Angle sensor and rotating apparatus

Abstract

To provide an angle sensor and a rotating apparatus with which it is possible to improve detection accuracy.SOLUTION: An angle sensor 1 comprises a rotor 2 having a plurality of protrusions 11 extending in a radial direction, a base 3, and a sheathed conductor 4. The conductor 4 provided to a structural surface 3a of the base 3 forms a planar shape having a plurality of undulations in the radial direction, and the protrusions 11 face the conductor 4 in a direction of an axis x.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an angle sensor and a rotating device, and more particularly to an inductive angle sensor and a rotating device equipped with an inductive angle sensor. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, various sensors have been used to detect the rotation angle of a motor, etc. An inductive sensor is one of the angle sensors for detecting such a rotation angle (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-200106 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventional inductive sensors have room for improvement in terms of detection accuracy.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENTS In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide an angle sensor and a rotating device that can improve detection accuracy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An angle sensor according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a rotor having multiple protrusions extending radially, a base, and a coated conductor, the conductor provided on the surface of the base forming a planar shape having multiple undulations in the radial direction, and the protrusions face the conductor in the direction of the rotation axis. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an angle sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a schematic configuration of an angle sensor. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating a schematic configuration of a rotor in the angle sensor. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating a schematic configuration of a base in the angle sensor. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a front view of a rotor showing a modified example of the metal body. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a front view of a rotor showing a modified example of the metal body. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a front view of a rotor showing a modified example of the metal body. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a rotor showing a modified example of the metal body. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a rotor showing a modified example of the metal body. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a protrusion showing a modified example of the protrusion. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a protrusion showing a modified example of the protrusion. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a protrusion showing a modified example of the metal body. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a rotor showing a modified example of the rotor. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a front view of the base showing a modified example of the base. [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a specific example of a rotating device to which an angle sensor is applied. [Figure 16] 16 is a perspective view showing a tip portion of a rotating shaft in the rotating device shown in FIG. 15 and its vicinity. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one specific example of a rotor of an angle sensor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, not all of the members are given reference numerals, and some of the reference numerals of the components may be omitted. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an angle sensor 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of the angle sensor 1. FIG. 3 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a rotor 2 in the angle sensor 1, and FIG. 4 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a base 3 in the angle sensor 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the angle sensor 1 includes a rotor 2 having a plurality of projections 11 extending in the radial direction, a base 3, and a covered conductor 4. The conductor 4 provided on a surface (hereinafter referred to as a structural surface) 3a of the base 3 forms a planar shape having a plurality of undulations in the radial direction, and the projections 11 face the conductor 4 in the direction of the rotation axis (hereinafter referred to as an axis line) x. Hereinafter, the configuration of the angle sensor 1 will be specifically described. Note that the axis line x is the rotation axis of the angle sensor 1. The radial direction is a direction perpendicular to the axis x. In addition, Fig. 1 shows the rotor 2 and the base 3 in a predetermined positional relationship. This predetermined positional relationship is an example of the positional relationship between the rotor 2 and the base 3 in a usage state in which the angle sensor 1 is attached to an application target. In the angle sensor 1 in a usage state, the rotor 2 and the base 3 face each other in the direction of the axis x.

[0009] As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the rotor 2 is a disk-shaped member, and has a plurality of protrusions 11 that are radially extending portions, as described above. The rotor 2 also has a ring 12, for example, as shown in Figs. 1 to 3. The ring 12 is a portion that extends in an annular shape around the axis x. The plurality of protrusions 11 are connected to an outer circumferential portion 12a of the ring 12. The ring 12 also has an inner circumferential surface 12b. The inner circumferential surface 12b is a surface facing away from the outer circumferential portion 12a, and is a cylindrical surface that extends in the direction of the axis x. The inner circumferential surface 12b forms a through hole in the ring 12 that extends in the direction of the axis x. As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, between two adjacent protrusions 11 among the plurality of protrusions 11, there is an opening 13. The opening 13 forms a space that penetrates the rotor 2 in the direction of the axis x between two adjacent protrusions 11. The multiple protrusions 11 are arranged at equal or approximately equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction, which is the direction around the axis x. The multiple protrusions 11 have a sector shape or an approximately sector shape, for example, as shown in FIG.

[0010] The protrusions 11 have a conductor at least in a part. The conductor may be any member having a conductive member, for example, a metal body 10 formed from a metal. The member having a conductive member is a member capable of generating so-called eddy current or induced current (electric current) in one surface. As an example, the protrusions 11 are entirely formed from a metal. That is, the entire protrusions 11 are the metal body 10. As an example, the ring 12 is formed from the same metal as the multiple protrusions 11, and the rotor 2 is, for example, the metal body 10 integrally formed. The multiple protrusions 11 and the ring 12 may be formed as separate bodies, and the rotor 2 may be formed by connecting the multiple protrusions 11 and the ring 12. In this case, the ring 12 may be formed from a material different from that of the protrusions 11. For example, the ring 12 may be formed from a resin material.

[0011] 1, 2 and 4, the base 3 is a plate-like member and has a portion facing the multiple protrusions 11 of the rotor 2 in the direction of the axis x. The base 3 is an insulating member, for example, a resin member. The base 3 is made of, for example, a resin material, a non-magnetic material, a non-conductive material, etc. The non-magnetic material may be non-conductive.

[0012] The base 3 has an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface as side surfaces, a front surface, and a back surface. On the surface of the base 3, a predetermined structure (for example, a plurality of protrusions 21, a ring-shaped protrusion 22, etc., which will be described later) is formed. The surface of the base 3 is the above-mentioned structural surface 3a. This structural surface 3a is a surface facing the rotor 2 side in the axial x direction. On the structural surface 3a, a plurality of protrusions 21 extending from the base 3 toward the rotor 2 are provided. The plurality of protrusions 21 are provided on a portion of the structural surface 3a that faces the plurality of protrusions 11 or the plurality of openings 13 of the rotor 2 in the axial x direction, and the plurality of protrusions 21 face the plurality of protrusions 11 or the plurality of openings 13 of the rotor 21 in the axial x direction. For example, the plurality of protrusions 21 extend along the axial x direction, and the radial positions of the plurality of protrusions 21 are located so as to overlap the radial positions of the protrusions 11.

[0013] For example, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the multiple protrusions 21 are formed around the axis x and are arranged at predetermined intervals (equidistant or approximately equiidistant in the illustrated example) in the circumferential direction. In addition, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, the base 3 has an annular protrusion 22 on the structural surface 3a radially outward of the multiple protrusions 21. The protrusion 22 is an annular cylindrical portion protruding from the structural surface 3a. An excitation circuit 5, which will be described later, is formed in the protrusion 22. In addition, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the base 3 has an opening 23 radially inward of the multiple protrusions 21. The opening 23 forms a hole penetrating the base 3.

[0014] 1, 2 and 4, the base 3 has, for example, a board 24. The board 24 is, for example, a printed circuit board (PCB). The board 24 has electronic components 24a, wiring 24b, terminals 24c, and the like. The electronic components 24a and the terminals 24c are arranged on the board 24, and wiring 24b is formed to electrically connect the conductor 4, the electronic components 24a, and the terminals 24c. The terminals 24c are portions for electrically connecting the conductor 4 and the board 24 to an external device.

[0015] As described above, the conductor 4 forms a planar shape having multiple undulations in the radial direction on the structural surface 3a of the base 3. The conductor 4 is, for example, a magnet wire. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the conductor 4 is wound around each of the protrusions 21, thereby forming a planar shape having multiple undulations in the radial direction. For example, the conductor 4 forms a coil structure 30 on the base 3 by forming a plurality of annular coils 31 around the axis x along the plurality of protrusions 21. The coil structure 30 has a cylindrical planar shape formed by connecting the plurality of coils 31 in a line in the circumferential direction around the axis x. The conductor is, for example, covered with an insulating material (insulating film or coating) and is electrically insulated.

[0016] Specifically, for example, the conductor wire 4 is wound around the protrusions 21 alternately from one radial side and the other radial side for every two adjacent protrusions 21 toward one side in the circumferential direction, turned back after going around the multiple protrusions 21 once, and then wound around the protrusions 21 once toward the other circumferential side in the same manner to form the coil structure 30. In this case, each coil 31 is formed around two protrusions 21.

[0017] The angle sensor 1 has two coil structures 30 (30a, 30b) as shown in FIG. 4, for example. The coil structure 30a has a coil 31a which is the above-mentioned coil 31, and the coil structure 30b has a coil 31b which is the above-mentioned coil 31. The coil structures 30a and 30b form the same or substantially the same planar shape. In the base 3, the coil structures 30a and 30b overlap in the direction of the axis x. In the coil structures 30a and 30b, a part of the space surrounded by the coil 31a and a part of the space surrounded by the coil 31b are shifted in the circumferential direction, and another part of the space surrounded by the coil 31a and another part of the space surrounded by the coil 31b overlap in the circumferential direction. Specifically, the space surrounded by the coil 31a is shifted from the space surrounded by the coil 31b in the circumferential direction by half the width of the space surrounded by the coil 31a. The number of coils 31 in the coil structure 30 corresponds to the axial multiplier angle set in the angle sensor 1. The number of coil structures 30 corresponds to the number of detection signals output from the angle sensor 1.

[0018] In the above example, each of the coils 31a and 31b is formed around two protruding parts 21. The coil structure 30a and the coil structure 30b are shifted by one protruding part 21 in the circumferential direction. However, each of the coils 31a and 31b is not limited to being formed around two protruding parts 21, and may be formed around other numbers of protruding parts 21. Although the case where the conductor 4 is wound around once has been described, the winding form of the conductor 4 is not limited to this, and the conductor 4 may be wound around two or more times. In other words, the coil formed by winding the conductor 4 may have a plurality of layers, such as two layers, three layers, four layers, five layers, etc., in addition to one layer in the radial direction or the axis x direction. In this case, the output signal or the signal to be detected (for example, the amplitude of the signal waveform) can be amplified compared to the case of one turn or one layer.

[0019] As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, an excitation circuit 5 is attached to the protruding portion 22 of the base 3. The excitation circuit 5 is formed by winding a conductor around the protruding portion 22. The conductor is made of a conductive material. The excitation circuit 5 is a magnetic circuit that generates a periodically changing magnetic flux that acts on each of the multiple coils 31, and the conductor forming the excitation circuit 5 is electrically connected to the substrate 24 or the electronic component 24a. The conductor is covered with, for example, an insulating material (insulating film or coating) and is electrically insulated. Since the conductor is electrically insulated, the conductors can be wound in contact with each other, and the area of ​​the winding portion can be reduced.

[0020] The rotor 2 and the base 3 form an inductive angle sensor, and the coils 30 form a detection coil. A magnetic space or a magnetic gap is formed between the rotor 2 and the base 3. In the angle sensor 1, the magnetic flux directed in the direction of the axis x, the magnitude of which changes periodically, acts on the coils 31 from the excitation circuit 5. Meanwhile, the protrusions 11 (metallic body 10) are arranged in the circumferential direction around the axis x as described above, and cross the magnetic flux generated by the excitation circuit 5 as the rotor 2 rotates. Also, the projection of the protrusions 11 (metallic body 10) having a portion extending in the radial direction onto the coils 31 in the direction of the axis x moves as the rotor 2 rotates. For this reason, the magnetic flux from the excitation circuit 5 acting on each of the coils 31, which are the radial undulations of the planar shape formed by the conductor 4, changes periodically as the rotor 2 rotates by being affected by eddy currents generated in the protrusions 11 (metallic body 10) and canceling each other out. As a result, in the multiple coils 31, an electromotive force is generated by electromagnetic induction, which changes with the rotation of the rotor 2, and a signal that changes with the rotation of the rotor 2 is detected from the conductor 4. Based on the detection signal from the conductor 4, the rotation angle of the rotor 2 is detected in the electric circuit device.

[0021] Next, modified examples of the metal body 10 will be described. In the above example, the entire protrusion 11 forms the metal body 10, but as described above, the protrusion 11 may have a conductor at least in a part thereof, and a part of the protrusion 11 may be the metal body 10. For example, the rotor 2 has a plurality of metal bodies 10, and the plurality of metal bodies 10 are attached to the parts of the plurality of protrusions 11 facing the base 3 in the axis x direction. Specifically, for example, the plurality of metal bodies 10 are each in a part (hereinafter referred to as a facing part) 11a of the plurality of protrusions 11. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the facing part 11a of the plurality of protrusions 11 has a surface facing the base 3 side in the axis x direction. This surface of the facing part 11a is, for example, flat or approximately flat. Also, specifically, for example, the plurality of metal bodies 10 are embedded inside the plurality of protrusions 11, or form a part of the surface of the plurality of protrusions 11 facing the base 3 and are exposed from the protrusions 11. Furthermore, the multiple metal bodies 10 may be provided on the surfaces of the multiple protrusions 11 facing the base 3. The multiple protrusions 11 and the ring 12 are insulating members. The multiple protrusions 11 and the ring 12 are made of, for example, a resin material, a non-magnetic material, a non-conductive material, or the like. The non-magnetic material may be non-conductive.

[0022] 5 is a front view of the rotor 2 showing an example of the metal body 10. As shown in FIG. 5, the multiple metal bodies 10 are plate-like and have a rectangular or approximately rectangular shape when viewed from the front. The multiple metal bodies 10 are each fixed to an opposing portion 11a of the protrusion 11. The multiple metal bodies 10 are positioned so that their radial positions overlap with the radial positions of the multiple protruding portions 21 of the base 3.

[0023] FIG. 6 is a front view of the rotor 2 showing an example of the metal body 10. As shown in FIG. 6, the multiple metal bodies 10 are plate-shaped. Each of the multiple metal bodies 10 is fixed to the opposing portion 11a of the protrusion 11. The multiple metal bodies 10 are positioned so that their radial positions overlap the radial positions of the multiple protruding portions 21 of the base 3. The metal body 10 has an outer peripheral side surface (hereinafter referred to as an end surface) 10a facing radially outward and an inner peripheral side surface (hereinafter referred to as an end surface) 10b facing radially inward. As shown in FIG. 6, the end surface 10a is curved so as to protrude radially outward, and the end surface 10b is curved so as to protrude radially inward. In addition, both circumferential ends of the end surface 10a and both circumferential ends of the end surface 10b are connected at acute angles at the end portions 10c and 10d, respectively.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 6, in the circumferential direction of the metal body 10, for example, the width (width W) of the metal body 10 in a direction perpendicular to a circle of a predetermined radius centered on the axis x, the width of the end 10c is smaller than the width of the intermediate portion 10e between the end 10c and the end 10d, and the width of the end 10d is smaller than the width of the intermediate portion 10e. For example, the width W of the metal body 10 is maximum at both ends 10f, 10g of the metal body 10 in the radial direction (the width (width W0) of the intermediate portion 10e), and the width W becomes smaller toward the end 10c in the circumferential direction. Similarly, the width W becomes smaller toward the end 10d in the circumferential direction, and the end faces 10a and 10b each extend along a curved surface (for example, a sine wave) that protrudes in opposite directions. In other words, the end faces 10a and 10b each extend in a direction that inclines and intersects with the end 10c or the end 10d.

[0025] FIG. 7 is a front view of the rotor 2 showing an example of the metal body 10. The metal bodies 10 fixed to the facing surfaces 11a of the protrusions 11 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 may be electrically connected to each other via a conductive member. Specifically, for example, the rotor 2 has a connecting body 14 which is a ring-shaped conductive member fixed to the ring 12 as shown in FIG. 7, and the metal bodies 10 are connected to the connecting body 14 on the radially inner side. The connecting body 14 is made of, for example, the same metal as the metal body 10, and the metal bodies 10 and the connecting body 14 are integrated. Note that the connecting body 14 may not be made of the same metal as the metal body 10, but may be made of a material having a different conductivity from the metal body 10, and the metal bodies 10 and the connecting body 14 may be formed as separate bodies and connected to each other. The connecting body 14 may not be a continuous ring-shaped member, but may extend in an intermittent ring shape to connect each of the two adjacent metal bodies 10. The connecting body 14 may also be provided on the protrusions 11.

[0026] 8 and 9 are perspective views of the rotor 2 showing another example of the metal body 10. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the multiple metal bodies 10 may be embedded inside the multiple protrusions 11. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a part of the metal body 10 may be exposed from the surface of the protrusion 11, or the entire metal body 10 may be embedded inside the protrusion 11. As shown in FIG. 8, the metal body 10 may extend flat, or as shown in FIG. 9, it may extend curved. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the metal body 10 is curved so as to protrude toward the base 3 side.

[0027] Next, a modified example of the protrusion 11 will be described. In the above example, the facing portion 11a of the protrusion 11 has a flat or substantially flat surface, but the facing portion 11a may have a curved surface so as to protrude toward the base 3 side, as shown in Figs. 10 and 11. Figs. 10 and 11 show a cross section of the protrusion 11 along a plane perpendicular to the radial direction. Fig. 10 shows a metal body 10 corresponding to the metal body 10 in Figs. 5 to 7, and Fig. 11 shows a metal body 10 corresponding to the metal body 10 in Fig. 9. In the protrusion 11 according to this modified example, as shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the metal body 10 is curved along the facing portion 11a. The curvature of the curved metal body 10 in a cross section perpendicular to the radial direction may be the same as or different from the curvature of the curved facing portion 11a of the protrusion 11 in a cross section perpendicular to the radial direction. When the curvature of the curved metal body 10 in a cross section perpendicular to the radial direction is different from the curvature of the opposing portion 11a of the curved protrusion 11 in a cross section perpendicular to the radial direction, the ends 10c and 10d of the curved metal body 10 may be embedded inside the opposing portion 11a of the curved protrusion 11 as shown in FIG. 12. This structure can prevent the metal body 10 from falling off the rotor 2. In addition, since the ends 10c and 10f of the curved metal body 10 are embedded inside the opposing portion 11a of the curved protrusion 11, that is, a part of the curved metal body 10 is exposed, the air gap with the coil structure can be adjusted more accurately. This can improve the detection accuracy of the angle sensor 1.

[0028] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing another modified example of the rotor 2. The rotor 2 described above may be entirely or partially covered with the insulating member 6. The insulating member 6 is, for example, a resin member. The insulating member 6 is made of, for example, a resin material, a non-magnetic material, a non-conductive material, or the like. The non-magnetic material may be non-conductive. The insulating member 6 has an outer shape that covers the entire rotor 2 in the radial direction, for example, as shown in FIG. 13, and has, for example, a disk-shaped outer shape. Also, the insulating member 6 covers the rotor 2 so that the surfaces of the multiple protrusions 11 facing the base 3 are exposed on the surface of the insulating member 6, for example, as shown in FIG. 13. The insulating member 6 may have another shape.

[0029] Next, modified examples of the base 3 will be described. In the above example, the conductor 4 is wound around the surfaces of the multiple protrusions 21 and exposed to the outside at the base 3, but the conductor 4 wound around the multiple protrusions 21 may be surrounded or covered by an insulating member 25. For example, as shown in Fig. 14, the insulating member 25 is a cover that covers the conductor 4 wound around the multiple protrusions 21. In this case, the multiple protrusions 11 face the conductor 4 in the radial direction via the insulating member 25.

[0030] The angle sensor 1 has the above-mentioned configuration, and the shape and number of the protrusions 21 can be freely designed, so that the shape of the coil structure 30 can be adjusted. This adjustment can improve the accuracy of the angle sensor. In addition, the conductor 4 provided on the structural surface 3a of the base 3 forms a planar shape having multiple undulations in the radial direction, forming a coil structure 30 in which multiple coils 31 are connected. In this way, the angle sensor 1 can form various coil structures 30 by winding the conductor 4, and the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the multiple coils 31 can be increased. Therefore, the angle sensor 1 can form a desired coil structure 30 in response to various forms, and the output waveform obtained from the detection signal detected from the conductor 4 can be made closer to a sine wave, thereby improving the detection accuracy.

[0031] Furthermore, the base 3 of the angle sensor 1 is formed from a material different from that of the substrate 24, and the number of printed circuit boards used in the angle sensor 1 can be reduced.

[0032] Furthermore, by embedding the metal body 10 and the conducting wire 4 in a member such as a resin member, the durability of the metal body 10 and the conducting wire 4 against oil, heat, and dust can be improved.

[0033] Next, an application of the angle sensor 1 will be described. Fig. 15 is an exploded perspective view of a specific example of a rotating device as an application of the angle sensor 1. Fig. 15 shows a rotating device 50 as a specific example of a rotating device in an exploded state. Also, in Fig. 15, a part of the configuration of the rotating device 50 is shown in a see-through manner.

[0034] 15, a rotating body 52 as a rotating device 50 includes an angle sensor 1, a rotating shaft 51, and a rotor 53. The rotating shaft 51 is fixed to the rotor 2 of the angle sensor 1, and the rotor 53 is fixed to the rotating shaft 51. In the rotating device 50, the axes of the rotating shaft 51 and the rotating body 52 coincide or approximately coincide with the axis x of the angle sensor 1. For this reason, in the following description, the axis of the rotating device 50 (rotating body 52) is referred to as the axis x, and the axis of the angle sensor 1 and the rotating shaft 51 is referred to as the axis x.

[0035] The rotating body 52 is, for example, a motor, and includes a rotor 53 and a stator 54. The rotating shaft 51 is fixed to the rotor 53. The motor 52 also includes a frame 55. The frame 55 houses the rotor 53 and the stator 54. The frame 55 also has an opening 55a.

[0036] The opening 55a of the frame 55 opens the space inside the frame 55 to the outside of the frame 55. The rotor 53 and the stator 54 are housed in the space inside the frame 55. The rotating shaft 51 protrudes from the opening 55a of the frame 55. As shown in Fig. 15, the frame 55 is, for example, a cylindrical member. The frame 55 has an annular end 55b surrounding the opening 55a, and the end 55b faces in the direction of the axis x.

[0037] The rotor 2 of the angle sensor 1 is fixed to a rotating shaft 51, and one end (hereinafter referred to as the tip) 51a of the rotating shaft 51 penetrates the rotor 2 and also penetrates the opening 23 of the base 3. The tip 51a of the rotating shaft 51 is rotatably supported, for example, by a bearing not shown. The base 3 of the angle sensor 1 is supported, for example, by a support member not shown. In the rotating device 50, the rotor 2 is located at a predetermined position relative to the base 3 as described above, and the facing surfaces 11a of the multiple protrusions 11 of the rotor 2 face the multiple coils 31 formed by the protrusion 21 of the base 3 and the planar configuration of the conductor 4 with a gap in the axis x direction (see FIGS. 1 and 4). The angle sensor 1 may be supported in the rotating device 50 so that the base 3 is closer to the rotating body 52 than the rotor 2. The rotating device 50 may have a cup-shaped protective cover not shown in the figure, and the angle sensor 1 may be covered by this protective cover. Being covered with a protective cover can provide waterproof and dustproof performance.

[0038] The rotating device 50 has the above-mentioned configuration, and when the rotor 52 is driven and the rotating shaft 51 rotates, the rotor 2 of the angle sensor 1 fixed to the rotating shaft 51 rotates together with the rotating shaft 51 around the axis x. As a result, the metal body 10 of the rotor 2 rotates facing the coils 31 (31a, 31b) formed by the conductor wire 4 of the base 3 of the angle sensor 1, and the magnetic flux from the excitation circuit 5 acting on each of the multiple coils 31 changes periodically. As a result, a signal that changes with the rotation of the rotor 2 is detected from the conductor wire 4 forming the multiple coils 31. Based on the detection signal from the conductor wire 4, the rotation angle of the rotor 2 is detected in an electric circuit device, which is an external device connected to the angle sensor 1.

[0039] Next, a fixing configuration between the rotating shaft 51 and the rotor 2 of the angle sensor 1 in the rotating device 50 will be described. Fig. 16 is a perspective view showing the tip 51a of the rotating shaft 51 and its vicinity, and Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a specific example of the rotor 2 of the angle sensor 1. As shown in Fig. 16, a recess 51b is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the tip 51a of the rotating shaft 51. Also, as shown in Fig. 17, the rotor 2 is formed with a protrusion 15 that is accommodated in the recess 51b of the rotating shaft 51.

[0040] Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 16, a step is formed at the tip end 51a of the rotating shaft 51, and the rotating shaft 51 has a first outer peripheral surface 51c, a second outer peripheral surface 51d, and a third outer peripheral surface 51e. The first outer peripheral surface 51c is the main outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft 51, and is a cylindrical surface extending along the axis x from the tip end 51a to the other end of the rotating shaft 51. The second outer peripheral surface 51d and the third outer peripheral surface 51e are formed at the tip end 51a. The second outer peripheral surface 51d is a cylindrical surface extending along the axis x and is adjacent to the first outer peripheral surface 51c. The third outer peripheral surface 51e is a cylindrical surface extending along the axis x and is adjacent to the second outer peripheral surface 51d on the opposite side to the first outer peripheral surface 51c.

[0041] 16, the second outer peripheral surface 51d has a radial width smaller than the width of the first outer peripheral surface 51c in the radial direction, and a stepped surface 51f, which is an annular surface, is formed between the first outer peripheral surface 51c and the second outer peripheral surface 51d. The third outer peripheral surface 51e has a radial width smaller than the width of the second outer peripheral surface 51d in the radial direction, and a stepped surface 51g, which is an annular surface, is formed between the second outer peripheral surface 51d and the third outer peripheral surface 51e. The stepped surfaces 51f and 51g face in the direction of the axis x.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 16, the recess 51b is formed on the second outer peripheral surface 51d, and the recess 51b is formed as a groove recessed toward the inside of the rotating shaft 51 on the second outer peripheral surface 51d. The recess 51b extends along the axis x. The recess 51b extends to the step surface 51g and is open at the step surface 51g. The recess 51b does not extend to the step surface 51f, that is, the recess 51b extends halfway between the step surface 51g and the step surface 51f. The inner peripheral surface 12b of the rotor 2 is fixed to the second outer peripheral surface 51d. For example, a portion of the second outer peripheral surface 51d of the rotating shaft 51 is press-fitted into a space surrounded by the inner peripheral surface 12b of the rotor 2, and the inner peripheral surface 12b of the rotor 2 is fixed to the second outer peripheral surface 51d. The configuration for fixing the rotor 2 to the outer peripheral surface 51d of the rotating shaft 51 is not limited to the above-mentioned configuration for fixing by press-fitting. For example, the second outer peripheral surface 51d of the rotating shaft 51 may be inserted into a space surrounded by the inner peripheral surface 12b of the rotor 2, and the inner peripheral surface 12b of the rotor 2 and the second outer peripheral surface 51d may be bonded by adhesive or the like to fix the inner peripheral surface 12b of the rotor 2 to the second outer peripheral surface 51d. Alternatively, the rotor 2 may be fixed by being sandwiched between the step surface 51f of the rotating shaft 51 and the ring by press-fitting a separate member such as a metallic ring (not shown). If the ring is metallic, the material of the ring may be the same as that of the rotating shaft 51. In this case, since the linear expansion coefficient is the same as that of the rotating shaft 51, it is possible to prevent the fixing from coming off due to deformation due to heat. The material of the ring may be a material different from that of the rotating shaft 51.

[0043] As described above, the recess 51b does not extend to the step surface 51f, so that the cutting time can be shortened. Also, since the cutting area can be made small, the strength of the rotating shaft 51 can be prevented from being reduced.

[0044] 16, the first outer peripheral surface 51c and the third outer peripheral surface 51e at the position of the recess 51b in the circumferential direction are curved surfaces. The second outer peripheral surface 51d is, for example, a cylindrical or approximately cylindrical surface extending along the axis x, and the third outer peripheral surface 51e is, for example, a cylindrical or approximately cylindrical surface extending along the axis x.

[0045] As shown in Fig. 17, the protrusion 15 is formed on the inner peripheral surface 12b of the rotor 2. The protrusion 15 is a portion that protrudes from the inner peripheral surface 12b to the inner peripheral side, and for example, as shown in Fig. 17, extends in the direction of the axis x, and extends from the end face 16 to a point between the end face 16 and the end face 17. Note that the protrusion 15 may extend to the end face 17. Note that the end faces 16 and 17 are faces that face the direction of the axis x of the ring 12, and the end face 16 and the end face 17 are back-to-back with each other.

[0046] As described above, when the rotor 2 is molded from a resin material, it is easy to mold the protruding portion 15 in a structure that extends from the end face 16 to partway between the end face 17, that is, to be small in the direction of the axis x. This makes it possible to reduce the length of the recessed portion 51b that houses the protruding portion 15 in the direction of the axis x. Note that the entire rotor 2 does not have to be molded from a resin material. For example, the ring 12 may be formed from a resin and the rest may not be formed from a resin, or the ring 12 may be formed from a material other than resin and the rest may be formed from a resin.

[0047] By inserting the tip portion 51a of the rotating shaft 51 into the rotor 2 so that the protrusion 15 of the rotor 2 fits into the recess 51b of the rotating shaft 51, the circumferential position of the rotor 2 relative to the rotating shaft 51 becomes a predetermined position. In this manner, in this specific example, the circumferential positioning of the rotor 2 relative to the rotating shaft 51 is facilitated when the rotor 2 is fixed to the rotating shaft 51. When the rotor 2 is fixed to the rotating shaft 51, the end face 17 of the rotor 2 is in contact with the stepped surface 51f of the rotating shaft 51. When the rotor 2 is fixed to the rotating shaft 51, the end face 17 of the rotor 2 does not have to be in contact with the stepped surface 51f of the rotating shaft 51.

[0048] Needless to say, the rotating body of the rotating device according to the present invention includes a rotating object such as a motor, but also includes rotating bodies other than a motor. For example, the rotating body of the rotating device according to the present invention includes rotating bodies such as a power steering, an accelerator pedal, a brake pedal, a seat reclining mechanism, and an electric parking mechanism of an automobile.

[0049] In addition, the shape of the base 3 is rectangular in this embodiment, but is not limited to a rectangle. The shape of the base 3 may be, for example, a circle or a circle with rectangles connected together when viewed from the front. In this case, the shape of the base 3 can be freely changed according to the area for the conductor 4 and the area for the substrate 24, so that the amount of material used can be reduced and the weight of the angle sensor 1 can be reduced.

[0050] Furthermore, the base 3 may be provided with a through hole for mounting to a rotating device or the like.

[0051] Although the present invention has been described above through the above embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It is clear to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It is clear from the claims that such modifications or improvements can also be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0052] The above-described embodiments are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Moreover, the above-described embodiments do not limit the use of the present invention, and the present invention may include anything as its use. The components of the above-described embodiments, as well as their arrangement, materials, conditions, shapes, sizes, etc., are not limited to those exemplified, and can be changed as appropriate. For example, the present invention includes differences that occur in the implementation of manufacturing tolerances, etc. Furthermore, the components shown in different embodiments can be partially replaced or combined with each other within a range that is not technically contradictory. Furthermore, each configuration can be appropriately and selectively combined so as to achieve at least a part of the above-described problems and effects. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1 Angle sensor, 2 Rotor, 3 Base, 3a Structural surface, 4 Conductor, 5 Excitation circuit, 6 Insulating member, 10 Metal body, 10a, 10b End face, 10c, 10d End, 10e Middle portion, 11 Convex, 11a Opposing surface, 12 Ring, 12a Outer circumferential surface, 12b Inner circumferential surface, 13 Opening, 14 Connection body, 15 Convex portion, 16, 17 End face, 21 Protruding portion, 22 Protruding portion, 23 Opening, 24 Board, 24a Electronic component, 24b Wiring, 24c Terminal, 25 Insulating member, 30, 30a, 30b Coil structure, 31, 31a, 31b Coil, 50 Rotating device, 51 Rotating shaft, 51a Tip portion, 51b Recess, 51c First outer circumferential surface, 51d Second outer circumferential surface, 51e Third outer peripheral surface, 51f, 51g stepped surface, 52 motor, 53 rotor, 54 stator, 55 frame, 55a opening, W, W0 width, x axis

Claims

1. a rotor having a plurality of protrusions extending in a radial direction; With the base, A coated conductor; Equipped with the conductive wire provided on the surface of the base forms a planar shape having a plurality of undulations in a radial direction; In the rotation axis direction, the protrusion faces the conductive wire. Angle sensor.

2. a surface of the base is provided with a plurality of protrusions extending from the base toward the rotor; The conductive wire is wound around the plurality of protrusions. The angle sensor according to claim 1 .

3. The protrusion faces the protruding portion in the rotation axis direction.

3. The angle sensor according to claim 1 or 2.

4. Among the plurality of protrusions, an opening is provided between two protrusions.

4. The angle sensor according to claim 1.

5. The rotor includes a ring and the plurality of protrusions connected to an outer periphery of the ring.

5. The angle sensor according to claim 1.

6. A substrate having electronic components, wiring, and terminals electrically connected to the conductive wires is provided.

6. The angle sensor according to claim 1.

7. The rotor has a plurality of metal bodies, The plurality of metal bodies are located inside the protrusion.

7. The angle sensor according to claim 1.

8. The rotor has a plurality of metal bodies, The protrusion has a surface facing the conductive wire, The plurality of metal bodies are on the surface.

7. The angle sensor according to claim 1.

9. The metal body includes an end portion, another end portion, and an intermediate portion between the end portion and the other end portion, In the circumferential direction, the width of the end portion of the metal body and the width of the other end portion of the metal body are smaller than the width of the intermediate portion of the metal body.

9. The angle sensor according to claim 7 or 8.

10. The rotor includes a connection member that electrically connects the plurality of metal bodies to each other.

10. The angle sensor according to claim 7.

11. The conductive wire is covered with an insulating member, The protrusion faces the conductive wire via the insulating member.

11. The angle sensor according to claim 1.

12. The metal body is curved so as to protrude toward the side of the base.

12. An angle sensor according to claim 1.

13. An angle sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 12; a rotation shaft fixed to a rotor of the angle sensor; A rotor fixed to the rotation shaft; Equipped with Rotating equipment.

14. A recess is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the rotating shaft, A rotor of the angle sensor is fixed to an outer circumferential surface of the rotating shaft. The rotating device according to claim 13.

15. the rotating shaft includes a first outer circumferential surface, a second outer circumferential surface having a width smaller than that of the first outer circumferential surface in a radial direction, and a third outer circumferential surface having a width smaller than that of the second outer circumferential surface in a radial direction, The recess is formed on the second outer circumferential surface. The rotating device according to claim 14.

16. In the circumferential direction, the first outer peripheral surface and the third outer peripheral surface at the position of the recess are curved surfaces. The rotating device according to claim 15.

17. A rotor of the angle sensor is formed with a protrusion that is received in a recess of the rotating shaft. The rotating device according to claim 14.

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