JP5837831B2 - Relative angle detector unit, electric power steering device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a relative angle detection device unit and an electric power steering device.

In recent years, an apparatus for detecting the relative rotation angle of two rotation shafts arranged coaxially with each other has been proposed.
For example, the device described in Patent Document 1 is a device that is applied to an electric power steering device and detects torque between an input shaft and an output shaft. The input shaft and the output shaft are connected via a torsion bar. The input shaft is provided with a magnetism generator. The magnetism generating portion has a configuration in which an annular magnet portion is provided on a back yoke formed of an annular magnetic body. The output shaft is provided with a magnetic yoke portion composed of a first magnetic yoke and a second magnetic yoke. The other end portions of the first magnetic yoke are connected by a first magnetic ring, and the other end portions of the second magnetic yoke are connected by a second magnetic ring. The housing is provided with a first magnetism collecting ring facing the first magnetic ring. A second magnetic flux collecting ring is provided on the housing so as to face the second magnetic ring. The first magnetism collecting ring is provided with a first magnetism collecting yoke, and the second magnetism collecting ring is provided with a second magnetism collecting yoke. The first magnetism collecting yoke and the second magnetism collecting yoke are provided with two pairs of convex portions so as to face each other. A magnetic gap is formed between each pair of convex portions, and a magnetic sensor is disposed in the magnetic gap.
The input shaft, output shaft, magnetism generating unit, magnetic yoke unit, magnetic sensor, and the like are accommodated in the housing.

JP 2007-292550 A

There are a plurality of types such as a pinion assist type, a rack assist type, and a double pinion type as an electric power steering device to which a detection device that detects a relative rotation angle between two rotation shafts is applied. In addition, even in the same type of electric power steering apparatus, the shape of the parts arranged adjacent to the detection apparatus differs for each model.
Therefore, it is desirable that the detection device can be made common even if the type of the electric power steering device to which the detection device is applied and the types of parts arranged in the housing are different.

For this purpose, the present invention outputs a value corresponding to the magnetic field generated by the magnet fixed to one of the two rotary shafts that rotate coaxially and is fixed to the other rotary shaft. A sensor, a substrate on which the sensor is mounted, a transmission member that has one end fixed to the substrate and is electrically connected to the sensor and transmits an electrical signal, and the other end of the transmission member A relative angle detection device having a cover member that is fixed and covers the periphery of the transmission member, and for attaching the cover member to the housing that supports the cover member of the relative angle detection device and covers the periphery of the relative angle detection device comprising a supporting member mounting portion is provided in the said support member, Installing the one axial end part of the other rotary shaft in the cover member of the relative angle detecting device It is the relative angle detection apparatus unit according to claim in which the axial through hole for passing the other rotating shaft is formed with is.

The mounting portion of the support member may be outside the cover member of the relative angle detection device in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the other rotation shaft.
Moreover, it is good for the said attaching part of the said supporting member to form the through-hole for fastening for letting the fastening member which fastens the said supporting member fasten to the said housing.

From another point of view, the present invention relates to a magnet fixed to one rotation shaft of two rotation shafts that rotate coaxially and a rotation shaft fixed to the other rotation shaft of the two rotation shafts. A sensor that outputs a value corresponding to the magnetic field generated by the magnet fixed to the rotating shaft of the sensor, a substrate on which the sensor is mounted, and one end of the sensor fixed to the substrate and electrically connected to the sensor A relative angle detection device having a transmission member for transmitting an electrical signal, and a cover member for fixing the other end of the transmission member and covering the periphery of the transmission member, and a periphery of the relative angle detection device comprising a housing covering the, the, a support member attaching portion is provided for attachment to the housing to support the said cover member of said relative angle detecting device, the support member, the relative angle detection instrumentation In the electric power steering apparatus characterized with attached to one end in the axial direction that the axial through hole for passing the other rotating shaft is formed of the other rotary shaft in the cover member is there.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to share the detection device even if the type of the electric power steering device to which the detection device is applied and the types of parts arranged in the housing are different.

It is a figure showing a schematic structure of an electric power steering device concerning a 1st embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the inside of the steering gear box of the electric power steering apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view of a torque detection system. It is a schematic block diagram of a bracket. It is a figure which shows the direction of the electric current sent through a thin film ferromagnetic metal, and the direction of the magnetic field to apply. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the magnetic field strength and the resistance value of the thin film ferromagnetic metal when the magnetic field strength is changed in the state of FIG. 5. It is a figure which shows the direction of the electric current sent through a thin film ferromagnetic metal, and the direction of the magnetic field to apply. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the direction of a magnetic field, and the resistance value of a thin film ferromagnetic metal. (A) is a figure which shows an example of MR sensor using the principle which detects the direction of a magnetic field with the magnetic field intensity more than prescription | regulation magnetic field intensity. (B) is the figure which showed the structure of MR sensor shown to (a) with the equivalent circuit. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the change of the magnetic field direction when a magnet carries out a linear motion, and the output of MR sensor. It is a figure which shows the other example of MR sensor. It is a figure which shows an example of the combination of the output used in detecting the moving direction of a magnet. It is a figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of MR sensor. It is a figure which shows the other example of MR sensor. It is an external view of the harness comp which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram of a grommet and a socket. (A) is a schematic block diagram of a 2nd housing. (B) is BB sectional drawing in (a). (C) is a figure which shows the state with which the harness comp was mounted | worn with the 2nd housing. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the electric power steering apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the inside of the steering gear box of the electric power steering apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram of the bracket which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the electric power steering apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
<First Embodiment>
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electric power steering apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of the steering gear box 107 of the electric power steering apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment.
The electric power steering apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “steering apparatus 100”) is a steering apparatus for arbitrarily changing the traveling direction of the vehicle. The structure applied to the motor vehicle is illustrated. The steering device 100 according to the first embodiment is a so-called pinion assist type device.

  The steering device 100 includes a wheel-like steering wheel (handle) 101 operated by a driver, and a steering shaft 102 provided integrally with the steering wheel 101. The steering device 100 includes an upper connecting shaft 103 connected to the steering shaft 102 via a universal joint 103a, and a lower connecting shaft 108 connected to the upper connecting shaft 103 via a universal joint 103b. . The lower connecting shaft 108 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the steering wheel 101.

The steering device 100 includes a tie rod 104 connected to each of the left and right front wheels 250 as rolling wheels, and a rack shaft 105 connected to the tie rod 104. Further, the steering device 100 includes a pinion 106 a that constitutes a rack and pinion mechanism together with rack teeth 105 a formed on the rack shaft 105. The pinion 106 a is formed at the lower end portion of the pinion shaft 106.
The steering device 100 also has a steering gear box 107 that houses the pinion shaft 106. The pinion shaft 106 is coaxially coupled to the above-described lower coupling shaft 108 via a torsion bar 109 (see FIG. 2) in a steering gear box 107.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the pinion shaft 106 and the lower connection shaft 108 are rotatably supported by the housing 140. The housing 140 is a member that is fixed to a main body frame (hereinafter also referred to as “vehicle body”) of a vehicle such as an automobile, and includes a first housing 150, a second housing 160, and a third housing 170. The The pinion shaft 106 is rotatably supported by the first housing 150 via a bearing 151, and the lower connection shaft 108 is rotatably supported by the third housing 170 via a bearing 171.

  The first housing 150 has a bearing 151 that rotatably supports the pinion shaft 106 on one end side in the rotation axis direction of the pinion shaft 106 (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “axial direction”) (FIG. 1). In the lower side), and the other end side in the axial direction (upper side in FIG. 2) is an open member. An electric motor 110 described later is mounted on the first housing 150. Further, the first housing 150 houses a worm wheel 120 described later.

  The second housing 160 is a member having both ends in the axial direction opened, and the opening on one end side in the axial direction is opposed to the opening on the other end side in the axial direction in the first housing 150. Are arranged as follows. The second housing 160 is fixed to the first housing 150 by, for example, bolts. A communication hole 161 that communicates the inside and the outside is formed on the side surface of the second housing 160. The communication hole 161 is a substantially elliptical columnar inner communication hole 161a (see FIG. 17) in which a grommet 320 of the harness comp 300 described later is fitted, and a substantially elliptical columnar outer communication in which the socket 330 of the harness comp 300 is fitted. And a hole 161b (see FIG. 17). The outer communication hole 161b is formed larger than the inner communication hole 161a in the long side direction, although the elliptical short side direction is the same. In addition, the second housing 160 has a concave portion 162 (see FIG. 17) that is recessed from the surface that forms the outer communication hole 161b of the communication hole 161 in the middle of the elliptical column direction (communication hole direction) in the communication hole 161. It is formed on both sides of the ellipse in the long side direction. The recess 162 has a half-moon shape and has two vertical surfaces 162a that are surfaces perpendicular to the column direction. The second housing 160 is provided with a plurality of bosses 165 (three in this embodiment) for attaching a bracket 90 of the torque detection system 10 to be described later with fastening members (for example, bolts, screws, etc.). Yes.

  The third housing 170 has a bearing 171 that rotatably supports the lower connecting shaft 108 on the other end side in the axial direction (upper side in FIG. 2), and one end side in the axial direction (FIG. 2). The lower side is a member opened. Then, the opening on one end side in the axial direction is disposed so as to face the opening on the other end side in the axial direction of the second housing 160, and is fixed to the second housing 160 with a bolt or the like, for example. Is done.

  The steering apparatus 100 includes an electric motor 110 fixed to the steering gear box 107 and a worm wheel 120 fixed to the pinion shaft 106. The worm gear 111 and the worm wheel 120 connected to the output shaft of the electric motor 110 mesh with each other, and the rotational force of the electric motor 110 is decelerated by the worm wheel 120 and transmitted to the pinion shaft 106. It can be exemplified that the electric motor 110 is a three-phase brushless motor.

  Further, in the steering gear box 107, torque detection for detecting the steering torque T of the steering wheel 101 based on the relative angle between the lower connecting shaft 108 and the pinion shaft 106, in other words, based on the torsion amount of the torsion bar 109. A system 10 is provided. The torque detection system 10 will be described in detail later.

The steering device 100 also includes an electronic control unit (ECU) 200 that controls the operation of the electric motor 110. The output value of the torque detection system 10 described above is input to the ECU 200.
The ECU 200 uses a CPU that performs various arithmetic processes, a ROM that stores programs executed by the CPU, various data, and the like, and a RAM that is used as a working memory of the CPU, and the like from the torque detection system 10. Is provided with a relative angle calculation unit 210 that calculates the relative rotation angle between the lower connecting shaft 108 and the pinion shaft 106 based on the output value of

  In the steering apparatus 100 configured as described above, in consideration of the steering torque applied to the steering wheel 101 appearing as a relative rotation angle between the lower connection shaft 108 and the pinion shaft 106, the lower connection shaft 108 and the pinion shaft 106. The steering torque is grasped on the basis of the relative rotation angle with respect to. That is, the relative rotation angle between the lower connecting shaft 108 and the pinion shaft 106 is detected by the torque detection system 10, and the ECU 200 grasps the steering torque based on the output value from the torque detection system 10, and based on the grasped steering torque. To control the driving of the electric motor 110. The torque generated by the electric motor 110 is transmitted to the pinion shaft 106 via the worm gear 111 and the worm wheel 120. Thereby, the torque generated by the electric motor 110 assists the driver's steering force applied to the steering wheel 101. That is, the pinion shaft 106 rotates with the steering torque T generated by the rotation of the steering wheel 101 and the auxiliary torque applied from the electric motor 110.

Hereinafter, the torque detection system 10 will be described in detail.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the torque detection system 10. However, in FIG. 3, a harness comp 300 described later is omitted.
The torque detection system 10 includes a rotating member 21 that is fixed to the lower connecting shaft 108 and rotates together with the lower connecting shaft 108, and a magnet 22 that generates a magnetic field and is supported by the rotating member 21 via an adhesive. ing. The torque detection system 10 also outputs a relative angle detection device unit 20 (hereinafter simply referred to as “a”) that outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the relative rotation angle between the lower coupling shaft 108 and the pinion shaft 106 based on the magnetic field generated from the magnet 22. And a harness comp 300 for transmitting the output value of the detection device unit 20 to the ECU 200.

  The rotating member 21 includes a thin cylindrical first cylindrical portion 211 along the outer peripheral surface of the lower connecting shaft 108, and an axial direction of the lower connecting shaft 108 as a center line direction and an inner diameter of the first cylindrical portion 211. A thin cylindrical second cylindrical portion 212 having a larger inner diameter, and a connecting portion 213 for connecting the first cylindrical portion 211 and the second cylindrical portion 212 are provided.

  In addition, as the rotation member 21, it can illustrate that it is the thing which shape | molded the sheet metal by drawing. As a method of fixing the rotating member 21 to the lower connecting shaft 108, a method of press-fitting the first cylindrical portion 211 of the rotating member 21 into the outer peripheral surface of the lower connecting shaft 108, A method of fixing by forming a recess and plastically deforming (caulking) the first cylindrical portion 211 along the shape of the recess can be exemplified.

  The magnet 22 is magnetized in the circumferential direction while N poles and S poles are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction of the lower connecting shaft 108. The magnet 22 is basically a cylindrical member, and includes a groove portion 221 that is recessed in the axial direction from one axial end surface 22 a of the lower connecting shaft 108, and the second portion of the rotating member 21 is provided in the groove portion 221. The cylindrical portion 212 is bonded with the adhesive 23 in the inserted state. As a result, the magnet 22 is attached to the lower connecting shaft 108 via the rotating member 21 and rotates together with the lower connecting shaft 108. An example of the number of poles of the magnet 22 is 24 with 12 N poles and 12 S poles. Note that the magnet 22 may be one in which one N-pole and one S-pole are magnetized at a portion facing the relative angle sensor 30.

  The detection device unit 20 includes a detection device 25 that outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the relative rotation angle between the lower coupling shaft 108 and the pinion shaft 106, and an attachment portion 92 that supports the detection device 25 and is attached to the housing 140. And a bracket 90 as an example of the support member.

First, the detection device 25 will be described.
The detection device 25 mounts the relative angle sensor 30 that outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the relative rotation angle between the lower coupling shaft 108 and the pinion shaft 106 based on the magnetic field generated from the magnet 22, and the relative angle sensor 30. And a printed circuit board 40. The detection device 25 includes a base 50 that is attached to the pinion shaft 106 and supports the printed circuit board 40, and a flat cable cover 60 that houses a flat cable 70 described later. The detection device 25 includes a flat cable 70 having one end connected to a terminal provided on the printed circuit board 40 and the other end connected to a terminal fixed to the flat cable cover 60. I have.

  The relative angle sensor 30 is disposed outside the outer peripheral surface of the magnet 22 in the rotational radius direction of the lower connecting shaft 108 and within the region where the magnet 22 is provided in the axial direction of the lower connecting shaft 108. Yes. The relative angle sensor 30 according to the present embodiment is an MR sensor (magnetoresistive element) that is a magnetic sensor utilizing the fact that the resistance value changes due to a magnetic field. The relative angle sensor 30 outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the relative rotation angle between the lower coupling shaft 108 and the pinion shaft 106 based on the magnetic field generated from the magnet 22, so that the two are arranged coaxially. Detect the relative rotation angle of two rotation axes. The relative angle sensor 30 and the relative rotation angle detection method will be described in detail later.

The printed circuit board 40 is fixed to the base 50 with, for example, bolts so as to be disposed outside the outer peripheral surface of the magnet 22 in the rotational radius direction of the lower connecting shaft 108.
The base 50 is a member having a cylindrical part and a disk-like part, and rotates together with the pinion shaft 106 when the cylindrical part is fitted to the pinion shaft 106. The disk-shaped part supports the printed circuit board 40 on which the relative angle sensor 30 is mounted.

The flat cable cover 60 includes a cylindrical portion 61 that has a thin-walled cylindrical shape and has different outer diameters in stages, and a disc-shaped intermediate portion 62 that extends from an intermediate portion in the axial direction toward the center of the cylindrical portion 61. ing. The cylindrical portion 61 has different outer diameters with the intermediate portion 62 as a boundary. The flat cable 70 is housed in the space formed by the cylindrical portion 61, the intermediate portion 62 and the base 50.
The intermediate portion 62 projects from one axial end surface (lower side in FIG. 3) toward one axial end direction (downward in FIG. 3), and the bracket 90 is connected to the flat cable. A plurality of bosses 63 for fastening fastening members (for example, bolts and screws) for fastening to the cover 60 are provided. In the present embodiment, five bosses 63 are provided. Further, the intermediate portion 62 is formed with a pinion shaft 106 and a through hole 62a through which a cylindrical portion of the base 50 fitted to the pinion shaft 106 passes.
Moreover, the flat cable cover 60 has a connection terminal 65 to which a later-described first connector 350 of the harness comp 300 is connected inside the cylindrical portion 61.

  The flat cable 70 has one end connected to the terminal 41 of the printed circuit board 40 and the other end connected to the connection terminal 65 of the flat cable cover 60. The space formed by the portion 62 and the base 50 is housed in a spirally wound state. When viewed from the other end side in the axial direction, the flat cable 70 is wound in the right direction as shown in FIG. 3, and the steering wheel 101, in other words, the lower connection shaft 108 and the pinion shaft 106 are wound. Is rotated in the right direction, one end portion is rotated in the right direction in accordance with the rotation of the pinion shaft 106, so that the number of turns is increased as compared with the neutral state in which the steering wheel is not rotated. On the other hand, when the steering wheel is rotated in the left direction, the number of turns is reduced as compared with the neutral state in which the steering wheel is not rotated.

Next, the bracket 90 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of the bracket 90. (A) is a top view, (b) is sectional drawing of the IVB-IVB part of (a).
The bracket 90 is a member formed by pressing a sheet metal, and is provided on one end side (lower side in FIG. 3) of the cylindrical portion 61 of the flat cable cover 60 of the detection device 25. It has a flat cover portion 91 that covers the opening, and a plurality (three in the present embodiment) of attachment portions 92 for attachment to the housing 140. Further, the bracket 90 is formed with a pinion shaft 106 and a shaft hole 93 that is a hole through which a cylindrical portion of the base 50 fitted to the pinion shaft 106 passes.

The cover portion 91 is a hole through which a fastening member (for example, bolt or screw) 95 for fastening the bracket 90 to the flat cable cover 60 is passed at a position corresponding to the boss 63 of the intermediate portion 62 of the flat cable cover 60. A certain cover hole 91a is formed.
The attachment portion 92 includes a vertical portion 92a extending to the other end side in the axial direction (upward in FIG. 4) substantially perpendicular to the surface of the cover portion 91, and an axial end portion of the vertical portion 92a. The cover portion 91 has a horizontal portion 92b extending horizontally (in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction) on the surface of the cover portion 91. The horizontal portion 92 b is formed with a housing hole 92 c that is a hole through which a fastening member (for example, bolt, screw) 96 for fastening the bracket 90 to the boss 165 of the second housing 160 of the housing 140 is passed. .
The detection device 25 is attached to the second housing 160 of the housing 140 by the bracket 90 configured in this way.

  The harness comp 300 has a function of transmitting an output signal from the relative angle sensor 30 to the ECU 200. The harness comp 300 will be described in detail later.

Below, the relative angle sensor 30 which concerns on this Embodiment is demonstrated.
The relative angle sensor 30 according to the present embodiment is an MR sensor (magnetoresistive element) that utilizes a change in resistance value due to a magnetic field (magnetic field).

First, the operation principle of the MR sensor will be described.
The MR sensor is composed of an Si or glass substrate and a thin film of an alloy mainly composed of a ferromagnetic metal such as Ni-Fe formed thereon, and the resistance value of the thin film ferromagnetic metal is in a specific direction. The resistance value changes according to the strength of the magnetic field.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the direction of the current flowing through the thin film ferromagnetic metal and the direction of the applied magnetic field. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the magnetic field strength and the resistance value of the thin film ferromagnetic metal when the magnetic field strength is changed in the state of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, a current is passed through the thin film ferromagnetic metal formed in a rectangular shape on the substrate in the longitudinal direction of the rectangle, that is, in the Y direction in the figure. On the other hand, the magnetic field H is applied in a direction perpendicular to the current direction (Y direction) (X direction in the figure), and in this state, the strength of the magnetic field is changed. FIG. 6 shows how the resistance value of the thin film ferromagnetic metal changes at this time.

As shown in FIG. 6, even if the strength of the magnetic field is changed, the resistance value change from the time of no magnetic field (magnetic field strength zero) is about 3% at the maximum.
Hereinafter, a region outside which the resistance value change amount (ΔR) can be approximately expressed by the equation “ΔR∝H ² ” is referred to as a “saturation sensitivity region”. In the saturation sensitivity region, the resistance value change of 3% does not change when the magnetic field intensity is higher than a certain magnetic field intensity (hereinafter referred to as “specified magnetic field intensity”).

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the direction of the current flowing through the thin film ferromagnetic metal and the direction of the applied magnetic field. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the relationship between the direction of the magnetic field and the resistance value of the thin film ferromagnetic metal.
As shown in FIG. 7, a current is passed in the rectangular longitudinal direction of the thin film ferromagnetic metal formed in a rectangular shape, that is, the Y direction in the figure, and an angle change θ is given to the current direction as the direction of the magnetic field. At this time, in order to know the change in the resistance value of the thin film ferromagnetic metal due to the direction of the magnetic field, the applied magnetic field strength is set to be equal to or higher than the above-mentioned prescribed magnetic field strength at which the resistance value does not change due to the magnetic field strength.

As shown in FIG. 8A, the amount of resistance change becomes maximum when the current direction and the magnetic field direction are perpendicular (θ = 90 degrees, 270 degrees), and the current direction and the magnetic field direction are parallel (θ = 0 degrees). , 180 degrees). When the maximum amount of change in the resistance value in this case is ΔR, the resistance value R of the thin film ferromagnetic metal changes as an angular component between the current direction and the magnetic field direction, and is expressed by the equation (1), and is shown in FIG. As shown in b).
R = R0−ΔRsin ² θ (1)
Here, R0 is a resistance value when a magnetic field having a specified magnetic field strength or more is applied parallel to the current direction (θ = 0 degree or 180 degrees).
From equation (1), the direction of the magnetic field greater than the prescribed magnetic field strength can be detected by grasping the resistance value of the thin film ferromagnetic metal.

Next, the detection principle of the MR sensor will be described.
FIG. 9A is a diagram showing an example of an MR sensor that uses the principle of detecting the direction of a magnetic field with a magnetic field strength equal to or greater than a prescribed magnetic field strength. FIG. 9B is a diagram showing an equivalent circuit of the configuration of the MR sensor shown in FIG.
In the thin film ferromagnetic metal of the MR sensor shown in FIG. 9A, a first element E1 formed so that the longitudinal direction is long and a second element E2 formed so that the lateral direction is long are in series. Is arranged.

In the thin-film ferromagnetic metal having such a shape, the vertical magnetic field that causes the largest resistance value change with respect to the first element E1 is the magnetic field direction with the smallest resistance value change with respect to the second element E2. The resistance value R1 of the first element E1 is given by the formula (2), and the resistance value R2 of the second element E2 is given by the formula (3).
R1 = R0−ΔRsin ² θ (2)
R2 = R0−ΔRcos ² θ (3)

An equivalent circuit of the MR sensor having the element configuration as shown in FIG. 9A is as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 9, the end of the first element E1 that is not connected to the second element E2 is the ground (Gnd), and the second element E2 is connected to the first element E1. When the output voltage at the other end is Vcc, the output voltage Vout at the connection between the first element E1 and the second element E2 is given by equation (4).
Vout = (R1 / (R1 + R2)) × Vcc (4)

When formulas (2) and (3) are substituted into formula (4) and rearranged, formula (5) is obtained.
Vout = Vcc / 2 + α × cos 2θ (5)
Here, α is α = (ΔR / (2 (2 × R0−ΔR))) × Vcc.
From equation (5), the direction of the magnetic field can be grasped by detecting Vout.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the change in the magnetic field direction and the output of the MR sensor when the magnet moves linearly.
As shown in FIG. 10 (a), the MR sensor shown in FIG. 9 is applied to a magnet in which N poles and S poles are alternately arranged. It is arranged so that the change in the direction of the magnetic field contributes to the sensor surface of the MR sensor.

  10 (c), the distance from the center of the N pole to the center of the S pole (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “the magnetization pitch”) λ, as shown in FIG. 10 (a). Move to the left. In such a case, a magnetic field in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 10C is applied to the MR sensor according to the position of the magnet. When the magnet moves through the magnetization pitch λ, the magnetic field of the sensor surface is reduced. The direction rotates 1/2. Therefore, the waveform of the output voltage Vout at the connection portion between the first element E1 and the second element E2 is shown in FIG. 10D from “Vout = Vcc / 2 + α × cos 2θ” shown in the equation (5). Thus, a waveform of one cycle is obtained.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating another example of the MR sensor.
If an element configuration as shown in FIG. 11 (a) is used instead of the element configuration shown in FIG. 9, as shown in FIG. 11 (b), a generally known Wheatstone bridge (full bridge) is used. Can be configured. Therefore, detection accuracy can be increased by using the MR sensor having the element configuration shown in FIG.

A method for detecting the direction of movement of the magnet will be described.
From the relationship between the direction of the magnetic field shown in FIG. 8 and the resistance value of the thin film ferromagnetic metal, and from the equation (1) “R = R0−ΔRsin ² θ”, the direction of the magnetic field can be expressed as The resistance value of the thin-film ferromagnetic metal is the same whether it is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise with respect to the direction. Therefore, even if the resistance value of the thin film ferromagnetic metal can be grasped, the direction of movement of the magnet cannot be grasped.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of combinations of outputs used to detect the moving direction of the magnet. As shown in FIG. 12, the direction of movement of the magnet can be detected by combining two outputs having a phase difference of ¼ period. In order to obtain these outputs, two MR sensors may be arranged so as to have the phase relationship of (i) and (ii) or (i) and (iv) shown in FIG.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the arrangement of MR sensors. As shown in FIG. 13, it is also preferable that two MR sensors are overlapped and one sensor is disposed with an inclination of 45 degrees relative to the other sensor.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating another example of the MR sensor. As shown in FIG. 14 (a), two sets of full-bridge elements are inclined on each other by 45 degrees and formed on a single substrate to form an element structure that becomes an equivalent circuit as shown in FIG. 14 (b). Is also suitable. Thereby, as shown in FIG.14 (c), the output of an exact sine wave and a cosine wave is attained with one MR sensor. Therefore, the movement direction and the amount of movement of the magnet with respect to the MR sensor can be grasped from the output value of the MR sensor having the element configuration shown in FIG.

  In view of the characteristics of the MR sensor described above, the detection apparatus 25 according to the present embodiment uses an MR sensor having the element configuration shown in FIG. As described above, the relative angle sensor 30 is arranged perpendicular to the outer peripheral surface of the magnet 22, and the position of the pinion shaft 106 in the axial direction is within the region of the magnet 22. Therefore, in such a case, due to the magnetic field of the magnet 22 rotating with the lower connecting shaft 108, the relative angle sensor 30 changes the magnetic field direction as shown in FIG. .

As a result, when the magnet 22 moves (rotates) the magnetization pitch λ, the direction of the magnetic field rotates 1/2 on the magnetic sensing surface of the relative angle sensor 30, and the output values VoutA and VoutB from the relative angle sensor 30 are As shown in FIG. 14C, a cosine curve (cosine wave) and a sine curve (sine wave) having a phase difference of ¼ period are obtained.
That is, when the driver rotates the steering wheel, the lower connecting shaft 108 rotates with this, and the torsion bar 109 is twisted. Then, the pinion shaft 106 rotates with a slight delay from the lower connecting shaft 108. This delay appears as a difference in rotation angle between the lower connection shaft 108 and the pinion shaft 106 connected to the torsion bar 109. The detection device 25 outputs VoutA and VoutB, which are a cosine curve and a sine curve, with a phase difference of ¼ period corresponding to the difference in rotation angle.
The magnetic sensitive surface of the relative angle sensor 30 is a surface that can detect a magnetic field in the relative angle sensor 30.

Based on the output values VoutA and VoutB of the relative angle sensor 30, the relative angle calculation unit 210 of the ECU 200 calculates the relative rotation angle θt between the lower coupling shaft 108 and the pinion shaft 106 using the following equation (6).
θt = arctan (VoutB / VoutA) (6)
In this way, the relative angle calculation unit 210 is based on the output value from the relative angle sensor 30, and the relative rotation angle and twist direction of the lower connection shaft 108 and the pinion shaft 106, that is, the magnitude of torque applied to the steering wheel. And the orientation can be grasped.

  When the detection device 25 configured as described above is assembled, the detection device 25 and the bracket 90 are unitized to form the detection device unit 20. That is, the flat cable cover 60, the base 50 to which the printed circuit board 40 is attached, the flat cable 70 connected to the flat cable cover 60 and the printed circuit board 40 and accommodated between the flat cable cover 60 and the base 50, and the bracket 90 is previously unitized. At that time, the bracket 90 and the flat cable cover 60 of the detection device 25 are fastened using the fastening member 95. Then, the bracket 90 of the detection device unit 20 is fastened to the boss 165 of the second housing 160 of the housing 140 using the fastening member 96. At that time, the base 50 of the detection device 25 is fitted to the pinion shaft 106.

  Thus, the assembly property is improved by making the detection apparatus unit 20 into a structure that can be unitized in advance. Further, since the bracket 90 is attached to one end side in the axial direction of the flat cable cover 60 of the detection device 25 and the shaft hole 93 for passing the pinion shaft 106 is formed, the base 50 is connected to the pinion shaft 106. It is possible to easily fasten the bracket 90 to the boss 165 of the second housing 160 while being fitted to each other.

Next, the harness comp 300 will be described.
FIG. 15 is an external view of a harness comp 300 according to the present embodiment.
The harness comp 300 includes a plurality of electric wires 310, a grommet 320 that holds the plurality of electric wires 310, and a socket 330 that suppresses movement of the grommet 320. The harness comp 300 includes a first connector 350 connected to one end of the plurality of electric wires 310, and a second connector 360 connected to the other end of the plurality of electric wires 310. Yes. In addition, the harness comp 300 bundles the plurality of electric wires 310 between the first cover 370 that bundles the plurality of electric wires 310 between the grommet 320 and the first connector 350, and between the grommet 320 and the second connector 360. A second cover 380.

  The harness comp 300 according to the present embodiment has four electric wires 310, and one end of the four electric wires 310 is connected to the printed circuit board 40 via the first connector 350 or the like. In addition, the other ends of the four electric wires 310 are connected to the ECU 200 via the second connector 360 or the like. The four electric wires 310 are used for power supply from the ECU 200 to the relative angle sensor 30 and transmission of output values from the relative angle sensor 30 to the ECU 200.

  The electric wire 310 is a conductor in which a conductor such as a metal stretched linearly is covered with an insulator, and conducts electricity. The harness comp 300 according to the present embodiment has four electric wires 310, one end of the four electric wires 310 is connected to the first connector 350, and the other end is the first end. 2 and is bundled by a first cover 370 and a second cover 380 which are insulators.

FIG. 16 is a schematic configuration diagram of the grommet 320 and the socket 330. (A) is the perspective view seen from the 2nd connector 360 side, (b) is the perspective view seen from the 1st connector 350 side. (C) is AA sectional drawing in (a).
FIG. 17A is a schematic configuration diagram of the second housing 160. FIG. 17B is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. FIG. 17C is a diagram illustrating a state where the harness comp 300 is attached to the second housing 160.

  The grommet 320 includes an elliptical columnar portion 321 having a substantially elliptical column shape and a cylindrical portion 322 having a cylindrical shape. The elliptical column part 321 is formed with the same number of wire holes 323 as the number of the wires 310 (four in the present embodiment) formed in the column direction so as to allow the wires 310 to pass therethrough. In addition, a protrusion 324 protruding outward from the outer peripheral surface over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the elliptical column part 321 in the column direction (the hole direction of the electric wire hole 323 (hereinafter referred to as “the electric wire hole direction”). In some cases, there are a plurality of (three in the present embodiment). The size of the outermost peripheral portion of the protrusion 324 is larger than the size of the inner communication hole 161 a of the communication hole 161 of the second housing 160. The outer peripheral surface of the elliptical column part 321 is the same as or slightly smaller than the inner peripheral surface of the surrounding wall 163 that forms the inner communication hole 161 a of the communication hole 161 of the second housing 160, and is fitted to the second housing 160. In the state, the protrusion 324 that protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface thereof is elastically deformed inward as a whole by being pushed by the surrounding wall 163. Accordingly, the grommet 320 seals the inner communication hole 161a of the communication hole 161 of the second housing 160, presses the electric wire 310 inserted into the electric wire hole 323 at the peripheral portion of the electric wire hole 323, and moves the electric wire 310. Suppress. The grommet 320 is formed into the predetermined shape by vulcanizing and molding an elastic material such as rubber.

  The socket 330 has a pair of dividing members that can be divided in a direction intersecting the hole direction of the communication hole 161 of the second housing 160. In the present embodiment, it can be divided in the axial direction, and in FIG. 16, it has a lower member 340 disposed on the lower side and an upper member 331 disposed on the upper side. The socket 330 is disposed between the lower member 340 and the upper member 331, and includes a plurality of retaining members 336 (this embodiment) for preventing the socket 330 from being removed from the communication hole 161 of the second housing 160. 2). The socket 330 is molded into the following predetermined shape by injection molding of resin.

  The lower member 340 includes a support portion 341 that supports the upper member 331, and an elliptical column-shaped elliptical column portion 342 in which through holes 342a through which the plurality of electric wires 310 bundled by the second cover 380 pass are formed in the central portion. And have. The lower member 340 includes two crescent column portions 343 projecting in a crescent column shape outward from the end surface of the elliptic column portion 342 opposite to the side where the support portion 341 is disposed, on both sides of the long side of the ellipse. Prepare. The support portion 341, the elliptical column portion 342, and the crescent moon column portion 343 are arranged in the wire hole direction in order from the second connector 360 side.

The support portion 341 is formed with a concave portion 341 a into which a convex portion 332 described later of the upper member 331 is fitted, and a support surface 341 b that supports a lower surface 333 described later of the upper member 331. Two recesses 341 a and two support surfaces 341 b are formed in the long side direction of the ellipse in the elliptical column part 342.
In addition, an electric wire path 344 that is a passage of the plurality of electric wires 310 bundled by the second cover 380 is formed in the support portion 341 at the center of the elliptical column portion 342 in the long side direction of the ellipse. The electric wire path 344 has a placement surface 344a on which lower portions of the plurality of electric wires 310 bundled by the second cover 380 are placed, and restricts the movement of the electric wires 310 in the elliptical long side direction of the elliptical column portion 342. It is partitioned by two restriction walls 344b. As shown in FIG. 1, the shape of the mounting surface 344a in the direction of the electric wire hole is such that the elliptical column portion 342 side is parallel to the electric wire hole direction, and the end portion on the second connector 360 side is one end direction in the axial direction. (The downward direction in FIG. 1) is formed, and in the meantime, it is formed in a mountain shape that is convex in the other end direction in the axial direction (the upward direction in FIG. 1).

The elliptical column part 342 is basically an elliptical columnar plate-like part, protrudes from the end surface on the support part 341 side toward the support part 341 in the direction of the electric wire hole, and in the long side direction, in other words, the lower member 340. Hooks 390 that are elastically deformed in a direction intersecting the direction of division with the upper member 331 are provided at both ends of the long side of the ellipse. The hook 390 is formed so that the outer surface thereof is along the outer peripheral surface of the elliptical column part 342. The hook 390 includes an inclined surface 391 that is inclined with respect to the electric wire hole direction so as to protrude outward from the elliptical columnar outer peripheral surface of the elliptical column part 342, and a long side that extends from the end of the inclined surface 391 to the inside in the long side direction. A plane parallel to the direction, in other words, a vertical plane 392 that is a plane perpendicular to the direction of the wire hole is provided in the middle of the direction of the wire hole. A long hole 393 is formed between the starting end of the inclined surface 391 and the main body of the elliptical column part 342 so that the inclined surface 391 and the vertical surface 392 are easily elastically deformed in the long side direction.
The support member 341 of the lower member 340 is formed with a hook recess 345 that is recessed so as not to interfere even if the hook 390 is elastically deformed by a desired amount around the hook 390.

The upper member 331 includes a supported portion 334 supported by the support portion 341 of the lower member 340, and a plurality of electric wires 310 arranged outside the supported portion 334 and bundled by the second cover 380. And a guide portion 335 that guides it toward one end portion in the axial direction (downward in FIG. 16).
A lower surface 333 that is a surface on one end side in the axial direction of the supported portion 334 of the upper member 331 (a lower surface in FIG. 16) protrudes from the lower surface 333 in the direction of one end in the axial direction. Two columnar convex portions 332 are provided in the long side direction of the ellipse in the elliptical column portion 342. In addition, the passage of the plurality of electric wires 310 bundled by the second cover 380 in cooperation with the electric wire passage 344 of the lower member 340 at the center portion of the ellipse column portion 342 in the long side direction of the ellipse. An electric wire path (not shown) is formed. In this electric wire path, the upper member 331 is attached to the lower member 340, and the lower surface 333 of the upper member 331 and the support surface 341b of the lower member 340 are in contact with each other. The second cover 380 is formed so as to form a space through which the plurality of electric wires 310 bundled together.

The supported portion 334 is formed with a hook recess 331a around the hook 390 so as not to interfere even if the hook 390 is elastically deformed by a desired amount.
In a state where the convex portion 332 of the upper member 331 is fitted into the concave portion 341a of the lower member 340 and the lower surface 333 of the upper member 331 and the support surface 341b of the lower member 340 are in contact, the supported portion 334 of the upper member 331 is supported. The outer peripheral surface of the support portion 341 of the lower member 340 is formed to be the same as the outer peripheral surface of the elliptical column portion 342.

  The guide portion 335 protrudes outward from the end surface of the supported portion 334 opposite to the side on which the grommet 320 is disposed, and bends in one axial end direction (downward in FIG. 16) from this end surface. The three directions around the plurality of electric wires 310 bundled by the second cover 380 are covered. That is, a wall is not provided in a portion facing the mounting surface 344a of the electric wire 344 so as to form a passage in cooperation with the electric wire 344 of the lower member 340, and one of the axial members is not provided. The end (the lowermost end in FIG. 16) is open.

  The retaining member 336 is disposed between the hooks 390 provided on both sides of the long side of the ellipse of the socket 330, and the hook recess 345 of the lower member 340 and the hook recess 331 a of the upper member 331. The retaining member 336 is an example of a deformation suppressing member that is disposed inside the hook 390 and suppresses elastic deformation of the hook 390 when the hook 390 is fitted in a recess 162 formed in the second housing 160. is there. The retaining member 336 includes a rectangular parallelepiped base 336a extending in the direction of the electric wire hole, and a bent portion 336b extending from the outer end of the base 336a in the direction of the electric wire hole toward the electric wire path 344.

The base 336a includes a lower protrusion 336c that protrudes downward (on the lower member 340 side) from one axial end surface (the lower end surface in FIG. 16), and the other axial end surface (the upper end surface in FIG. 16). It has an upper protrusion 336d that protrudes upward (from the end face) (on the upper member 331 side) and an inner protrusion 336e that protrudes from the end face on the electric wire path 344 in the long side direction of the ellipse toward the electric wire path 344. The lower protrusion 336c, the upper protrusion 336d, and the inner protrusion 336e each have an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the electric wire hole direction, and a vertical surface that is parallel to the direction perpendicular to the electric wire hole direction from the end of the inclined surface. Have.
The bent portion 336b has an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the long side direction of the ellipse of the socket 330 at its tip and inside the wire hole direction. In the bent portion 336b, a concave portion 336f recessed from the tip is formed in the central portion in the axial direction of the bent portion 336b.

The harness comp 300 configured as described above is assembled as follows.
That is, first, the wire 310 is inserted into each of the plurality of wire holes 323 formed in the grommet 320. Thereafter, an adhesive is applied to the inside of the cylindrical portion 322 of the grommet 320, and positioning is performed so that the plurality of electric wires 310 do not move with respect to the grommet 320. Further, the plurality of electric wires 310 are bundled by the first cover 370 and the second cover 380.
Then, the plurality of electric wires 310 bundled by the second cover 380 disposed on the cylindrical portion 322 side of the grommet 320 are passed through the through holes 342a of the elliptical column portion 342 of the lower member 340 of the socket 330, and the lower member 340 is mounted on the mounting surface 344a of the electric wire path 344. Thereafter, the upper member 331 is attached to the lower member 340. That is, the convex portion 332 of the upper member 331 is fitted into the concave portion 341a of the lower member 340, and the lower surface 333 of the upper member 331 is brought into contact with the support surface 341b of the lower member 340. As a result, the plurality of electric wires 310 bundled by the second cover 380 are guided downward by the guide portion 335 of the upper member 331 as shown in FIG. That is, in the harness comp 300 according to the present embodiment, the electric wires 310 of the grommet 320 are pressed by pressing the plurality of electric wires 310 bundled by the second cover 380 with the upper member 331 and the lower member 340. It is a direction intersecting with the hole direction (wire hole direction), and is bent downward in a direction orthogonal to the wire hole direction. Further, inside the socket 330, the plurality of electric wires 310 bundled by the second cover 380 are the electric wire passage 344 of the lower member 340 and the electric wire passage of the supported portion 334 of the upper member 331, as shown in FIG. It is bent into a mountain shape that is convex in the direction. Note that since the adhesive is applied to the inside of the cylindrical portion 322 of the grommet 320, even if a force is applied to the plurality of electric wires 310 when the upper member 331 of the socket 330 is fitted to the lower member 340, the electric wires 310 are applied. Is prevented from shifting.
Then, the tips of the plurality of electric wires 310 bundled by the second cover 380 are connected to the second connector 360. On the other hand, the tips of the plurality of electric wires 310 bundled by the first cover 370 arranged opposite to the side on which the cylindrical portion 322 of the grommet 320 is arranged are connected to the first connector 350.

The harness comp 300 is assembled to the electric power steering apparatus 100 as follows.
That is, the lower connecting shaft 108, the pinion shaft 106, the detection device unit 20, and the like are assembled to the first housing 150 and the second housing 160, and the second connector from the first connector 350 side before the third housing 170 is assembled. It passes through a communication hole 161 formed in the housing 160. Then, the grommet 320 and the socket are fitted until the protrusion 324 of the grommet 320 is fitted so as to come into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the communication hole 161 and the hook 390 of the socket 330 is fitted in the recess 162 formed in the second housing 160. Push 330 in. When the socket 330 is inserted into the communication hole 161, the inclined surface 391 of the hook 390 comes into contact with the wall around the communication hole 161 in the second housing 160 and is elastically deformed, and then inserted further deeply, so that the inclined surface 391 becomes the second housing. It will return from a deformation | transformation state by fitting in the recessed part 162 of 160. FIG. The grommet 320 has a frictional force generated between the oval column 321 and the wall 163 around the communication hole 161 when the surface of the elliptical column 321 where the cylindrical portion 322 is disposed is pushed by the crescent column 343 of the socket 330. Move inward. In this way, the grommet 320 and the socket 330 are attached to the second housing 160. Then, the retaining member 336 is inserted between the hook 390 and the hook recess 345 of the lower member 340 and the hook recess 331 a of the upper member 331. Further, the first connector 350 is inserted into the terminal of the flat cable cover 60 and the second connector 360 is inserted into the terminal of the ECU 200.

  On the other hand, when removing the harness comp 300, the first connector 350 is removed from the terminal of the flat cable cover 60, the retaining member 336 is pulled out, and the hook 390 of the socket 330 is connected from the outside of the second housing 160 to the inside. The grommet 320 and the socket 330 may be removed from the communication hole 161 of the second housing 160 by pulling forward while being elastically deformed. Since the recess 336f is formed in the retaining member 336, the retaining member 336 can be easily removed by inserting, for example, the tip of a minus driver into the recess 336f. Thereafter, the first connector 350 is pulled out from the communication hole 161 of the second housing 160, and the harness comp 300 is removed.

  In addition, in the electric power steering apparatus 100 according to the above-described embodiment, the harness comp 300 using the socket 330 is provided as a member that suppresses the movement of the grommet 320 that holds the electric wire 310, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. . For example, as a member that suppresses the movement of the grommet 320, a plate that is disposed outside the housing 140, is screwed to the housing 140, and is formed of a sheet metal that covers the outer communication hole 161b of the communication hole 161 is used. Also good. In such a case, a clip having a flat plate-like portion for holding the electric wire 310 and a hook inserted into a through hole formed in the plate is attached to the plate via the hook, and at the flat plate-like portion, The electric wire 310 may be held in a tightened state. Thereby, even if an external force is applied to the electric wire 310 outside the housing 140, the force can hardly be transmitted to the portion where the grommet 320 holds the electric wire 310.

<Second Embodiment>
FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the electric power steering apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment.
Hereinafter, differences from the first embodiment will be described, and the same components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
The electric power steering apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment is a so-called rack assist type electric power steering apparatus, and is a type of apparatus that applies the generated torque of the electric motor 201 to the rack shaft 105.

  That is, the electric motor 201 according to the second embodiment includes a stator (not shown) assembled to a housing (not shown) and a rack shaft 105 that can rotate with respect to the housing about the axis of the rack shaft 105 as a rotation center. And a rotor (not shown) assembled so as not to move in the axial direction. The rotor is engaged with a ball screw nut through an elastic body, and the rotor generates an assist force that rotates the ball screw nut through the elastic body to move the rack shaft 105 in the axial direction. The output is controlled by the control device 200. Thus, the torque generated by the electric motor 201 is transmitted to the rack shaft 105 under the control of the control device 200, and the driver's steering force applied to the steering wheel 101 is assisted.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of the steering gear box 107 of the steering device 100 according to the second embodiment.
The steering apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment includes a housing 440 that rotatably supports the pinion shaft 106 and the lower connection shaft 108. The housing 440 is a member that is fixed to a vehicle body of a vehicle such as an automobile, and includes a first housing 450 and a second housing 460. The pinion shaft 106 is rotatably supported by the first housing 450 via a bearing 452, and the lower connection shaft 108 is rotatably supported by the second housing 460 via a bearing 461. Unlike the housing 140 according to the first embodiment, the housing 440 according to the second embodiment does not house the worm wheel 120 or the worm gear 111.

The first housing 450 has a bearing 452 that rotatably supports the pinion shaft 106 on one end side in the axial direction (lower side in FIG. 19), and the other end side in the axial direction (FIG. 19). In FIG. 3, the upper side is an open member. A communication hole 451 that communicates the inside and the outside is formed on the side surface of the first housing 450. The communication hole 451 is the same as the communication hole 161 according to the first embodiment, and is a hole into which the grommet 320 of the harness comp 300 is fitted. Detailed description thereof is omitted.
The first housing 450 is provided with a plurality (three in this embodiment) of bosses 455 for attaching the bracket 490 of the torque detection system 10 with fastening members (for example, bolts, screws, etc.) 96.

  The second housing 460 is the same as the third housing 170 according to the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted. However, a bearing 461 that rotatably supports the lower connecting shaft 108 is connected to the other axially extending shaft 461. It is a member that is provided on the end side (upper side in FIG. 19) and is open on one end side in the axial direction (lower side in FIG. 19). Then, the opening on one end side in the axial direction is disposed so as to face the opening on the other end side in the axial direction in the first housing 450 and fixed to the first housing 450 with, for example, a bolt or the like. Is done.

The torque detection system 10 of the steering device 100 according to the second embodiment is different from the torque detection system 10 of the steering device 100 according to the first embodiment only in the bracket 490 of the detection device unit 20.
FIG. 20 is a schematic configuration diagram of a bracket 490 according to the second embodiment. (A) is a top view, (b) is sectional drawing of the XXB-XXB part of (a).
The bracket 490 according to the second embodiment is different from the bracket 90 according to the first embodiment only in the shape of the attachment portion 492. That is, the cover part 491 and the shaft hole 493 have the same shapes as the cover part 91 and the shaft hole 93 of the bracket 90 according to the first embodiment, respectively.

And the attachment part 492 of the bracket 490 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment differs in the point which does not have the vertical part 92a with respect to the attachment part 92 of the bracket 90 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. In other words, the attachment portion 492 has a horizontal portion 492b provided on a surface having the same height as the cover portion 491. The horizontal portion 492b is formed with a housing hole 492c that is a hole through which the fastening member 96 for fastening the bracket 490 to the boss 455 of the first housing 450 of the housing 440 is passed.
With the bracket 490 configured as described above, the detection device 25 is attached to the housing 440 also in the steering device 100 according to the second embodiment.

Hereinafter, common points and differences between the steering device 100 according to the first embodiment and the steering device 100 according to the second embodiment will be described in detail.
The detection device 25 is a device common to the steering device 100 according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment, and is disposed in the steering gear box 107. The detection device 25 is attached to the housing 140 via the bracket 90 in the steering device 100 according to the first embodiment, and the housing via the bracket 490 in the steering device 100 according to the second embodiment. 440 is attached.

  In the steering device 100 according to the first embodiment, the worm wheel 120 is disposed on one end side (lower side in FIG. 19) in the axial direction from the detection device 25 in the steering gear box 107. The axial position of the boss 165 of the housing 140 according to the first embodiment relative to the detection device 25 is the other end side in the axial direction than the boss 455 of the housing 440 according to the second embodiment (see FIG. 2 is located on the upper side). This is because the boss 165 of the housing 140 according to the first embodiment is reduced in size in the axial direction in the steering gear box 107, that is, while the gap between the worm wheel 120 and the detection device 25 is reduced. This is to avoid interference between the worm wheel 120 and the worm wheel 120. Then, in order to fix the detection device 25 to the housing 140 using the boss 165 of the housing 140, the other end side in the axial direction (in FIG. 2, substantially perpendicular to the surface of the cover portion 91 is attached to the bracket 90. A vertical portion 92 a extending upward) is provided, and the axial position of the horizontal portion 92 b in which the housing hole 92 c is formed is aligned with the position of the boss 165.

  On the other hand, in the steering device 100 according to the second embodiment, the worm wheel 120 is not disposed in the steering gear box 107. Therefore, the cover portion 491 of the bracket 490 according to the second embodiment and the horizontal portion 492b in which the housing hole 492c is formed are provided on the same surface to facilitate the molding of the bracket 490. The axial position of the boss 455 of the housing 440 is determined so as to match the position of the horizontal portion 492b of the bracket 490.

  Thus, in the steering device 100 according to the first and second embodiments, the detection device 25 and the bracket 90 (490) constitute the detection device unit 20, and the mounting portion 92 of the bracket 90 (490). The position of the detection device 25 in the axial direction is adjusted in the shape of (492). As a result, the detection device 25 can be shared by different models by simply changing the shape of the bracket 90 (490) according to the type of the steering device 100. Further, the detection device 25 and the bracket 90 (490) constitute the detection device unit 20, and the assembly of the detection device 25 is realized by assembling the detection device unit 20 to the housing 140 (440).

  The mounting portion 92 of the bracket 90 of the steering device 100 according to the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. 4 and the mounting of the bracket 490 of the steering device 100 according to the second embodiment described with reference to FIG. The portion 492 is different only in the position in the axial direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIGS. 4A and 20A), but is not particularly limited to such a mode. For example, the mounting portion 92 of the bracket 90 and the mounting portion 492 of the bracket 490 may have different positions other than the axial direction, for example, the horizontal and vertical positions in FIGS. 4 (a) and 20 (a). . As a result, the detection device 25 can be made more common in different models just by changing the shape of the bracket 90 (490) according to the type of the steering device 100.

  Even if the steering device 100 of the same type is a model with different shapes of components arranged adjacent to the detection device 25, the detection device 25 can be shared by simply changing the shape of the bracket 90. It becomes. For example, when the steering device 100 is the same type as the steering device 100 according to the first embodiment and the worm wheel 120 has a different shape, it is only necessary to change the length of the vertical portion 92a in the axial direction. The relative position of the detection device 25 with respect to the worm wheel 120 can be changed.

<Third Embodiment>
FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an electric power steering apparatus 100 according to the third embodiment.
Hereinafter, differences from the first embodiment will be described, and the same components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
The steering device 100 according to the third embodiment is a so-called double pinion type electric power steering device, and applies the torque generated by the electric motor 301 to the rack shaft 105 via the pinion 302a of the second pinion shaft 302. Type of device. As shown in FIG. 21, the second pinion shaft 302 is a member provided separately from the pinion shaft 106 connected to the steering wheel 101 via a torsion bar.

  As described above, the steering device 100 according to the third embodiment includes the second pinion shaft 302, and the worm wheel 303 attached to the second pinion shaft 302 and the output shaft of the electric motor 301. An attached worm gear (not shown) is connected. The output of the electric motor 301 is controlled by the control device 200. Thus, the torque generated by the electric motor 301 is transmitted to the rack shaft 105 under the control of the control device 200, and the driver's steering force applied to the steering wheel 101 is assisted.

  The structure in the steering gear box 107 of the steering device 100 according to the third embodiment is the same as that of the steering device 100 according to the second embodiment. That is, the detection device unit 20 according to the second embodiment can be used also in the steering device 100 according to the third embodiment. Therefore, the detection device 25 can be made common only by changing the shape of the bracket 90 of the detection device unit 20 used in the steering device 100 according to the first embodiment.

  In addition, in the detection apparatus unit 20 which concerns on embodiment mentioned above, although the flat cable cover 60 and the bracket 90 (490) of the detection apparatus 25 are fastened using the fastening member 95, it is not limited to this aspect in particular. . For example, a cylindrical protrusion is further provided on the distal end side of the boss 63 of the resin flat cable cover 60, and after passing the protrusion through the cover hole 91a (491a) of the bracket 90 (490), the distal end of the protrusion is The flat cable cover 60 and the bracket 90 (490) may be fixed by heat caulking by heating.

  Moreover, in the detection apparatus unit 20 which concerns on embodiment mentioned above, although the base 50 rotates with the pinion shaft 106 by directly fitting the base 50 of the detection apparatus 25 to the pinion shaft 106, especially this aspect It is not limited to. If the base 50 rotates with the pinion shaft 106, for example, the base 50 and the pinion shaft 106 may be indirectly connected by interposing another member between the base 50 and the pinion shaft 106. .

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Torque detection system, 20 ... Detection apparatus unit, 21 ... Rotating member, 22 ... Magnet, 23 ... Adhesive, 25 ... Detection apparatus, 30 ... Relative angle sensor, 40 ... Printed circuit board, 50 ... Base, 60 ... Flat cable Cover: 70 ... Flat cable, 90, 490 ... Bracket, 100 ... Electric power steering device, 106 ... Pinion shaft, 108 ... Lower coupling shaft, 109 ... Torsion bar, 110 ... Electric motor, 120 ... Worm wheel, 140, 440 ... Housing 200 ... Electronic control unit (ECU) 210 ... Relative angle calculation unit 300 ... Harness comp

Claims (4)

A sensor that outputs a value corresponding to a magnetic field generated by a magnet fixed to one of the two rotating shafts that rotates coaxially and is fixed to the other rotating shaft, and a substrate on which the sensor is mounted A transmission member that has one end fixed to the substrate and is electrically connected to the sensor and transmits an electrical signal, and the other end of the transmission member is fixed and around the transmission member. A relative angle detection device having a cover member for covering;
A support member provided with an attachment portion for supporting the cover member of the relative angle detection device and attaching the cover member to a housing covering the periphery of the relative angle detection device;
Equipped with a,
The support member is attached to one end portion in the axial direction of the other rotation shaft of the cover member of the relative angle detection device, and has a shaft through-hole for passing the other rotation shaft. <br/> Relative angle detector unit characterized by the above. 2. The relative according to claim 1, wherein the attachment portion of the support member is located outside the cover member of the relative angle detection device in a direction intersecting an axial direction of the other rotation shaft. Angle detector unit. Wherein the attachment portion of the support member, the relative angle detection apparatus according to the support member to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is formed fastening holes for passing fastening members for fastening to said housing unit. A magnet fixed to one of the two rotating shafts rotating coaxially and relative to each other;
A sensor that is fixed to the other rotary shaft of the two rotary shafts and outputs a value corresponding to a magnetic field generated by a magnet fixed to the one rotary shaft; a substrate on which the sensor is mounted; A transmission member that is fixed to the substrate and electrically connected to the sensor and transmits an electrical signal, and a cover member that fixes the other end of the transmission member and covers the periphery of the transmission member And a relative angle detection device,
A housing covering the periphery of the relative angle detection device;
A support member provided with an attachment portion for supporting the cover member of the relative angle detection device and attaching the cover member to the housing;
Equipped with a,
The support member is attached to one end portion in the axial direction of the other rotation shaft of the cover member of the relative angle detection device, and has a shaft through-hole for passing the other rotation shaft. An electric power steering apparatus characterized by the above.

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