Angular Rotation Sensor Integrating Steering Angle and Torque on Single PCB
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrically powered steering wheel systems require multiple sensor circuits for steering angle and torque sensing, increasing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
An angular rotation sensor system with a single printed circuit board (PCB) that uses input and output shaft target sensors, a gear target sensor, and control circuitry to determine the angular position and torque applied to the steering wheel, eliminating the need for separate PCBs and simplifying the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sensor circuits are used for steering angle and torque sensing, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor circuits (steering angle sensor and torque sensor circuits) into a single integrated sensor assembly. The sensor housing contains multiple sensors that detect different physical quantities (angular position and torque) simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate sensor PCBs and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The single sensor assembly performs multiple functions: it simultaneously measures steering angle through angular position sensing and torque through torque sensing. The sensor system is designed to handle multiple sensing tasks within one unified structure, reducing the number of components needed.
2Reliability
If multiple separate PCBs are used for different sensor elements, then reliability is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple sensor circuits onto a single PCB rather than using separate PCBs for each sensor element. This consolidation simplifies the assembly process and manufacturing while maintaining system reliability through a unified sensor architecture that reduces connection points and potential failure interfaces.
Data Source
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Figure 2B~2C
AI summary
An angular rotation sensor system constituted of: an input shaft target and an output shaft target each comprising a plurality of members parallel to a longitudinal axis of an input shaft or output shaft; a gear target with an angular velocity exhibiting a predetermined ratio with an angular velocity of the input shaft, the gear target comprising a plurality of members, each extending away from the input shaft and orthogonal to a plane which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the input shaft; and a control circuitry arranged to: determine an angular position of the input shaft responsive to a sensed angular rotation of the input shaft target and a sensed angular rotation of the gear target; and determine the amount of torque applied to the input shaft responsive to the sensed angular rotation of the input shaft target and a sensed angular rotation of the output shaft target.