. The two magnetic collecting protrusions 75a, 75b are formed on the connecting part 74 on the side of the second magnetic collecting ring 45 ( Figure 4 The two magnetic collecting protrusions 75a and 75b extend outwardly in the radial direction of the first portion 71.

[0036] The second magnetic collecting ring 45 has a main body 81 as a first part and two magnetic collecting protrusions 82a, 82b as a second part. The main body 81 is in a C-shape bent along the outer peripheral surface of the second magnetic yoke 43. The two magnetic collecting protrusions 82a, 82b are arranged on the first magnetic collecting ring 44 side of the main body 81 ( Figure 4The two magnetism collecting protrusions 82a and 82b extend outwardly in the radial direction of the body 81. The two magnetism collecting protrusions 82a and 82b extend in the axial direction ( Figure 4 The two magnetic flux collecting protrusions 75a and 75b facing the first magnetic flux collecting ring 44 (in the vertical direction).

[0037] The first magnetic sensor 46 and the second magnetic sensor 47 are mounted on the circuit board 61. The first magnetic sensor 46, the second magnetic sensor 47 and the portion of the circuit board 61 on which the first magnetic sensor 46 and the second magnetic sensor 47 are mounted are arranged between the magnetic collecting protrusions 75a, 75b and the magnetic collecting protrusions 82a, 82b. The first magnetic sensor 46 and the second magnetic sensor 47 detect the guided magnetic flux to the first magnetic collecting ring 44 and the second magnetic collecting ring 45.

[0038] When the torsion bar of the pinion shaft 13 is twisted and deformed by the operation of the steering wheel 11, the relative position between the permanent magnet 48 and the first magnetic yoke 42 in the rotation direction and the relative position between the permanent magnet 48 and the second magnetic yoke 43 in the rotation direction change accordingly. Therefore, the magnetic flux density guided from the permanent magnet 48 to the first magnetic collecting ring 44 through the first magnetic yoke 42 changes accordingly. The magnetic flux density guided from the permanent magnet 48 to the second magnetic collecting ring 45 through the second magnetic yoke 43 also changes accordingly.

[0039] The first magnetic sensor 46 generates an electrical signal based on the magnetic flux leaked between the magnetic collecting protrusion 75a of the first magnetic collecting ring 44 and the magnetic collecting protrusion 82a of the second magnetic collecting ring 45. The second magnetic sensor 47 generates an electrical signal based on the magnetic flux leaked between the magnetic collecting protrusion 75b of the first magnetic collecting ring 44 and the magnetic collecting protrusion 82b of the second magnetic collecting ring 45. The control device 25 detects the torque acting on the torsion bar as the steering torque based on the electrical signals generated by the first magnetic sensor 46 and the second magnetic sensor 47.

[0040] TAS assembly process

[0041] Next, the process of assembling the TAS will be described. When the TAS 24 is attached to the gear housing 17, the subassembly (unit) of the TAS 24 is assembled first. The driven gears 53, 54, the circuit board 61, and the first and second magnetic collecting rings 44, 45 of the torque sensor 41 are attached to the sensor housing 31 so that the subassembly can be handled integrally with these components. The main drive gear 52 is attached to the input shaft of the pinion shaft 13. The first yoke 42 and the second yoke 43 of the torque sensor 41 are attached to the output shaft of the pinion shaft 13. In this state, the tip end of the pinion shaft 13 is inserted through the subassembly of the TAS 24, and then the sensor housing 31 is fixed to the gear housing 17. The assembly of the TAS 24 is thus completed.

[0042] Assembly process of TAS subassemblies

[0043] Next, the process of assembling the subassemblies of the TAS 24 will be described. Figure 5 As shown, as the construction on which the subassembly of TAS24 is based, the first part 71 of the first magnetic collecting ring 44 and the second magnetic collecting ring 45 are integrally installed in the sensor housing 31. A part of the first part 71 of the first magnetic collecting ring 44 and the magnetic collecting protrusions 82a, 82b of the second magnetic collecting ring 45 are located in the accommodating chamber 33 and exposed through the opening 33a.

[0044] In this state, the circuit board 61 is attached to the inner bottom surface of the accommodation chamber 33 through the opening 33a. Figure 6 As shown, the circuit board 61 is fixed to the inner bottom surface of the accommodation chamber 33 in the following posture: the magnetic sensors 62, 63 for the rotation angle sensor 51 and the first and second magnetic sensors 46, 47 for the torque sensor 41 face the opposite side of the inner bottom surface of the accommodation chamber 33 ( Figure 6 ).

[0045] like Figure 7 As shown, the second part 72 of the first magnetic collecting ring 44 is then attached to the first part 71 exposed through the opening 33a of the first magnetic collecting ring 44. The second part 72 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the first part 71 via two fixing parts 73a, 73b. The two magnetic collecting protrusions 75a, 75b are kept facing the first magnetic sensor 46 and the second magnetic sensor 47 in a direction perpendicular to the circuit board 61.

[0046] Subsequently, the driven gears 53, 54 of the rotation angle sensor 51 are installed in the accommodation chamber 33, and the opening 33a is closed by the cover 34. Thus, the assembly of the subassembly of the TAS 24 is completed.

[0047] As described above, the second portion 72 of the first magnetic collecting ring 44, the circuit board 61, the driven gears 53, 54 of the rotation angle sensor 51, etc. are installed in the accommodating chamber 33 of the sensor housing 31 through the opening 33a. As the opening area of ​​the opening 33a increases, the convenience of assembly increases. However, it should be considered that the rigidity of the sensor housing 31 decreases as the opening area of ​​the opening 33a increases.

[0048] Sensor enhancement

[0049] Therefore, the present embodiment employs the following configuration as the sensor housing 31 .

[0050] like Figure 5As shown, a reinforcing member 91 is provided in the accommodation chamber 33. The reinforcing member 91 is located on the opening side of the opening 33a (the side of the sensor housing 31 opposite to the insertion hole 32) relative to the first portion 71 of the first magnetic collecting ring 44 (the portion exposed to the interior of the accommodation chamber 33).

[0051] like Figure 6 As shown, when the sensor housing 31 is viewed from the opening 33a side, the reinforcing member 91 is located in the width direction ( Figure 6 The reinforcing member 91 forms the inner top surface 33c ( Figure 6 The lower inner wall surface in the chamber 33) and the inner bottom surface 33b ( Figure 6 The upper inner wall surface in the middle is connected to the portion between the magnetic collecting protrusions 82a and 82b. With this configuration, even if the opening 33a has a sufficient opening area, the sensor housing 31 still has sufficient rigidity.

[0052] Here, the first magnetic flux collecting ring 44 exposed to the inside of the accommodation chamber 33 includes two separated parts, ie, a first part 71 and a second part 72 , so that the reinforcing member 91 is provided in the sensor housing 31 .

[0053] For example, the first magnetic flux collecting ring 44 may be a one-piece member similar to the second magnetic flux collecting ring 45. However, such a configuration makes it difficult to dispose the reinforcing member 91 at an intermediate position in the above-mentioned accommodation chamber 33. The reason is as follows.

[0054] The magnetism collecting protrusions 75a, 75b of the first magnetism collecting ring 44 need to be located on the side of the circuit board 61 opposite to the inner bottom surface of the accommodation chamber 33. Therefore, the first magnetism collecting ring 44 as a single-piece member is installed in the accommodation chamber 33 after the circuit board 61 is installed on the inner bottom surface of the accommodation chamber 33. At this time, the reinforcing member 91 existing at the middle position of the above-mentioned accommodation chamber 33 prevents the first magnetism collecting ring 44 as a single-piece member from being installed in an appropriate position.

[0055] In this regard, in the present embodiment, the first magnetic collecting ring 44 is divided into the first portion 71 and the second portion 72. Therefore, even when the reinforcing member 91 is present in the accommodating chamber 33, the first magnetic collecting ring 44 can be properly installed in the sensor housing 31. That is, since the annular first portion 71 can be pre-installed in the sensor housing 31, it is not necessary to install the first portion 71 in the sensor housing 31 through the opening 33a. After the circuit board 61 is installed in the accommodating chamber 33, it is only necessary to attach the second portion 72 including the magnetic collecting protrusions 75a, 75b to the first portion 71 from the outside of the reinforcing member 91 through the opening 33a.

[0056] The second portion 72 is formed so that when the second portion 72 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the first portion 71 via the fixing portions 73a, 73b, there is a gap δ between the inner surface of the connecting portion 74 of the second portion 72 and the outer peripheral surface of the first portion 71. Setting the size of the gap δ according to the size of the reinforcing member 91 allows the second portion 72 to be attached to the first portion 71 even when the reinforcing member 91 is present. Figure 7 As shown, the second portion 72 is attached to the first portion 71 in a manner that bypasses the reinforcement member 91 .

[0057] Effects of implementation methods

[0058] This embodiment has the following effects.

[0059] (1) In the sensor housing 31, the reinforcing member 91 is provided in the accommodation chamber 33 opened by the opening 33a. This configuration ensures that the sensor housing 31 has sufficient rigidity and ensures reliability as a product.

[0060] (2) The first magnetic collecting ring 44 exposed to the interior of the accommodation chamber 33 is divided into a ring-shaped first portion 71 and a second portion 72 including magnetic collecting protrusions 75a, 75b. With this configuration, the first portion 71 can be pre-installed in the sensor housing 31. Therefore, it is not necessary to install the first portion 71 in the sensor housing 31 through the opening 33a. After the circuit board 61 is installed in the accommodation chamber 33, it is only necessary to attach the second portion 72 to the first portion 71 from the outside of the reinforcing member 91. Therefore, even when the reinforcing member 91 is present in the accommodation chamber 33, the first magnetic collecting ring 44 can still be properly installed in the sensor housing 31.

[0061] (3) When the sensor housing 31 is viewed from the opening 33a side, the reinforcing member 91 is located at the middle position of the accommodation chamber 33 in the width direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the pinion shaft 13. This configuration improves the rigidity of the sensor housing 31 in a balanced manner.

[0062] Other Implementations

[0063] The above-described embodiment may be modified as follows.

[0064] The reinforcing member 91 may not be provided at the middle position of the opening 33a. The reinforcing member 91 may be provided at an appropriate position in the sensor housing 31 (accommodating chamber 33) as long as it does not hinder the assembly of the TAS 24. A plurality of reinforcing members may be provided in the sensor housing 31 (accommodating chamber 33). The reinforcing member may have any suitable shape, such as a cylindrical shape or a plate shape.

[0065] In the above embodiment, two sets of magnetism collecting protrusions 75a, 82a and magnetism collecting protrusions 75b, 82b are provided for the purpose of failure prevention. However, the present invention may use a configuration having one set of magnetism collecting protrusions 75a, 82a or magnetism collecting protrusions 75b, 82b.

[0066] In the above embodiment, the TAS 24 is described as an example of the sensor. However, the sensor may be a simple torque sensor 41, that is, the TAS 24 from which the rotation angle sensor 51 is omitted. The simple torque sensor 41 solves problems similar to those solved by the TAS 24.

[0067] The present embodiment has been described with respect to an example in which the TAS 24 or a simple torque sensor 41 is installed on a steering device of a vehicle. However, the present invention can be applied to other devices installed in a vehicle and having an axis (rotation axis). The application of the TAS 24 or a simple torque sensor 41 is not limited to application to a device installed in a vehicle.

Claims

1. A sensor, characterized in that include: a permanent magnet (48) mounted on the shaft (13) detected by the sensor so that the permanent magnet (48) can rotate with the shaft (13); a yoke (42, 43) configured such that a rotational position of the yoke (42, 43) relative to the permanent magnet (48) changes according to a torsion of the shaft (13); A magnetic flux collecting ring (44, 45), wherein the magnetic flux collecting ring (44, 45) is configured to surround the magnetic yoke (42, 43) and collect magnetic flux from the magnetic yoke (42, 43); A circuit board (61), on which magnetic sensors (46, 47) for detecting the magnetic flux collected by the magnetic collecting rings (44, 45) are mounted; and A sensor housing (31), the shaft (13) is inserted through the sensor housing (31), the sensor housing (31) accommodates the permanent magnet (48), the magnetic yoke (42, 43), the magnetic collecting ring (44, 45) and the circuit board (61), wherein: The sensor housing (31) has a housing chamber (33) that houses at least the circuit board (61) via an opening (33a) that opens in a direction that crosses the axial direction of the shaft (13), the housing chamber (33) having a box shape, and A reinforcing member (91) is provided in the accommodation chamber (33), the reinforcing member (91) connecting two wall surfaces of the accommodation chamber (33) facing each other in the axial direction of the shaft (13), The magnetic flux collecting ring comprises a first magnetic flux collecting ring (44) and a second magnetic flux collecting ring (45) which are arranged adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the shaft (13). Each of the first magnetic collecting ring (44) and the second magnetic collecting ring (45) includes a first portion (71, 81) surrounding the magnetic yoke (42, 43) and a second portion (72, 82a, 82b) protruding outward in a radial direction of the first portion, the second portions (72, 82a, 82b) facing each other in the axial direction of the shaft (13), and the magnetic sensor (46, 47) mounted on the circuit board (61) is disposed between the second portions (72, 82a, 82b), The first magnetic collecting ring (44) is located on one side of the surface of the circuit board (61) on which the magnetic sensors (46, 47) are mounted, the first part (71) and the second part (72) of the first magnetic collecting ring (44) are separate components, and The first part (71) of the first magnetic collecting ring (44) is installed at a position inside the reinforcing member (91), and the second part (72) of the first magnetic collecting ring (44) is attached to the first part (71) of the first magnetic collecting ring (44) from the outside of the reinforcing member (91), so that the reinforcing member (91) is arranged between the first part (71) and the second part (72).

2. The sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that When the sensor housing (31) is viewed from the opening (33a) side, the reinforcing member (91) is located at a middle position of the accommodation chamber (33) in a width direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the shaft (13).

3. The sensor according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: A rotation angle sensor (51) for detecting the rotation angle of the shaft (13) is installed in the sensor housing (31).

4. The sensor according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The shaft (13) is a pinion shaft meshing with a steered shaft (14) which steers the steering wheels (16) of the vehicle.

5. The sensor according to claim 3, characterized in that The shaft (13) is a pinion shaft meshing with a steered shaft (14) which steers the steering wheels (16) of the vehicle.

Images