Angle sensor and rotary device

Abstract

An angle sensor (1) comprises: a rotor (2) having a plurality of protrusions (11); a base (3) having an outer peripheral portion (3a) and an inner peripheral portion (3b); and a plurality of conductive wires (4) provided on the base (3). Each of the plurality of conductive wires (4) includes, in the radial direction, an outer curved portion (4a) curving toward the outer peripheral portion (3a) of the base (3), and an inner curved portion (4b) curving toward the inner peripheral portion (3b) of the base (3). The plurality of conductive wires (4) include a first conductive wire (31) and a second conductive wire (32). The first conductive wire (31) includes a first outer curved portion (31a) and a first inner curved portion (31b). The second conductive wire (32) includes a second outer curved portion (32a) and a second inner curved portion (32b). The second outer curved portion (32a) is separated from the first outer curved portion (31a) in the radial direction, and the first inner curved portion (31b) is separated from the second inner curved portion (32b) in the radial direction.

Description

Angle sensors and rotating devices

[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.

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various sensors have been used to detect the rotation angle of a motor or the like (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Special Publication No. 2001-520368

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

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an angle sensor and a rotating device that can improve detection accuracy.

[0006] An angle sensor according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a rotor having a plurality of protrusions extending radially, a base having an outer circumferential portion and an inner circumferential portion, and a plurality of conductors provided on the base, each of the plurality of conductors having an outer curved portion curved radially toward the outer circumferential portion of the base and an inner curved portion curved radially toward the inner circumferential portion of the base, the plurality of conductors including a first conductor having an outer first curved portion which is the outer curved portion and an inner first curved portion which is the inner curved portion, and a second conductor having an outer second curved portion which is the outer curved portion and an inner second curved portion which is the inner curved portion, the second outer curved portion being radially separated from the first outer curved portion, the first inner curved portion being radially separated from the second inner curved portion, or the second outer curved portion being radially separated from the first outer curved portion and the first inner curved portion being radially separated from the second inner curved portion.

[0007] 1 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing the configuration of an angle sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a side view schematically showing the configuration of the angle sensor; FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of a rotor in the angle sensor; FIG. 4 is a front view schematically showing the configuration of a base in the angle sensor; FIG. 5 is a front view of a rotor showing a modified metal body; FIG. 6 is a front view schematically showing the configuration of a coil and coil structure formed by a plurality of conducting wires; FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion of the coil structure shown in FIG. 8; FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an angle sensor with a cover attached; FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an angle sensor with a cover attached; FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a specific example of a rotating device to which the angle sensor is applied; FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a rotating device equipped with a cover according to a modified example; FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the base.

[0008] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that in the drawings, not all of the components are designated by reference numerals, and some of the reference numerals of the components may be omitted. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating the configuration of an angle sensor 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side view schematically illustrating the configuration of the angle sensor 1. Note that a cover of the angle sensor 1, which will be described later, is omitted from FIG. 1. Also, FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the configuration of a rotor 2 in the angle sensor 1, and FIG. 4 is a front view schematically illustrating the 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 multiple protrusions 11 extending radially, a base 3 having an outer circumferential portion 3a and an inner circumferential portion 3b, and multiple conductors 4 provided on the base 3. Each of the multiple conductors 4 includes an outer curved portion 4a curved radially toward the outer circumferential portion 3a of the base 3 and an inner curved portion 4b curved radially toward the inner circumferential portion 3b of the base 3. The plurality of conducting wires 4 include a first conducting wire 31 and a second conducting wire 32 (see FIG. 6 ). The first conducting wire 31 has an outer first curved portion (hereinafter referred to as the “first outer curved portion”) 31a, which is the outer curved portion 4a, and an inner first curved portion (hereinafter referred to as the “first inner curved portion”) 31b, which is the inner curved portion 4b. The second conducting wire 32 has an outer second curved portion (hereinafter referred to as the “second outer curved portion”) 32a, which is the outer curved portion 4a, and an inner second curved portion (hereinafter referred to as the “second inner curved portion”) 32b, which is the inner curved portion 4b. The second outer curved portion 32a is radially spaced apart from the first outer curved portion 31a, or the first inner curved portion 31b is radially spaced apart from the second inner curved portion 32b, or the second outer curved portion 32a is radially spaced apart from the first outer curved portion 31a and the first inner curved portion 31b is radially spaced apart from the second inner curved portion 32b. The configuration of the angle sensor 1 will be described in detail below. The illustrated axis x is the rotation axis of the angle sensor 1. The radial direction is a direction perpendicular to the axis x. FIG. 2 also 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 when the angle sensor 1 is attached to an application object. In the angle sensor 1 when in use, 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, which are portions extending in the radial direction, as described above. The rotor 2 also has a ring 12, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , for example. The ring 12 is a portion extending annularly around the axis x. The plurality of protrusions 11 are connected to an outer peripheral surface 12 a of the ring 12. Each of the plurality of protrusions 11 has an opposing surface 11 a facing the axis x. The ring 12 has an inner peripheral surface 12 b. The inner peripheral surface 12 b is a surface facing away from the outer peripheral surface 12 a and is a cylindrical surface extending in the axis x direction. The inner peripheral surface 12 b forms a through hole in the ring 12 that extends in the axis x direction. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , an opening 13 is formed between two adjacent protrusions 11 among the plurality of protrusions 11. The openings 13 form a space between two adjacent protrusions 11 that penetrates the rotor 2 in the direction of the axis x. The multiple protrusions 11 are arranged, for example, 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 fan-shaped or approximately fan-shaped shape, for example, as shown in FIG. 3 .

[0010] The protrusions 11 have a conductor at least in part. The conductor may be any member having a conductive material, such as a metal body 10 made of metal. The member having a conductive material is a member capable of generating so-called eddy currents or induced currents (electric currents) within one surface. As an example, the protrusions 11 are entirely made of metal. That is, the entire protrusions 11 are the metal body 10. As an example, the ring 12 is made of the same metal as the multiple protrusions 11, and the rotor 2 is, for example, the integrally formed metal body 10. The multiple protrusions 11 and the ring 12 may be formed separately, 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 made of a different material from the protrusions 11. For example, the ring 12 may be made of a resin material. As described above, the protrusions 11 may have a conductor in at least a portion, and a portion of the protrusions 11 may be the metal body 10. 5 , the rotor 2 may have a plurality of metal bodies 10, and the plurality of metal bodies 10 may be attached to portions of a plurality of protrusions 11 that face the base 3 in the direction of the axis x. In this case, the metal bodies 10 may be embedded in the protrusions 11 or attached to the surfaces of the protrusions 11. Alternatively, the metal bodies 10 may be embedded in the protrusions 11 so that a portion of the metal bodies 10 is exposed. For example, the metal bodies 10 may be embedded in or attached to the surface of the protrusions 11 that faces the conductor wire 4 in the direction of the axis x, or may be embedded in or attached to the surface of the protrusion 11 that faces away from the surface of the protrusion 11 that faces the conductor wire 4.

[0011] 1, 2, and 4, the base 3 is a plate-shaped member having portions that face the multiple protrusions 11 of the rotor 2 in the direction of the axis x. The base 3 is an insulating member, such as a resin member. The base 3 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.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, for example, the base 3 has a pair of opposing surfaces, a front surface 21 and a back surface 22. The base 3 also has an outer peripheral surface 23, which is the radially outer end, and an inner peripheral surface 24, which is the radially inner end. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the front surface 21 faces the rotor 2 in the direction of the axis x. The front surface 21 extends, for example, along a plane perpendicular to the axis x. The outer peripheral surface 23 faces radially outward, and the inner peripheral surface 24 faces radially inward. The inner peripheral surface 24 forms an opening 3c, which is a hole penetrating the base 3. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the outer peripheral portion 3a of the base 3 extends along the outer peripheral surface 23, and the inner peripheral portion 3b of the base 3 extends along the inner peripheral surface 24.

[0013] 1, 2, and 4, the surface 21 of the base 3 has opposing portions 21a that face the opposing surfaces 11a of the multiple protrusions 11 and the multiple openings 13 of the rotor 2 in the axial x direction. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the opposing portions 21a extend annularly along the outer circumferential portion 3a and the inner circumferential portion 3b, and have, for example, a constant or approximately constant thickness in the axial x direction. A plurality of conducting wires 4 are attached to the opposing portions 21a of the surface 21 of the base 3. Therefore, the plurality of conducting wires 4 face the opposing surfaces 11a of the multiple protrusions 11 and the multiple openings 13 of the rotor 2 in the axial x direction, and also face the plurality of metal bodies 10 provided in each of the multiple protrusions 11 in the axial x direction.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the base 3 has a mounting portion 25 that is attached to an external device as an application target. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the mounting portion 25 is provided, for example, on the outer peripheral surface 23 of the base 3 and protrudes radially outward from the outer peripheral surface 23 (hereinafter referred to as the "outer peripheral side"). The mounting portion 25 also has a through-hole 25a through which a fixing member such as a bolt is passed, allowing the mounting portion 25 to be attached to an external device via the fixing member. The base 3 has, for example, three mounting portions 25. However, the number of mounting portions 25 included in the base 3 is not limited thereto. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the base 3 also has a holding portion 26 that houses a circuit board (not shown) serving as an electric circuit device having a circuit unit and a computing unit. The holding portion 26 extends radially outward from the outer peripheral surface 23 of the base 3, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, for example. The retaining portions 26 are provided between the attachment portions 25 in the circumferential direction. As shown in FIGS.

[0015] As described above, each of the plurality of conductors 4 has an outer curved portion 4a and an inner curved portion 4b. Each of the plurality of conductors 4 is annular. As shown in FIG. 4 , each of the plurality of conductors 4 forms a circular planar shape with multiple undulations in the radial direction. The plurality of conductors 4 are stacked in order in the axial x direction, for example, and a layer of the plurality of conductors 4 is formed on the surface 21 of the base 3. The plurality of conductors 4 may be, for example, magnet wires. The plurality of conductors 4 are coated with, for example, an insulating material (an insulating film or coating) and are electrically insulated. The conductors 4 may be, for example, press-formed. Each of the plurality of conductors 4 may be embedded in a plate-like member extending along a plane and made of an insulating material. In this case, the plate-like members in which the plurality of conductors 4 are embedded are stacked on the surface 21 of the base 3, and the plurality of conductors 4 are stacked on the opposing portions 21a of the surface 21.

[0016] 1 and 4 , one pair of the plurality of conducting wires 4 and the other pair each form a plurality of coils 5, thereby forming a coil structure 6. The coil structure 6 is an annular planar structure formed by connecting a plurality of annular coils 5 in a circumferential direction around the axis x. Specifically, in each pair of conducting wires 4, the two conducting wires 4 are stacked on top of each other in the direction of the axis x, as viewed in the direction of the axis x, such that the outer curved portion 4 a of one conducting wire 4 faces the inner curved portion 4 b of the other conducting wire 4 in the radial direction, and such that the inner curved portion 4 b of one conducting wire 4 faces the outer curved portion 4 a of the other conducting wire 4 in the radial direction, thereby forming the layered coil structure 6. In other words, in each pair of conductors 4, the multiple outer curved portions 4a of one conductor 4 and the multiple inner curved portions 4b of the other conductor 4 surround a planar space facing in the direction of the axis x to form multiple coils 5, and similarly, the multiple inner curved portions 4b of one conductor 4 and the multiple outer curved portions 4a of the other conductor 4 surround a planar space facing in the direction of the axis x to form multiple coils 5.

[0017] 6 , the angle sensor 1 has four conducting wires 4. Specifically, the angle sensor 1 has a first conducting wire 31, a second conducting wire 32, a third conducting wire 33, and a fourth conducting wire 34 as the four conducting wires 4. The first conducting wire 31, the second conducting wire 32, the third conducting wire 33, and the fourth conducting wire 34 are stacked in this order in the direction of the axis x from the surface 21 of the base 3, and four layers of the conducting wires 4 are formed on the opposing portion 21 a of the surface 21 of the base 3. Furthermore, the first conducting wire 31 and the second conducting wire 32 form a pair to form a coil structure 6 a as a coil structure 6, and the third conducting wire 33 and the fourth conducting wire 34 form a pair to form a coil structure 6 b as a coil structure 6. In the coil structure 6a, the first conducting wire 31 and the second conducting wire 32 form a coil 5a as a plurality of coils 5, and in the coil structure 6b, the third conducting wire 33 and the fourth conducting wire 34 form a coil 5b as a plurality of coils 5.

[0018] FIG. 6 is a front view of the coil structure 6, schematically illustrating the configuration of the coil 5 and the coil structure 6 formed by a plurality of conducting wires 4. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion of the coil structure 6 shown in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 6, the first conducting wire 31 and the second conducting wire 32 each have the same number of first outer curved portions 31 a and second outer curved portions 32 a, and also the same number of first inner curved portions 31 b and second inner curved portions 32 b. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the first outer curved portions 31 a and the second outer curved portions 32 a are curved so as to protrude outward, and have, for example, an arc-like or circular arc-like shape. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the first outer curved portions 31 a and the second outer curved portions 32 a each have an outermost outer end 31 c and an outermost outer end 32 c, which are located at or approximately the center in the circumferential direction. 6 and 7, the first inner curved portion 31b and the second inner curved portion 32b are curved so as to protrude inward, and have, for example, an arc-like or circular arc-like shape. Also, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the first inner curved portion 31b and the second inner curved portion 32b have inner circumferential ends 31d and 32d, which are the parts located on the innermost side, at the center or approximately the center in the circumferential direction.

[0019] The third conducting wire 33 and the fourth conducting wire 34 have the same configuration as the first conducting wire 31 and the second conducting wire 32, respectively. Specifically, the third conducting wire 33 has an outer third curved portion (hereinafter referred to as the "third outer curved portion") 33a, which is the outer curved portion 4a, and an inner third curved portion (hereinafter referred to as the "third inner curved portion") 33b, which is the inner curved portion 4b. Furthermore, the fourth conducting wire 34 has an outer fourth curved portion (hereinafter referred to as the "fourth outer curved portion") 34a, which is the outer curved portion 4a, and an inner fourth curved portion (hereinafter referred to as the "fourth inner curved portion") 34b, which is the inner curved portion 4b. The fourth outer curved portion 34a is radially spaced apart from the third outer curved portion 33a, or the third inner curved portion 33b is radially spaced apart from the fourth inner curved portion 34b, or the fourth outer curved portion 34a is radially spaced apart from the third outer curved portion 33a and the third inner curved portion 33b is radially spaced apart from the fourth inner curved portion 34b.

[0020] 6, the third conducting wire 33 and the fourth conducting wire 34 each have the same number of third outer curved portions 33a and fourth outer curved portions 34a, and also the same number of third inner curved portions 33b and fourth inner curved portions 34b. The number of third outer curved portions 33a and fourth outer curved portions 34a is the same as the number of first outer curved portions 31a and second outer curved portions 32a, and the number of third inner curved portions 33b and fourth inner curved portions 34b is the same as the number of first inner curved portions 31b and second inner curved portions 32b. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the third outer curved portions 33a and fourth outer curved portions 34a are curved so as to protrude outward, and have, for example, an arc-like or circular arc-like shape. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the third outer curved portion 33a and the fourth outer curved portion 34a have outer peripheral ends 33c and 34c, which are the outermost portions, at the center or approximately the center in the circumferential direction. The third inner curved portion 33b and the fourth inner curved portion 34b are curved to protrude inward, and have, for example, an arc-like or circular arc-like shape. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the third inner curved portion 33b and the fourth inner curved portion 34b have inner peripheral ends 33d and 34d, which are the innermost portions, at the center or approximately the center in the circumferential direction.

[0021] 6 and 7 , when viewed in the direction of the axis x, the first outer curved portion 31 a of the first conducting wire 31 is radially opposed to the second inner curved portion 32 b of the second conducting wire 32, and the first inner curved portion 31 b of the first conducting wire 31 is radially opposed to the second outer curved portion 32 a of the second conducting wire 32. For example, when viewed in the direction of the axis x, the outer peripheral end 31 c of the first outer curved portion 31 a is radially opposed to the inner peripheral end 32 d of the second inner curved portion 32 b, and the inner peripheral end 31 d of the first inner curved portion 31 b is radially opposed to the outer peripheral end 32 c of the second outer curved portion 32 a. Specifically, the outer peripheral end 31c of the first outer curved portion 31a and the inner peripheral end 32d of the second inner curved portion 32b are located on the same radial line or approximately the same radial line, and the inner peripheral end 31d of the first inner curved portion 31b and the outer peripheral end 32c of the second outer curved portion 32a are located on the same radial line or approximately the same radial line.

[0022] 6 and 7 , when viewed in the direction of the axis x, the third outer curved portion 33 a of the third conducting wire 33 is radially opposed to the fourth inner curved portion 34 b of the fourth conducting wire 34, and the third inner curved portion 33 b of the third conducting wire 33 is radially opposed to the fourth outer curved portion 34 a of the fourth conducting wire 34. For example, when viewed in the direction of the axis x, the outer peripheral end 33 c of the third outer curved portion 33 a is radially opposed to the inner peripheral end 34 d of the fourth inner curved portion 34 b, and the inner peripheral end 33 d of the third inner curved portion 33 b is radially opposed to the outer peripheral end 34 c of the fourth outer curved portion 34 a. Specifically, the outer peripheral end 33c of the third outer curved portion 33a and the inner peripheral end 34d of the fourth inner curved portion 34b are located on the same radial line or approximately the same radial line, and the inner peripheral end 33d of the third inner curved portion 33b and the outer peripheral end 34c of the fourth outer curved portion 34a are located on the same radial line or approximately the same radial line.

[0023] 6 and 7 , the second outer curved portion 32a of the second conducting wire 32 is radially spaced apart from the first outer curved portion 31a of the first conducting wire 31, and the second outer curved portion 32a is radially inward (hereinafter referred to as the "inner peripheral side") of the first outer curved portion 31a. Also, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , the second inner curved portion 32b of the second conducting wire 32 is radially spaced apart from the first inner curved portion 31b of the first conducting wire 31, and the first inner curved portion 31b is radially inward of the second inner curved portion 32b. In other words, the outer peripheral end 31c of the first outer curved portion 31a is located more radially outward than the outer peripheral end 32c of the second outer curved portion 32a, and the inner peripheral end 31d of the first inner curved portion 31b is located more radially inward than the inner peripheral end 32d of the second inner curved portion 32b.

[0024] 6 and 7 , the fourth outer curved portion 34a of the fourth conducting wire 34 is radially spaced apart from the third outer curved portion 33a of the third conducting wire 33, and the fourth outer curved portion 34a is radially inward relative to the third outer curved portion 33a. Also, as shown in Figures 6 and 7 , the fourth inner curved portion 34b of the fourth conducting wire 34 is radially spaced apart from the third inner curved portion 33b of the third conducting wire 33, and the third inner curved portion 33b is radially inward relative to the fourth inner curved portion 34b. In other words, the outer peripheral end 33c of the third outer curved portion 33a is located more radially outward than the outer peripheral end 34c of the fourth outer curved portion 34a, and the inner peripheral end 33d of the third inner curved portion 33b is located more radially inward than the inner peripheral end 34d of the fourth inner curved portion 34b.

[0025] 6 and 7 , the third outer curved portion 33a of the third conducting wire 33 is radially spaced apart from the second outer curved portion 32a of the second conducting wire 32, and the third outer curved portion 33a is radially inward relative to the second outer curved portion 32a. The third inner curved portion 33b of the third conducting wire 33 is radially spaced apart from the second inner curved portion 32b of the second conducting wire 32, and the third inner curved portion 33b is radially outward relative to the second inner curved portion 32b. In other words, the outer peripheral end 33c of the third outer curved portion 33a is located more radially inward than the outer peripheral end 32c of the second outer curved portion 32a, and more radially outward than the inner peripheral end 33d of the third inner curved portion 33b and the inner peripheral end 32d of the second inner curved portion 32b.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 7, the outer peripheral end 31c of the first outer curved portion 31a of the first conducting wire 31 is located on or near a circle R1a centered on the axis x. The outer peripheral end 32c of the second outer curved portion 32a of the second conducting wire 32 is located on or near a circle R2a centered on the axis x. The outer peripheral end 33c of the third outer curved portion 33a of the third conducting wire 33 is located on or near a circle R3a centered on the axis x. The outer peripheral end 34c of the fourth outer curved portion 34a of the fourth conducting wire 34 is located on or near a circle R4a centered on the axis x. Also, as shown in Fig. 7, the inner peripheral end 31d of the first inner curved portion 31b of the first conducting wire 31 is located on or near a circle R1b centered on the axis x. The inner peripheral end 32d of the second inner curved portion 32b of the second conducting wire 32 is located on or near a circle R2b centered on the axis x. The inner peripheral end 33d of the third inner curved portion 33b of the third conducting wire 33 is located on or near a circle R3b centered on the axis x. The outer peripheral end 34d of the fourth inner curved portion 34b of the fourth conducting wire 34 is located on or near a circle R4b centered on the axis x. The diameters of the circles R1a, 2a, 3a, 4a, 4b, 3b, 2b, and 1b decrease in this order, as shown in FIG.

[0027] As described above, the width of the undulations (amplitude width) of the conductor 4, i.e., the radial distance between the outer peripheral end of the outer curved portion 4a of the conductor 4 and the inner peripheral end of the inner curved portion 4b, decreases in the order of the first conductor 31, the second conductor 32, the third conductor 33, and the fourth conductor 34. The amplitude width of the first conductor 31 is the radial distance between the outer peripheral end 31c of the first outer curved portion 31a and the inner peripheral end 31d of the first inner curved portion 31b (the difference between the radius of the circle R1a and the radius of the circle R1b), and the amplitude width of the second conductor 32 is the radial distance between the outer peripheral end 32c of the second outer curved portion 32a and the inner peripheral end 32d of the second inner curved portion 32b (the difference between the radius of the circle R2a and the radius of the circle R2b). ), the amplitude width of the third conducting wire 33 is the radial distance between the outer peripheral end 33c of the third outer curved portion 33a and the inner peripheral end 33d of the third inner curved portion 33b (the difference between the radius of circle R3a and the radius of circle R3b), and the amplitude width of the fourth conducting wire 34 is the radial distance between the outer peripheral end 34c of the fourth outer curved portion 34a and the inner peripheral end 34d of the fourth inner curved portion 34b (the difference between the radius of circle R4a and the radius of circle R4b).

[0028] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the second conducting wire 32 extends within the amplitude width region of the first conducting wire 31 (the region between circles R1a and R1b), the third conducting wire 33 extends within the amplitude width region of the second conducting wire 32 (the region between circles R2a and R2b), and the fourth conducting wire 34 extends within the amplitude width region of the third conducting wire 33 (the region between circles R3a and R3b).

[0029] The first conducting wire 31, the second conducting wire 32, the third conducting wire 33, and the fourth conducting wire 34 have the shapes described above and are stacked one on top of the other as described above. In this manner, the first conducting wire 31 and the second conducting wire 32 form a coil structure 6a, the first outer curved portion 31a and the second inner curved portion 32b form a coil 5a1 as the annular coil 5a, and the second outer curved portion 32a and the first inner curved portion 31b form a coil 5a2 as the annular coil 5a. The third conducting wire 33 and the fourth conducting wire 34 form a coil structure 6b, the third outer curved portion 33a and the fourth inner curved portion 34b form a coil 5b1 as the annular coil 5b, and the fourth outer curved portion 42a and the third inner curved portion 33b form a coil 5b2 as the annular coil 5b. The circumferential widths of the coils 5, 6 are the same or approximately the same. For example, as shown in Figure 7, the length of the arc or circle extending between two points where the first conducting wire 31 and the second conducting wire 32 overlap in coil 5a1, the length of the arc or circle extending between two points where the third conducting wire 33 and the fourth conducting wire 34 overlap in coil 5b1, the length of the arc or circle extending between two points where the first conducting wire 31 and the second conducting wire 32 overlap in coil 5a2, and the length of the arc or circle extending between two points where the third conducting wire 33 and the fourth conducting wire 34 overlap in coil 5b2 are all the same or approximately the same.

[0030] 6 and 7 , in the coil structures 6a and 6b, a portion of the space surrounded by the coil 5a is circumferentially offset from a portion of the space surrounded by the coil 5b, and another portion of the space surrounded by the coil 5a is circumferentially overlapped with another portion of the space surrounded by the coil 5b. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 7 , the outer peripheral end 33c of the third outer curved portion 33a of the third conducting wire 33 is located in the center or approximately the center between the outer peripheral end 31c of the first outer curved portion 31a of the first conducting wire 31 and the outer peripheral end 32c of the second outer curved portion 32a of the second conducting wire 32 in the circumferential direction about the axis x. Furthermore, the outer peripheral end 34c of the fourth outer curved portion 34a of the fourth conducting wire 34 is located in the center or approximately the center between the outer peripheral end 31c of the first outer curved portion 31a of the first conducting wire 31 and the outer peripheral end 32c of the second outer curved portion 32a of the second conducting wire 32 in the circumferential direction about the axis x. Similarly, the inner peripheral end 33d of the third inner curved portion 33b of the third conducting wire 33 is located in the center or approximately the center, in the circumferential direction about the axis x, between the inner peripheral end 31d of the first inner curved portion 31b of the first conducting wire 31 and the inner peripheral end 32d of the second inner curved portion 32b of the second conducting wire 32. The inner peripheral end 34d of the fourth inner curved portion 34b of the fourth conducting wire 34 is located in the center or approximately the center, in the circumferential direction about the axis x, between the inner peripheral end 31d of the first inner curved portion 31b of the first conducting wire 31 and the inner peripheral end 32d of the second inner curved portion 32b of the second conducting wire 32. In this way, the space surrounded by the coil 5a is shifted in the circumferential direction from the space surrounded by the coil 5b by half the width of the space surrounded by the coil 5a. In this way, the first conducting wire 31, the second conducting wire 32, the third conducting wire 33, and the fourth conducting wire 34 are stacked so that the coil structure 6a and the coil structure 6b are overlapped with a circumferential shift. The number of coils 5 in the coil structure 6 corresponds to the axial multiplier angle set in the angle sensor 1. The number of coil structures 6 also corresponds to the number of detection signals output from the angle sensor 1.

[0031] In the above example, the case where each conductor 4 makes one turn along the opposing portion 21 a of the surface 21 of the base 3 to form the coil structure 6 has been described, but the shape of each conductor 4 is not limited to this, and the coil structure 6 may be formed by two or more turns. In other words, the coil structure 6 formed by each conductor 4 may have, for example, one layer, two, three, four, five, or more layers. In this case, the output signal or the signal to be detected (e.g., the amplitude of the signal waveform) can be amplified compared to the case where the coil structure is made up of one turn or one layer.

[0032] An excitation circuit (not shown) is attached to the base 3. The excitation circuit is made of a conductive material and is a magnetic circuit that generates a periodically changing magnetic flux that acts on each of the multiple coils 5.

[0033] The rotor 2 and base 3 form an inductive angle sensor, and the multiple coils 5 form detection coils. A magnetic space or magnetic gap is formed between the rotor 2 and the base 3. In the angle sensor 1, magnetic flux of periodically changing magnitude acting on the multiple coils 5 in the direction of the axis x from the excitation circuit. Meanwhile, the multiple protrusions 11 (metal body 10) are arranged circumferentially around the axis x as described above, and cross the magnetic flux generated by the excitation circuit as the rotor 2 rotates. Furthermore, the projection of the protrusions 11 (metal body 10), which have radially extending portions, onto the coils 5 in the direction of the axis x moves as the rotor 2 rotates. Therefore, the magnetic flux from the excitation circuit acting on each of the multiple coils 5, which are multiple radial undulations of the planar shape formed by the conductor 4, is affected by and cancels out the magnetic flux due to eddy currents generated in the protrusions 11 (metal body 10), and thus periodically changes as the rotor 2 rotates. As a result, in the multiple coils 5, an electromotive force is generated by electromagnetic induction that 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 this detection signal from the conductor 4, the rotation angle of the rotor 2 is detected in the electric circuit device.

[0034] As described above, the first to fourth conducting wires 31 to 34 are layered in this order on the surface 21 of the base 3. That is, the distances from the opposing surface 11a of the protrusion 11 of the rotor 2 to the first to fourth conducting wires 31 to 34 in the axial direction x are different, with the first conducting wire 31 being farthest from the opposing surface 11a (metal body 10) of the protrusion 11 in the axial direction x, the second conducting wire 32 being second farthest from the opposing surface 11a, the third conducting wire 33 being third farthest from the opposing surface 11a, and the fourth conducting wire 34 being closest to the opposing surface 11a. Therefore, the coil 5a formed by the first conducting wire 31 and the second conducting wire 32 is farther from the opposing surface 11a than the coil 5b formed by the third conducting wire 33 and the fourth conducting wire 34 in the axial direction x.

[0035] On the other hand, the radial positions of the outer peripheral end 31c of the first outer curved portion 31a of the first conducting wire 31, the outer peripheral end 32c of the second outer curved portion 32a of the second conducting wire 32, the outer peripheral end 33c of the third outer curved portion 33a of the third conducting wire 33, and the outer peripheral end 34c of the fourth outer curved portion 34a of the fourth conducting wire 34 are all different, with the outer peripheral end 31c of the first outer curved portion 31a being located furthest from the outer periphery, the outer peripheral end 32c of the second outer curved portion 32a being second farthest from the axis x, the outer peripheral end 33c of the third outer curved portion 33a being third farthest from the axis x, and the outer peripheral end 34c of the fourth outer curved portion 34a being located furthest from the inner periphery. Furthermore, the radial positions of the inner end 31d of the first inner curved portion 31b of the first conducting wire 31, the inner end 32d of the second inner curved portion 32b of the second conducting wire 32, the inner end 33d of the third inner curved portion 33b of the third conducting wire 33, and the inner end 34d of the fourth inner curved portion 34b of the fourth conducting wire 34 are all different, with the inner end 31d of the first inner curved portion 31b being located closest to the inner periphery, the inner end 32d of the second inner curved portion 32b being second closest to the axis x, the inner end 33d of the third inner curved portion 33b being third closest to the axis x, and the inner end 34d of the fourth inner curved portion 34b being located closest to the outer periphery. Therefore, the area of ​​the space surrounded by the coil 5a formed by the first conducting wire 31 and the second conducting wire 32 is larger than the area of ​​the space surrounded by the coil 5b formed by the third conducting wire 33 and the fourth conducting wire 34.

[0036] Here, the influence of the coil 5 surrounding a specific area on the magnetic flux due to the eddy currents generated in the metal body 10, i.e., the sensitivity of the coil 5 to the metal body 10, is greater the closer the coil 5 is to the metal body 10. Also, the influence of the magnetic flux due to the eddy currents generated in the metal body 10 on the coil 5 is greater the larger the area of ​​the space surrounded by the coil 5. Therefore, in terms of distance in the axial x direction, the coil 5a formed by the first conducting wire 31 and the second conducting wire 32 is less influenced by the magnetic flux due to the eddy currents generated in the metal body 10 (it has lower sensitivity to the metal body 10) than the coil 5b formed by the third conducting wire 33 and the fourth conducting wire 34. On the other hand, in terms of the area surrounded by the coil 5, the coil 5a formed by the first conducting wire 31 and the second conducting wire 32 is more influenced by the magnetic flux due to the eddy currents generated in the metal body 10 (it has higher sensitivity to the metal body 10) than the coil 5b formed by the third conducting wire 33 and the fourth conducting wire 34. In this way, in the angle sensor 1, the sensitivity of coil 5a to the metal body 10 becomes smaller than the sensitivity of coil 5b to the metal body 10 because coil 5a is farther from the metal body 10 in the direction of axis x, but this is prevented by making the area of ​​the space surrounded by coil 5a larger than the area of ​​the space surrounded by coil 5b. This makes it possible to increase the output of coil 5a and improve the detection accuracy of the angle sensor 1. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce variations in the output of coil 5a and the output of coil 5b, thereby improving the detection accuracy of the angle sensor 1.

[0037] 8 and 9 are perspective views of the angle sensor 1 with the cover 7 attached, with FIG. 8 being a perspective view of the front side of the angle sensor 1 and FIG. 9 being a perspective view of the rear side of the angle sensor 1. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the angle sensor 1 includes a cover 7 that covers the base 3. The cover 7 is configured to cover the multiple conductors 4, and for example, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, it covers the surface 21 of the base 3. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 8, the base 3 is formed with an outer edge portion 27 that extends along the outer peripheral surface 23 and protrudes from the surface 21 in the direction of the axis x, and an inner edge portion 28 that extends along the inner peripheral surface 24 and protrudes from the surface 21 in the direction of the axis x. The cover 7 is configured to be housed in a space formed by the surface 21, the outer edge portion 27, and the inner edge portion 28. Specifically, the cover 7 has a main body 41, which is a plate-like portion having an outline that is in contact with or faces the outer edge 27 and the inner edge 28 with a gap therebetween. The main body 41 is housed in the space formed by the surface 21, the outer edge 27, and the inner edge 28, and covers the surface 21 and the plurality of conductors 4.

[0038] 1, 2, 4, 8, and 9, the cover 7 has a mating portion 42 that mates with the base 3, and the base 3 has a mated portion 29 that mates with the cover 7. The mated portion 29 can be mated with the mating portion 42. As shown in FIG. 8, the mating portion 42 protrudes outward from the main body 41. As shown in FIG. 8, the mating portion 42 extends in the direction of the axis x and has a claw portion 43 that protrudes inward at its tip. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the mated portion 29 is a through-hole or a wall portion that penetrates the base 3. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the mating portion 42 is inserted into the mated portion 29 or passes over the mated portion 29, and the claw portion 43 engages with the rear surface 22 of the base 3. 8 and 9 , for example, the cover 7 has a plurality of fitting portions 42, and the base 3 has the same number of fitted portions 29 at corresponding positions as the fitting portions 42. Also, as shown in FIG. 4 , accommodating recesses 29a are formed in the outer edge portion 27 and the inner edge portion 28 of the base 3 so as to correspond to the fitting portions 42. The accommodating recesses 29a are recesses recessed in the direction of the axis x, and are configured to accommodate the claw portions 43 when the main body portion 41 of the cover 7 is accommodated in the base 3. Also, as shown in FIG. 8 , in order to improve the elasticity of the fitting portions 42, slits 44 may be formed in the main body portion 41 so as to sandwich the portions of the main body portion 41 to which the fitting portions 42 are connected.

[0039] As described above, the angle sensor 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention can improve detection accuracy.

[0040] Next, an application of the angle sensor 1 will be described. Fig. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a specific example of a rotating device as an application of the angle sensor 1. Fig. 10 shows a rotating device 50 as a specific example of a rotating device in an exploded state. In Fig. 10, a part of the configuration of the rotating device 50 is shown in a see-through manner.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 10 , the rotating device 50 includes an angle sensor 1, a rotating shaft 51, and a motor 52. In the rotating device 50, the axes of the rotating shaft 51 and the motor 52 coincide or substantially coincide with the axis x of the angle sensor 1. For this reason, in the following description, the axis of the rotating device 50 will be referred to as the axis x, and the axes of the angle sensor 1, the rotating shaft 51, and the motor 52 will be referred to as the axis x. The motor 52 includes a rotor 53 and a stator 54, and the rotating shaft 51 is fixed to the rotor 53. The motor 52 also includes a frame 55 and a cover 60. The frame 55 houses the rotor 53 and the stator 54. The frame 55 also has an opening 55 a. The cover 60 covers the opening 55 a of the frame 55.

[0042] An opening 55a of the frame 55 opens the internal space of the frame 55 to the outside of the frame 55. The internal space of the frame 55 houses the rotor 53 and the stator 54. As shown in Fig. 10, the frame 55 is, for example, a cylindrical member. The frame 55 has an annular end portion 55b surrounding the opening 55a, and the end portion 55b faces in the direction of the axis x.

[0043] The rotor 2 of the angle sensor 1 is fixed to a rotating shaft 51, and one end 51a of the rotating shaft 51 (hereinafter referred to as the "tip") passes through the rotor 2 and is rotatably supported by a bearing 56 fixed to a cover 60. The base 3 of the angle sensor 1 is fixed to the cover 60. In the rotating device 50, the rotor 2 is located at a predetermined position relative to the base 3, as described above, and the opposing surface 11a of the protrusion 11 of the rotor 2 faces the coil structures 6a, 6b of the base 3 with a gap in the direction of the axis x (see FIG. 2).

[0044] The cover 60 is a plate-shaped member having a pair of opposing surfaces 61 and 62, as shown in FIG. 10 , for example. In the rotating device 50, one of the pair of opposing surfaces 61 and 62 of the cover 60, for example, the surface 61, covers the opening 55a of the frame 55. That is, the cover 60 is fixed to the frame 55 with the surface 61 in contact with the end 55b of the frame 55. For example, the surface 61 of the cover 60 is adhered to the end 55b of the frame 55, thereby fixing the cover 60 to the frame 55. Fixing the cover 60 to the frame 55 may be done by a method other than adhesion. For example, the cover 60 may be fixed to the frame 55 by a fixing means such as a bolt or a locking means such as a claw.

[0045] The angle sensor 1 is attached to a surface 61, which is one of a pair of surfaces of the cover 60. For example, the surface 61 of the cover 60 is provided with a plurality of mounting portions (hereinafter referred to as "boss portions") 63 corresponding to the plurality of mounting portions 25 of the base 3. As shown in FIG. 10 , the boss portions 63 are portions that protrude from the surface 61 and have threaded holes formed therein. Bolts 65 are threaded into the threaded holes of the bosses 63 via the mounting portions 25 of the base 3, and each mounting portion 25 is fixed to the corresponding boss portion 63 by the bolts 65, thereby fixing the base 3 to the cover 60. In this way, the base 3 is fixed to the surface 61 of the cover 60, and the angle sensor 1 is provided on the surface 61 of the cover 60. Therefore, in the rotating device 50, the angle sensor 1 is housed in the space inside the frame 55.

[0046] 10 , for example, an annular protrusion 64 that supports the bearing 56 is formed on the surface 61 of the cover 60. The protrusion 64 is an annular tube that protrudes from the surface 61 of the cover 60 and has a recess formed therein. The protrusion 64 is also a flange that extends a predetermined distance in the radial direction. The protrusion 64 houses the bearing 56, and the bearing 56 is fitted and fixed in place. For example, the bearing 56 is press-fitted into the recess formed by the protrusion 64, and the bearing 56 is fixed to the protrusion 64. In this way, the bearing 56, which rotatably supports the tip end 51 a of the rotary shaft 51 attached to the motor 52, is supported by the cover 60.

[0047] The rotating device 50 has the above-described configuration, and when the motor 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 5 (5a, 5b) formed by the coil structure 6 of the base 3 of the angle sensor 1, and the magnetic flux from the excitation circuit acting on each of the multiple coils 5 changes periodically. As a result, signals that change as the rotor 2 rotates are detected from the multiple coils 5. Based on the detection signals from the multiple coils 5, an electric circuit device, which is an external device connected to the angle sensor 1, detects the rotation angle of the rotor 2.

[0048] Next, a modified example of the cover 60 provided in the rotating device 50 described above will be described. Fig. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the rotating device 50 provided with a cover 66 according to the modified example. The cover 66 differs from the cover 60 described above in that the position at which the angle sensor 1 is provided is different. Hereinafter, regarding the configuration of the cover 66, the same configurations as those of the cover 60 described above or configurations having similar functions will be assigned the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted, and configurations different from the cover 60 will be described.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 11 , the angle sensor 1 is provided on the surface 62 of the cover 66, which is the other of the pair of surfaces of the cover 66. Bosses 63 serving as a plurality of mounting portions corresponding to the plurality of mounting portions 25 of the base 3 are provided on the surface 62 of the cover 66. Furthermore, instead of the protrusions 64 of the cover 60, holes (hereinafter referred to as "through holes") 67 are formed in the cover 66 that penetrate between the surfaces 61 and 62, and the bearings 56 are supported in the through holes 67. For example, the bearings 56 are housed and press-fitted into the through holes 67, and the bearings 56 are fixed in the through holes 67. As a result, the bearings 56 that rotatably support the rotary shaft 51 attached to the motor 52 are supported by the cover 66.

[0050] The base 3 is fixed to the cover 66 in the same manner as the cover 60 described above. The rotor 2 of the angle sensor 1 is fixed to the tip 51 a of the rotating shaft 51 protruding from the surface 62 of the cover 66 through a bearing 56 fixed in a through-hole 67 of the cover 66. As described above, the rotor 2 is located at a predetermined position relative to the base 3, and the opposing surface 11 a of the protrusion 11 of the rotor 2 faces the coil structure 6 of the base 3 across a gap of the axis x (see FIG. 2 ). In this manner, the base 3 is fixed to the surface 62 of the cover 66, and the angle sensor 1 is provided on the surface 62 of the cover 66. Therefore, in the rotating device 50 including the cover 66, the angle sensor 1 is not housed in the internal space of the frame 55 but is located outside the frame 55 and exposed to the outside of the rotating device 50, or the angle sensor 1 is covered by a cup-shaped protective cover. Covering the angle sensor 1 with a protective cover can provide waterproof and dustproof performance.

[0051] In the above structure, the angle sensor 1 is located outside the frame 55, so the diameter of the rotating shaft 51 can be made small without being affected by the structure of the motor 52, and therefore the diameter of the rotor 2 of the angle sensor 1 can be made small. As a result, the size of the angle sensor 1 itself can be made small.

[0052] In the above embodiment, the base 3 has been described as having a circumferentially continuous annular shape, but the shape of the base 3 is not limited to this. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the base 3. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the base 3 may be arc-shaped or may extend only along a portion of the entire circumference of the base 3. A base 3A according to the modified example is formed from the same material as the base 3 described above. The base 3A according to the modified example is formed, for example, from an insulating resin material. The base 3A according to the modified example will be described in detail below. Note that, in the configuration of the base 3A according to the modified example, components that are the same as or have similar functions to those of the base 3 described above will be designated by the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0053] 12 , the base 3A according to the modified example specifically has, for example, arc-shaped or approximately arc-shaped portions (hereinafter referred to as “arc portions”) 3d, 3e that correspond to partial circumferential sections of the inner circumferential section 3a and the outer circumferential section 3b, instead of the annular inner circumferential section 3a and the outer circumferential section 3b. Furthermore, the base 3A according to the modified example has, instead of the annular front surface 21 and the back surface 22, a front surface 21A and a back surface 22A that extend arc-shaped or approximately arc-shaped along the arc portions 3d, 3e, and instead of the annular opposing portion 21a, a opposing portion 21b that extends arc-shaped or approximately arc-shaped along the arc portions 3d, 3e. The front surface 21A and the back surface 22A correspond to partial circumferential sections of the front surface 21 and the back surface 22, respectively, and the opposing portion 21b corresponds to partial circumferential sections of the opposing portion 21a.

[0054] The base 3A according to the modified example is provided with a detection coil and an excitation circuit. Similar to the detection coil (coil structure 6) provided on the base 3 described above, the detection coil is formed by multiple coils 5. Specifically, multiple coils 5a, 5b are arranged so that the coil structures 6a, 6b are located in the portions of the facing portion 21a corresponding to the facing portion 21b. Similarly to the multiple coil structures 6a, 6b on the base 3 described above, the multiple coil structures 6a, 6b on the base 3A according to the modified example are each formed by multiple annular coils 5a, 5b arranged and connected in a circumferential direction around the axis x. Similarly to the coil structure 6 on the base 3 described above, the coil structure 6 on the base 3A according to the modified example is also formed by multiple conductors 4. The excitation circuit is a magnetic circuit that generates a periodically changing magnetic flux that acts on each of the multiple coils 5 formed on the facing portion 21b. As shown in FIG. 12 , the excitation circuit is, for example, an excitation circuit 8 that surrounds the coil structures 6a, 6b on the surface 21A.

[0055] Similar to the base 3 described above, the base 3A according to the modified example also has mounting portions 25, which are portions that are attached to an external device as an application target. In the base 3A according to the modified example, the mounting portions 25 are provided, for example, at two circumferential ends of the arc portion 3d. Furthermore, an electric circuit device having a circuit unit (not shown), such as an IC, and a calculation unit, is mounted or fixed to the base 3A according to the modified example. Specifically, similar to the base 3 described above, the base 3A according to the modified example has a holding portion 26 that accommodates a substrate serving as the electric circuit device. The electric circuit device may be provided on one of the circumferential ends of the base 3A. In this case, a large area can be secured for providing the excitation circuit and detection coil, contributing to improved detection accuracy. Furthermore, the electric circuit device and the excitation circuit or detection coil may be adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction. In other words, the electric circuit device is sandwiched between the detection coil or excitation circuit and the mounting portions 25 in the circumferential direction. In this case, the limited space in the base 3A can be effectively utilized, contributing to the miniaturization of the angle sensor 1.

[0056] In addition, in both the above-described base 3 and the base 3A according to the modified example, the base 3, 3A and the electric circuit device may be sealed with an insulating resin material, etc. In this case, the resin can protect the base 3, 3A and the electric circuit device from foreign matter, etc.

[0057] Furthermore, both the base 3 and the base 3A according to the modified example may include a connector that can be electrically connected to an external device. The connector may be provided adjacent to the electric circuit device. In this case, the electric circuit device and the connector can be connected via the shortest path, which contributes to miniaturization of the angle sensor 1.

[0058] 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 will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It is clear from the claims that such modifications and improvements can also be included within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0059] The above-described embodiments are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention, and the present invention may include any and all applications. The components of the above-described embodiments, as well as their arrangement, materials, conditions, shape, size, etc., are not limited to those illustrated and may be modified as appropriate. For example, the present invention includes differences that arise during implementation due to manufacturing tolerances, etc. Furthermore, components illustrated in different embodiments may be partially substituted or combined within the scope of technical inconsistency. Furthermore, the various configurations may be selectively combined as appropriate to achieve at least some of the above-described problems and effects.

[0060] 1 Angle sensor, 2 Rotor, 3, 3A Base, 3a Outer periphery, 3b Inner periphery, 3c Opening, 3d, 3e Arc portion, 4 Conductor, 4a Outer curved portion, 4b Inner curved portion, 5, 5a, 5b Coil, 6, 6a, 6b Coil structure, 7 Cover, 8 Excitation circuit, 10 Metal body, 11 Convex, 11a Opposing surface, 12 Ring, 12a Outer periphery, 12b Inner periphery, 13 Opening, 21, 21A Surface, 21a, 21b Opposing portion, 22 Back surface, 23 Outer periphery, 24 Inner periphery, 25 Mounting portion, 25a Through hole, 26 Holding portion, 27 Outer edge portion, 28 Inner edge portion, 29 Fitted portion, 29a Accommodating recess, Substrate, 24a Electronic component, 24b Wiring, 24c Terminal, 25 Insulating member, 31 First conducting wire, 31a First outer curved portion (first outer curved portion), 31b First inner curved portion (first inner curved portion), 31c Outer peripheral end, 31d Inner peripheral end, 32 Second conducting wire, 32a Second outer curved portion (second outer curved portion), 32b Second inner curved portion (second inner curved portion), 32c Outer peripheral end, 32d Inner peripheral end, 33 Third conducting wire, 33a Third outer curved portion (third outer curved portion), 33b Third inner curved portion (third inner curved portion), 33c Outer peripheral end, 33d Inner peripheral end, 34 Fourth conducting wire, 34a Fourth outer curved portion (fourth outer curved portion), 34b Fourth inner curved portion (fourth inner curved portion), 34c Outer peripheral end, 34d Inner peripheral end, 41 Main end, 42 Fitting portion, 43 Claw portion, 44 Slit, 50 Rotating device, 51 rotating shaft, 51a tip portion, 51b recessed portion, 51c first outer peripheral surface, 51d second outer peripheral surface, 51e third outer peripheral surface, 51f, 51g stepped surface, 52 motor, 53 rotor, 54 stator, 55 frame, 55a opening, R1a, R2a, R3a, R4a, R1b, R2b, R3b, R4b width, x axis

Claims

1. An angle sensor comprising: a rotor having a plurality of radially extending protrusions; a base having an outer circumferential portion and an inner circumferential portion; and a plurality of conductors provided on the base, wherein the plurality of conductors each have an outer curved portion curved radially toward the outer circumferential portion of the base and an inner curved portion curved radially toward the inner circumferential portion of the base, the plurality of conductors including a first conductor having an outer first curved portion which is the outer curved portion and an inner first curved portion which is the inner curved portion, and a second conductor having an outer second curved portion which is the outer curved portion and an inner second curved portion which is the inner curved portion, wherein the outer second curved portion is separated radially from the outer first curved portion, the inner first curved portion is separated radially from the inner second curved portion, or the outer second curved portion is separated radially from the outer first curved portion and the inner first curved portion is separated radially from the inner second curved portion.

2. The angle sensor according to claim 1, wherein the second outer curved portion is spaced apart from the first outer curved portion in the radial direction, and the second outer curved portion is located inside the first outer curved portion in the radial direction.

3. The angle sensor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second inner curved portion is spaced apart from the first inner curved portion in the radial direction, and the first inner curved portion is located inside the second inner curved portion in the radial direction.

4. An angle sensor as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plurality of conducting wires includes a third conducting wire having an outer third curved portion which is the outer curved portion and an inner third curved portion which is the inner curved portion, and the outer third curved portion is located inside the outer second curved portion in the radial direction.

5. An angle sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the plurality of conductors include a third conductor having an outer third curved portion which is the outer curved portion and an inner third curved portion which is the inner curved portion, and the inner third curved portion is located outward in the radial direction relative to the inner second curved portion.

6. An angle sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the plurality of conductors include a fourth conductor having an outer fourth curved portion which is the outer curved portion and an inner fourth curved portion which is the inner curved portion, and the outer fourth curved portion is located inside the outer second curved portion in the radial direction.

7. An angle sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the plurality of conducting wires includes a fourth conducting wire having an outer fourth curved portion which is the outer curved portion and an inner fourth curved portion which is the inner curved portion, and the inner fourth curved portion is located outward in the radial direction relative to the inner second curved portion.

8. An angle sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the plurality of conducting wires are stacked so as to face each other in the axial direction.

9. An angle sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising a plurality of coils, wherein one pair and another pair of the plurality of conducting wires respectively form the plurality of coils.

10. An angle sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a cover that covers the base, the cover covering the first conducting wire and the second conducting wire.

11. The angle sensor according to claim 10, wherein the cover has a fitting portion that fits into the base, and the base has a fitted portion that fits into the cover.

12. A rotating device comprising: an angle sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 11; a rotating shaft fixed to a rotor of the angle sensor; and a motor including a rotor fixed to the rotating shaft and a stator.

13. The rotating device according to claim 11, wherein the motor comprises: a frame that houses the rotor and the stator; and a cover that covers an opening of the frame; and the angle sensor is fixed to the cover.

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