Sensor Housing Rigidity via Segmented Magnetism Ring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sensor housings with openings compromise their rigidity, which is essential for maintaining structural integrity and preventing deformation, especially when accommodating components like circuit boards and Hall probes.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a reinforcing member within the sensor housing and using a magnetism collecting ring configuration with separate portions to ensure the sensor housing maintains rigidity while allowing for the mounting of components through an opening, including a first and second magnetism collecting ring that surround magnetic yokes and guide magnetic flux for detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a large opening is formed in the sensor housing to accommodate components, then ease of assembly is improved, but rigidity of the sensor housing deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidrigidity of sensor housing
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetism collecting ring is divided into a first portion and a second portion that can be assembled separately through the opening, allowing the opening to be smaller while still accommodating necessary components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second portion of the magnetism collecting ring is attached from the outside through the opening, utilizing the spatial dimension to bypass the rigidity issue caused by large openings

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the opening in the sensor housing is made wider to mount components, then ease of operation is improved, but rigidity of the sensor housing deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of component mountingVSAvoidrigidity of sensor housing
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetism collecting ring is segmented into two portions, enabling assembly through a smaller opening while maintaining housing rigidity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second portion is attached from the exterior side through the opening, using spatial arrangement to achieve component mounting without requiring a wide opening

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The configuration enhances the sensor housing's rigidity and allows for the detection of both torque and rotation angle with a single sensor, ensuring reliable operation even with a larger opening for component mounting.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetism collecting ring configured to surround the magnetic yoke and collect a magnetic flux from the magnetic yoke

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic flux: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

The Hall probes detect the magnetic flux density guided into the measurement clearances between the collectors

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHall effect: Hall Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3680636B1Integrated torque sensor and rotational position sensor
Publication Date: 2022.06.01 JTEKT CORP
  • EP3680636B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3680636B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3680636B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

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