JP2001165699A - Angle sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve such a problem that output characteristics of detection means each are affected by a change in relative positional relation between magnets and the detection means before and after detachment/attachment of a substrate, as a rotary shaft equipped with two kids of magnets and the substrate equipped with two kinds of detection means are separately fixed in the same unit case in the past. SOLUTION: The rotary shaft 30 mounted with the first and second magnets M1, M2 and the substrate equipped with the first and second detection means H1, H2 are mounted in the unit case 17. The first and second magnets M1, M2 are properly arranged with the first and second detection means H1, H2, respectively, thus fixing relative positional relation between the magnets and the detection means. Because the positional relation remains unchanged before and after the unit case 17 is mounted on a lower case 12, the output characteristics of the respective detection means are not affected.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an angle sensor for detecting a rotation angle (steering angle) of a steering wheel of an automobile. The present invention relates to an angle sensor that has been developed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG.
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the internal structure of a conventional angle sensor proposed in Japanese Patent No. 3155, for example, for detecting a steering angle of a steering wheel of an automobile with high accuracy. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing output characteristics of an angle sensor with respect to a rotation angle.

The angle sensor 1 shown in FIG. 9 has a rotating body 3 provided in a case body 2 made of a synthetic resin material such as plastic. The rotating body 3 is formed of a synthetic resin material or the like in a cylindrical shape, and is rotatably supported by the case 2. The steering wheel of the automobile is inserted into the rotating body 3, and the rotating body 3 is rotated together with the steering wheel in clockwise and counterclockwise directions. On the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 3, a plurality of helical gears 3a are formed over the entire circumference.

A rotating shaft 9 having a central axis in the X direction in the figure is rotatably provided in the case body 2. The drive gear 8 is fixed to the rotating shaft 9.
A plurality of helical gears 8a are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the drive gear 8 over the entire circumference, and the helical gear 3a of the rotating body 3 is formed.
And meshed. Next to the driving gear 8, a ring-shaped first magnet 5A having a plurality of pairs of magnets magnetized on the outer peripheral surface is provided.
Are provided coaxially with the rotating shaft 9. The rotating shaft 9 is made of a metal material such as brass or aluminum, and has a spiral screw groove 9a formed from the center to one end, and the movable body 4 is provided in the screw groove 9a.

[0005] The movable body 4 has a through hole formed from one end surface to the other end surface in the moving direction (X direction). A female screw (not shown) meshing with the screw groove 9a formed on the rotating shaft 9 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the through hole.
A second magnet 5B having a pair of magnetic poles is attached to the lower surface of the movable body 4 by insert forming or the like. The movable body 4 is guided in the case main body 2 so as to move linearly in the X direction. The rotating body 3 rotates, and the driving gear 8 and the rotating shaft 9 rotate. And the second magnet 5B reciprocates in the X direction.

A board 10 on which first and second Hall elements (detection means) 6A and 6B are mounted is fixed at a lower position of the case body 2, and a pair of first Hall elements 6A are provided. This is a positional relationship in which the second Hall element 6B faces the second magnet 5B while the first magnet 5A faces the first magnet 5A. When the rotation shaft 9 rotates,
The first Hall element 6A detects the displacement magnetic field of the first magnet 5A, and a predetermined sine wave 10 shown in FIG.
When the second magnet 5B reciprocates in the X direction by the screw shaft 9a, the second Hall element 6B detects its magnetic displacement and extends over the entire rotation angle range of the steering wheel. Thus, a value 103 that changes linearly linearly is output. The absolute position of the rotation angle (steering angle) of the steering wheel can be detected by the output signals of the first and second Hall elements 6A and 6B.

[0007]

In the angle sensor 1, in order to detect the rotation angle with high accuracy, it is necessary to adjust the gain and offset so that the Hall elements 6A and 6B have optimum output characteristics. At this time, the substrate 1
An operation of soldering an optimum resistor or the like to each of the Hall elements 6A and 6B on the zero is performed.

In this case, the gain and offset adjustment largely depends on the relative positional relationship between the first and second Hall elements 6A and 6B and the first and second magnets 5A and 5B. It is necessary to mount the rotation shaft 9 and the substrate 10 and perform the operation with the relative position determined.

However, as shown in FIG. 9, in the conventional angle sensor 1, the substrate 10 on which the first and second Hall elements 6A and 6B are mounted is formed such that the mounting surface is perpendicular to a narrow lower position in the case body 2. Since it is fixed so that a work space cannot be secured, soldering work is difficult. Therefore, there is a problem that the working efficiency in the assembly process of the angle sensor is low, and a solder defect is likely to occur.

[0010] Alternatively, it is necessary to take out the board 10 once out of the case body 2 and perform soldering work, and then return the board 10 to the inside of the case body 2 again.

However, when the above operation is performed, the rotation shaft 9
Are supported by bearing members 7a, 7b provided in support portions 2a, 2b at both ends in the case main body 2 and are provided separately from the substrate 10, so that the mounting position of the substrate 10 can be adjusted before and after the adjustment. There is a slight difference that the relative relationship between each Hall element and the magnet of the rotating shaft 9 is deviated, so that it is not possible to obtain adjusted output characteristics for the first and second Hall elements 6A and 6B. Easy to occur.

Alternatively, there is a problem that the fixed relationship between the substrate 10 and the case body 2 is apt to change with time.

Further, when the outer diameter of the steering wheel is different, it is necessary to prepare the angle sensor 1 according to the size of each steering wheel. In this case, since the size of each case body 2 changes,
A rotating shaft 9 and a board 10 having dimensions corresponding to each case body 2 are required, and there is a problem that the number of parts increases.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an angle sensor which has improved work efficiency in an assembling process of the angle sensor.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an angle sensor which facilitates adjustment of the detecting means (Hall element) and enables the detecting means after adjustment to exhibit the original output characteristics. .

Another object of the present invention is to provide an angle sensor in which parts for different angle sensors are shared.

[0017]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a case body, a rotating body rotatably supported by the case body and engaged with a first rotating shaft to rotate together, and a rotating body rotated by the rotating body. A second rotating shaft, a first detector provided on the second rotating shaft and rotating with the second rotating shaft, and a second rotating shaft provided by rotation of the second rotating shaft. A second detector that reciprocates along the first detector, a first detector that detects rotation of the first detector, and a second detector that detects movement of the second detector. In the angle sensor, the unit case is provided with the second rotating shaft, the second detecting body, the first detecting means, and the second detecting means, and the unit case is positioned in the case main body. It is characterized by being assembled.

According to the present invention, when the rotating shaft is mounted on the unit case, the relative position between the first magnet and the first detecting means is determined.
In addition, the relative position between the second magnet and the second detecting means can be determined before the case is mounted on the case body. The relative relationship between them does not change before and after the unit case is mounted on the case body. Therefore, at the time of gain and offset adjustment, since the soldering work is performed once with the unit case taken out, and then the gain adjustment and offset adjustment do not shift even if the unit case is returned to the case body again,
The detection means after adjustment can exhibit excellent output characteristics.

In the above, it is preferable that the outer surfaces on both sides of the unit case and the inner surfaces on both sides of the case body opposed to the unit case are positioned by fitting in and out.

In the above configuration, the locking projection on the unit case side can be locked and fixed to the locking recess on the side of the case body by concave and convex fitting, so that the unit case can be easily attached to the case body. It becomes possible. Therefore,
The assembly process of the angle sensor can be simplified, and the working efficiency can be increased.

The second detecting member is slidably provided in the unit case, and performs a reciprocating linear movement between the second rotating shaft and the second detecting member. It is preferable that a conversion means for converting into motion is provided.

[0022]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front sectional view showing the internal structure of an angle sensor, and detects a steering angle of a steering wheel of an automobile, for example, with high accuracy. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a main part of the angle sensor, FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a holding structure of the first detecting means, and FIG. 4 is aa of FIG.
5, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line bb of FIG. 3, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the holding structure of the second detection means, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line cc of FIG. 8 is d- of FIG.
It is sectional drawing in the d line.

In the angle sensor Sa shown in FIG.
Denotes a lower case, and reference numeral 13 denotes a rotating body. The rotating body 13 is formed in a cylindrical shape from a synthetic resin material, and is disposed in the lower case 12 in a clockwise direction (α1
Direction) and counterclockwise (α2 direction). The inside of the rotating body 13 is hollow,
The steering wheel Sh (first rotating shaft (detected shaft)) of the automobile is inserted therein (see FIG. 2). Protrusions 13a, 13b extending in the axial direction are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the rotating body 13 so as to protrude therefrom, and can be fitted into concave portions (not shown) formed on the outer peripheral surface of the steering wheel Sh. Then, when the steering wheel Sh rotates,
Accordingly, the rotating body 13 is rotated. As shown in FIG. 2, the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 13 has an axial direction (Y
A helical gear 13 </ b> A made of teeth cut diagonally with respect to (direction) is provided.

On the other hand, below the lower case 12 (Z2 in FIG. 1)
(Direction), a unit case 17 is provided. The unit case 17 is formed by injection molding or the like of a synthetic resin such as PPS having excellent dimensional stability with respect to environmental resistance characteristics such as heat resistance characteristics, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the X1 and X2 directions. L-shaped locking pieces 17A, 1
7B is formed. On the outer surfaces of the locking pieces 17A and 17B, locking projections 17A protruding in the X1 and X2 directions.
1, 17B1 are formed respectively.

Locking recesses 12A and 12B are formed on the inner surface of the lower case 12 on the X1 and X2 sides, respectively. Locking recesses 12A, 12B of the lower case 12
The unit case 17 can be locked and fixed to the lower case 12 by fitting the locking projections 17A1 and 17B1 of the unit case 17 into the concave and convex.

Further, as shown in FIG.
7, a circular positioning hole 17 is provided on the surface on the Y1 side in the drawing.
C and 17D are formed respectively. On the surface of the lower case 12 facing the positioning holes 17C and 17D, positioning projections 12D and 12E are formed so as to protrude (not shown). Therefore, the locking projection 17A
When the first case 17B1 is engaged with the engaging recesses 12A and 12B, the positioning projections 12D and 12E of the lower case 12 are provided with positioning holes 17C and 1C of the unit case 17.
By engaging the 7D, the unit case 17 can be positioned and fixed at a lower position in the lower case 12 with high accuracy.

X1 and X2 of the unit case 17
The support pieces 17a extending in the illustrated Z1 direction
17b, and a circular support portion 17a1 and a support portion 17b1 are formed at the tip thereof. The support part 17a
In the upper part of the first and the first parts 17b1, there are formed defective parts 17a2 and 17b2 each having an open end in the Z1 direction in the drawing, and both ends of the rotating shaft 30 to be described later are supported through the defective parts 17a2 and 17b2. 17b1.

Between the support pieces 17a and 17b, a first
17d and a second pedestal portion 17e.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the first M pedestal portion 17d is formed in a substantially V-shape at an angle of 90 degrees.
A pair of first detecting means H1 is provided on the back of the character-shaped inclined surface (inside the first pedestal portion 17d).

The first detecting means H1 has an upper end surface in contact with a first flat surface 17g provided on the first pedestal portion 17d and a lower end surface defined by a hole 17f.
Abuts against the flat surface 17h, is positioned in the up-down direction, is positioned by contacting both side surfaces with the protrusion 17i, and is further resiliently pressed by the leaf spring 17k so that the upper surface contacts the third flat surface 17j. Is held in.
The leaf spring 17k is held by the first pedestal portion 17d by pressing both ends thereof between both end surfaces 17l provided with the projections 17i. As a result, the first detecting means H1 is held with its outer shape positioned with respect to the first pedestal 17d. Then, approximately V of the first pedestal portion 17d
Between the pair of first detecting means H
1 so that the distance from the first magnet M1 (first
(A detection body) is disposed to face the first detection means H1.

On the other hand, the second pedestal portion 17e has a rectangular parallelepiped shape extending in the X direction in the figure, and rails (guide members) 17e1 and 17e2 having a convex cross section are formed on both sides of the upper surface thereof.
It extends in the direction. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6 to 8, a second detecting means H2 is provided at the center of the second pedestal portion 17e. The second detecting means H2 abuts both end faces in both directions in the X direction with the fourth and fifth flat faces 17m and 17n provided on the second pedestal portion 17e,
It is positioned in the X direction, is positioned by abutting both end surfaces against the projections 17p, and further has a sixth flat surface 17
It is held in a state where it is resiliently pressed by the leaf spring 17r so as to come into contact with q. The leaf spring 17r is held by the second pedestal portion 17e by pressing both ends thereof between the side surfaces 17s provided with the projections 17p. As a result, the second detecting means H2 is held with its outer shape positioned with respect to the second pedestal portion 17e. The hole 17t provided on the upper surface is provided for confirming the presence / absence of the second detecting means H2, and there is no problem in performance even without it.
The movable body 20 is located above the second pedestal portion 17e.
Are facing each other. The first detecting means H1 and the second detecting means H2 are mounted on a board.

A lead wire 26 is provided on the substrate 25, and output signals of the first and second detecting means H1 and H2 are detected outside through the lead wire 26. As the first detecting means H1 and the second detecting means H2, for example, a Hall element, an MR element, a magnetic flux detecting coil and the like can be used.

The movable body 20 mainly comprises a holder 21, an elastic support member 22, and a fitting member 23.
The holder 21 is made of a synthetic resin, and has a planar rectangular space area 21A formed therein. Four sliding pieces 21a, 21a, 21a, 2 protruding in the illustrated Y-axis direction are provided at four corners of the holder 21 surrounding the space area 21A.
1a are formed. The bottom surface of each sliding piece 21a is formed as a smooth surface having a small coefficient of friction.
The width interval of the bottom surface (a) (the interval in the Y direction) is the same as the width interval between the rails 17e1 and 17e2. Therefore, the holder 21 is capable of reciprocating in the X direction in the drawing with the sliding pieces 21a placed on the rails 17e1 and 17e2, respectively.

In the space area 21A of the holder 21,
A second magnet M2 (second detector) made of a magnetic material such as ferrite magnetized to a pair of N pole and S pole along the axial direction is held. Then, the magnetically attached surface of the second magnet M2 and the second detecting means H2 are in a relationship of facing each other. A fixing portion 21f is provided on the Y side of the holder 21 in the figure, and convex portions 21g and 21h projecting in the direction of Z1 in the figure are formed on the fixing portion 21f.

The elastic support member 22 is formed by pressing and / or punching a thin metal plate. A base end 22 of the elastic support member 22 on the Y1 side in the drawing.
In A, holes 22a, 2 provided with a cross-shaped notch are provided.
2b are formed, and the convex portions 21g and 21h of the holder 21 are inserted into the holes 22a and 22b, so that the base end 22A which is one end of the elastic support member 22 is formed.
However, it is fixed to the fixing portion 21f of the holder 21A in a cantilever state. The other end of the elastic support member 22 on the Y2 side in the drawing is a support portion 22B. The base end portion 22A is fixed to the fixing portion 21f to be in a cantilever support state. And
The support portion 22B is a free end and is elastically supported in the Z direction in the figure. Holes 22c and 22d are provided in the support portion 22B.
Is formed between the hole 22c and the hole 22d.
Arms 22f, 22f, 22 extending in the Y2 direction
f and 22f are integrally formed.

As shown in FIG. 2, a fitting member 23 is fixed on the support portion 22B of the elastic support member 22. The fitting member 23 is formed of a resin material. Through holes are formed at both ends of the base 23A in the X1 and X2 directions from one end surface to the other end surface of the cylinder, and the cylinder is formed by a surface parallel to the XY plane. A pair of cut semi-hollow cylindrical fitting portions 23
a and 23b are formed. The fitting portions 23a, 23
Female threads are formed on the inner surfaces 23c, 23c of the U-shaped cross section b. The base 23 of the fitting member 23
On the lower surface of A (the surface on the Z2 side), protrusions 23d and 23e similar to the protrusions 21g and 21h formed on the holder 21 are formed so as to protrude in the Z2 direction in the figure (not shown). The projections 23d and 23e are inserted into the holes 22c and 22d formed in the support portion 22B of the elastic support member 22, so that the fitting member 23 is supported on the free end side support portion 22B of the elastic support member 22. Is held. And the fitting member 2
By deforming and holding the distal end of each support arm 22f so as to wind each support arm 22f around the base 23A of No. 3,
The fitting member 23 is firmly held by the support portion 22B.
As described above, when the fitting member 23 is fixed to the support portion 22B of the elastic support member 22, the fitting member 23 is installed directly above the space area 21A of the holder 21, and the elastic force of the elastic support member 22 causes It is elastically supported in the Z direction and resiliently presses against a screw shaft 30a described later.

A drive gear 36 is fixed to the rotating shaft 30 and rotates together with the rotating shaft 30. The helical gear 3 having the same pitch as the helical gear 13A formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 13 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the drive gear 36.
6A is provided around. A spiral screw shaft 30 a is formed on the rotating shaft 30 from a position adjacent to the drive gear 36 to the left end of the rotating shaft 30.
The pitch of the thread groove of the screw shaft 30a is formed at the same pitch as the internal threads formed on the inner surfaces 23c, 23c of the fitting portions 23a, 23b. When the screw shaft 30a and the fitting portions 23a and 23b mesh with each other, a conversion unit that converts the rotation of the rotary shaft 30 into a linear motion of the slide member 18 is configured.

When both ends of the rotary shaft 30 are supported between the support portion 17a1 of the support piece 17a and the support portion 17b1 of the support piece 17b, the screw shaft 30a is
2 are set so as to be located on a locus of elastic movement of the fitting member 23 provided at the free end of the second member. Accordingly, the screw shaft 30a and the fitting portions 23a and 23b of the fitting member 23 provided at the free end of the elastic support member 22 mesh with each other.

The right end side of the drive gear 36 in the figure is a thick shaft extension 36 extending the shaft center of the drive gear 36 in the X1 direction.
a and a thin shaft extension 36b are formed. The thin shaft extension 36b is connected to the thick shaft extension 36a in the drawing X
It is formed in one direction. An auxiliary gear 40 is rotatably inserted into the thick shaft extension 36a. An urging member 50A is provided between the right end surface of the driving gear 36 and the auxiliary gear 40. The urging member 50A in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is, for example, a torsion spring 50,
The drive gear 36 can be biased in the β2 direction. One end 50a of the urging member 50A is formed so as to extend in the X2 direction in the drawing, and as shown in FIG.
6 is inserted into an insertion hole 36c formed inside.
The other end 50b of the urging member 50A is connected to the auxiliary gear 4
0 is hooked on a hook portion 40a formed in the opposing surface.

The outer peripheral surface of the auxiliary gear 40 is formed in a helical gear shape. Further, the auxiliary gear 40 has a bevel gear shape having a small outer diameter on the side facing the drive gear 36 and a large outer diameter on the opposite side. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the auxiliary gear 40 has a bevel gear shape whose teeth are inclined along the circumferential direction of the rotating body 13 in the axial cross-sectional shape. Therefore, the auxiliary gear 40 is formed as a helical gear and bevel gear (helical gear 40A).

A ring-shaped washer 55 and a first magnet (first detector) M are provided on the right end side of the auxiliary gear 40 in the figure.
1 is provided. The inner diameter of the first magnet M1 is formed to be substantially the same as the outer diameter of the small shaft extension 36b of the drive gear 36, and the first magnet M1 is fitted to the small shaft extension 36b. Thereby, it can be fixed to the rotating shaft 30.

The outer peripheral surface of the first magnet M1 has a pair of the first detecting means H1 each having one or two N and S poles during one rotation of the first magnet M1. It is magnetized to pass through.

The both surfaces of the washer 55 are formed as smooth surfaces having a small coefficient of friction. The washer 55 is interposed between the auxiliary gear 40 and the first magnet M1 so that the end surface of the auxiliary gear 40 is The sliding friction generated between the first magnet M1 and the end face can be reduced.

The rotating shaft 30 including the driving gear 36, the auxiliary gear 40, the biasing member 50A, the washer 55, and the first magnet M1 is connected to the support portion 17a1 of the support piece 17a and the support portion 17b1 of the support piece 17b. Supported between. At this time, bearing members 60 are mounted on both ends of the rotating shaft 30, respectively. The bearing member 60 is formed of a synthetic resin material, and includes a cylindrical bearing 61 and a flange 62 provided on one surface of the bearing 61. Then, both ends of the rotating shaft 30 are
The outer peripheral surfaces of the bearing portions 61 are supported by the support portions 17a1 and 17b1, respectively, in a state where the bearing portions are inserted through the support portions 17a1 and 17b1. This prevents the rotational shaft 30 from being displaced in the radial direction (the direction perpendicular to the rotational shaft 9).

As shown in FIG. 1, when the rotation shaft 30 is mounted inside the unit case 17, a first magnet (first
The detection body M1 is installed at a position facing the inclined surface of the first pedestal portion 17d formed in a substantially V shape. A drive gear 36 is disposed between the first pedestal 17d and the second pedestal 17e.

Further, the fitting portions 23a, 23 of the fitting member 23
3b is engaged with the screw shaft 30a.
At this time, the urging force of the elastic support member 22 causes the fitting portion 2
3a and 23b press the screw shaft 30a in the Z1 direction, so that the screw shaft 30a and the fitting portions 23a and 23
The backlash due to the backlash between the inner surfaces 23c of 23b and 23c is reduced.

Since the elastic support member 22 is formed integrally with a single metal plate, the entire fitting member 23 can be urged horizontally in the Z1 direction. Thus, no biasing force is generated on both ends of the fitting portion 23a and the fitting portion 23b with respect to the screw shaft 30a. Therefore, since the fitting portion 23a and the fitting portion 23b can repress the screw shaft 30a with a uniform urging force, the screw shaft 30a and the inner surfaces 23c, 2 of the fitting portions 23a, 23b are formed.
3c can be evenly brought into close contact with each other, and rattling between them can be suppressed.

The gain adjustment and the offset adjustment of the first detecting means and the second detecting means are performed in the state of the unit case 17 on which the rotating shaft 30 is mounted.

The adjustment operation is performed while attaching a joint member to the tip of the rotating shaft 30 on the right end side in the figure and forcibly rotating the rotating shaft 30 via the joint member. That is, when the rotation shaft 30 is rotated in the β1 or β2 direction, the first magnet M1 is rotated about the rotation shaft 30 in the β1 or 2 direction. At the same time, the holder 21 reciprocates the rails (guide members) 17e1 and 17e2 of the second pedestal 17e from one end to the other end in the X direction by the feed force of the screw shaft 30a. Then, by detecting the output signals of the first and second detecting means H1 and H2 at this time via the lead wires 26 connected to the substrate 25, the gain and offset of each output signal are optimized. The resistance value of the resistor is determined.

A land (not shown) for soldering is provided on the lower surface (the surface on the Z2 side) of the substrate 25, and a fixed resistor (not shown) selected by the gain and offset adjustment is provided on this land. ) Is soldered. And
After the soldering operation is completed, the unit case 17 is attached to a lower position in the lower case 12. Rotating body 1
When the helical gear 3 is provided in the lower case 12, the helical gear 13A of the rotating body 13 and the helical gear 36A of the drive gear 36 mesh with each other in a screw gear relationship. By mounting the upper case 11 on the lower case 12, the unit case 17 and the rotating body 13 are sealed between the upper case 11 and the lower case 12 (case main body).

In the unit case 17, both the first detecting means H1 and the second detecting means H2 are positioned, and a first magnet (first detecting body) M1 and a second magnet (second detecting means) A rotating shaft 30 provided with a detector M2 is mounted. Therefore, since all the members are positioned with reference to the unit case 17, the first magnet M1 and the first magnet
, And the relative position between the second magnet M2 and the second detecting means H2 can be easily determined. Furthermore, since the members are unlikely to be loosened due to the aging of the members as in the related art, the initially determined positioning state can be maintained. Unit case 1
7, since these members are firmly held, even if the unit case 17 is repeatedly attached to and detached from the lower case 12, the relative positions do not shift before and after attachment and detachment. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the output characteristics of the first detection unit H1 and the second detection unit H2 from changing before and after the soldering operation, and to obtain desired output characteristics as set. . In addition, since the soldering operation can be performed in the state of the unit case 17, the entire adjustment operation is facilitated, and the efficiency of the entire assembling operation of the angle sensor Sa can be increased. In addition, since the fixed resistor can be soldered visually, it is possible to prevent a solder defect.

The operation of the angle sensor will be described below.
The angle sensor Sa is connected to a steering wheel S of an automobile.
h, and the steering wheel Sh is rotated in the illustrated α1 or α2 direction, the drive gear 36 and the auxiliary gear 40 meshed with the rotating body 13 are rotated in the illustrated β1 or β2 direction. At this time, the rotation shaft 30
And a first magnet M1 fixed to the rotating shaft 30
Is rotated in the β1 or β2 direction.

By this rotation, the N pole and the S pole magnetized on the outer peripheral surface of the first magnet (first detecting body) M1 pass through the first detecting means H1. The pair of first detecting means H1 detects the displacement magnetic field of the magnetic field of the first magnet M1 to generate sine waves 101 and 102 having different phases similar to the conventional example shown in FIG. The rotation position of the rotating body 13 (the steering wheel Sh) is output using the areas where the output output voltage changes greatly with respect to the rotation angle. Note that the number and waveform of the signals are not limited to the above, and it is sufficient that a waveform having a large output value change with respect to the rotation amount can be obtained.

When the rotation shaft 30 is rotated in the β1 or β2 direction, the holder 21 is rotated by the screw shaft 30a.
A feeding force in the illustrated X1 or X2 direction (thrust direction) is applied to the fitting portions 23a and 23b. As a result, each sliding piece 21a of the holder 21 slides on the rails 17e1 and 17e2 of the second pedestal portion 17e, and X1 or X2 shown in FIG.
It is moved linearly in the direction. That is, the rotating shaft 30
Screw shaft 30a and fitting portion 23 of fitting member 23
Reference numerals a and 23b denote conversion means for converting the rotational motion of the rotating shaft 30 in the β1 or β2 direction into linear motion, and the movable means 20 is moved in the X1 or X2 direction by the conversion means. The second detecting means H2 detects a change in the component of the magnetic field of the second magnet M2 in the Z direction, and obtains a value 103 similar to the conventional example shown in FIG. 10 which linearly changes at least over the moving range. Output, and the coarse rotation angle position is output. Note that the output characteristic may not be a linear characteristic as long as the value increases with rotation.

The output signals of the first detecting means H1 and the second detecting means H2 are processed by calculating means (not shown) provided outside the angle sensor Sa, and the absolute rotation of the steering wheel Sh is calculated. The position is detected with high accuracy and in real time, and the rotation speed, rotation direction, and the like can be detected.

If the outer diameter of the steering wheel Sh engaged with the rotating body 13 is different, it is necessary to change the outer diameter (size) of the case body (lower case and upper case) and the inner diameter of the rotating body 13. Occurs. However, in general, the range in which the steering wheel Sh rotates is 3 rotations or less in the α1 direction and 3 rotations or less in the α2 direction, though it varies depending on the vehicle type. Therefore, the range of the steering wheel Sh to be detected by the angle sensor Sa can be covered. Therefore, the unit case 17 is formed by forming the locking concave portions 12A and 12B for the concave and convex engagement of the locking convex portion of the unit case 17 in the lower case 12 of each of the angle sensors Sa having different sizes. It can be mounted as it is. Thereby, the unit case 17
Can be used in common, so that the cost of parts can be reduced.

In the above embodiment, the first and second magnets M1 and M2 are provided on the rotating shaft 30 side, and the first and second detecting means H1 and H2 are provided on the unit case 17 side. Although the first and second magnets M1 and M2 may be provided on the unit case 17 side, the first and second detection means H1 and H2 may be provided on the rotating shaft 30 side. Alternatively, the first magnet M1 and the second detecting means H2 are provided on the rotating shaft 30 side, and the second magnet M2 and the first detecting means H1 are provided on the unit case 17 side, or vice versa. It may be an aspect.

In the present invention, the unit case 1
7, the rotating shaft 30 provided with the first magnet M1 and the second magnet M2 is supported, so that the mounting accuracy of the first magnet M1 and the second magnet M2, the molding accuracy of the unit case 17, and the like are improved. By doing so, it is possible to reduce the amount of offset generated in the first and second detection means H1, H2. Even if the mounting accuracy is low, the offset adjustment can easily reduce the offset amount to a level that does not cause a functional problem.

In the above embodiment, the gain and offset are adjusted by attaching a fixed resistor. However, an EPROM is provided for the first and second detecting means, and this input terminal is soldered to the land of the substrate. Alternatively, the contents of the EPROM may be rewritten, the gain and the offset may be adjusted, and then the input terminals of the EPROM may be soldered to the lands on the board.

[0060]

According to the present invention described in detail above, the relative position between the detection body and the detection member can be determined in advance in the state of the unit case, and the angle before and after the unit case is mounted in the case body. It is possible to prevent the output characteristics of the sensor from changing.

Therefore, the working efficiency in the assembly process of the angle sensor can be improved. Further, the adjustment of the detecting means (Hall element) can be facilitated, and the adjusted detecting means can exhibit the original output characteristics. Further, the components can be shared for each angle sensor.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front sectional view showing the internal structure of an angle sensor;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a main part of the angle sensor,

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a holding structure of a first detection unit.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line aa of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line bb of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a holding structure of a second detection unit;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line cc of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line dd of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the internal structure of a conventional angle sensor;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing output characteristics of an angle sensor with respect to a rotation angle;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Sa Angle sensor 11 Upper case (case main body) 12 Lower case (case main body) 12A, 12B Locking concave portion 12D, 12E Positioning convex portion 13 Rotating body 17 Unit case 17A, 17B Locking piece 17A1, 17B1 Locking convex portion 17C, 17D Positioning hole 20 Movable body 21 Holder 22 Elastic support member 23 Fitting member 23a, 23b Fitting part 30 Rotary shaft 30a Screw shaft 36 Drive gear 40 Auxiliary gear 50A Urging member H1 First detecting means H2 Second detecting means M1 First magnet (first detector) M2 Second magnet (second detector)

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A case body, a rotating body rotatably supported by the case body and engaged with a first rotating shaft to rotate together with the case body, and a second rotating shaft rotated by the rotating body. A first detector provided on the second rotating shaft and rotating together with the second rotating shaft, and a second detector reciprocating along the second rotating shaft by the rotation of the second rotating shaft. And a first detector for detecting rotation of the first detector
Detecting means, and a second detecting means for detecting the movement of the second detecting object.
An angle sensor comprising: a second case, a second rotation axis, a second detection body,
An angle sensor comprising a first detecting means and a second detecting means, wherein the unit case is positioned and assembled in the case main body. 2. The angle sensor according to claim 1, wherein the outer surfaces on both sides of the unit case and the inner surfaces on both sides of the case main body facing the unit case are positioned by concave and convex fitting. 3. The second detection body is slidably provided on the unit case, and performs a reciprocating linear movement between the second rotation axis and the second detection body. 3. The angle sensor according to claim 1, further comprising a conversion unit that converts the motion into a motion.