US5248939A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for sensing the direction and speed of a steering wheel shaft using hall effect sensors in a detachable sensor mounting
Assignee: Torrington Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1990-02-22
•
Granted: 1993-09-28
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Expires: 2010-02-22
Abstract
Abstract A bearing on a steering shaft has an elongated inner race and an elongated outer race with rolling elements between the two races. The inner race is rotatable with respect to the outer race. An encoder is mounted on the inner race. Sensors in a detachable sensor mount sense the radial magnetic field from the encoder as it rotates past the sensors.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael C. Brauer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 14:07
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01P; G01P13/00; G01P13/02; G01P13/04; G01P13/045; G01P3/00; G01P3/42; G01P3/44; G01P3/48; G01P3/481; G01P3/487
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
An apparatus for sensing the direction and speed of a steering shaft comprising: a steering shaft support bearing having an elongated inner race, an elongated outer race and rolling elements disposed therebetween, said inner race being rotatable with respect to said outer race; an encoder mounted on said inner race; a sensor mount affixed to said outer race of said steering shaft support bearing; a first sensor and a second sensor in the sensor mount, said sensors being positioned to sense a magnetic field generated by said encoder as it rotates past the sensors; a third sensor positioned in said sensor mount orthogonal to said first and second sensors; and a reference pulse magnet positioned within a carrier in such a manner as not to affect the output of said first and second sensors, whereby a reference pulse is sensed by said third sensor as said reference pulse magnet passes.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
150 words
An apparatus for sensing the direction and speed of a steering shaft comprising: a steering shaft support bearing having an elongated inner race, an elongated outer race and rolling elements disposed therebetween, said inner race being rotatable with respect to said outer race; an encoder mounted on said inner race; a sensor mount affixed to said outer race of said steering shaft support bearing; a first sensor and a second sensor in the sensor mount, said sensors being positioned to sense a magnetic field generated by said encoder as it rotates past the sensors; a third sensor positioned in said sensor mount orthogonal to said first and second sensors; and a reference pulse magnet positioned within a carrier in such a manner as not to affect the output of said first and second sensors, whereby a reference pulse is sensed by said third sensor as said reference pulse magnet passes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said reference pulse magnet is a single pole magnet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said carrier includes a means for maintaining a predetermined circumferential positioning of said reference pulse magnet on said steering shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said means for maintaining a predetermined circumferential positioning is a tab which fits into a slot in said steering shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the sensors are Hall-effect sensors.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said encoder is a multipole magnet ring having a plurality of permanently magnetized magnetic pole segments.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first and second sensors are positioned in said sensor mount in such a manner that the output signal of one sensor is out-of-phase with the output signal of the other sensor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said sensor mount is capable of retaining said steering shaft support bearing whereby the use of a separate retaining spring is eliminated.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-09-27 | 1997-03-29 | 1997-09-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-09-27 | 2001-03-29 | 2001-09-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-09-27 | 2005-03-29 | 2005-09-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |