Steering Angle Sensor Nested in Torque Stator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing combined torque and steering angle sensor devices for motor vehicles face challenges in minimizing their axial overall height due to the space taken up by gear wheels in the steering angle sensor system.
Innovation Solution
The steering angle sensor device's rotary transmission element with a permanent magnet is arranged between the stator parts of the torque sensor device, reducing the axial height and preventing crosstalk between sensors, while using a compact design with SMD components and a flexible printed circuit board for efficient flux transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the rotary transmission element with permanent magnet is arranged axially outside the stator, then the steering angle sensor can function properly, but the axial height of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary transmission element with permanent magnet is nested axially between the two stator parts of the torque sensor, utilizing the existing axial space within the stator assembly. This nesting approach allows the steering angle sensor components to be housed within the torque sensor's axial envelope, thereby minimizing the overall axial height of the integrated device while maintaining functional independence of both sensors.
2Length of moving object
If the rotary transmission element is placed between the stator parts, then axial height is reduced, but magnetic crosstalk between sensors may occur
Solution Approach 1:
A magnetic shield is introduced as an intermediary element between the rotary transmission element's permanent magnet and the torque sensor's magnetic circuit. This magnetic shield acts as a mediator that blocks or redirects magnetic flux lines, preventing the permanent magnet's field from interfering with the torque sensor's measurement of magnetic flux through the stator and flux conductor, thus eliminating crosstalk while allowing compact axial arrangement.
3Length of moving object
If traditional through-hole components are used, then manufacturing is robust, but the device occupies more axial space
Solution Approach 1:
Traditional through-hole mounted components are replaced with surface-mounted device (SMD) technology on a flexible printed circuit board. This substitution eliminates the need for axial penetration and soldering through the board thickness, allowing the circuit board to be made extremely thin and flexed to fit within the limited axial space between the stator parts, thereby reducing overall device height while maintaining electrical connectivity and manufacturing feasibility.
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
This configuration results in a compact, space-saving device that effectively detects torque and steering angle with reduced axial height and minimized crosstalk, enhancing the reliability and production efficiency of the sensor system.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic stator designed to conduct magnetic flux from a magnet to at least one flux conductor and thereby to at least one magnetic sensor
Implementation Method 2
at least one rotary transmission element with a permanent magnet and a magnetic field detector for detecting a rotary movement of the rotary transmission element
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for a motor vehicle, with a torque sensor arrangement for recording a torque applied to a steering shaft of the motor vehicle, and with a steering angle sensor arrangement for recording a current steering angle of the steering shaft, wherein the torque sensor arrangement has a magnetic stator (11), which is designed to conduct magnetic flow from a magnet towards at least one flow conductor (32, 33) and thereby to at least one magnetic sensor (27) of the torque sensor arrangement, and two stator parts (10, 17) arranged offset to one another in an axial direction, each of which has an annular boundary element (18, 19) extending in a radial direction, and wherein the steering angle sensor arrangement has at least one torque transmission element (38, 39, 40) with a permanent magnet (49) and a magnetic field detector (29, 30) for detecting a rotational motion of the rotary transmission element (38, 39, 40), wherein the at least one rotary transmission element (38, 39, 40) with the permanent magnet (49) is arranged in an axial direction between the boundary elements (18, 19).