Angle sensor

Abstract

To provide an angle sensor that offers improved detection accuracy.SOLUTION: An angle sensor 1 comprises: a cylinder 10 having multiple columns 20 extending in a radial direction; and multiple outer coils 30 and multiple inner coils 40 wound around the multiple columns 20. In a circumferential direction, each outer coil 30 has one end 31 and the other end 32. In the circumferential direction, each inner coil 40 has one end 41 and the other end 42. The multiple outer coils 30 and the multiple inner coils 40 are spaced apart in the radial direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an angle sensor, and particularly to an inductive angle sensor.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, various sensors have been used to detect the rotation angle of a motor or the like. Among such angle sensors for detecting the rotation angle, there is an inductive sensor (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

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

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an angle sensor capable of improving detection accuracy.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An angle sensor according to an aspect of the present invention includes a cylinder having a plurality of columns extending in the radial direction, and a plurality of outer coils and a plurality of inner coils wound around the plurality of columns. In the circumferential direction, the outer coil has one end and the other end, and in the circumferential direction, the inner coil has one end and the other end. The plurality of outer coils and the plurality of inner coils are separated from each other in the radial direction.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, not all of the plurality of components are labeled, and some of the labels of the plurality of components may be omitted. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of an angle sensor 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a partially transparent perspective view schematically showing the internal configuration through a part of the members of the angle sensor 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the angle sensor 1, FIG. 3 is a front view schematically showing the angle sensor 1, and FIG. 4 is a side view schematically showing the angle sensor 1. Further, FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views schematically showing the configuration of the cylinder 10, the plurality of outer coils 30, and the plurality of inner coils 40 provided in the angle sensor 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the angle sensor 1 includes a cylinder 10 having a plurality of columns 20 extending in the radial direction, and a plurality of outer coils 30 and a plurality of inner coils 40 wound around the plurality of columns 20. In the circumferential direction, the outer coil 30 has one end 31 and the other end 32. Further, in the circumferential direction, the inner coil 40 has one end 41 and the other end 42. The plurality of outer coils 30 and the plurality of inner coils 40 are separated in the radial direction. Hereinafter, the configuration of the angle sensor 1 will be specifically described. FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views of the cylinder 10 viewed from one side and the other side in the direction of the axis x, respectively. The axis x is the rotation axis of the angle sensor 1. The radial direction is a direction orthogonal to the axis x, and the circumferential direction is a direction around the axis x.

[0009] The angle sensor 1 specifically includes, for example, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, a rotor 2 that is a rotating body and a stator 3. The rotor 2 has a cylinder 50 and a plurality of conductors 6 fixed to the cylinder 50. The stator 3 includes the above-described cylinder 10. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, in the angle sensor 1, the rotor 2 is disposed inside the stator 3, and the rotor 2 and the stator 3 face each other in the radial direction of the cylinder 10. In FIGS. 2 to 4, the rotor 2 and the stator 3 are shown in a predetermined positional relationship. This predetermined positional relationship is an example of the positional relationship between the rotor 2 and the stator 3 in the usage state where the angle sensor 1 is attached to the application target.

[0010] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the cylinder 50 of the rotor 2 is a cylindrical member extending along the axis x. In FIG. 1, the inside of the cylinder 50 is shown transparently. The cylinder 50 of the rotor 2 is attached to a rotating member of an external device as the application target of the angle sensor 1 such that the axis x coincides or substantially coincides with the rotation axis of the rotating member of the external device. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the cylinder 50 of the rotor 2 has an inner peripheral surface 51 that is a cylindrical surface extending along the cylindrical surface centered on the axis x, and an outer peripheral surface 52 that is a cylindrical surface facing away from the inner peripheral surface 51 on the outer side in the radial direction (hereinafter also referred to as the "outer peripheral side"). The cylinder 50 also has end faces 53 and 54 that are the faces facing in the respective directions in which the axis x extends. The inner peripheral surface 51 and the outer peripheral surface 52 extend between the end faces 53 and 54. The application target of the angle sensor 1 is, for example, a motor, and the shaft of the motor is passed through the inner peripheral surface 51 of the cylinder 50 of the rotor 2, and the rotor 2 is fixed to the shaft. The cylinder 50 is made of, for example, a resin material, a non-magnetic material, a non-conductive material, etc. Note that the non-magnetic material may have non-conductivity.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the cylinder 50 has a conductor structure 4. The conductor structure 4 is fixed to the cylinder 50. The conductor structure 4 is formed of conductors, and is composed of a plurality of conductors 5 as shown in FIG. 1, for example. The plurality of conductors 5 are arranged, for example, in the circumferential direction around the axis x. As schematically shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of conductors 5 form a cylindrical conductor structure 4 extending annularly around the axis x. The conductor 5 may be a member having conductivity (a member capable of generating a so-called eddy current or induced current (electric current) in one plane), for example, a metal body 5. Hereinafter, as an example, it is assumed that the angle sensor 1 has a metal body 5 as the conductor 5. The plurality of metal bodies 5 are arranged at a predetermined distance from each other in the circumferential direction of the cylinder 50. That is, two adjacent metal bodies 5 are separated from each other by a predetermined distance around the axis x. The plurality of conductors 5 are arranged, for example, at equal angular intervals or substantially equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction along the cylindrical surface centered on the axis x. The plurality of metal bodies 5 have, for example, a curved shape. The plurality of metal bodies 5 may be connected to each other. The plurality of metal bodies 5 are connected by one or a plurality of connecting portions, and the one or a plurality of connecting portions may be formed of a non-conductive member (e.g., resin) or a conductive member (e.g., metal), and the plurality of metal bodies 5 may be electrically connected.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of metal bodies 5 are provided in the cylinder 50, for example. The whole of the metal body 5 may be buried in the cylinder 50, or a part of each metal body 5 may be exposed on the surface of the cylinder 50. Further, the plurality of metal bodies 5 may be attached to the surface of the cylinder 50, for example, to the outer peripheral surface 52. In this case, a part of the metal body 5 may be buried in the cylinder 50.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the stator 3 has the above-described cylinder 10 and a frame 60. The frame 60 is a member that supports the cylinder 10. FIG. 7 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of the cylinder 10, FIG. 8 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of the cylinder 10, and FIG. 9 is a view showing one of the cylinders 10 cut along a plane including the axis x. Note that FIGS. 7 to 9 show a plurality of outer coils 30 and a plurality of inner coils 40.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the cylinder 10 of the stator 3 is a cylindrical member extending along the axis x. For example, in addition to a plurality of columns 20, it has a wall 11 and a base end portion 12. The wall 11 is a cylindrical portion extending in the direction of the axis x from the base end portion 12, and has an outer peripheral surface 11a which is a surface facing the outer peripheral side and an inner peripheral surface 11b which is a surface facing the inner peripheral side. The outer peripheral surface 11a and the inner peripheral surface 11b face away from each other. The wall 11 has, for example, a shape along a cylindrical surface centered on the axis x. The outer peripheral surface 11a extends, for example, on a cylindrical surface or a substantially cylindrical surface centered on the axis x, and the inner peripheral surface 11b extends, for example, on a cylindrical surface or a substantially cylindrical surface centered on the axis x. The base end portion 12 is a portion extending annularly around the axis x, and has an end surface 12a and an end surface 12b which are annular surfaces facing away from each other in the direction of the axis x. Further, the base end portion 12 has an outer peripheral surface 12c and an inner peripheral surface 12d which are cylindrical surfaces facing away from each other in the radial direction. The outer peripheral surface 12c extends between the end surface 12a and the end surface 12b at the outer peripheral side end, and the inner peripheral surface 12d extends between the end surface 12a and the end surface 12b at the inner peripheral side end. An annular groove 12e which is recessed toward the inner peripheral side is formed in the outer peripheral surface 12c. Further, the outer peripheral surface 12c extends, for example, on a cylindrical surface or a substantially cylindrical surface centered on the axis x. The wall 11 extends from the end surface 12a of the base end portion 12.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the plurality of columns 20 are provided on the wall 11, and are provided, for example, at equal angular or substantially equal angular intervals around the axis x. Further, each column 20 projects from the wall 11 to the outer peripheral side and the inner peripheral side, and each column 20 has an outer column 21 projecting from the wall 11 to the outer peripheral side and an inner column 22 projecting from the wall 11 to the inner peripheral side. Specifically, the outer column 21 projects from the outer peripheral surface 11a of the wall 11 to the outer peripheral side, and the inner column 22 projects from the inner peripheral surface 11b of the wall 11 to the inner peripheral side. The outer column 21 and the inner column 22 of each column 20 are formed on the wall 11 such that, for example, the centers in their respective circumferential directions coincide at angular positions around the axis x.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the outer column 21 has, for example, a rectangular or substantially rectangular cross-section orthogonal to the radial direction. Note that the cross-sectional shape of the outer column 21 is not limited to a rectangle and may be other shapes. Each outer column 21 has an outer peripheral surface 21a which is a surface facing the outer peripheral side. The outer peripheral surfaces 21a of the plurality of outer columns 21 are curved, for example, so as to extend on a cylindrical surface or a substantially cylindrical surface centered on the axis x. As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 8, the outer column 21 includes, for example, a connecting portion 21b which is a portion connecting to the wall 11, and an outer peripheral end portion 21c. The outer peripheral surface 21a is formed at the end portion 21c. Further, as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 8, the end portion 21c projects more in the circumferential direction and the axis x direction than the connecting portion 21b, and an annular groove is formed between the connecting portion 21b and the wall 11. The outer peripheral surface 12c of the base end portion 12 is not located on the outer peripheral side of the outer peripheral surfaces 21a of the plurality of outer columns 21. For example, the outer peripheral surface 12c of the base end portion 12 extends on a cylindrical surface or a substantially cylindrical surface on which the outer peripheral surfaces 21a of the plurality of outer columns 21 extend.

[0017] The inner column 22 has the same shape as the outer column 21. As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the inner column 22 has, for example, a rectangular or substantially rectangular cross-section orthogonal to the radial direction. Note that the cross-sectional shape of the inner column 22 is not limited to a rectangle and may be other shapes. Each inner column 22 has an inner peripheral surface 22a which is a surface facing the inner peripheral side. The inner peripheral surfaces 22a of the plurality of inner columns 22 face the outer peripheral surface 52 of the cylinder 50 of the rotor 2 with an annular gap therebetween. The inner peripheral surfaces 22a of the plurality of inner columns 22 are curved, for example, so as to extend on a cylindrical surface or a substantially cylindrical surface centered on the axis x. As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 8, the inner column 22 includes, for example, a connecting portion 22b which is a portion connecting to the wall 11, and an inner peripheral end portion 22c. The inner peripheral surface 22a is formed at the end portion 22c. Further, as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 8, the end portion 22c projects more in the circumferential direction and the axis x direction than the connecting portion 22b, and an annular groove is formed between the connecting portion 22b and the wall 11.

[0018] The number of the plurality of columns 20, that is, the number of the plurality of outer columns 21 and inner columns 22 respectively, is set according to, for example, the outer coil structure 6 formed by the plurality of outer coils 30 and the inner coil structure 7 formed by the plurality of inner coils 40, which will be described later. In this example, the number of the plurality of columns 20, that is, the number of the plurality of outer columns 21 and inner columns 22 respectively, is an even number. Specifically, for example, 16 columns 20, that is, 16 outer columns 21 and 16 inner columns 22 respectively, are provided on the cylinder 10. As described above, the plurality of columns 20 are provided at equal angular or substantially equal angular intervals around the axis x, and the plurality of outer columns 21 and the plurality of inner columns 22 are respectively provided at equal angular or substantially equal angular intervals around the axis x. Also, as shown in FIG. 8 for example, in each column 21, the two radial lines sandwiching the outer column 21 in the circumferential direction and the two radial lines sandwiching the inner column 22 in the circumferential direction coincide or substantially coincide. That is, in each column 20, the radial lines r1, r2 passing through the side ends 21d, 21e which are both ends in the circumferential direction of the outer column 21 pass through the side ends 22d, 22e which are both ends in the circumferential direction of the inner column 22, and the angle between the radial lines sandwiching the side ends 21d, 21e of the outer column 21 (see the extending angle α in FIG. 8) and the angle between the radial lines sandwiching the side ends 22d, 22e of the inner column 22 (see the extending angle α in FIG. 8) coincide or substantially coincide. Also, the width of the outer column 21 in the axial direction of the axis x and the width of the inner column 22 in the axial direction of the axis x coincide or substantially coincide.

[0019] The cylinder 10 is integrally formed from, for example, the same material, and each component of the cylinder 10 is integrally connected. That is, the wall 11, the base end portion 12, the plurality of outer columns 21, and the plurality of inner columns 22 are each part of the cylinder 10 integrally formed from the same material and are integrally connected. The cylinder 10 is an insulating member, for example, a member made of resin. The cylinder 10 is made of, for example, a resin material, a non-magnetic body, a non-conductive material, etc. Note that the non-magnetic body may have non-conductivity. Note that any one or all of the components of the cylinder 10 may be formed separately. In this case, the components formed separately are assembled by adhesion or the like to form the cylinder 10.

[0020] As described above, a plurality of outer coils 30 and a plurality of inner coils 40 are wound around a plurality of columns 20 of the cylinder 10 of the stator 3. Also, the plurality of outer coils 30 and the plurality of inner coils 40 are separated in the radial direction. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 9, the plurality of outer coils 30 are wound around a plurality of outer columns 21, and the plurality of inner coils 40 are wound around a plurality of inner columns 22. In this way, a wall 11 is interposed between the plurality of outer coils 30 and the plurality of inner coils 40, and the plurality of outer coils 30 and the plurality of inner coils 40 are separated in the radial direction. The angle sensor 1 has, for example, a conductive wire 33 and a conductive wire 43 having conductivity. The wire 33 forms the plurality of outer coils 30, and the wire 43 forms the plurality of inner coils 40. The wires 33 and 43 are coated with, for example, a material having insulating properties (insulating film or coating).

[0021] The plurality of outer coils 30 are arranged side by side and connected, for example, in the circumferential direction around the axis x. As schematically shown in FIGS. 5 to 11, the plurality of outer coils 30 form a cylindrical shape (hereinafter referred to as an "outer coil structure") 6 that extends annularly along the outer peripheral surface 11a of the wall 11 of the cylinder 10. FIGS. 10 and 11 are a perspective view and a front view showing an example of the outer coil structure 6 formed by the plurality of outer coils 30 and the inner coil structure 7 formed by the plurality of inner coils 40 described later, respectively. In FIGS. 10 and 11, the outer coil structure 6 and the inner coil structure 7 are shown in the positional relationship formed on the cylinder 10. The outer coil structure 6 is a shape formed by the arrangement of the plurality of outer coils 30. In the outer coil structure 6, the plurality of outer coils 30 are arranged annularly so as to be arranged along an annular surface around the axis x, for example. The plurality of outer coils 30 are arranged annularly so as to be arranged along a cylindrical surface having the axis x as the central axis, for example. Also, each outer coil 30 has a shape that surrounds a space, for example. Also, each outer coil 30 has a shape such that the space surrounded by each outer coil 30 follows an annular surface around the axis x, for example.

[0022] The outer coil 30 is, for example, a coil formed by winding a magnet wire 33 as an example of a conductive wire 33. As described above, the plurality of outer coils 30 are formed by winding the magnet wire 33 around the plurality of outer columns 21. The plurality of outer coils 30 have an annular shape wound around the radial direction of the cylinder 10 and surround a planar space facing the radial direction. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the plurality of outer coils 30 are formed in series around the axis x on the outer peripheral surface 11a side of the wall 11 of the cylinder 10, and the outer coil structure 6 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 is formed. Note that the conductive wire 33 forming the outer coil 30 is not limited to a magnet wire.

[0023] FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the outer coil structure 6 and the inner coil structure 7 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 8, and 12, around each of the plurality of outer columns 21, a magnet wire 33 as a wire 33 is wound in the radial direction, and a plurality of annular outer coils 30 are formed in the radial direction along the plurality of outer columns 21, and an outer coil structure 6 extending along the outer peripheral surface 11a of the wall 11 is formed on the outer peripheral side of the wall 11 of the cylinder 10. Specifically, the magnet wire 33 is wound around the connecting portion 21b of the outer column 21. For example, the outer coil structure 6 is formed by winding one magnet wire 33 across a plurality of outer columns 21 of the cylinder 10. Specifically, for example, toward one side in the circumferential direction, for every two adjacent outer columns 21, the magnet wire 33 is wound around the outer column 21 alternately from one side in the axis x direction and the other side in the axis x direction. When the cylinder 10 is wound once and then folded back, and wound once toward the other side in the circumferential direction, similarly, the magnet wire 33 is wound around the outer column 21, and the outer coil structure 6 is formed. In this case, each outer coil 30 is formed around two outer columns 21 across the two outer columns 21. Therefore, the outer coil 30 extends into a space G1 opened outward in the radial direction between the two outer columns 21.

[0024] Thus, at the portion where two outer coils 30 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction are connected, two portions of the magnet wire 33 intersect to form an intersection 34 (see FIGS. 5 to 11). Further, the outer coil structure 6 in this example is not an endless ring shape but a terminating ring shape. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 12, the outer coil structure 6 has end portions 6a and 6b formed at the outer coil 30 formed by winding the magnet wire 33 around a plurality of outer columns 21 and the outer coil 30 formed by folding back the magnet wire 33. At the end portions 6a and 6b of the outer coil structure 6, the plurality of outer coils 30 are not connected. As shown in FIG. 12, both end portions 33a and 33b of the magnet wire 33 are drawn out from the outer coil 30 formed by winding the magnet wire 33.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, in each outer coil 30, one end portion 31 described above is a portion on one end side in the circumferential direction, and the other end portion 32 described above is a portion on the other end side in the circumferential direction. In the outer coil 30 excluding the outer coil 30 formed by winding the magnet wire 33 and the outer coil 30 formed by folding back the magnet wire 33, one end portion 31 and the other end portion 32 are portions of the intersection 34 where two portions of the magnet wire 33 connecting to the adjacent outer coils 30 intersect. In the outer coil 30 formed by winding the magnet wire 33, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, one end portion 31 is a portion where the magnet wire 33 closing this outer coil 30 is continuous, and the other end portion 32 is a portion of the intersection 34 where two portions of the magnet wire 33 connecting to the adjacent outer coils 30 intersect. Further, in the outer coil 30 formed by folding back the magnet wire 33, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, one end portion 31 is a portion of the intersection 34 where two portions of the magnet wire 33 connecting to the adjacent outer coils 30 intersect, and the other end portion 32 is a portion where the magnet wire 33 closing this outer coil 30 is continuous.

[0026] In this example, as described above, 16 first to sixteenth outer columns 21 are provided. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 12, eight sets of two outer columns 21 around which one outer coil 30 is wound are arranged side by side in the circumferential direction. Also, eight outer coils 30 from the first to the eighth are formed by the magnet wire 33. The first to eighth outer coils 30 are each wound across two corresponding outer columns 21 out of the first to sixteenth outer columns 21. The portions of the two magnet wires 33 connecting the first outer coil 30 and the second outer coil 30 intersect. Similarly, at the portions where two adjacent outer coils 30 between the second to eighth outer coils 30 are connected, the two portions of the magnet wire 33 intersect. Also, the first outer coil 30 and the eighth outer coil 30 are not connected, and the first and eighth outer coils 30 are the end portions 6a and 6b of the outer coil structure 6. The first outer coil 30 is an outer coil formed by starting to wind the magnet wire 33 around a plurality of outer columns 21. Also, the eighth outer coil 30 is an outer coil 30 formed by folding back the magnet wire 33.

[0027] Note that each outer coil 30 is not limited to being formed around two outer columns 21, and may be formed around any other number of outer columns 21. Also, although the case where the magnet wire 33 makes one turn has been described, the winding pattern of the magnet wire 33 is not limited to this, and it may be wound two or more times. In other words, the outer coil structure 6 formed by winding the magnet wire 33 may include a plurality of layers such as 2 layers, 3 layers, 4 layers, 5 layers, etc. in addition to one layer in the radial direction. When the number of turns or layers is large, the output signal or the signal to be detected (e.g., the amplitude of the waveform of the signal) can be amplified. Further, at the end portion (one end portion 31) on the side of the eighth outer coil 30 of the first outer coil 30, and the end portion (the other end portion 32) on the side of the first outer coil 30 of the eighth outer coil 30, although the crossing portion 34 where two portions of the magnet wire 33 cross is not formed, the magnet wire 33 may be wound such that the shape of the corresponding portion of the crossing portion 34 is formed at the one end portion 31 of the first outer coil 30 and the other end portion 32 of the eighth outer coil 30, respectively.

[0028] The plurality of inner coils 40 are connected side by side in the circumferential direction around the axis x, similar to the plurality of outer coils 30. As schematically shown in FIGS. 5 to 11, the plurality of inner coils 40 form a cylindrical shape (hereinafter referred to as an "inner coil structure") 7 that extends annularly along the inner peripheral surface 11b of the wall 11 of the cylinder 10. The inner coil structure 7 is a structure formed by the arrangement of the plurality of inner coils 40. The inner coil structure 7 has the same configuration as the outer coil structure 6. In the inner coil structure 7, the same number of inner coils 40 as the outer coils 30 constituting the outer coil structure 6 are arranged annularly so as to be aligned along an annular surface around the axis x. The plurality of inner coils 40 are arranged annularly, for example, so as to be aligned along a cylindrical surface centered on the axis x. Also, each inner coil 40 has a shape that surrounds a space. Further, each inner coil 40 has a shape such that, for example, the space surrounded by each inner coil 40 follows an annular surface around the axis x. Note that the number of outer coils 30 and inner coils 40 in each of the outer coil structure piece 6 and the inner coil structure 7 corresponds to the axis multiple angle set in the angle sensor 1.

[0029] The inner coil 40 is, for example, a coil formed by winding a magnet wire 43 as an example of a conductive wire 43. As described above, the plurality of inner coils 40 are formed by winding the magnet wire 34 around the plurality of inner columns 22. The plurality of inner coils 40 have an annular shape wound around the radial direction of the cylinder 10 and surround a planar space facing in the radial direction. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the plurality of inner coils 40 are formed in series around the axis x on the inner peripheral surface 11b side of the wall 11 of the cylinder 10, and the inner coil structure 7 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 is formed. Thus, the plurality of outer coils 30 and the plurality of inner coils 40 face each other in the radial direction with the wall 11 therebetween, and the wall 11 separates the plurality of outer coils 30 and the plurality of inner coils 40 in the radial direction. Note that the conductive wire 43 forming the inner coil 40 is not limited to a magnet wire.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 8, and 12, around each of the plurality of inner columns 22, a magnet wire 43 as a conductor 43 is wound in the circumferential direction. Along the plurality of inner columns 22, a plurality of annular inner coils 40 are formed in the circumferential direction, and an inner coil structure 7 extending along the inner circumferential surface 11b of the wall 11 is formed on the inner circumferential side of the wall 11 of the cylinder 10. Specifically, the magnet wire 43 is wound around the connecting portion 22b of the inner column 22. For example, the inner coil structure 7 is formed by winding one magnet wire 43 across a plurality of inner columns 22 of the cylinder 10. Specifically, for example, toward one side in the circumferential direction, for every two adjacent inner columns 22, the magnet wire 43 is wound around the inner column 22 alternately from one side in the axial direction x and the other side in the axial direction x. When the cylinder 10 is wound around once and then folded back, and wound around once toward the other side in the circumferential direction, similarly, the magnet wire 43 is wound around the inner column 22, and the inner coil structure 7 is formed. In this case, each inner coil 40 is formed around two inner columns 22 across two inner columns 22. Therefore, the inner coil 40 extends into the space G2 that is open inward in the radial direction between the two inner columns 22.

[0031] In this way, at the portion where two adjacent inner coils 40 in the circumferential direction are connected to each other, two portions of the magnet wire 43 intersect to form an intersection portion 44 (see FIGS. 5 to 11). Further, the inner coil structure 7 in this example is not an endless ring shape but a finite ring shape. The end portions 7a and 7b of the inner coil structure 7 are formed on the inner coil 40 formed by starting to wind the magnet wire 43 around a plurality of inner columns 22 and the inner coil 40 formed by folding back the magnet wire 43. At the end portions 7a and 7b of the inner coil structure 7, the plurality of inner coils 40 are not connected. As shown in FIG. 12, both end portions 43a and 43b of the magnet wire 43 are drawn out from the inner coil 40 formed by starting to wind the magnet wire 43.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 8, and 9, in each inner coil 40, one of the above-described ends 41 is a portion on one end side in the circumferential direction, and the other end 42 is a portion on the other end side in the circumferential direction. In the inner coil 40 excluding the inner coil 40 formed by winding the magnet wire 43 and the inner coil 40 formed by folding back the magnet wire 43, one end 41 and the other end 42 are portions of an intersection 44 where two portions of the magnet wire 43 connecting to adjacent inner coils 40 intersect. In the inner coil 40 formed by winding the magnet wire 43, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, one end 41 is a portion where the magnet wire 43 closing this inner coil 40 is continuous, and the other end 42 is a portion of the intersection 44 where two portions of the magnet wire 43 connecting to adjacent inner coils 40 intersect. Further, in the inner coil 40 formed by folding back the magnet wire 43, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, one end 41 is a portion of the intersection 44 where two portions of the magnet wire 43 connecting to adjacent inner coils 40 intersect, and the other end 42 is a portion where the magnet wire 43 closing this inner coil 40 is continuous.

[0033] In this example, as described above, 16 first to sixteenth inner columns 22 are provided, and as shown in FIGS. 8 and 12, eight sets of two inner columns 22 around which one inner coil 40 is wound are arranged side by side in the circumferential direction. The first to sixteenth inner columns 22 respectively correspond to the first to sixteenth outer columns 21, and the corresponding outer column 21 and inner column 22 constitute the same column 10. Also, eight inner coils 40 from the first to the eighth are formed by the magnet wire 43. The first to eighth inner coils 40 are respectively wound across two inner columns 22 of the corresponding sets among the first to sixteenth inner columns 22. The portions of the two magnet wires 43 connecting the first inner coil 40 and the second inner coil 40 intersect, and similarly, at the portions where two adjacent inner coils 40 among the second to eighth inner coils 40 are connected, the two portions of the magnet wire 43 intersect. Also, the first inner coil 40 and the eighth inner coil 40 are not connected, and the first and eighth inner coils 40 are the end portions 7a and 7b of the inner coil structure 7. The first inner coil 40 is an inner coil formed by starting to wind the magnet wire 43 around a plurality of inner columns 22. Also, the eighth inner coil 40 is an inner coil 40 formed by folding back the magnet wire 43.

[0034] As described above, the outer coil structure 6 and the inner coil structure 7 have the same configuration, but in the cylinder 10, they are provided with a circumferential shift relative to each other. Therefore, in the radial direction, the intersection portion 34 of the outer coil structure 6 and the inner coil 40 inside the inner coil structure 7 are in positions overlapping each other. Specifically, the radial projection of each intersection portion 34 of the outer coil structure 6 overlaps one or two inner coils 40 of the inner coil structure 7. Similarly, in the radial direction, the intersection portion 44 of the inner coil structure 7 and the outer coil 30 outside the outer coil structure 6 are in positions overlapping each other. Specifically, the radial projection of each intersection portion 44 of the inner coil structure 7 overlaps one or two outer coils 30 of the outer coil structure 7. Also, a part of the space surrounded by the outer coil 30 and a part of the space surrounded by the inner coil 30 are shifted in the circumferential direction, and another part of the space surrounded by the outer coil 30 and another part of the space surrounded by the inner coil 40 overlap in the circumferential direction and face each other in the radial direction via the wall 11.

[0035] Specifically, for example, the outer coil structure 6 and the inner coil structure 7 are shifted by only one column 20 in the circumferential direction. That is, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the first outer coil 30 of the outer coil structure 6 is formed around the first outer column 21 and the second outer column 21, while the first inner coil 40 of the inner coil structure 7 is formed around the second inner column 22 and the third inner column 22. Therefore, the space surrounded by the outer coil 30 is in a position shifted from the space surrounded by the inner coil 40 in the circumferential direction by half the width of the space surrounded by the outer coil 30.

[0036] Note that each inner coil 40 is not limited to being formed around two inner columns 22, and may be formed around any other number of inner columns 22. However, the inner coil structure 7 has the same configuration as the outer coil structure 6, and the number of inner columns 22 spanned by each inner coil 40 is equal to the number of outer columns 21 spanned by each outer coil 30. Also, although the case where the magnet wire 33 makes one turn has been described, the winding form of the magnet wire 33 is not limited to this, and it may be wound two or more times. In other words, the coil formed by winding the magnet wire 33 may have a plurality of layers such as 2 layers, 3 layers, 4 layers, 5 layers, etc. in addition to one layer in the radial direction. When the number of turns or layers is large, the output signal or the detected signal (e.g., the amplitude of the signal waveform) can be amplified. Also, although the crossing portion 45 where two portions of the magnet wire 33 cross is not formed at the end of the first inner coil 40 on the side of the eighth inner coil 40 and the end of the eighth inner coil 40 on the side of the first inner coil 40, the magnet wire 33 may be wound so that the shape of the corresponding portion of the crossing portion 44 is formed at the end of the first inner coil 40 on the side of the eighth inner coil 40 and the end of the eighth inner coil 40 on the side of the first inner coil 40, respectively.

[0037] Also, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 and 9, the excitation circuit 8 is housed in the groove 12e of the base end portion 12 of the cylinder 10.

[0038] FIG. 13 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of the frame 60, and FIG. 14 is a rear view schematically showing the configuration of the frame 60. As described above, in the stator 3, the cylinder 10 is supported by the frame 60 and fixed to the frame 60. Note that the cylinder 10 may be removably fixed to the frame 60.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the frame 60 has a cover 61 that covers a plurality of outer coils 30 attached to the cylinder 10. The cover 61 is, for example, a cylindrical portion corresponding to the cylinder 10. Further, the cover 61 is formed so that the cylinder 10 is fixed, for example. The cover 61 forms a space capable of accommodating the cylinder 10 of the stator 3 therein, and has an inner peripheral surface 62 that defines this space. Further, the cover 61 has an outer peripheral surface 63 that faces the outer peripheral side on the inner peripheral surface 61. The inner peripheral surface 62 is a cylindrical surface that extends along the axis x, and the inner peripheral surface 62 extends, for example, on a cylindrical surface centered on the axis x. Specifically, the inner peripheral surface 62 of the cover 61 is formed so as to be able to accommodate the outer column 21 of the cylinder 10, and when the cylinder 10 is accommodated in the space formed by the inner peripheral surface 62, it is radially opposed to the outer peripheral surface 21a of the outer column 21. The inner peripheral surface 62 of the cover 61 has an inner diameter such that, for example, when the cylinder 10 is accommodated in the space formed by the inner peripheral surface 62, it contacts the outer peripheral surface 21a of the outer column 21 and the cylinder 10 is press-fitted into the space formed by the inner peripheral surface 62. In this way, the cylinder 10 is press-fitted and fixed to the cover 61 and is fixed to the frame 60. Note that the inner peripheral surface 62 of the cover 61 may have a size (inner diameter) such that an annular gap is formed between the inner peripheral surface 62 and the outer peripheral surface 21a of the outer column 21 without contacting the outer peripheral surface 21a of the outer column 21 when the cylinder 10 is accommodated in the space formed by the inner peripheral surface 62. In this case, the cylinder 10 is fixed to the frame 60 by adhesion using an adhesive or the like, for example. Further, when the cylinder 10 is accommodated in the space formed by the inner peripheral surface 62, the outer peripheral surface 12e of the base end portion 12 of the cylinder 10 may contact the inner peripheral surface 62 of the cover 61.

[0040] Further, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, an annular flange portion 64 that protrudes from the inner peripheral surface 62 toward the inner peripheral side is formed on the cover 61 of the frame 60. The flange portion 64 is formed, for example, at one end of the inner peripheral surface 62 in the axial direction of the axis x. When the cylinder 10 is accommodated in the space formed by the inner peripheral surface 62 of the cover 61, the flange portion 64 engages (contacts) the cylinder 10 in the axial direction of the axis x and serves as a stopper for the cylinder 10.

[0041] When the cylinder 10 is accommodated in the space formed by the inner peripheral surface 62 of the cover 61, the inner peripheral surface 62 of the cover 61 is configured to cover the entire cylinder 10. That is, the width of the inner peripheral surface 62 of the cover 61 in the axial direction of the axis x is the same as or larger than the width of the cylinder 10 in the axial direction of the axis x. Note that when the cylinder 10 is accommodated in the space formed by the inner peripheral surface 62 of the cover 61, the inner peripheral surface 62 of the cover 61 does not necessarily have to cover the entire cylinder 10. That is, the width of the inner peripheral surface 62 of the cover 61 in the axial direction of the axis x may be smaller than the width of the cylinder 10 in the axial direction of the axis x. For example, when the cylinder 10 is accommodated in the space formed by the inner peripheral surface 62 of the cover 61, the width of the inner peripheral surface 62 of the cover 61 in the axial direction of the axis x may be such that it covers the wall 11 of the cylinder 10.

[0042] Also, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the frame 60 has an attachment portion 65 which is a portion to be attached to an external device as an application target. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the attachment portion 65 is provided, for example, on the outer peripheral surface 63 of the cover 61 and protrudes outward from the cover 61. Further, the attachment portion 65 has, for example, a hole portion (hereinafter referred to as a through hole) 65a through which a fixing member such as a bolt is passed, and the attachment portion 65 can be attached to an external device by the fixing member. The frame 60 has, for example, three attachment portions 65. Note that the number of attachment portions 65 provided in the frame 60 is not limited to this. Also, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the cover 61 has, for example, a holding portion 66. The holding portion 66 extends, for example, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, from the outer peripheral surface 63 of the cover 61 in the other direction in the axial direction along the axis x. The holding portion 66 is a portion for holding the substrate 9 as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. The substrate 9 is provided with, for example, one or more electronic components and one or more wirings. These plurality of electronic components may constitute a control portion that performs arithmetic operations or processing.

[0043] The frame 60 is integrally formed from, for example, the same material, and each component of the frame 60 is integrally connected. That is, the cover 61, the flange 64, the mounting portion 65, and the holding portion 66 are each part of the frame 60 integrally formed from the same material and are integrally connected. The frame 60 is an insulating member, for example, a member made of resin. The frame 60 is made of, for example, a resin material, a non-magnetic material, a non-conductive material, etc. Note that the non-magnetic material may have non-conductivity. The material of the frame 60 may be the same as the material of the cylinder 10. Note that any one or all of the components of the frame 60 may be formed separately. In this case, the components formed separately are assembled by adhesion or the like to form the frame 60.

[0044] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing the stator 3 in an assembled state where the cylinder 10 is fixed to the frame 60 and the cylinder 10 and the frame 60 are assembled. FIG. 15 shows a cross-section by a plane including the axis x of the cylinder 10 and the frame 60 in the assembled state. As shown in FIG. 15, in the assembled stator 3, the cylinder 10 is housed in the space formed by the inner peripheral surface 62 of the cover 61 of the frame 60, and the cylinder 10 is fixed to the frame 60. As described above, the fixing of the cylinder 10 to the frame 60 is performed, for example, by engagement, fitting, or joining. Also, the fixing of the cylinder 10 to the frame 60 may be performed, for example, by adhesion. Note that the fixing configuration of the cylinder 10 to the frame 60 is not limited to these configurations. As shown in FIG. 15, in the assembled state, in the axial direction of the axis x, the entire cylinder 10 is covered by the cover 61. Note that, as described above, in the assembled state, in the axial direction of the axis x, the entire cylinder 10 may not be covered by the cover 61. Also, as shown in FIG. 15, in the assembled state, the end face 11c of the wall 11 of the cylinder 10 is in contact with the flange portion 64 of the cover 61. Note that, in the assembled state, the end face 11c of the cylinder 10 may not be in contact with the flange portion 64 of the cover 61. Note that the end face 11c of the wall 11 is the end face of the wall 11 in the axial direction of the axis x.

[0045] Thus, in the assembled stator 3, the outer peripheral surface 11a of the wall 11 of the cylinder 10 is covered by the cover 61 of the frame 60. Therefore, in the assembled state, the outer coil structure 6 attached to the wall 11 of the cylinder 10 of the stator 3 is covered by the cover 61 of the frame 60. Thereby, even without protecting the outer coil structure 6 by potting or the like, the outer coil structure 6 can be protected, and it is possible to suppress contact of objects or the like with the outer coil structure 6 from the outside. Further, when the groove 12e at the base end portion 12 of the cylinder 10 is covered by the cover 61, the excitation circuit 8 in the groove 12e can also be protected from external contact without being protected by potting or the like.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, in the angle sensor 1, the rotor 2 is accommodated in the space surrounded by the inner peripheral surfaces 22a of the plurality of inner columns 22 of the cylinder 10 of the stator 3. The outer peripheral surface 52 of the rotor 2 faces the plurality of inner columns 22 of the cylinder 10 of the stator 3 with an annular space therebetween, and also faces the plurality of outer columns 21 via the plurality of inner columns 22 and the wall 11 in the radial direction. The plurality of metal bodies 5 of the rotor 2 face the plurality of inner coils 40 wound around the plurality of inner columns 22 and the plurality of outer coils 30 wound around the plurality of outer columns 21 in the radial direction. Thus, the rotor 2 and the stator 3 form an inductive angle sensor, and the plurality of outer coils 30 and the plurality of inner coils 40 form detection coils. Further, a magnetic space or a magnetic gap is formed between the rotor 2 and the stator 3.

[0047] In the angle sensor 1, a radially directed magnetic flux whose magnitude changes periodically acts on the plurality of outer coils 30 and the plurality of inner coils 40. Specifically, as described above, the cylinder 10 of the stator 3 is provided with the excitation circuit 8 (see FIGS. 9 and 15), and the excitation circuit 8 is a magnetic circuit that generates a periodically changing magnetic flux acting on each of the plurality of outer coils 30 and the plurality of inner coils 40. On the other hand, as described above, the plurality of metal bodies 5 are arranged in the circumferential direction around the axis x, and cross the magnetic flux generated by the excitation circuit 8 as the rotor 2 rotates. Further, the projections of the metal body 5 having a portion extending along the axis x onto the outer coil 30 and the inner coil 40 in the radial direction move as the rotor 2 rotates. For this reason, the magnetic fluxes from the excitation circuit 8 acting on each of the plurality of outer coils 30 and the plurality of inner coils 40 cancel each other out under the influence of the eddy currents generated in the metal body 5, and thus change periodically as the rotor 2 rotates. As a result, in the plurality of outer coils 30 and the plurality of inner coils 40, an electromotive force that changes as the rotor 2 rotates is generated by electromagnetic induction, and signals that change as the rotor 2 rotates are detected from the plurality of outer coils 30 and the plurality of inner coils 40. Based on the detection signals from the plurality of outer coils 30 and the plurality of inner coils 40, the rotation angle of the rotor 2 is detected in an external electric circuit device.

[0048] The angle sensor 1 according to this embodiment has the above-described configuration. A plurality of outer coils 30 are formed on a plurality of outer columns 21, and a plurality of inner coils 40 are formed on a plurality of inner columns 22. The wall 11 of the cylinder 10 is interposed between the plurality of outer coils 30 and the plurality of inner coils 40. Thus, in the angle sensor 1, the plurality of outer coils 30 and the plurality of inner coils 40 are separated from each other in the radial direction and do not overlap each other. Therefore, each of the outer coil 30 and the inner coil 40 can be formed in a shape along the plurality of outer columns 21 and the plurality of inner columns 22, and it is possible to suppress the shape of each of the outer coil 30 and the inner coil 40 from becoming a shape different from the desired shape. For this reason, it is possible to suppress variations in the detection signals output from each of the plurality of outer coils 30 and the plurality of inner coils 40. Thereby, the detection accuracy of the angle sensor 1 can be improved.

[0049] Also, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the rotor 2 is located on the inner peripheral side of the cylinder 10 of the stator 3, and the plurality of outer coils 30 are located farther from the plurality of metal bodies 5 of the rotor 2 in the radial direction than the plurality of inner coils 40. For this reason, the influence of the eddy current from the metal body 5 is greater on the inner coil 40 than on the outer coil 30. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, the circumferential extension angle α of the outer column 21 and the circumferential extension angle α of the inner column 22 are the same or substantially the same, and the width of the outer column 21 in the axial direction x of the axis and the width of the inner column 22 in the axial direction x of the axis are the same or substantially the same. For this reason, the area S1 (see FIG. 12) of the space surrounded by the outer coil 30 is larger than the area S2 (see FIG. 12) of the space surrounded by the inner coil 40. For this reason, the plurality of outer coils 30 are affected by the eddy current from the metal body 5 in a larger range than the plurality of inner coils 40. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the influence of the eddy current from the metal body 5 from being different between the plurality of outer coils 30 and the plurality of inner coils 40. Thereby, it is possible to suppress variations in the detection signals output from each of the plurality of outer coils 30 and the plurality of inner coils 40. Also by this, the detection accuracy of the angle sensor 1 can be improved.

[0050] In addition, in order to suppress the influence of the eddy current from the metal body 5 from being different between the plurality of outer coils 30 and the plurality of inner coils 40, the outer column 21, the inner column 22, and the sizes and shapes of the outer column 21 and the inner column 22 may be adjusted to adjust the area S1 surrounded by the plurality of outer coils 30 and the area S2 surrounded by the plurality of inner coils 40. For example, by setting the extension angle α of the outer column 21 and the extension angle α of the inner column 22 to different angles, the area S1 surrounded by the outer coil 30 can be adjusted with respect to the area S2 surrounded by the inner coil 40.

[0051] Thus, according to the angle sensor 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the detection accuracy can be improved.

[0052] Next, a modified example of the angle sensor 1 will be described. FIG. 16 is a partial cross-sectional view partially showing a cross-section by a plane including the axis x of the angle sensor 1A according to the modified example. As described above, the angle sensor 1 is a so-called inner rotor type angle sensor, but the angle sensor 1A according to the modified example is a so-called outer rotor type angle sensor. Hereinafter, for the angle sensor 1A, the same components or components having the same functions as those of the above-described angle sensor 1 will be denoted by the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted, and different components will be described.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 16, the angle sensor 1A includes a stator 3A that is different from the above-described stator 3. Specifically, the stator 3A has a frame 67 that is different from the frame 60 of the stator 3. The frame 67 has a cover 68 that is different from the cover 61 of the frame 60. The cover 68 is, for example, a cylindrical portion corresponding to the cylinder 10. The cover 68 is formed on the outer peripheral side thereof so as to be able to support the cylinder 10 of the stator 3, and has a cylindrical outer peripheral surface 68a facing the outer peripheral side. The outer peripheral surface 68a is, for example, a surface extending on a cylindrical surface or a substantially cylindrical surface centered on the axis x. Specifically, the outer peripheral surface 68a of the cover 68 is formed so as to be accommodatable inside a plurality of inner columns 22 of the cylinder 10, and when the cover 68 is accommodated inside the cylinder 10, the outer peripheral surface 68a faces the inner peripheral surfaces 22a of the plurality of inner columns 22 in the radial direction. The outer peripheral surface 68a of the cover 68 has, for example, an outer diameter such that when the cover 68 is accommodated inside the cylinder 10, it contacts the inner peripheral surfaces 22a of the plurality of inner columns 22 and the cover 68 is press-fitted into the cylinder 10. In this way, the cylinder 10 is press-fitted and fixed to the cover 68 and is fixed to the frame 67. Note that the outer peripheral surface 68a of the cover 68 may have a size (outer diameter) such that when the cover 68 is accommodated inside the cylinder 10, an annular gap is formed between the outer peripheral surface 68a and the inner peripheral surfaces 22a of the plurality of inner columns 22 without contacting the inner peripheral surfaces 22a of the plurality of inner columns 22. In this case, the cylinder 10 is fixed to the frame 67 by, for example, adhesion using an adhesive or the like.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 16, the frame 67 is provided with a flange 64, a mounting portion 65, and a holding portion 66, similar to the frame 60. The flange 64 is provided at the end of the axis x of the cover 68 and extends from the outer peripheral surface 68a of the cover 68 to the outer peripheral side. The flange 64 is configured such that the end face 11c of the cylinder 10 fixed to the cover 68 contacts it, similar to the flange 64 of the above-described frame 60.

[0055] In the angular sensor 1A, the outer peripheral surfaces 21a of the plurality of outer columns 21 face the inner peripheral surface 51 of the cylinder 50 of the rotor 2 with an annular gap therebetween. Further, in the rotor 2, a plurality of metal bodies 5 form a conductor structure 4, for example, on the inner peripheral surface 51 or in the vicinity of the inner peripheral surface 51. Thus, in the angular sensor 1A, the plurality of outer coils 30 and the plurality of inner coils 40 face the plurality of metal bodies 5 of the rotor 2 from the inner peripheral side. The angular sensor 1A also operates in the same manner as the above-described angular sensor 1 and exhibits the same effects.

[0056] In the angular sensor 1A, the rotor 2 is located on the outer peripheral side of the cylinder 10 of the stator 3, and the plurality of inner coils 40 are located farther from the metal body 5 of the rotor 2 in the radial direction than the plurality of outer coils 30. For this reason, for example, the area S2 surrounded by the plurality of inner coils 40 is larger than the area S1 surrounded by the plurality of outer coils 30. For example, the extension angle α (see FIG. 8) of the plurality of outer columns 21 and the extension angle α (see FIG. 8) of the plurality of inner columns 22 are adjusted so that the area S2 surrounded by the inner coils 40 is adjusted with respect to the area S1 surrounded by the outer coils 30. For example, it is adjusted so that the area S2 surrounded by the inner coils 40 is larger than the area S1 surrounded by the outer coils 30.

[0057] Next, a modified example of the cylinder 10 of the stator 3 will be described. FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a cylinder 10A according to the modified example, FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane including the axis x of the cylinder 10A according to the modified example, and FIG. 19 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of FIG. 18. Note that FIGS. 17 to 19 show the outer coil 30 and the inner coil 40. Further, in FIG. 18, the upper side of the axis x shows a cross section passing through a column 20A to be described later, and the lower side of the axis x shows a cross section passing through a space G3 to be described later. FIG. 19 shows the lower cross section of FIG. 18. The cylinder 10A according to this modified example is used in the above-described outer-rotor type angular sensor 1A. Hereinafter, for the cylinder 10A, the same components or components having the same functions as those of the above-described 10 will be denoted by the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted, and different components will be described.

[0058] As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the cylinder 10A has a wall 11A different from the wall 11 of the above-described cylinder 10 and a plurality of columns 20A different from the plurality of columns 20 of the above-described cylinder 10. The cylinder 10A has a plurality of walls 11A, and the plurality of walls 11A separate the plurality of outer coils 30 and the plurality of inner coils 40 in the radial direction, similarly to the wall 11 of the above-described cylinder 10. Specifically, the cylinder 10A has a plurality of walls 11A corresponding to the plurality of columns 20A respectively. Different from the wall 11 of the cylinder 10, the plurality of walls 11A are not connected to the base end portion 12. Further, the plurality of walls 11A are arranged side by side in the circumferential direction with an interval therebetween, and extend around the axis, similarly to the wall 11 of the cylinder 10. For this reason, the cylinder 10A has a space G3 in which the space G1 and the space G2 of the cylinder 10A are connected in the radial direction between two adjacent columns 20A in the circumferential direction. The plurality of walls 11A are arranged at equal angular intervals or substantially equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction, for example, along a cylindrical surface centered on the axis x. As shown in FIGS. 17 to 19, each of the plurality of columns 20A has an outer column 21 and an inner column 22A. The inner column 22A is constituted by the connecting portion 22b of the inner column 22 of the above-described cylinder 10, and has no end portion 22c, different from the above-described inner column 22. In each column 20A, the outer column 21 is provided on the wall 11A, similarly to the outer column 21 of the above-described cylinder 10, and the inner column 22A is provided on the wall 11A, similarly to the inner column 22 of the above-described cylinder 10.

[0059] Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, each of the plurality of walls 11A has an outer peripheral surface 11Aa which is a surface facing the outer peripheral side, an inner peripheral surface 11Ab which is a surface facing the inner peripheral side, an end surface 11Ad which is an end surface facing the end surface 12a of the base end portion 12 in the direction of the axis x, and an end surface 11Ac which is an end surface facing the end surface 11Ad in the direction of the axis x. The end surface 11Ad faces the end surface 12a of the base end portion 12 with a gap therebetween in the direction of the axis x. The outer peripheral surface 11Aa extends, for example, along a cylindrical surface extending along the axis x, and specifically extends, for example, on a cylindrical surface or a substantially cylindrical surface centered on the axis x. The inner peripheral surface 11Ab extends parallel or substantially parallel to the outer peripheral surface 11Aa.

[0060] Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, an outer column 21 is formed on the outer peripheral surface 11Aa of the wall 11A. The outer peripheral surface 11Aa of the wall 11A and the end portion 21c of the outer column 21 face each other via a connecting portion 21b. An annular groove is formed around the connecting portion 21b, similar to the cylinder 10. Further, an inner column 22A is formed on the inner peripheral surface 11Ab of the wall 11A.

[0061] Also, as shown in FIGS. 17 to 19, the cylinder 10A has a wall 13, which is a cylindrical portion extending along the axis x, on the inner peripheral side of the plurality of inner columns 22A. The wall 13 has an outer peripheral surface 13a, which is a surface facing the outer peripheral side, and an inner peripheral surface 13b, which is a surface facing the inner peripheral side. The outer peripheral surface 13a and the inner peripheral surface 13b face away from each other. The wall 13 has, for example, a shape along a cylindrical surface centered on the axis x. The outer peripheral surface 13a extends, for example, on a cylindrical surface or a substantially cylindrical surface centered on the axis x, and the inner peripheral surface 13b is, for example, a cylindrical surface or a substantially cylindrical surface centered on the axis x.

[0062] As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the inner columns 22A of the plurality of columns 20A are each connected to the outer peripheral surface 13a of the wall 13 at the inner peripheral side end. Thus, in the cylinder 10A, the plurality of walls 11A face the outer peripheral surface 13a of the wall 13 via the inner columns 22A. The plurality of inner columns 22A are each sandwiched between the inner peripheral surface 11Ab of the plurality of walls 11A and the outer peripheral surface 13a of the wall 13. An annular groove is formed around each inner column 22A by the inner peripheral surface 11Ab of the wall 11A and the outer peripheral surface 13a of the wall 13, similar to the cylinder 10. Further, as shown in FIGS. 17 to 19, the base end portion 12 is provided adjacent to the column 20A in the axis x direction at the end of the wall 13 in the axis x direction and protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface 13a of the wall 13.

[0063] As shown in FIGS. 17 to 19, in the cylinder 10A as well, similar to the case of the above-described cylinder 10, a plurality of outer coils 30 are formed around the plurality of outer columns 21, and a plurality of inner coils 40 are formed around the plurality of inner columns 22A.

[0064] The cylinder 10A is attached to the frame 67 shown in FIG. 16 in the same manner as the cylinder 10, and constitutes the stator 3A. Specifically, the cover 68 of the frame 67 is housed inside the inner peripheral surface 13b of the wall 13 of the cylinder 10A, and the cylinder 10A is fixed to the frame 67. For example, when the cover 68 is housed inside the inner peripheral surface 13b of the wall 13 of the cylinder 10A, the outer peripheral surface 68a of the cover 68 contacts the inner peripheral surface 13b of the wall 13 and has an outer diameter such that the cover 68 is press-fitted into the cylinder 10A. In this way, the cylinder 10A is press-fitted and fixed to the cover 68 and is fixed to the frame 67. Note that the outer peripheral surface 68a of the cover 68 may have a size (outer diameter) such that, for example, when the cover 68 is housed inside the inner peripheral surface 13b of the wall 13 of the cylinder 10A, an annular gap is formed between the outer peripheral surface 68a and the inner peripheral surface 13b of the wall 13 without contact. In this case, the cylinder 10 is fixed to the frame 67 by, for example, adhesion using an adhesive. Further, in the assembled state of the stator 3A in which the cylinder 10A is attached to the frame 67, the end surface 13c of the wall 13 of the cylinder 10A contacts the flange portion 64 of the cover 68. Note that in the assembled state, the end surface 13c of the wall 13 of the cylinder 10A may not contact the flange portion 64 of the cover 68. Note that the end surface 13c of the wall 13 is the end surface of the wall 13 in the axial direction of the axis x.

[0065] Also in the angle sensor 1A having the cylinder 10A, similar to the above-described angle sensor 1A (see FIG. 16), the outer peripheral surfaces 21a of the plurality of outer columns 21 face the inner peripheral surface 51 of the cylinder 50 of the rotor 2 with an annular gap therebetween, and the plurality of outer coils 30 and the plurality of inner coils 40 face the plurality of metal bodies 5 of the rotor 2 from the inner peripheral side. The angle sensor 1A having the cylinder 10A also operates in the same manner as the above-described angle sensors 1, 1A and exhibits the same effects.

[0066] As described above, the present invention has been described through the above embodiments, but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes or improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It is clear from the description of the claims that forms to which such changes or improvements are added can also be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0067] The embodiments described above are for facilitating the understanding of the present invention and are not for limiting and interpreting the present invention. Further, the above-described embodiments do not limit the objects to which the present invention is applied, and the present invention may include any object as its application target. Each component included in the above embodiments, as well as its arrangement, material, conditions, shape, size, etc. are not limited to those illustrated, and can be changed as appropriate. For example, the present invention includes differences that occur in the implementation of manufacturing tolerances and the like. Also, within a range where there is no technical contradiction, the components shown in different embodiments can be partially replaced or combined with each other. Further, each configuration can be selectively combined as appropriate so as to achieve at least part of the above-described problems and effects.

Explanation of Reference Signs

[0068] 1,1A Angle sensor, 2 Rotor (rotating body), 3,3A Stator, 4 Conductor structure, 5 Metal body (conductor), 6 Outer coil structure, 6a,6b Ends, 7 Inner coil structure, 8 Excitation circuit, 9 Substrate, 10,10A Cylinder, 11,11A Wall, 11a,11Aa Outer peripheral surface, 11b,11Ab Inner peripheral surface, 11c,11Ac,11Ad End face, 12 Base end, 12a End face, 12b End face, 12c Outer peripheral surface, 12d Inner peripheral surface, 12e Groove, 13 Wall, 13a Outer peripheral surface, 13b Inner peripheral surface, 13c End face, 20 Column, 21 Outer column, 21a Outer peripheral surface, 21b Connecting part, 21c End, 21d,21e Side ends, 22,22A Inner column, 22a Inner peripheral surface, 22b,22Ab Connecting part, 22c End, 22d,22e Side ends, 30 Outer coil, 31 One end, 32 The other end, 33 Conductor wire (magnet wire), 33a,33b Ends, 34 Intersection part, 40 Inner coil, 41 One end, 42 The other end, 43 Conductor wire (magnet wire), 43a,43b Ends, 44 Intersection part, 50 Cylinder, 51 Inner peripheral surface, 52 Outer peripheral surface, 53,54 End faces, 60,67 Frame, 61,68 Cover, 62 Inner peripheral surface, 63,68a Outer peripheral surface, 64 Flange, 65 Mounting part, 65a Through hole, 66 Holding part, G1,G2,G3 Spaces, r1,r2 Radial lines, S1,S2 Areas, x Axis line, α Extending angle

Claims

1. A cylinder having a plurality of columns extending in the radial direction, a plurality of outer coils and a plurality of inner coils wound around the plurality of columns, In the circumferential direction, the outer coil has one end and the other end, In the circumferential direction, the inner coil has one end and the other end, The plurality of outer coils and the plurality of inner coils are radially separated, An angle sensor.

2. The outer coil is wound across adjacent first and second columns among the plurality of columns, The angle sensor according to Claim 1.

3. The inner coil is wound across adjacent second and third columns among the plurality of columns, The angle sensor according to Claim 1.

4. Regarding the outer coil as the outer first coil, Among the plurality of outer coils, in the circumferential direction, there is an outer second coil which is an outer coil adjacent to the outer first coil, Two conductors connecting the outer first coil and the outer second coil intersect, In the radial direction, the two intersecting conductors and the inner coil are in positions overlapping each other, The angle sensor according to Claim 2.

5. Regarding the inner coil as the inner first coil, Among the plurality of inner coils, in the circumferential direction, there is an inner second coil which is an inner coil adjacent to the inner first coil, Two conductors connecting the inner first coil and the inner second coil intersect, In the radial direction, the two intersecting conductors and the outer coil are in positions overlapping each other, The angle sensor according to Claim 2.

6. An outer conductor forming the plurality of outer coils and an inner conductor forming the plurality of inner coils, The outer conductor has a folded-back portion in the circumferential direction, The inner conductor has a folded-back portion in the circumferential direction, The angle sensor according to any one of Claims 1 to 5.

7. The outer conductor and the inner conductor are each a single conductor, The angle sensor according to Claim 6.

8. The cylinder has a wall separating the outer coil and the inner coil in the radial direction, The angle sensor according to any one of Claims 1 to 7.

9. The cylinder has a space opened in the radial direction, The plurality of outer coils and the plurality of inner coils are arranged in a space opened in the radial direction. The angular sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 8. **Claim 10** One of the areas surrounded by the plurality of outer coils and the area surrounded by the plurality of inner coils is larger than the other. The angular sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 9. **Claim 11** Comprising a rotating body, In the radial direction, the rotating body is arranged on the inner surface side or the outer surface side of the cylinder. The angular sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 10. **Claim 12** In the radial direction, the plurality of outer coils and the plurality of inner coils face the rotating body. The angular sensor according to claim 11. **Claim 13** The rotating body has a plurality of conductors arranged in the circumferential direction. The angular sensor according to claim 11 or 12.

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