JP2024041179A - torque sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a torque sensor capable of reducing manufacturing costs.SOLUTION: A torque sensor includes: a pair of stator members 51 provided with a flange part 52 protruding outward in a radial direction; a pair of magnetic collecting yokes 43 detecting a change of magnetic flux in accordance with a relative positional change of the pair of stator members 51 and the magnet 56; and a magnetic collecting yoke assembly 40 which has a hall IC 45 having a hall element outputted by making a change of magnetic flux detected by the magnetic collecting yokes 43 an electric signal and is freely removably attached to a housing 20. One of the pair of magnetic collecting yokes 43 faces the flange part 52 from one side in an axial direction to the flange part 52 of one of the pair of stator members 51, and the other of the pair of magnetic collecting yokes 43 faces the flange part 52 from one side in the axial direction with respect to the flange part 52 of the other of the pair of stator members 51.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

The present disclosure relates to torque sensors.

As an example of a torque sensor that detects torque applied to a rotating body included in a steering device, there is a sensor that detects torque by detecting changes in magnetism. For example, the torque detection device described in Patent Document 1 includes a magnet section fixed to a first shaft, a stator section fixed to a second shaft, and a sensor that detects a rotational phase difference between the magnet section and the stator section. It has a department. Among these, the stator section has two magnetic yokes, and the sensor section has two magnetic flux collecting terminals that are press-fitted into the case in correspondence with the two magnetic yokes individually, and is arranged between the two magnetic flux collecting terminals. It has a Hall IC as a magnetic detection element.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-206093

Here, when the sensor section is arranged to sandwich the stator section from both sides in the axial direction, as in Patent Document 1, when the stator section moves relative to the sensor section in the axial direction, the stator section It is conceivable that the object will collide with the sensor section. In other words, when the magnetic flux collecting yoke, which is a magnetic flux collecting terminal, is arranged to sandwich the stator fixed to the second shaft from both sides in the axial direction, the second shaft is, for example, inside the bearing that supports the second shaft. It is conceivable that the stator collides with the magnetic flux collecting yoke when the stator moves relative to the magnetic flux collecting yoke in the axial direction due to the gap.

Collisions between the stator and the magnetic collecting yoke can be avoided by increasing the axial gap between the stator and the magnetic collecting yoke, but increasing the gap between the stator and the magnetic collecting yoke reduces the magnetic flux passing through the stator. Since it becomes difficult to collect the magnetism with the magnetism collecting yoke, the resolution when detecting torque with the torque sensor tends to decrease. If the vehicle model equipped with a torque sensor is one in which torque detection accuracy can be achieved even at low resolution, collision between the two can be avoided by increasing the gap between the stator and the magnetic collecting yoke, but torque detection at high resolution is possible. In vehicle models that require this, it is necessary to reduce the gap between the stator and the magnetic collecting yoke in order to efficiently collect the magnetic flux passing through the stator with the magnetic collecting yoke.

In other words, in a torque sensor that requires high resolution, the magnetic collecting yoke assembly has a magnetic collecting yoke, and the magnetic collecting yoke is installed in such a way that the axial gap between the stator and the magnetic collecting yoke is smaller than that of a low-resolution torque sensor. A magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly is used. For this reason, different magnetic flux collecting yoke assemblies are used for torque sensors that require high resolution and torque sensors that require low resolution. Two types are required: a yoke assembly and a magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly for low resolution. However, preparing two types of magnetic flux collecting yoke assemblies as described above causes an increase in manufacturing costs such as manufacturing costs of components and management costs.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above, and is a torque sensor that can reduce manufacturing costs and management costs by making it possible to reuse parts of the same type even when torque sensor specifications differ. The purpose is to provide

The torque sensor of the present disclosure includes a housing, a shaft disposed inside the housing, an inner ring fixed to the shaft, an outer ring fixed to the housing, and supporting the shaft rotatably with respect to the housing. a stator assembly including a bearing, a pair of stator members fixed to the shaft, the stator assembly including a flange portion protruding outward in the radial direction of the shaft, and a cylindrical magnet disposed opposite to the stator member; a pair of magnetic flux collection yokes that detect changes in magnetic flux according to relative positional changes between the pair of stator members and the magnets; and a Hall element that outputs the change in magnetic flux detected by the magnetic flux collection yokes as an electrical signal. and a magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly detachably attached to the housing, wherein the magnetic collecting yoke of one of the pair of magnetic collecting yokes is connected to the magnetic flux collecting yoke of one of the pair of stator members. The other of the pair of magnetic flux collecting yokes, which faces the flange of the stator member from one side in the axial direction of the shaft, is one of the pair of magnetic flux collecting yokes of the pair of stator members. The flange portion is opposed to the flange portion of the other stator member from one side in the axial direction of the shaft.

According to this configuration, since the pair of magnetic flux collecting yokes face the flange portion of the stator member from the same direction side in the axial direction, it is possible to adjust the axial position of the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly with respect to the stator member. Accordingly, the two gaps between the flange portion of the stator member and the magnetic flux collection yoke can be changed in the same way. This makes it possible to use the same magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly and stator member at the flange part of the stator member without having to prepare a magnetic collecting yoke assembly or a stator member for each gap between the flange part of the stator member and the magnetic collecting yoke. It is possible to adjust the gap between the magnetic field collector yoke and the magnetic field collecting yoke. Therefore, the same magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly can be applied to both torque sensors installed in vehicle models that require high resolution and torque sensors installed in vehicle models that require low resolution. Therefore, even when torque sensors have different specifications, the same type of parts can be reused, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and management costs.

Preferably, the housing includes a first housing to which the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly is attached, and a second housing to which the outer ring of the bearing is fixed, and the first housing and the second housing are connected. be done.

According to this configuration, since the first housing and the second housing are connected to each other, the relative positions of the magnetic flux collecting yoke and the stator member in the axial direction are adjusted to the designed positions due to the accumulation of processing tolerances. However, by adjusting the arrangement position of the magnetic collecting yoke assembly in the axial direction, the gap between the magnetic collecting yoke and the stator member can be adjusted to the relative position of the magnetic collecting yoke and the stator member. The size can be adjusted in consideration of the deviation. Thereby, even if a deviation occurs in the relative positions of the magnetic flux collecting yoke and the stator member, it is possible to avoid collision between the flange portion of the stator member and the magnetic flux collecting yoke. As a result, even if the specifications of the torque sensor are different, it is possible to reuse the same type of parts, reducing manufacturing and management costs, while suppressing collisions between the flange of the stator member and the magnetic flux collection yoke. be able to.

Preferably, the housing has a housing portion that accommodates the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly, and the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly has a mounting flange that attaches the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly to the housing, and the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly has a mounting flange that attaches the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly to the housing. is inserted into the housing portion from the outside in the radial direction of the shaft, and the mounting flange is attached to the housing.

According to this configuration, the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly is inserted into the accommodation portion of the housing from the outside in the radial direction and fixed to the housing, so it may shift or angle from the designed position due to processing tolerances etc. Although the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly is likely to be tilted and fixed, the gap between the magnetic flux collecting yoke and the stator member at two locations can be adjusted by adjusting the arrangement position of the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly in the axial direction. Therefore, without using a dedicated magnetic collecting yoke assembly manufactured in consideration of the relative positional deviation between the magnetic collecting yoke and the stator member, the gap between the magnetic collecting yoke and the stator member can be closed between the magnetic collecting yoke and the stator member. The size can be determined in consideration of the positional deviation relative to the stator member. As a result, even if a deviation occurs in the relative positional relationship between the magnetic flux collecting yoke and the stator member, collision between the flange portion of the stator member and the magnetic flux collecting yoke can be avoided, and the specifications of the torque sensor can be maintained. By making it possible to reuse the same type of components even in different cases, it is possible to reduce manufacturing costs and management costs, and to suppress collisions between the flange portion of the stator member and the magnetic flux collecting yoke.

In a preferred embodiment, the pair of magnetic flux collecting yokes face the flange portion of the stator member from the side where the distance from the pair of stator members to the magnetic body is greater in the axial direction.

With this configuration, the magnetic flux collecting yoke can be positioned as far away as possible from the magnetic body. This makes it possible to prevent the magnetic flux being disturbed by the magnetic body and detected by the magnetic flux collecting yoke when the magnetic flux acting on the stator member from the magnet is detected by the magnetic flux collecting yoke due to the magnetic body being positioned near the magnetic flux collecting yoke. As a result, the magnetic flux acting on the stator member from the magnet can be detected with high accuracy by the magnetic flux collecting yoke, and the steering torque can be detected appropriately.

In a preferred embodiment, the magnetic body is the bearing.

According to this configuration, by arranging the magnetic flux collecting yoke as far away as possible from the bearing, which is a magnetic material, when the magnetic flux collecting yoke detects a change in the magnetic flux acting on the stator member from the magnet, the magnetic flux is affected by the bearing. can be prevented from being detected in a disordered manner. As a result, the magnetic flux acting on the stator member from the magnet can be accurately detected by the magnetic flux collection yoke, and the steering torque can be appropriately detected.

The torque sensor according to the present disclosure has the effect that manufacturing costs and management costs can be reduced by making it possible to reuse parts of the same type even if the specifications of the torque sensor are different.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining a steering device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a section including a torque sensor in the steering device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overview of a magnet, a stator assembly, and a magnetic flux collecting yoke included in the torque sensor. FIG. 4 is a detailed diagram around the torque sensor shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly. FIG. 6 is a detailed view of a portion where the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly is attached to the first housing. FIG. 7 is a detailed view showing a state before the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly is attached to the first housing shown in FIG. 6. FIG. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the relative positional relationship between the flange portion of the stator member and a pair of magnetic flux collecting yokes. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the relative positional relationship between a flange portion of a stator member of a torque sensor that detects torque with high resolution and a pair of magnetic flux collecting yokes. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the bearing disposed in the first housing has a longer distance to the flange portion of the stator member than the bearing disposed in the second housing. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the bearing arranged in the second housing has a longer distance to the flange portion of the stator member than the bearing arranged in the first housing.

The present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the following modes for carrying out the invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments). Furthermore, the components in the following embodiments include those that a person skilled in the art can easily imagine, those that are substantially the same, and those that are within the so-called equivalent range. Furthermore, the components disclosed in the following embodiments can be combined as appropriate.

[Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining a steering device 80 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the steering device 80 includes a steering wheel 81, a steering shaft 82, a universal joint 84, an intermediate shaft 85, a universal joint 86, and a stub shaft in the order in which the force applied by the operator is transmitted. 87, a steering gear 88, and a tie rod 89. Further, the steering device 80 includes a control device (hereinafter referred to as an ECU (Electronic Control Unit)) 100, a torque sensor 10, and an electric motor 102. Vehicle speed sensor 101 is provided in a vehicle and outputs a vehicle speed signal V to ECU 100 through CAN (Controller Area Network) communication.

Steering shaft 82 is connected to steering wheel 81 at one end and to universal joint 84 at the other end.

Intermediate shaft 85 is connected to universal joint 84 at one end and to universal joint 86 at the other end. The stub shaft 87 is connected to the universal joint 86 at one end and to the torque sensor 10 at the other end. The torque sensor 10 is connected to the stub shaft 87 at one end, and connected to the first pinion gear 88a of the steering gear 88 at the other end.

Specifically, the first pinion gear 88a is a shaft-shaped member in which a gear (not shown) that engages with a rack bar 88b, which will be described later, is formed at the end opposite to the side connected to the stub shaft 87. , the stub shaft 87 and the first pinion gear 88a are connected via a torsion bar 87a (see FIG. 2). The torsion bar 87a has one end connected to the stub shaft 87 and the other end connected to the first pinion gear 88a, and the torsion bar 87a transmits rotational torque between the stub shaft 87 and the first pinion gear 88a.

The torque sensor 10 is a torque detection device that detects torque acting on a shaft connected to the torque sensor 10, and is transmitted between the stub shaft 87 and the first pinion gear 88a via the torsion bar 87a. Detect rotational torque. That is, the stub shaft 87 and the first pinion gear 88a, which are connected via the torsion bar 87a, are shafts to be detected when torque is detected by the torque sensor 10.

The steering gear 88 includes a first pinion gear 88a, a rack bar 88b, and a second pinion gear 88c. The first pinion gear 88a is connected to the stub shaft 87 via a torsion bar 87a. The rack bar 88b has rack teeth (not shown) that mesh with a gear formed on the first pinion gear 88a. The rack bar 88b also meshes with the second pinion gear 88c at a position different from the first pinion gear 88a.

An electric motor 102 is connected to the second pinion gear 88c via a worm reduction device (not shown), and the second pinion gear 88c is rotatable by the driving force transmitted from the electric motor 102. The electric motor 102 rotates the second pinion gear 88c via a worm reduction device (not shown). The electric motor 102 is, for example, a brushless motor, but may also be a motor equipped with a brush (slider) and a commutator (commutator).

The steering gear 88 converts the rotational motion transmitted to the first pinion gear 88a and the second pinion gear 88c into linear motion using a rack bar 88b disposed inside the rack housing 90. The steering device 80 according to the present embodiment is of a dual pinion assist type in which the rack bar 88b moves in a straight line by rotational movement transmitted from the first pinion gear 88a and the second pinion gear 88c. Tie rod 89 is connected to rack bar 88b. That is, the steering device 80 is a rack and pinion type electric power steering device.

The torque sensor 10 detects the driver's steering force transmitted to the steering shaft 82 via the steering wheel 81 as steering torque. Vehicle speed sensor 101 detects the traveling speed (vehicle speed) of a vehicle on which steering device 80 is mounted. Electric motor 102, torque sensor 10, and vehicle speed sensor 101 are electrically connected to ECU 100.

The ECU 100 controls the operation of the electric motor 102. The ECU 100 also acquires signals from the torque sensor 10 and the vehicle speed sensor 101. That is, the ECU 100 acquires the steering torque T from the torque sensor 10 and the vehicle speed signal V from the vehicle speed sensor 101. The ECU 100 is supplied with power from a power supply device (e.g., an on-board battery) 104 when the ignition switch 103 is on. The ECU 100 calculates an auxiliary steering command value of an assist command based on the steering torque T and the vehicle speed signal V. The ECU 100 then adjusts the power value X to be supplied to the electric motor 102 based on the calculated auxiliary steering command value. The ECU 100 acquires information on induced voltage from the electric motor 102 or information output from a rotation detection device such as a resolver provided in the electric motor 102 as operation information Y.

The operator's (driver's) steering force input to the steering wheel 81 is transmitted to the first pinion gear 88a. The steering force transmitted to the first pinion gear 88a is transmitted to the tie rod 89 via the steering gear 88, displacing the wheels.

Furthermore, the operator's steering force input to the steering wheel 81 is transmitted to the torque sensor 10 arranged in a steering force transmission path from the steering wheel 81 to the first pinion gear 88a. At this time, the ECU 100 acquires the steering torque T from the torque sensor 10 and the vehicle speed signal V from the vehicle speed sensor 101. The ECU 100 then controls the operation of the electric motor 102. The auxiliary steering torque generated by the electric motor 102 is transmitted to the second pinion gear 88c.

The auxiliary steering torque transmitted to the second pinion gear 88c is transmitted to the tie rod 89 via the steering gear 88, displacing the wheels. That is, in addition to the operator's steering force transmitted to the rack bar 88b via the first pinion gear 88a, the steering device 80 receives the assistance of the electric motor 102 transmitted to the rack bar 88b via the second pinion gear 88c. Steering torque is also used to displace the wheels.

As shown in FIG. 1, the steering device 80 is of a dual pinion type in which assist force is applied to the second pinion gear 88c, but the steering device 80 is not limited thereto. The steering device 80 may be, for example, a column assist type electric power steering device in which an assist force is applied to the steering shaft 82, or a single pinion assist type electric power steering device in which an assist force is applied to the first pinion gear 88a. Alternatively, a rack assist type electric power steering device may be used, such as a ball screw type electric power steering device that applies an assist force to the rack bar 88b without using a pinion.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the steering device 80 according to the embodiment, including the torque sensor 10. In the following description, unless there is a specific description of the direction, the axial direction of the stub shaft 87 and the first pinion gear 88a in which the torque sensor 10 is disposed will be described as the axial direction of the torque sensor 10 as well. Similarly, the circumferential direction centered on the axial center of the stub shaft 87 and the first pinion gear 88a is also described as the circumferential direction in the torque sensor 10, and the circumferential direction centered on the axial center of the stub shaft 87 and the first pinion gear 88a The radial direction will be described as the radial direction of the torque sensor 10 as well.

The housing 20 is disposed around the portion of the stub shaft 87 and the first pinion gear 88a that is connected via the torsion bar 87a. The housing 20 has a first housing 21 and a second housing 31 that are connected to each other. The first housing 21 is disposed at a position closer to the stub shaft 87 in the axial direction and mainly covers the stub shaft 87, and the second housing 31 is disposed at a position closer to the first pinion gear 88a in the axial direction and mainly covers the first pinion gear 88a. In other words, the stub shaft 87 and the first pinion gear 88a are at least partially disposed inside the first housing 21 and the second housing 31, the stub shaft 87 is at least partially disposed inside the first housing 21, and the first pinion gear 88a is at least partially disposed inside the second housing 31. The first housing 21 is attached to the second housing 31 by mounting bolts 37 (see FIG. 6), thereby fixing the first housing 21 to the second housing 31.

Further, a bearing 60 is arranged inside the first housing 21 , and the bearing 60 is arranged between the stub shaft 87 and the first housing 21 . The stub shaft 87 is rotatably supported by the first housing 21 via a bearing 60 disposed between the stub shaft 87 and the first housing 21 . The bearing 60 arranged between the stub shaft 87 and the first housing 21 is a so-called rolling bearing, and is arranged between an outer ring 60a, an inner ring 60b, and an outer ring 60a and an inner ring 60b. It has a plurality of rolling elements 60c held by an inner ring 60b. The bearing 60 rotatably supports the stub shaft 87 with respect to the first housing 21 by having an inner ring 60b fixed to the stub shaft 87 and an outer ring 60a fixed to the first housing 21.

Further, a bearing 65 is arranged inside the second housing 31, and the bearing 65 is arranged between the first pinion gear 88a and the second housing 31. The first pinion gear 88a is rotatably supported by the second housing 31 via a bearing 65 disposed between the first pinion gear 88a and the second housing 31. The bearing 65 arranged between the first pinion gear 88a and the second housing 31 is a so-called rolling bearing, and is arranged between an outer ring 65a, an inner ring 65b, and an outer ring 65a and a plurality of rolling elements 65c held by an inner ring 65b. The bearing 65 rotatably supports the first pinion gear 88a with respect to the second housing 31 by having an inner ring 65b fixed to the first pinion gear 88a and an outer ring 65a fixed to the second housing 31. .

The stub shaft 87 is rotatably supported by the first housing 21, and the first pinion gear 88a is rotatably supported by the second housing 31. The first pinion gear 88a is integrally supported by the first housing 21 and the second housing 31 so as to be freely rotatable.

The housing 20 is attached to the vehicle body in a non-rotatable state, and a bearing 60 disposed in the first housing 21 and a bearing 65 disposed in the second housing 31 allow the housing 20 to be attached to the stub shaft 87 and the first pinion. The gear 88a is rotatably supported.

The torque sensor 10 is disposed within the first housing 21 and includes a stub shaft 87 that is a first shaft, and a first pinion gear that is a second shaft that is connected to the stub shaft 87 via a torsion bar 87a. It is arranged near the end with 88a. Both the stub shaft 87 and the first pinion gear 88a are shafts having hollow portions, and the end of one shaft enters inside the shaft from the end of the other shaft. In this embodiment, the end of the stub shaft 87 is inserted inside the first pinion gear 88a.

The torsion bar 87a is arranged from the inside of the stub shaft 87 to the inside of the first pinion gear 88a, and has one end connected to the stub shaft 87 and the other end connected to the first pinion gear 88a. That is, the stub shaft 87 and the first pinion gear 88a are not directly connected, but are connected via the torsion bar 87a, which is a shaft-shaped member. Therefore, the stub shaft 87 and the first pinion gear 88a can rotate relative to each other, and when the torsion bar 87a is twisted, the stub shaft 87 and the first pinion gear It rotates relative to the gear 88a.

The torque sensor 10 is disposed near the end of the stub shaft 87 and the first pinion gear 88a, which are connected via the torsion bar 87a, and the relative relationship between the stub shaft 87 and the first pinion gear 88a is By detecting the angle of rotation, it is possible to detect the torque acting between the stub shaft 87 and the first pinion gear 88a.

The torque sensor 10 includes a magnet 56, a stator assembly 50 (see FIG. 3), and a magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 (see FIG. 3). The magnet 56 and the stator assembly 50 are separately attached to a stub shaft 87 and a first pinion gear 88a, respectively. The magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 is attached to the sensor housing 41 included in the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 , so that the magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 is included in the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 . The magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 is fixed to the first housing 21 by attaching the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 to the first housing 21 .

The magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 is detachably attached to the first housing 21 . When the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 is attached to the first housing 21, it is accommodated in the accommodation portion 25 that the first housing 21 has. The accommodating portion 25 is disposed near a portion of the first housing 21 that is connected to the second housing 31, and is formed to protrude outward in the radial direction from the outer peripheral surface of the first housing 21. The accommodation portion 25 of the first housing 21 has a space communicating with the inside of the first housing 21 formed inside the accommodation portion 25, and the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 is configured to accommodate the accommodation portion 25 formed in this way. By being placed inside, it is accommodated in the accommodating portion 25 .

Furthermore, a magnetic shielding cover 70 is attached to the accommodating portion 25 that the first housing 21 has. The magnetic shield cover 70 is formed by bending a metal plate member. The accommodating portion 25 is covered on both sides in the axial direction by a magnetic shield cover 70 attached to the accommodating portion 25 .

The torque sensor 10 configured as described above is capable of detecting torque based on changes in magnetism when the torsion bar 87a is twisted and the stub shaft 87 and the first pinion gear 88a rotate relative to each other. It has become.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the outline of the magnet 56, stator assembly 50, and magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 included in the torque sensor 10. One of the magnet 56 and the stator assembly 50 included in the torque sensor 10 is attached to the first shaft, and the other is attached to the second shaft. In this embodiment, the magnet 56 is attached to a stub shaft 87, which is a first shaft, and the stator assembly 50 is attached to a first pinion gear 88a, which is a second shaft. Among these, the magnet 56 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and is a multipolar magnet in which a plurality of N poles and S poles are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction.

Stator assembly 50 has a pair of stator members 51. The pair of stator members 51 each have a flange portion 52 and a tooth portion 53. The flange portion 52 is formed in an annular plate shape with the thickness direction being the axial direction. The teeth portion 53 extends from the inner peripheral portion of the annular flange portion 52 toward the axial direction of the flange portion 52, and is formed in a plate-like shape such that the thickness direction of the plate is oriented in the radial direction of the flange portion 52. has been done. Moreover, the teeth portions 53 are arranged such that a plurality of teeth portions 53 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the flange portion 52. The teeth portion 53 extends in the axial direction from the inner peripheral portion of the flange portion 52. In other words, the flange portion 52 is formed to protrude outward from the teeth portion 53 in the radial direction.

A pair of stator members 51, each of which is formed in this way, includes a first stator member 51a and a second stator member 51b that are formed in the same shape. The first stator member 51a and the second stator member 51b, which are the pair of stator members 51, each have a flange portion 52 and a tooth portion 53. That is, the first stator member 51a has an annular first flange portion 52a and a plurality of first teeth portions 53a, and the second stator member 51b has an annular second flange portion 52b and a plurality of first teeth portions 53a. It has a second tooth portion 53b. The first stator member 51a and the second stator member 51b are oriented such that the flange portions 52 of both are located coaxially, and the flange portion 52 is located away from the other stator member 51, and both are attached to the same shaft. can be attached to. In this embodiment, the first stator member 51a and the second stator member 51b are both attached to the first pinion gear 88a.

That is, the first stator member 51a is arranged such that the first tooth portion 53a extends from the first flange portion 52a toward the second stator member 51b, and the second stator member 51b is arranged such that the second tooth portion 53b extends from the first flange portion 52a toward the second stator member 51b. are arranged in a direction extending from the second flange portion 52b toward the first stator member 51a side. At this time, since a plurality of first teeth parts 53a and second teeth parts 53b are provided at intervals on the first flange part 52a and the second flange part 52b, the first stator member 51a and the second tooth part 53b are provided at intervals. The stator member 51b is combined so that the teeth portion 53 of its own stator member 51 is located in a portion where the teeth portion 53 of the other stator member 51 is not located in the circumferential direction.

The magnet 56 attached to the stub shaft 87 is arranged inside the first stator member 51a and the second stator member 51b combined in this way. Further, the magnet 56 and the stator member 51 are arranged with their axial directions coinciding with the axial directions of the stub shaft 87 and the first pinion gear 88a. Therefore, the magnet 56 and the stator member 51 are attached to the stub shaft 87 and the first pinion gear 88a with the outer peripheral surface of the magnet 56 facing the teeth portion 53 of the stator member 51. and placed. By arranging the magnet 56 and the stator member 51 in this positional relationship, torque is transmitted between the stub shaft 87 and the first pinion gear 88a via the torsion bar 87a. When the pinion gear 88a makes a small relative rotation, the relative positional relationship between the magnet 56 and the stator member 51 changes, and the magnetic flux acting on the stator member 51 from the magnet 56 changes. do.

Furthermore, a magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 included in the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 is arranged near the stator member 51. The magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 is a member for detecting changes in the magnetic flux acting on the stator member 51 from the magnet 56, and is arranged near the flange portion 52 of the stator member 51. Since the stator member 51 is provided with a pair of a first stator member 51a and a second stator member 51b, the magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 also has a first magnetic flux collecting yoke 43a and a second magnetic flux collecting yoke. 43b is provided. That is, in the magnetic flux collecting yoke 43, the first magnetic flux collecting yoke 43a is disposed near the first flange portion 52a of the first stator member 51a, and the first magnetic flux collecting yoke 43a is disposed near the second flange portion 52b of the second stator member 51b. A second magnetic flux collecting yoke 43b is arranged.

The pair of magnetic flux collecting yokes 43 each overlap the flange portion 52 of the stator member 51 with a gap in the axial direction. Furthermore, the pair of magnetic flux collecting yokes 43 have a one-to-one relationship with the flange portions 52 of each of the pair of stator members 51, and the pair of magnetic collecting yokes 43 have a one-to-one relationship with the flanges 52 of the corresponding stator members 51. With respect to the flange portion 52, they are arranged facing the flange portion 52 from the same side in the axial direction. In this embodiment, the first magnetic flux collecting yoke 43a, which is one of the pair of magnetic collecting yokes 43, is connected to the first stator member 51a, which is one of the stator members 51 of the pair of stator members 51. The first flange portion 52a is opposed to the first flange portion 52a from one side in the axial direction. Further, the second magnetic flux collecting yoke 43b, which is the other magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 of the pair of magnetic flux collecting yokes 43, is the second magnetic flux collecting yoke 43b of the second magnetic flux collecting yoke 43b, which is the other magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 of the pair of magnetic flux collecting yokes 43. It faces the second flange portion 52b from one side in the axial direction with respect to the flange portion 52b.

Specifically, the pair of magnetic flux collecting yokes 43 have magnetic flux collecting parts 43aa and 43ba that overlap the flange part 52 of the stator member 51 in a predetermined range in the circumferential direction, and the magnetic flux collecting parts 43aa and 43ba overlap in the axial direction. It faces the flange portion 52. That is, the first magnetic flux collecting yoke 43a has a magnetic flux collecting part 43aa that overlaps the first flange part 52a of the first stator member 51a, and the first magnetic flux collecting yoke 43a has a magnetic flux collecting part 43aa that overlaps the first flange part 52a of the first stator member 51a. On the other hand, the magnetic flux collecting portion 43aa from one side in the axial direction faces the first flange portion 52a. Similarly, the second magnetic flux collecting yoke 43b has a magnetic collecting part 43ba that overlaps the second flange part 52b of the second stator member 51b, and the second magnetic collecting yoke 43b has a magnetic flux collecting part 43ba that overlaps the second flange part 52b of the second stator member 51b. A magnetic flux collecting portion 43ba from one side in the axial direction of the flange portion 52b faces the second flange portion 52b.

In this way, by positioning the magnetic flux collecting yokes 43 near the flange portion 52, the pair of magnetic flux collecting yokes 43 can suppress changes in magnetic flux according to relative positional changes between the pair of stator members 51 and the magnets 56. It is possible to detect. In other words, the magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 is capable of detecting a change in the magnetic flux acting on the stator member 51 from the magnet 56 when the stub shaft 87 and the first pinion gear 88a rotate minutely relative to each other. There is.

Further, a Hall IC 45 is arranged between the two magnetic flux collecting yokes 43. The Hall IC 45 is arranged between the magnetic collecting yokes 43 at a position away from the magnetic collecting parts 43aa and 43ba of the magnetic collecting yokes 43. That is, the Hall IC 45 is sandwiched between the first magnetic collecting yoke 43a and the second magnetic collecting yoke 43b of the magnetic collecting yoke 43. The Hall IC 45 includes a Hall element (not shown) that detects changes in the magnetic flux detected by the magnetic flux collection yoke 43, and an output circuit (not shown) that converts the output voltage output from the Hall element into a digital electrical signal in accordance with the change in magnetic flux. (omitted). Thereby, the Hall IC 45 is able to detect a change in the magnetic flux density acting on the two magnetic flux collecting yokes 43, convert the detected change in the magnetic flux density into an electrical signal, and output the electrical signal. Note that instead of the Hall IC, a magnetic sensor applying magnetoresistive effect or tunnel magnetoresistive effect can be used. In short, it is sufficient if the change in magnetic flux density that occurs between the magnetic flux collecting yokes 43 can be output as an electrical signal.

FIG. 4 is a detailed diagram of the surroundings of the torque sensor 10 shown in FIG. 2. Magnet 56 is attached to stub shaft 87 by first sleeve 57 . The first sleeve 57 is a cylindrical member, and the first sleeve 57 is attached to the stub shaft 87 by press-fitting the stub shaft 87 into the first sleeve 57. The magnet 56 is fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the first sleeve 57 with, for example, an adhesive, so that the magnet 56 can rotate together with the stub shaft 87.

A pair of stator members 51 included in the stator assembly 50 are both attached to the first pinion gear 88a by a second sleeve 54 and a carrier 55. The second sleeve 54 is a cylindrical member, and the second sleeve 54 is attached to the first pinion gear 88a by press-fitting the first pinion gear 88a into the second sleeve 54. The carrier 55 is a cylindrical member, and is integrally formed with the second sleeve 54 by injection molding. Therefore, when the second sleeve 54 is attached to the first pinion gear 88a, the carrier 55 is also attached to the first pinion gear 88a together with the second sleeve 54.

The carrier 55 attached to the first pinion gear 88a by the second sleeve 54 is disposed at a position facing the stub shaft 87 from the first pinion gear 88a by being supported by the second sleeve 54. It is arranged at an outer position in the radial direction. Further, the carrier 55 is disposed at the same position in the axial direction as the magnet 56, and is disposed outside the magnet 56 in the radial direction.

The pair of stator members 51 are attached to the carrier 55 arranged in this manner. Specifically, in each of the stator members 51 of the first stator member 51a and the second stator member 51b, the teeth portion 53 is located inside the carrier 55 in the radial direction, and the flange portion 52 is located inside the carrier 55 in the radial direction. It is attached to the carrier 55 in a form that protrudes outward from the carrier. As a result, the first stator member 51a and the second stator member 51b, which are the pair of stator members 51, are both arranged at the same position in the axial direction as the magnet 56, and are arranged outside in the radial direction of the magnet 56. be done.

Furthermore, the first stator member 51a and the second stator member 51b are attached to the carrier 55 that is integrally formed with the second sleeve 54 that is attached to the first pinion gear 88a. It can be rotated. In other words, the pair of stator members 51 that are rotatably arranged integrally with the first pinion gear 88a are each provided with a flange portion 52 that projects outward in the radial direction of the first pinion gear 88a, and , is fixed to the first pinion gear 88a.

As described above, the magnet 56 is fixed to the stub shaft 87 and the stator member 51 is fixed to the first pinion gear 88a, so that the magnet 56 and the stator member 51 are fixed together with the stub shaft 87 and the first pinion gear 88a. It is arranged inside the housing 20.

A spigot recess 32 is formed on the inner surface of the second housing 31 at a position toward the end of the side that is connected to the first housing 21 in the axial direction. The spigot recess 32 is a recess into which the spigot protrusion 22 of the first housing 21, which will be described later, fits.

A bearing storage recess 35 is formed on the inner surface of the second housing 31 at a position opposite to the side connected to the first housing 21 in the axial direction than the spigot recess 32 . The bearing storage recess 35 is smaller in size in the radial direction than the spigot recess 32 .

The bearing storage recess 35 is capable of storing a bearing 65 that supports the first pinion gear 88a. The inner ring 65b of the bearing 65 is assembled to the first pinion gear 88a, and the outer ring 65a of the bearing 65 is stored in the bearing storage recess 35. Therefore, the inner diameter of the bearing storage recess 35 is approximately the same size as the outer diameter of the outer ring 65a of the bearing 65.

The bearing storage recess 35 also has a surface that faces the surface of the outer ring 65a of the bearing 65 opposite to the side where the first housing 21 is located in the axial direction, and that contacts the outer ring 65a of the bearing 65 from the axial direction. have. Therefore, the bearing storage recess 35 is formed by fitting the outer ring 65a of the bearing 65 into the bearing storage recess 35 by abutting against the surface of the outer ring 65a of the bearing 65 opposite to the side where the first housing 21 is located in the axial direction. A bearing 65 is stored in 35.

A female thread 34 is formed on the inner surface of the second housing 31 at a position closer to the first housing 21 in the axial direction than the bearing storage recess 35, and a cover screw 66 is screwed into the female thread 34. do.

The cover screw 66 has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the first pinion gear 88a, and is formed in an annular shape with a male thread 67 formed on the outer circumferential surface to be screwed into the female thread 34 of the second housing 31. The cover screw 66 is disposed inside the second housing 31 by having a male thread 67 on the outer circumferential surface screwed into a female thread 34 on the inner circumferential surface of the second housing 31 . A first pinion gear 88a is disposed inside the cover screw 66 disposed inside the second housing 31 so as to pass therethrough in the axial direction.

The cover screw 66 arranged inside the second housing 31 contacts the outer ring 65a of the bearing 65 stored in the bearing storage recess 35 from the side where the first housing 21 is located in the axial direction. Thereby, the cover screw 66 restricts the movement of the bearing 65 in the axial direction, and fixes the bearing 65 by sandwiching it between the second housing 31 and the second housing 31 in the axial direction.

The pilot recess 32 is formed closer to the end of the second housing 31 where the first housing 21 is disposed than the female thread 34 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the second housing 31 . The first housing 21 fixed to the second housing 31 has a pilot protrusion 22 that fits into the pilot recess 32 . The pilot convex portion 22 is formed to protrude from the first housing 21 toward the side where the second housing 31 is located in the axial direction. , positioning in the radial direction with respect to the second housing 31 is performed.

The pilot protrusion 22 is formed in a cylindrical shape and protrudes from the first housing 21, and has an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the pilot recess 32. A groove into which an O-ring 23, which is a sealing member, is fitted is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the spigot convex part 22, and the spigot convex part 22 enters into the spigot recess 32 with the O-ring 23 fitted into the groove. . Thereby, in a state in which the spigot convex portion 22 enters the spigot concave portion 32, the sealing performance between the first housing 21 and the second housing 31 is ensured by the O-ring 23.

The first housing 21 and the second housing 31 are connected to each other by attaching the first housing 21 with a mounting bolt 37 (see FIG. 6) in a state where the pilot convex portion 22 of the first housing 21 enters the pilot concave portion 32 of the second housing 31. By attaching it to the second housing 31, the first housing 21 and the second housing 31 are connected.

When the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 is housed in the housing part 25 formed in the first housing 21, the Hall IC 45 is is attached to the accommodating portion 25 in such a manner that it is sandwiched from both sides in the axial direction. Specifically, the Hall IC 45 is arranged on a circuit board 44 included in the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40, and the circuit board 44 is attached to the sensor housing 41 included in the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40.

The pair of magnetic flux collecting yokes 43 are attached to the sensor housing 41 in such a direction that the Hall IC 45 is sandwiched between the first magnetic flux collecting yoke 43a and the second magnetic flux collecting yoke 43b from both sides in the thickness direction of the circuit board 44. In this embodiment, the first magnetic flux collecting yoke 43a is located on the side where the stub shaft 87 is located in the axial direction, and the second magnetic flux collecting yoke 43b is located on the side where the first pinion gear 88a is located in the axial direction. The magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 is housed in the housing section 25 in such a way that the thickness direction of the circuit board 44 on which the Hall IC 45 is arranged is the axial direction. As a result, when the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 is housed in the housing section 25, the first magnetic flux collecting yoke 43a and the second magnetic flux collecting yoke 43b sandwich the Hall IC 45 from both sides in the axial direction.

Further, the axial position of the housing portion 25 of the first housing 21 corresponds to the axial position of the stator member 51 and the magnet 56 fixed to the stub shaft 87 and the first pinion gear 88a arranged inside the housing 20. It is formed protruding outward in the radial direction at a position close to the opposite side. Thereby, in the state where the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 is accommodated in the containing part 25, the housing part 25 moves the first magnetic flux collecting yoke 43a and the second magnetic collecting yoke 43b of the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 to the first pinion gear. It can be arranged near the first flange portion 52a of the first stator member 51a and the second flange portion 52b of the second stator member 51b fixed to the stator member 88a.

In this embodiment, the first magnetic flux collecting yoke 43a is disposed near the first flange portion 52a at a position opposite to the side where the second magnetic flux collecting yoke 43b is located in the axial direction from the first flange portion 52a of the first stator member 51a. The second magnetic flux collecting yoke 43b is disposed near the second flange portion 52b at a position opposite to the side where the first magnetic flux collecting yoke 43a is located in the axial direction from the second flange portion 52b of the second stator member 51b.

The magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 housed in the housing section 25 has a lid section 42 . The lid portion 42 is a member that covers a circuit board 44 attached to the sensor housing 41. The magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 includes a first lid part 42a that is disposed on the side opposite to the side where the second housing 31 is located in the axial direction with respect to the circuit board 44 and covers the circuit board 44, and a first lid part 42a that is axially disposed with respect to the circuit board 44. It has a second lid part 42b that is disposed on the side where the second housing 31 is located in the direction and covers the circuit board 44.

Further, an O-ring 47 that is a sealing member that comes into contact with both is arranged between the outer peripheral surface of the sensor housing 41 of the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 housed in the housing section 25 and the inner peripheral surface of the housing section 25. ing. The O-ring 47 is disposed radially outward from the position where the lid portion 42 is disposed.

Specifically, a stepped portion 41d is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the sensor housing 41 of the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 at a portion radially outside the position where the lid portion 42 is disposed. The stepped portion 41d is a portion whose outer circumferential surface is one step lower than a portion located radially outward from the stepped portion 41d. That is, the stepped portion 41d is formed in a notch-like shape in which the outer circumferential surface of the sensor housing 41 is cut out all the way around. The inner peripheral surface of the O-ring 47 contacts the sensor housing 41 by being fitted into the stepped portion 41d of the sensor housing 41, and the outer peripheral surface of the O-ring 47 contacts the inner peripheral surface of the accommodating portion 25, thereby making contact with the outer peripheral surface of the sensor housing 41. It is in contact with both the surface and the inner circumferential surface of the accommodating portion 25.

The magnetic shield cover 70 attached to the accommodating part 25 of the first housing 21 has a first shield part 71 and a second shield part 72. The first shield portion 71 is a portion that covers the housing portion 25 from the side opposite to the side where the second housing 31 is located in the axial direction. The second shield portion 72 is a portion that covers the housing portion 25 from the side where the second housing 31 is located in the axial direction. As a result, both sides of the accommodating portion 25 that accommodates the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 in the axial direction are covered by the magnetic shield cover 70 attached to the accommodating portion 25 .

Next, the configuration of the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 will be explained. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40. Note that, in order to illustrate the circuit board 44, FIG. 5 is a perspective view seen from the opposite side in the axial direction with respect to the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 shown in FIG. 4 and FIGS. 6 and 7, which will be described later. . The magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 includes a sensor housing 41 , a lid portion 42 , a magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 , a circuit board 44 , and a connecting terminal 46 .

The sensor housing 41 has a mounting flange 41a, a connector portion 41b, and a board placement portion 41c. The attachment flange 41a is a portion for attaching the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 to the housing portion 25 from the outside in the radial direction. The magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 is inserted into the housing portion 25 from the outside in the radial direction, and is attached to the first housing 21 by attaching the attachment flange 41a to the first housing 21.

The mounting flange 41a is a plate-shaped member formed with the thickness direction being the radial direction. The mounting flange 41a is formed with a bush insertion hole 41aa that penetrates in the thickness direction of the mounting flange 41a and in which the bush 48 is disposed. The bush insertion holes 41aa are formed at two positions corresponding to two screw holes 27 (see FIG. 7), which will be described later, formed in the housing portion 25. The bush 48 disposed in the bush insertion hole 41aa is a member made of a metal material and formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and is inserted into the bush insertion hole 41aa and held in the bush insertion hole 41aa.

The connector portion 41b and the board placement portion 41c are disposed on opposite sides of the plate-shaped mounting flange 41a in the thickness direction of the mounting flange 41a. The connector portion 41b is a portion to which an external connector (not shown) is connected for outputting an electrical signal from the torque sensor 10 to the outside. The connector portion 41b is disposed between two bushing insertion holes 41aa formed in the mounting flange 41a, and is formed to protrude radially outward from the mounting flange 41a, i.e., on the opposite side of the side where the board placement portion 41c is located in the thickness direction of the mounting flange 41a.

The board placement portion 41c is formed in a substantially rectangular frame shape when viewed in the axial direction, and the circuit board 44 is placed inside the board placement portion 41c formed in the frame shape. In the pair of magnetic flux collecting yokes 43, a first magnetic flux collecting yoke 43a and a second magnetic flux collecting yoke 43b are arranged on both sides of the circuit board 44 in the axial direction with respect to the circuit board 44 arranged in the board arrangement part 41c. ing. The first magnetic flux collecting yoke 43a and the second magnetic flux collecting yoke 43b arranged on both sides of the circuit board 44 are respectively attached to the board placement part 41c with the circuit board 44 sandwiched therebetween.

The lid part 42 is a member that covers a circuit board 44 attached to the sensor housing 41 by closing a board placement part 41c formed in a frame shape from both sides in the axial direction, and includes a first lid part 42a and a second lid part 42a. 42b. The first lid part 42a is disposed on the side where the first magnetic flux collecting yoke 43a is arranged with respect to the board arrangement part 41c and is attached to the board arrangement part 41c, and the second lid part 42b is attached to the board arrangement part 41c. On the other hand, it is disposed on the side where the second magnetic flux collecting yoke 43b is disposed and attached to the board arrangement portion 41c. As a result, the board arrangement part 41c, which is formed into a frame shape and in which the circuit board 44 and the magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 are arranged, is covered from both sides in the axial direction by the first cover part 42a and the second cover part 42b.

Furthermore, a connection terminal 46 that is electrically connected to an external connector is arranged in the connector portion 41b of the sensor housing 41. The connection terminal 46 includes a plurality of terminal pins 46a and a holding member 46b that holds the plurality of terminal pins 46a together. The connection terminal 46 is arranged inside the connector part 41b of the sensor housing 41, and one end of the terminal pin 46a is connected to the circuit board 44 arranged in the board arrangement part 41c. The other end of the terminal pin 46a of the connection terminal 46 can be electrically connected to an external connector connected to the connector portion 41b.

In this embodiment, the terminal pin 46a is formed in an L-shape, and the portion connected to the circuit board 44 is connected to the circuit board 44 in the thickness direction of the circuit board 44. A portion of the terminal pin 46a that is electrically connected to an external connector is arranged to extend in the radial direction. This allows the connection terminal 46 to electrically connect the circuit board 44 and an external connector.

Next, a configuration for attaching the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 to the first housing 21 will be described. FIG. 6 is a detailed view of a portion where the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 is attached to the first housing 21. As shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a detailed view showing the state before the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 is attached to the first housing 21 shown in FIG. The magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 is housed in and attached to the housing section 25 having the first housing 21 .

An opening 26 (see FIG. 7) that opens outward in the radial direction is formed in a portion of the housing portion 25 to which the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 is attached. The opening 26 of the accommodating part 25 is an opening of the space inside the accommodating part 25. Furthermore, a screw hole 27 is formed on the radially outer surface of the accommodating portion 25 on the side of the opening 26, into which a mounting bolt 78 for attaching the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 to the accommodating portion 25 is screwed.

The magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 has a mounting flange 41a that is attached to the accommodating portion 25 from the outside in the radial direction, and is attached to the accommodating portion 25 by screwing the mounting bolt 78 into the screw hole 27 of the accommodating portion 25. It is attached. Specifically, when attaching the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 to the housing portion 25, the bushings 48 made of a metal material are inserted into the two bushing insertion holes 41aa (see FIG. 5) of the mounting flange 41a, and the bushings 48 made of metal are inserted into the bushing insertion holes 41aa. A bush 48 is placed at the position.

When attaching the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 to the housing part 25, the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 is housed through the opening 26 of the housing part 25, with the connector part 41b positioned on the outside in the radial direction. Insert it inside the section 25. As a result, the board arrangement portion 41c of the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40, in which the magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 and the circuit board 44 are arranged, is accommodated in the housing portion 25. Further, the mounting bolt 78 is passed through the bush insertion hole 41aa arranged in the mounting flange 41a of the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40, and the mounting bolt 78 is screwed into the screw hole 27 of the housing portion 25. As a result, the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 is attached to the accommodating portion 25 of the first housing 21 and fixed to the first housing 21.

The magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 fixed to the first housing 21 with the board arrangement part 41c housed inside the housing part 25 includes a magnetic flux collecting part 43aa of a pair of magnetic flux collecting yokes 43 included in the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40, 43ba (see FIG. 5) is fixed to the first housing 21 while being located near the flange portions 52 of the pair of stator members 51, respectively. As a result, in the pair of magnetic flux collecting yokes 43, each of the magnetic flux collecting part 43aa of the first magnetic flux collecting yoke 43a and the magnetic collecting part 43ba of the second magnetic flux collecting yoke 43b is connected to the flange part 52 of the pair of stator members 51. They are fixed to the first housing 21 in an overlapping state with a gap in the axial direction.

When the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 is attached to the first housing 21 , the connector portion 41 b of the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 is exposed to the outside of the housing portion 25 . A connector for a signal line that transmits an electrical signal from the torque sensor 10 to the ECU 100 is connected to the connector portion 41b, so that the connection terminal 46 arranged on the connector portion 41b connects to a signal line that transmits an electrical signal to the ECU 100. is electrically connected to.

Next, the relative positional relationship between the magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 and the stator member 51 will be explained. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the relative positional relationship between the flange portion 52 of the stator member 51 and the pair of magnetic flux collecting yokes 43. The pair of magnetic flux collecting yokes 43 are arranged in the vicinity of the flange portions 52 of the pair of stator members 51 so as to face the flange portions 52 from the same side in the axial direction. In other words, in the first magnetic flux collecting yoke 43a, the magnetic collecting part 43aa is provided with a gap between the magnetic collecting part 43aa and the first flange part 52a at a position near the first flange part 52a of the first stator member 51a. It faces from one side in the axial direction. In addition, the second magnetic flux collecting yoke 43b has a magnetic collecting part 43ba with a gap between the second flange part 52b and the second flange part 52b at a position near the second flange part 52b of the second stator member 51b. It faces from one side in the axial direction.

In this embodiment, the magnetic collecting part 43aa of the first magnetic collecting yoke 43a and the magnetic collecting part 43ba of the second magnetic collecting yoke 43b are the first flange part 52a of the first stator member 51a and the magnetic collecting part 43ba of the second magnetic collecting yoke 43b. The second flange portion 52b is opposed to the second flange portion 52b in the axial direction from the side opposite to the side where the bearing 65 disposed inside the second housing 31 is located.

Furthermore, the pair of magnetic flux collecting yokes 43 and the pair of stator members 51 are defined by the distance in the axial direction between the magnetic flux collecting part 43aa of the first magnetic flux collecting yoke 43a and the magnetic collecting part 43ba of the second magnetic flux collecting yoke 43b, and the first The distance between the first flange portion 52a of the stator member 51a and the second flange portion 52b of the second stator member 51b is approximately the same. Therefore, there is a gap Ga in the axial direction between the magnetic flux collecting part 43aa of the first magnetic collecting yoke 43a and the first flange part 52a of the first stator member 51a, and a gap Ga between the magnetic collecting part 43ba of the second magnetic collecting yoke 43b and the second stator The gap Gb in the axial direction between the member 51b and the second flange portion 52b is approximately the same size.

Next, the operation of the steering device 80 will be explained. When the steering wheel 81 is operated while driving the vehicle in which the steering device 80 is mounted, the steering force applied to the steering wheel 81 is transmitted from the steering wheel 81 to the steering shaft 82. The steering force transmitted to the steering shaft 82 is transmitted as a steering torque from the steering shaft 82 to the intermediate shaft 85, and from the intermediate shaft 85 via the stub shaft 87 to the first pinion gear 88a. As a result, the steering gear 88 having the first pinion gear 88a converts the rotational motion transmitted from the first pinion gear 88a into a linear motion of the rack bar 88b, and operates the tie rod 89.

Further, the steering device 80 according to the present embodiment includes an electric motor 102 that generates an auxiliary steering torque to assist the driver's steering. The electric motor 102 generates auxiliary steering torque based on the steering torque detected by the torque sensor 10 disposed between the stub shaft 87 and the first pinion gear 88a.

The torque sensor 10 detects the steering torque applied to the stub shaft 87 based on the angle of relative rotation when the stub shaft 87 and the first pinion gear 88a rotate relative to each other. That is, since the stub shaft 87 and the first pinion gear 88a are connected via the torsion bar 87a, when steering torque is applied to the stub shaft 87, the stub shaft 87 and the first pinion gear 88a Steering torque is transmitted between the torsion bars 87a. At this time, the torsion bar 87a is slightly twisted, so that the stub shaft 87 and the first pinion gear 88a rotate relative to each other.

The torque sensor 10 has the magnet 56 attached to the stub shaft 87 and the stator member 51 attached to the first pinion gear 88a, so that when the stub shaft 87 and the first pinion gear 88a rotate relative to each other, torque is generated. The magnet 56 and the stator member 51 included in the sensor 10 also rotate relative to each other. The relative rotation angle between the magnet 56 and the stator member 51 increases as the steering torque acting between the stub shaft 87 and the first pinion gear 88a increases.

When the magnet 56 and the stator member 51 rotate relative to each other, the magnetic flux acting on the stator member 51 from the magnet 56 changes. A pair of magnetic flux collecting yokes 43 arranged near the stator member 51 are capable of detecting changes in the magnetic flux acting on the stator member 51 from the magnet 56 . In other words, the first magnetic flux collecting yoke 43a can detect a change in the magnetic flux acting on the first stator member 51a from the magnet 56 from the first flange part 52a of the first stator member 51a by the magnetic collecting part 43aa. The second magnetic flux collecting yoke 43b can detect a change in the magnetic flux acting on the second stator member 51b from the magnet 56 from the second flange portion 52b of the second stator member 51b using the magnetic collecting portion 43ba. Therefore, when the magnet 56 and the stator member 51 rotate relative to each other due to the relative rotation between the stub shaft 87 and the first pinion gear 88a, the pair of magnetic collecting yokes 43 disposed near the stator member 51 , a change in the magnetic flux acting on the stator member 51 from the magnet 56 can be detected.

In this way, the magnetic flux acting on the stator member 51 from the magnet 56, which is detected by the pair of magnetic collecting yokes 43, changes depending on the angle of relative rotation between the magnet 56 and the stator member 51. The Hall IC 45 uses a Hall element to detect magnetic flux that changes depending on the angle of relative rotation between the magnet 56 and the stator member 51 detected by the magnetic collecting yoke 43, converts it into an electrical signal with an output circuit, and outputs the magnetic flux from the connection terminal 46. The signal is transmitted to the outside of the first housing 21 and then to the ECU 100. That is, the torque sensor 10 detects the steering torque applied to the stub shaft 87 by detecting a change in the magnetic flux acting on the stator member 51 from the magnet 56 using the magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 and the Hall IC 45, and the detected steering torque. Torque is transmitted to ECU 100 as an electrical signal.

The ECU 100 operates the electric motor 102 based on the electric signal transmitted from the torque sensor 10, and causes the electric motor 102 to generate an auxiliary steering torque. That is, the electric signal transmitted from the Hall IC 45 of the torque sensor 10 to the ECU 100 changes depending on the angle of relative rotation between the magnet 56 and the stator member 51, and acts between the stub shaft 87 and the first pinion gear 88a. It changes based on the steering torque T. Therefore, the ECU 100 uses the electrical signal transmitted from the Hall IC 45 of the torque sensor 10 as information that changes depending on the steering torque T acting on the stub shaft 87 and the first pinion gear 88a, and uses the electrical signal transmitted from the Hall IC 45 to The electric power value X supplied to the electric motor 102 is adjusted based on the signal, and the electric motor 102 is caused to generate an auxiliary steering torque.

That is, the ECU 100 obtains a steering torque T signal from the torque sensor 10, a vehicle speed signal V of the vehicle from the vehicle speed sensor 101, and further obtains operation information of the electric motor 102 from a rotation detection device provided in the electric motor 102. Y, and causes the electric motor 102 to generate an auxiliary steering torque based on the operation information Y, the steering torque T, and the vehicle speed signal V. The auxiliary steering torque generated by the electric motor 102 is transmitted to the second pinion gear 88c. Steering gear 88 having second pinion gear 88c converts the rotational motion transmitted from second pinion gear 88c into linear motion of rack bar 88b. Thereby, the steering force applied by the driver to the steering wheel 81 is assisted by the auxiliary steering torque generated by the electric motor 102.

Here, the detection accuracy when detecting the steering torque by the torque sensor 10 is determined by minimizing the gaps Ga and Gb in the axial direction between the magnetic collecting parts 43aa and 43ba of the magnetic collecting yoke 43 and the flange part 52 of the stator member 51. By doing so, the magnetic flux passing through the stator member 51 can be efficiently collected by the magnetic collecting yoke 43, and the detection accuracy of steering torque can be improved. However, the magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 is fixed to the housing 20, and the stator member 51 is fixed to the first pinion gear 88a. Therefore, when the gaps Ga and Gb in the axial direction between the magnetic collecting parts 43aa and 43ba of the magnetic collecting yoke 43 and the flange part 52 of the stator member 51 are reduced, the gap between the housing 20 and the first pinion gear 88a in the axial direction is reduced. When the relative positional relationship deviates from the specified positional relationship, it is conceivable that the flange portion 52 of the stator member 51 and the magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 will collide.

For example, the bearing 65 is rotated by the bearing 65 because the outer ring 65a and the inner ring 65b can move relative to each other in the axial direction according to the internal gap between the outer ring 65a, the inner ring 65b, and the rolling elements 65c. The first pinion gear 88a, which is freely supported, can move relative to the housing 20 in the axial direction according to the internal clearance in the bearing 65. Therefore, when the bearing 65 that supports the first pinion gear 88a has a large internal clearance, the stator member 51 fixed to the first pinion gear 88a is fixed to the magnetic collecting yoke 43 fixed to the housing 20. However, the relative position in the axial direction may deviate greatly, and the relative position may deviate greatly from the designed position. In this case, the flange portion 52 of the stator member 51 may collide with the magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 .

Therefore, if the torque sensor 10 is mounted on a vehicle that requires low resolution torque detection accuracy, the axis between the magnetic collecting parts 43aa, 43ba of the magnetic collecting yoke 43 and the flange part 52 of the stator member 51 is By increasing the gaps Ga and Gb in the directions, collision between the flange portion 52 of the stator member 51 and the magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 can be avoided. In other words, in vehicle models that require torque detection accuracy with low resolution, the detection accuracy when detecting the magnetic flux passing through the stator member 51 by the magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 may be low. Accordingly, the gaps Ga and Gb between the stator member 51 and the flange portion 52 in the axial direction can be set large. As a result, even if the relative position in the axial direction of the stator member 51 fixed to the first pinion gear 88a with respect to the magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 fixed to the housing 20 deviates significantly from the designed position, Collision between the flange portion 52 of the stator member 51 and the magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 can be avoided.

On the other hand, if the vehicle model in which the torque sensor 10 is installed requires torque to be detected with high resolution, the magnetic flux passing through the stator member 51 is detected with high precision by the magnetic flux collecting yoke 43. There is a need. Therefore, in the torque sensor 10 installed in a vehicle model that needs to detect torque with high resolution, the gap Ga in the axial direction between the magnetic collecting parts 43aa, 43ba of the magnetic collecting yoke 43 and the flange part 52 of the stator member 51 is , Gb must be made as small as possible. In this embodiment, the torque sensor 10 has large gaps Ga and Gb in the axial direction between the magnetic flux collecting parts 43aa and 43ba of the magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 and the flange part 52 of the stator member 51, and the torque sensor 10 has small gaps Ga and Gb. Therefore, the same magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 and the stator member 51 can be used.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the relative positional relationship between the flange portion 52 of the stator member 51 and the pair of magnetic flux collecting yokes 43 of the torque sensor 10 that detects torque with high resolution. In the torque sensor 10 that reduces the gaps Ga and Gb in the axial direction between the magnetic flux collecting parts 43aa and 43ba of the magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 and the flange part 52 of the stator member 51, compared to the torque sensor 10 in which the gaps Ga and Gb are large. The entire magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 is arranged at a position where the magnetic collecting parts 43aa, 43ba can be brought close to the flange part 52 of the stator member 51 in the axial direction. In other words, in the torque sensor 10 that reduces the gaps Ga and Gb in the axial direction between the magnetic flux collecting parts 43aa and 43ba of the magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 and the flange part 52 of the stator member 51, compared to the torque sensor 10 with large gaps Ga and Gb. Then, the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 fixed to the housing 20 is fixed at a position shifted in the axial direction in a direction where the gaps Ga and Gb can be made smaller.

In this embodiment, the magnetic collecting part 43aa of the first magnetic collecting yoke 43a and the magnetic collecting part 43ba of the second magnetic collecting yoke 43b are the first flange part 52a of the first stator member 51a and the magnetic collecting part 43ba of the second magnetic collecting yoke 43b. The second flange portion 52b is opposed to the second flange portion 52b in the axial direction from the side opposite to the side where the bearing 65 disposed inside the second housing 31 is located. Therefore, in the torque sensor 10 where the gaps Ga and Gb are small, compared to the torque sensor 10 where the gaps Ga and Gb are large, the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 fixed to the housing 20 is placed inside the second housing 31 in the axial direction. The bearing 65 is shifted toward the side where the bearing 65 is located and fixed.

In other words, in the torque sensor 10 where the gaps Ga and Gb are small, the accommodating portion 25 (see FIGS. 4 and 7) formed in the first housing 21 is The second housing 31 is formed closer to the side where the second housing 31 is located. In this way, the accommodating part 25 formed in the first housing 21 is formed close to the side where the second housing 31 is located in the axial direction, and the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 is accommodated in the accommodating part 25, so that the first housing By fixing the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 to the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40, the second housing 31 is positioned in the axial direction compared to the torque sensor 10 having large gaps Ga and Gb. It can be placed in a position shifted to the side.

On the other hand, in vehicle models that require the torque sensor 10 to detect torque with high resolution, the machining accuracy and assembly accuracy of parts tends to be higher than in vehicle models that require low resolution torque detection accuracy. For example, in a vehicle model that requires torque detection with high resolution, the bearing 65 that rotatably supports the first pinion gear 88a has a higher torque detection accuracy than the bearing 65 used in a vehicle model that requires low resolution torque detection accuracy. , those with small internal gaps are used. Since the bearing 65 with a small internal clearance has a smaller range in which the outer ring 65a and the inner ring 65b can move relative to each other in the axial direction than the bearing 65 with a large internal clearance, the first pinion gear 88a supported by the bearing 65 , the range in which the bearing 65 can move relative to the housing 20 in the axial direction is smaller than when a bearing 65 with a large internal clearance is used.

Therefore, when a bearing 65 with a small internal clearance is used as the bearing 65 supporting the first pinion gear 88a, the stator member 51 fixed to the first pinion gear 88a is fixed to the magnetic collecting yoke 43 fixed to the housing 20. In contrast, the relative positional deviation in the axial direction becomes smaller. As a result, even when the gaps Ga and Gb in the axial direction between the magnetic flux collecting portions 43aa and 43ba of the magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 and the flange portion 52 of the stator member 51 are reduced, the flange portion 52 of the stator member 51 is Collision with 43 can be suppressed.

As described above, in the torque sensor 10 according to the present embodiment, one of the pair of magnetic collecting yokes 43 of the magnetic collecting yoke assembly 40 is connected to one of the stator members 51 of the pair of stator members 51. It faces the flange portion 52 of the stator member 51 from one side in the axial direction with respect to the flange portion 52 of the member 51 . Furthermore, of the pair of magnetic flux collecting yokes 43 included in the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40, the other magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 is located at one side in the axial direction with respect to the flange portion 52 of the other stator member 51 of the pair of stator members 51. It faces the flange portion 52 from the side. In other words, the pair of magnetic flux collecting yokes 43 face the flange portion 52 of the stator member 51, to which the respective magnetic flux collecting yokes 43 are located, from the same direction in the axial direction.

Therefore, in order to avoid collision between the flange part 52 of the stator member 51 and the magnetic flux collecting yoke 43, the flange part 52 of the stator member 51 and the magnetic collecting yoke 43 are adjusted according to the torque resolution required of the torque sensor 10. When adjusting the gaps Ga and Gb, the same magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 can be used regardless of the required torque resolution. That is, since the pair of magnetic flux collecting yokes 43 face the flange portion 52 of the stator member 51 from the same direction in the axial direction, the axial position of the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 with respect to the stator member 51 is adjusted. By doing so, the gaps Ga and Gb at the two locations can be changed in the same way.

For example, when the axial position of the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 is adjusted in the direction of increasing the gap Ga between the first flange portion 52a of the first stator member 51a and the first magnetic collecting yoke 43a, the second stator member 51b The gap Gb between the second flange portion 52b and the second magnetic flux collecting yoke 43b can also be increased. On the other hand, when the axial position of the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 is adjusted to reduce the gap Ga between the first flange portion 52a of the first stator member 51a and the first magnetic flux collecting yoke 43a, the second stator member 51b The gap Gb between the second flange portion 52b and the second magnetic flux collecting yoke 43b can also be reduced.

This eliminates the need to prepare magnetic flux collecting yoke assemblies 40 and stator members 51 for each of the required gaps Ga and Gb between the flange portion 52 of the stator member 51 and the magnetic flux collecting yoke 43, and the same magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 and stator Using the member 51, gaps Ga and Gb between the flange portion 52 of the stator member 51 and the magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 can be adjusted. Therefore, the same magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 can be applied to both the torque sensor 10 installed in vehicle models that require high resolution and the torque sensor 10 installed in vehicle models that require low resolution. Therefore, it is possible to reduce costs during manufacturing and management of parts. As a result, even if the torque sensor 10 has different specifications, it is possible to reuse the same type of parts, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and management costs.

Further, in the housing 20, since the first housing 21 and the second housing 31 are connected, the relative positions of the magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 and the stator member 51 in the axial direction are likely to shift from the designed positions. However, in this embodiment, it is possible to avoid a collision between the flange portion 52 of the stator member 51 and the magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 due to a relative positional shift between the magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 and the stator member 51. . That is, the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 having the magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 is attached to the first housing 21, and the stator member 51 is connected to the first pinion whose outer ring 65a is rotatably supported by a bearing 65 fixed to the second housing 31. It is fixed to the gear 88a, and the magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 and the stator member 51 are supported by different housings 20. Therefore, due to the accumulation of processing tolerances during manufacturing of the torque sensor 10, the relative positions of the magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 and the stator member 51 in the axial direction tend to deviate from the designed positions.

In this embodiment, the arrangement position of the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 in the axial direction is changed without using a dedicated magnetic collecting yoke assembly 40 manufactured in consideration of the relative positional deviation between the magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 and the stator member 51. By adjusting, the gaps Ga and Gb at two locations between the magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 and the stator member 51 can be set to a size that takes into account the relative positional deviation between the magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 and the stator member 51. . Thereby, even if a deviation occurs in the relative positions of the magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 and the stator member 51, collision between the flange portion 52 of the stator member 51 and the magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 can be avoided. As a result, even if the specifications of the torque sensor 10 are different, it is possible to reuse the same type of parts, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and management costs. Collisions can be suppressed.

Further, the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 is inserted into the housing portion 25 of the first housing 21 from the outside in the radial direction, and is fixed to the first housing 21 by attaching the mounting flange 41a to the first housing 21, so that the magnetic collecting yoke assembly 40 is fixed to the first housing 21. The magnetic yoke assembly 40 is designed due to the machining tolerance of the bush insertion hole 41aa (see FIG. 5) formed in the mounting flange 41a and the machining tolerance of the bush 48 (see FIG. 5) inserted into the bush insertion hole 41aa. It becomes easy to be fixed by shifting or tilting the angle relative to the original position. If the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 is displaced or tilted, the relative positional relationship between the magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 and the stator member 51 will shift from the designed positional relationship. In the embodiment, it is possible to avoid a collision between the flange portion 52 of the stator member 51 and the magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 due to a deviation in the relative positional relationship between the magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 and the stator member 51.

That is, in this embodiment, by adjusting the arrangement position of the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly 40 in the axial direction, the two gaps Ga and Gb between the magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 and the stator member 51 can be adjusted. Therefore, the gap Ga between the magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 and the stator member 51 can be maintained without using a dedicated magnetic collecting yoke assembly 40 manufactured in consideration of the relative positional deviation between the magnetic collecting yoke 43 and the stator member 51. , Gb can be set to a size that takes into consideration the relative positional deviation between the magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 and the stator member 51. Thereby, even if a shift occurs in the relative positional relationship between the magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 and the stator member 51, collision between the flange portion 52 of the stator member 51 and the magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 can be avoided. As a result, even if the specifications of the torque sensor 10 are different, it is possible to reuse the same type of parts, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and management costs. Collisions can be suppressed.

[Modified example]
In the embodiment described above, the pair of magnetic flux collecting yokes 43 face the flange portions 52 of the pair of stator members 51 from the same direction in the axial direction. The direction in which the stator member 51 faces the flange portion 52 of the stator member 51 in the axial direction is preferably determined based on the arrangement of surrounding members. For example, it is preferable that the pair of magnetic flux collecting yokes 43 face the flange portion 52 of the stator member 51 from the side where the distance from the pair of stator members 51 to the magnetic body Mg is greater in the axial direction.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the bearing 60 disposed in the first housing 21 has a larger distance to the flange portion 52 of the stator member 51 than the bearing 65 disposed in the second housing 31. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the bearing 65 disposed in the second housing 31 has a larger distance to the flange portion 52 of the stator member 51 than the bearing 60 disposed in the first housing 21. The pair of magnetic flux collecting yokes 43 use, for example, bearings 60 and 65 that rotatably support the stub shaft 87 and the first pinion gear 88a as magnetic bodies Mg used to determine the arrangement of the pair of magnetic flux collecting yokes 43. In this case, the flange portion 52 of the stator member 51 may be opposed from the side where the bearings 60 and 65 are located on the side remote from the stator member 51 in the axial direction. That is, the distance in the axial direction between the first flange portion 52a of the first stator member 51a and the bearing 60 disposed in the first housing 21 is H1, and the distance between the second flange portion 52b of the second stator member 51b and the second housing 31 is H1. When the distance in the axial direction from the bearing 65 located at 51 may be opposed to the flange portion 52.

Specifically, when the relationship between the distance H1 and the distance H2 is H1>H2, the magnetic collecting part 43aa of the first magnetic collecting yoke 43a is placed against the first flange part 52a of the first stator member 51a. The magnetic collecting part 43ba of the second magnetic collecting yoke 43b is also arranged on the side where the bearing 60 is located in the axial direction with respect to the second flange part 52b of the second stator member 51b. Deploy. Further, when the relationship between the distance H1 and the distance H2 is H1<H2, the magnetic flux collecting portion 43aa of the first magnetic flux collecting yoke 43a is axially aligned with respect to the first flange portion 52a of the first stator member 51a. The magnetic flux collecting portion 43ba of the second magnetic flux collecting yoke 43b is also disposed on the side where the bearing 65 is located in the axial direction with respect to the second flange portion 52b of the second stator member 51b.

By arranging the magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 in this manner with respect to the flange portion 52 of the stator member 51, the magnetic collecting yoke 43 can be kept as far away from the bearings 60 and 65, which are magnetic Mg, as possible. As a result, when the magnetic flux collecting yoke 43 detects a change in the magnetic flux acting on the stator member 51 from the magnet 56, the magnetic material Mg is disposed near the magnetic collecting yoke 43. It is possible to prevent the magnetic flux from being disturbed and being detected by the magnetic flux collecting yoke 43. As a result, the magnetic flux acting on the stator member 51 from the magnet 56 can be accurately detected by the magnetic flux collecting yoke 43, and the steering torque can be appropriately detected.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to those described in the above embodiments. The configurations described as embodiments and modified examples may be combined as appropriate.

10 Torque sensor 20 Housing 21 First housing 31 Second housing 40 Magnetic collecting yoke assembly 41 Sensor housing 41a Mounting flange 43 Magnetic collecting yoke 43a First collecting yoke 43b Second collecting yoke 44 Circuit board 45 Hall IC
50 stator assembly 51 stator member 51a first stator member 51b second stator member 52 flange portion 52a first flange portion 52b second flange portion 53 teeth portion 53a first teeth portion 53b second teeth portion 56 magnet 60, 65 bearing 60a, 65a Outer ring 60b, 65b Inner ring 60c, 65c Rolling element 70 Magnetic shield cover 80 Steering device 81 Steering wheel 82 Steering shaft 84, 86 Universal joint 85 Intermediate shaft 87 Stub shaft 87a Torsion bar 88 Steering gear 88a 1st pinion gear 88b Rack bar 88c 2nd pinion gear 89 tie rod 90 rack housing 100 ECU
101 Vehicle speed sensor 102 Electric motor 103 Ignition switch 104 Power supply device

Claims (5)

housing and
a shaft disposed inside the housing;
a bearing having an inner ring fixed to the shaft and an outer ring fixed to the housing to rotatably support the shaft with respect to the housing;
a stator assembly including a pair of stator members fixed to the shaft, the stator assembly having a flange portion projecting outward in the radial direction of the shaft;
a cylindrical magnet arranged opposite to the stator member;
a pair of magnetic flux collection yokes that detect changes in magnetic flux according to relative positional changes between the pair of stator members and the magnets; and a Hall element that outputs the change in magnetic flux detected by the magnetic flux collection yokes as an electrical signal. and a magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly detachably attached to the housing;
Equipped with
One of the pair of magnetic flux collecting yokes extends from one side in the axial direction of the shaft to the flange of one of the pair of stator members. Facing,
The other magnetic flux collecting yoke of the pair of magnetic flux collecting yokes extends from one side in the axial direction of the shaft to the flange of the other stator member of the pair of stator members. Opposing torque sensor. The torque sensor according to claim 1, wherein the housing has a first housing to which the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly is attached and a second housing to which the outer ring of the bearing is fixed, and the first housing and the second housing are connected. The housing has a housing portion that houses the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly,
The magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly has a mounting flange that attaches the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly to the housing,
3. The torque sensor according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic flux collecting yoke assembly is inserted into the housing portion from the outside in the radial direction of the shaft, and the mounting flange is attached to the housing. 3. The torque sensor according to claim 1, wherein the pair of magnetic flux collecting yokes face the flange portion of the stator member from the side where the distance from the pair of stator members to the magnetic body is greater in the axial direction. The torque sensor according to claim 4, wherein the magnetic body is the bearing.

Images