US5657006A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Capacitance type rotation angle sensor
Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co Ltd
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Filing: 1996-02-22
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Granted: 1997-08-12
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Expires: 2016-02-22
Abstract
Abstract A movable electrode is positioned between two fixed electrodes. The movable electrode is rotated in correspondence to a rotation angle to be detected. The fixed electrodes and the movable electrode are split into first split electrode members and second split electrode members not conducting with each other respectively. The first fixed split electrode members are electrically connected with a first external terminal, and the second fixed split electrode members are electrically connected with a second external terminal. Thus, electrostatic capacitances which are derived from the external terminals are varied by rotation of the movable electrode. In this sensor, the varied electrostatic capacitances can be derived through conductive paths comprising no sliding contact portions, while a variable range of the electrostatic capacitances can be increased.
Inventors
- 👤 Motohiro Kinoshita
- 👤 Fumitoshi Masuda
- 👤 Masanori Oshima
- 👤 Hiromu Okunishi
- 👤 Kiminori Yamauchi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:13
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01D; G01D5/00; G01D5/12; G01D5/14; G01D5/24; G01D5/241; G01D5/2412; G01B; G01B7/00; G01B7/30; G01P; G01P3/00; G01P3/42; G01P3/44; G01P3/46; G01P3/48; G01P3/481; G01P3/483; H; H01; H01G; H01G5/00; H01G5/04; H01G5/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
A capacitive rotation angle sensor comprising a first fixed electrode which is divided by a first gap and which comprises two electrode members; a second fixed electrode which is divided by a second gap and which comprises two electrode members, the electrode members of said second electrode being arranged opposite to the electrode members of said first electrode, and said second gap being in alignment with said first gap, two terminals, each of said terminals being connected to a respective electrode member of each of said first and second electrodes, a rotationally movable electrode, which is divided into two electrode members by a third gap which is between said first and second electrodes and which is adapted to be rotationally moved between a first position with minimum capacitance between the terminals and a second position with maximum capacitance between the terminals; said first position being a position at which the third gap is in alignment with said first and second gaps and said second position being a position at which said third gap extends at right angles to said first and second gaps.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
183 words
A capacitive rotation angle sensor comprising a first fixed electrode which is divided by a first gap and which comprises two electrode members; a second fixed electrode which is divided by a second gap and which comprises two electrode members, the electrode members of said second electrode being arranged opposite to the electrode members of said first electrode, and said second gap being in alignment with said first gap, two terminals, each of said terminals being connected to a respective electrode member of each of said first and second electrodes, a rotationally movable electrode, which is divided into two electrode members by a third gap which is between said first and second electrodes and which is adapted to be rotationally moved between a first position with minimum capacitance between the terminals and a second position with maximum capacitance between the terminals; said first position being a position at which the third gap is in alignment with said first and second gaps and said second position being a position at which said third gap extends at right angles to said first and second gaps.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A capacitive rotation angle sensor according to claim 1, further comprising a device for adjusting spacings between said fixed electrodes and said movable electrode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
A capacitive rotation angle sensor according to claim 2, wherein said adjusting device comprises a stator; a first spacer arranged between said stator and the two electrode members of the first fixed electrode, and a second spacer arranged between said stator and the two electrode members of the second fixed electrode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A capacitive rotation angle sensor according to claim 3, wherein said stator has a controllable position in a direction for adjusting said spacings.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A capacitive rotation angle sensor according to claim 3, wherein in that the stator holds said first and second spacers in a condition in which they are electrically insulated from each other, said first and second spacers having conductivity.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A capacitive rotation angle sensor according to claim 1, wherein said fixed electrodes are in the form of plates.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A capacitive rotation angle sensor according to claim 6, wherein said rotationally movable electrodes are in the form of plates.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A capacitive rotation angle sensor according to claim 1, further comprising a housing for accommodating said fixed electrodes and said movable electrode, and a shaft partially projecting from said housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A capacitive rotation angle sensor according to claim 8, wherein said housing has conductivity.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A capacitive rotation angle sensor according to claim 9, wherein said shaft extends to said movable electrode for rotating the same.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A capacitive rotation angle sensor according to claim 10, wherein said shaft extends through said gap in said second fixed electrode to reach said movable electrode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
A capacitive rotation angle sensor according to claim 11, wherein said shaft further extends through said stator.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A capacitive rotation angle sensor according to claim 8, wherein said shaft extends to said movable electrode for rotating the same.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
A capacitive rotation angle sensor according to claim 13, wherein said shaft extends through said gap in said second fixed electrode to reach said movable electrode.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A capacitive rotation angle sensor according to claim 14, wherein said shaft further extends through said stator.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-08-11 | 2001-02-10 | 2001-08-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-08-11 | 2005-02-10 | 2005-08-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-08-11 | 2009-02-10 | 2009-08-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |