JP2020128898A - Sensor device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a sensor device for suppressing transmission of vibration between a housing and a torque detection device.SOLUTION: An assembling portion A has a first assembling portion A1 and a second assembling portion A2 that is different from the first assembling portion A1 in terms of the assembling structure. The first assembling portion A1 has an assembling structure for fitting a sensor housing 23 and a sensor body 50 to each other by using a bolt 60 of a member different from the sensor housing 23 and the sensor body 50. The second assembling portion A2 is an assembling portion configured by an elastic body that fits the sensor housing 23 and the sensor body 50 by concave-convex fitting of the sensor housing 23 and the sensor body 50 itself without using the bolt 60. In the second assembling portion A2, the sensor housing 23 and the sensor body 50 are assembled by fitting a fitting protrusion 110 of the sensor body 50 to a fitting recess 100 of the sensor housing 23 in a concavo-convex manner.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a sensor device.

As disclosed in Patent Document 1, a torque detection device is installed in an electric power steering device of a vehicle. The torque detection device detects the torque applied to the pinion shaft that is the detection target according to the steering operation by the driver. The torque detection device is assembled by being fastened with a plurality of metal bolts to a housing that houses the pinion shaft.

JP, 2010-117162, A

The position of the torque detection device may deviate from the position of the housing. Factors that cause the position to be displaced include, for example, vibrations caused by road surface reaction forces acting on the vehicle. When the housing vibrates, the vibration is transmitted to the torque detection device via the plurality of metal bolts. Therefore, there has been a demand for a fastening means that can suppress the transmission of vibration between the housing and the torque detection device.

A sensor device that solves the above-mentioned problems includes a sensor housing that accommodates a detection target, and a sensor main body that is assembled to the sensor housing and that houses a detection unit that detects a change in magnetism in the detection target. In, there is a plurality of assembling parts for assembling the sensor housing and the sensor body part, and at least one of the plurality of assembling parts is an assembling part made of an elastic body.

When an external force such as vibration acts on the sensor device, the vibration may be transmitted between the sensor housing and the sensor body. According to the above-mentioned configuration, at least one of the assembling parts for assembling the sensor housing and the sensor body is provided with the assembling part made of an elastic body. As described above, since the assembly portion that can be elastically deformed is provided, the vibration between the sensor housing and the sensor main body portion is less than that when only the assembly portion that is not easily elastically deformed is provided. It becomes possible to suppress the transmission. This can prevent the position of the sensor body from deviating from the position of the sensor housing.

In the above sensor device, a fitting protrusion is formed on one of the sensor housing and the sensor body, and a fitting recess is formed on the other of the sensor housing and the sensor body. It is preferable that an assembling portion formed of the elastic body is formed by the fitting convex portion and the fitting concave portion.

By fitting the fitting protrusion formed on either the sensor housing or the sensor body into the fitting recess formed on the other of the sensor housing or the sensor body, the sensor housing and the sensor body It is possible to provide an assembling portion configured by an elastic body for assembling the portion.

In the above-mentioned sensor device, the plurality of assembling parts have an assembling part for assembling the sensor housing and the sensor body part with bolts which are separate members from the sensor housing and the sensor body part, and the bolts. When the extending direction is defined as the first direction, the fitting protrusion is a first fitting piece and a direction that intersects the first direction and in which the first fitting piece extends. A second fitting piece that extends in a second direction that intersects with the first fitting hole, and the fitting recess is in a direction that intersects the first fitting hole and the first fitting hole. A second fitting hole extending in a second direction intersecting the extending direction, and the second fitting piece inserted into the second fitting hole contacts the second fitting hole. Therefore, it is preferable that an assembling portion including the elastic body is provided.

By inserting the second fitting piece into the second fitting hole while inserting the first fitting piece into the first fitting hole, and bringing the second fitting piece into contact with the second fitting hole, elasticity can be obtained. An assembling part composed of a body can be provided. Since the extending directions of the first fitting piece and the first fitting hole and the second fitting piece and the second fitting hole are different, it is possible to prevent the fitting convex portion from coming out of the fitting concave portion. ..

In the above-described sensor device, the fitting convex portion is formed on a first fitting piece and a peripheral surface of the first fitting piece, and extends in a direction intersecting a direction in which the first fitting piece extends. And a direction in which the first fitting hole extends, the fitting recess being formed on the peripheral surface of the first fitting hole. A second fitting hole extending in an intersecting direction, wherein the first fitting hole allows passage of the second fitting piece due to elastic deformation of the first fitting piece, and It is preferable that the elastic deformation of the first fitting piece is released and the second fitting piece is brought into contact with the second fitting hole to provide an assembling portion configured by the elastic body.

When the second fitting piece that has passed through the first fitting hole due to the elastic deformation of the first fitting piece reaches the second fitting hole, the elastic deformation of the first fitting piece is released. At this time, the second fitting piece contacts the second fitting hole. In this way, it is possible to provide the assembling portion composed of the elastic body. Since the second fitting piece is in contact with the second fitting hole, the fitting protrusion can be prevented from coming out of the fitting recess.

In the above-described sensor device, the fitting convex portion is formed on a first fitting piece and a peripheral surface of the first fitting piece, and extends in a direction intersecting a direction in which the first fitting piece extends. And a second fitting piece that is provided, and the fitting recess has a first fitting hole that extends circumferentially about an imaginary line parallel to the extending direction of the first fitting piece as an axial center. A second fitting hole formed on a peripheral surface of the first fitting hole and extending in a circumferential direction about the imaginary line as an axial center; and a first fitting hole formed on a peripheral surface of the first fitting hole. The second fitting having a third fitting hole extending in the same direction as the fitting piece, and passing through the third fitting hole to move to the second fitting hole. It is preferable that an assembling portion configured by the elastic body is provided by the piece abutting on the second fitting hole.

It is possible to provide the assembling portion configured by the elastic body by bringing the second fitting piece that has passed through the third fitting hole and moved to the second fitting hole into contact with the second fitting hole. Since the first fitting hole, the second fitting hole, and the third fitting hole extend in different directions, the second fitting piece is in contact with the second fitting hole, so that the fitting protrusion is formed. Can be prevented from coming out of the fitting recess.

In the above sensor device, the plurality of assembling parts have an assembling part for assembling the sensor housing and the sensor body part with bolts which are separate members from the sensor housing and the sensor body part, and the bolts. When the extending direction is the first direction, the shaft portion extending in the first direction is provided in one of the sensor housing and the sensor main body portion, and the first portion is provided at the tip of the shaft portion. A head extending in a second direction intersecting the direction is formed, a through hole penetrating in the first direction is formed in the other of the sensor housing and the sensor body, and the shaft is It is preferable that an assembling portion configured by the elastic body is provided by being inserted into the through hole and having an end surface of the head portion on the shaft portion side that covers the opening of the through hole.

The shaft portion is inserted into the through hole, and the end surface of the head portion on the shaft portion side covers the opening of the through hole, so that the assembly portion formed of an elastic body can be provided. Since the head cannot pass through the through hole, it is possible to prevent the shaft portion and the head from coming out of the through hole.

According to the sensor device of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the transmission of vibration between the housing and the torque detection device.

The schematic sectional drawing of the torque sensor of 1st Embodiment. The schematic top view of the torque sensor of 1st Embodiment. The schematic top view of the torque sensor of 2nd Embodiment. The schematic sectional drawing of the opening part of the torque sensor of 2nd Embodiment, and an insertion part periphery. (A) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the opening and the periphery of the insertion portion of the torque sensor of the third embodiment, and (b) is a view of the vicinity of the opening and the insertion portion of the torque sensor of the third embodiment when viewed from direction X. Schematic diagram of. (A) is a schematic top view of the torque sensor of 4th Embodiment, (b) inserts the fitting convex part before a head is formed in a fitting concave part in the torque sensor of 4th Embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of the torque sensor showing a state where

<First Embodiment>
A first embodiment of the torque sensor will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, a torque sensor 1 as a sensor device is provided on the outer periphery of a pinion shaft 3 that constitutes a steering shaft 2 of an electric power steering device. The torque sensor 1 detects a steering torque input by a driver's steering operation. The detection target of the torque sensor 1 is the pinion shaft 3.

The pinion shaft 3 includes an input shaft 11, an output shaft 12, and a torsion bar 13 that connects the input shaft 11 and the output shaft 12. The input shaft 11 is formed in a hollow shaft shape. A steering wheel is connected to an upper end of the input shaft 11 opposite to the output shaft 12 via an intermediate shaft and a column shaft. The output shaft 12 is formed in a shaft shape having an insertion hole 14 that opens to the input shaft 11 side. A rack shaft is coupled to a lower end of the output shaft 12 opposite to the input shaft 11. The steering wheel side in the axial direction Z of the pinion shaft 3 is the upper side, and the rack shaft side is the lower side. One end of the torsion bar 13 is inserted into the input shaft 11 and is coaxially connected to the input shaft 11 so as to be integrally rotatable, while the other end is inserted into the insertion hole 14 and is coaxial with the output shaft 12. They are connected so that they can rotate together. The pinion shaft 3 is configured so that the input shaft 11 and the output shaft 12 rotate relative to each other by twisting the torsion bar 13 in accordance with the steering torque input by the driver's steering operation.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the torque sensor 1 includes a magnet unit 21 that is integrally rotatable with the input shaft 11, a magnetic yoke unit 22 that is integrally rotatable with the output shaft 12, and a magnet unit. 21 and a sensor housing 23 that houses the magnetic yoke unit 22. The sensor housing 23 is a substantially cylindrical body that opens in the axial direction Z of the pinion shaft 3, and the pinion shaft 3 is inserted through the opening. The sensor housing 23 is made of resin. The bearing 15 is provided between the inner peripheral surface of the boundary portion between the sensor housing 23 and the rack housing 16 and the outer peripheral surface of the output shaft 12. The output shaft 12 is rotatably supported by the sensor housing 23 and the rack housing 16 via a bearing 15. The input shaft 11 is rotatably supported by the sensor housing 23 via a bearing 17. A bearing 17 and a lip seal 18 are provided between the upper inner peripheral surface of the sensor housing 23 and the input shaft 11. The lip seal 18 is provided above the bearing 17. Further, the sensor housing 23 has an opening 26 formed on the side surface thereof. The opening 26 has an opening 26 that opens in the radial direction of the pinion shaft 3, that is, in the direction X orthogonal to the axial direction Z. The opening 26 has a plurality of inner peripheral annular surfaces. The first inner peripheral annular surface 26a is an annular inner peripheral surface that is located at the outermost radial direction in the opening 26 and has a width direction that is the same as the direction X. The width direction of the first inner circumferential annular surface 26a is a direction orthogonal to the circumferential direction of the first inner circumferential annular surface 26a. The second inner peripheral annular surface 26b is an annular end surface whose width direction is the same as the direction orthogonal to the direction X. The width direction of the second inner peripheral annular surface 26b is the radial direction of the second inner peripheral annular surface 26b. A radially outer end edge of the second inner peripheral annular surface 26b is connected to an end edge of the first inner peripheral annular surface 26a on the pinion shaft 3 side. The third inner peripheral annular surface 26c is an annular inner peripheral surface whose width direction is the same as the direction X. The width direction of the third inner peripheral annular surface 26c is a direction orthogonal to the circumferential direction of the third inner peripheral annular surface 26c. An end edge of the third inner peripheral annular surface 26c on the side opposite to the pinion shaft 3 is connected to a radially inner end edge of the second inner peripheral annular surface 26b. The inner diameter of the third inner peripheral annular surface 26c is set smaller than the inner diameter of the first inner peripheral annular surface 26a. The second inner peripheral annular surface 26b is formed with a groove 26d extending annularly over the entire circumference. The recessed groove 26d is located radially inward of the center of the second inner peripheral annular surface 26b in the direction orthogonal to the direction X. The outer peripheral surface of the sensor housing 23 is formed so as to expand in diameter from the upper side to the lower side. As shown in FIG. 2, at the lower end of the sensor housing 23, two fixing portions 27 protruding in the direction Y are provided. The two fixing portions 27 are separated from each other in the direction Y from the axis of the pinion shaft 3. The direction Y is a direction orthogonal to the direction X and the axial direction Z. A bolt hole 28 penetrating in the axial direction Z is provided in the two fixing portions. A fixing portion (not shown) is provided on the upper end of the rack housing 16, and a bolt hole is provided in the fixing portion. At a position where the bolt hole 28 of the sensor housing 23 and the bolt hole of the rack housing 16 overlap each other in the axial direction Z, the sensor housing 23 is fixed to the rack housing 16 by screwing a bolt into these bolt holes.

Two fixing portions 29 are provided on the side surface of the sensor housing 23. The two fixing portions 29 respectively project in the direction Y around the opening 26. The two fixing portions 29 are separated from each other in the direction Y from the center of the opening 26. One of the two fixing parts 29 is provided with a bolt hole 30 penetrating in the direction X, and the other is provided with a fitting recess 100. The fitting recess 100 has a first fitting hole 101, a second fitting hole 102, and a third fitting hole 103 in order from the opening of the fitting recess 100. The first fitting hole 101 is open to the end surface 29a of the fixed portion 29 opposite to the pinion shaft 3 and extends in a direction intersecting the surface direction of the end surface 29a. The first fitting hole 101 extends in the direction away from the opening 26 in the direction Y as the distance from the end surface 29a increases. The second fitting hole 102 extends in the direction Y. That is, the second fitting hole 102 extends in the direction intersecting the direction X and in the direction intersecting the direction in which the first fitting hole 101 extends. An edge of the second fitting hole 102 on the opening 26 side is connected to an edge of the first fitting hole 101 opposite to the end surface 29a. The third fitting hole 103 extends in the direction X. That is, the third fitting hole 103 extends in a direction intersecting the direction in which the second fitting hole 102 extends. An edge of the third fitting hole 103 opposite to the end surface 29a is connected to an edge of the second fitting hole 102 opposite to the opening 26. The end edge of the third fitting hole 103 on the side of the end face 29a is not open to the end face 29a.

As shown in FIG. 1, the magnet unit 21 includes an annular fixing member 31 fixed integrally rotatably to an outer peripheral surface of the input shaft 11, and an annular ring fixed integrally rotatably to an outer peripheral surface of the fixing member 31. And an annular magnet 32. The annular magnet 32 is magnetized so that magnetic poles having different polarities are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction. The magnet unit 21 and the annular magnet 32 are arranged coaxially with the pinion shaft 3. The magnet unit 21 and the annular magnet 32 are fixed to the central portion of the outer peripheral surface of the input shaft 11 in the axial direction Z. When viewed in the direction X, the opening 26, the magnet unit 21, and the annular magnet 32 are arranged side by side in the direction X.

The magnetic yoke unit 22 includes a fixing member 33 fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the output shaft 12, a cylindrical yoke holder 34 fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the fixing member 33, and a first magnetic member integrally held by the yoke holder 34. A yoke 35 and a second magnetic yoke 36 are provided. The fixing member 33 is fixed to the upper end of the outer peripheral surface of the output shaft 12. The lower end of the yoke holder 34 is fitted on the outer peripheral surface of the fixing member 33. The yoke holder 34 faces the annular magnet 32 of the magnet unit 21 with a gap in the radial direction, that is, the direction X or the direction Y. The first magnetic yoke 35 and the second magnetic yoke 36 are arranged to face each other with a predetermined gap in the axial direction Z. The first magnetic yoke 35 is provided above the second magnetic yoke 36 in the axial direction Z. The first magnetic yoke 35 has an annular first main body portion 37 and a plurality of first claw portions 38 extending from the first main body portion 37 toward the second magnetic yoke 36. The first claw portions 38 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the first body portion 37. The second magnetic yoke 36 has an annular second main body 39 and a plurality of second claws 40 extending from the second main body 39 to the first magnetic yoke 35 side. The second claw portions 40 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the second body portion 39. The first claw portion 38 and the second claw portion 40 are each formed in a substantially isosceles triangular shape. The first claw portion 38 and the second claw portion 40 are molded by the yoke holder 34 in a state of being displaced from each other at a constant interval in the circumferential direction. In a neutral state where the torsion bar 13 between the input shaft 11 and the output shaft 12 is not twisted, the tip of the first claw portion 38 of the first magnetic yoke 35 and the tip of the second claw portion 40 of the second magnetic yoke 36. Indicates the boundary between the north and south poles of the annular magnet 32.

The torque sensor 1 includes an annular first magnetic flux collecting ring 41 that guides and collects the magnetic flux of the first magnetic yoke 35, and an annular second magnetic flux collecting ring 42 that guides and collects the magnetic flux of the second magnetic yoke 36. have. The first magnetism collecting ring 41 and the second magnetism collecting ring 42 are embedded and fixed in the sensor housing 23, respectively. The first magnetic flux collecting ring 41 includes a first ring portion 41 a, which is arranged outside the first magnetic yoke 35 in the radial direction so as to surround the first magnetic yoke 35 with a predetermined gap, and a first ring portion 41 a. It has the 1st magnetic flux collecting part 41b extended toward the radial direction outer side. The first magnetism collecting part 41b is exposed on the upper side of the third inner peripheral annular surface 26c of the opening 26. The second magnetic flux collecting ring 42 includes a second ring portion 42 a, which is arranged outside the second magnetic yoke 36 in the radial direction so as to surround the second magnetic yoke 36 with a predetermined gap, and a second ring portion 42 a. The second magnetic flux collecting portion 42b extends outward in the radial direction. The second magnetism collecting part 42b is exposed on the lower side of the third inner peripheral annular surface 26c of the opening 26. With the first magnetism collecting ring 41 arranged on the outer circumference of the first magnetic yoke 35 and the second magnetism collecting ring 42 arranged on the outer circumference of the second magnetic yoke 36, the first magnetism collecting part 41 b and the second magnetism collecting part 41 The portion 42b is arranged to face each other at a predetermined interval in the axial direction Z.

The torque sensor 1 includes a resin sensor main body 50 having a sensor unit 51 as a detection unit that detects a magnetic flux passing through the magnetic yoke unit 22. The sensor main body 50 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and the sensor unit 51 is fixed to the inner circumference thereof. The sensor unit 51 has a magnetic detection element 52 and a circuit member 53. The magnetic detection element 52 is composed of, for example, a Hall IC. The circuit member 53 is composed of a bus bar 53a connected to the magnetic detection element 52, and an electronic component 53b such as a capacitor connected to the bus bar 53a. The sensor main body 50 is configured as a resin molded product in which the sensor unit 51 is insert-molded.

The sensor main body 50 includes an insertion portion 55 that is inserted into the opening 26 of the sensor housing 23 in the order from the radially inner side of the pinion shaft 3 toward the radially outer side, and the sensor body 50 protrudes radially outward from the insertion portion 55 and the sensor. It has a flange portion 57 in which a bolt hole 56 for fixing the main body portion 50 to the sensor housing 23 is formed, and a tubular portion 58. The insertion portion 55 has a plurality of outer peripheral annular surfaces. The insertion portion 55 has a first outer peripheral annular surface 55a, a second outer peripheral annular surface 55b, a third outer peripheral annular surface 55c, and a fourth outer peripheral annular surface 55d in order from the radially outer side to the radially inner side of the pinion shaft 3. doing.

The first outer peripheral annular surface 55a is an annular outer peripheral surface whose width direction is the same as the direction X. The width direction of the first outer peripheral annular surface 55a is a direction orthogonal to the circumferential direction of the first outer peripheral annular surface 55a. The second outer peripheral annular surface 55b is an annular end surface whose width direction is the same as the direction orthogonal to the direction X. The width direction of the second outer peripheral annular surface 55b is the radial direction of the second outer peripheral annular surface 55b. The radially outer edge of the second outer peripheral annular surface 55b is connected to the edge of the first outer peripheral annular surface 55a on the pinion shaft 3 side. The third outer peripheral annular surface 55c is an annular outer peripheral surface whose width direction is the same as the direction X. The width direction of the third outer peripheral annular surface 55c is a direction orthogonal to the circumferential direction of the third outer peripheral annular surface 55c. An edge of the third outer peripheral annular surface 55c on the side opposite to the pinion shaft 3 is connected to a radially inner edge of the second outer peripheral annular surface 55b. The fourth outer peripheral annular surface 55d is an annular end surface whose width direction is the same as the direction orthogonal to the direction X. The width direction of the fourth outer peripheral annular surface 55d is the radial direction of the fourth outer peripheral annular surface 55d. The radially outer edge of the fourth outer peripheral annular surface 55d is connected to the edge of the third outer peripheral annular surface 55c on the pinion shaft 3 side. The outer diameter of the first outer peripheral annular surface 55a is set to be larger than the outer diameter of the third outer peripheral annular surface 55c. The fourth outer peripheral annular surface 55d is formed with a ridge 55e extending annularly over the entire circumference. The ridge 55e is located radially inward of the center of the fourth outer peripheral annular surface 55d in the direction orthogonal to the direction X. The length of the first outer peripheral annular surface 55a and the third outer peripheral annular surface 55c in the direction X is set to be equal to or less than the length of the first inner peripheral annular surface 26a in the direction X.

The outer peripheral shape of the flange portion 57 when viewed in the direction X is substantially rectangular. The lengths of the outer peripheral surface 57b of the flange portion 57 in the axial direction Z and the direction Y are set to be larger than the outer diameter of the first outer peripheral annular surface 55a. The tubular portion 58 has a rectangular outer peripheral shape when viewed in the direction X. The lengths of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 58 in the axial direction Z and the direction Y are set to be smaller than the lengths of the outer peripheral surface 57b of the flange portion 57 in the axial direction Z and the direction Y, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 2, the length of the flange portion 57 in the direction Y is set to be smaller than the length of the fixing portion 29 of the sensor housing 23 in the direction Y. The flange portion 57 is provided with a bolt hole 56 and a claw-shaped fitting convex portion 110 in the direction Y with the tubular portion 58 interposed therebetween when viewed from the direction X. The bolt hole 56 of the flange portion 57 penetrates the flange portion 57 in the direction X, and its arrangement corresponds to the bolt hole 30 of the fixing portion 29. The outer peripheral shape of the flange portion 57 in which the bolt hole 56 is formed when viewed in the direction X is the same as the outer peripheral shape of the fixed portion 29 in which the bolt hole 30 is formed when viewed in the direction X. The fitting convex portion 110 projects from the end surface 57a of the flange portion 57 on the pinion shaft 3 side toward the pinion shaft 3 side. The fitting protrusion 110 has a claw shape as a whole. The fitting convex portion 110 has a first fitting piece 111, a second fitting piece 112, and a third fitting piece 113 in order from the end face 57a side. The first fitting piece 111 projects from the end surface 57a in the direction X and extends in a direction forming an acute angle with the end surface 57a. The first fitting piece 111 extends in a direction away from the central portion of the flange portion 57 in the direction Y as the distance from the end surface 57a increases. The second fitting piece 112 extends in the direction Y. That is, the second fitting piece 112 extends in the direction intersecting the direction X and in the direction intersecting the direction in which the first fitting piece 111 extends. The edge of the second fitting piece 112 on the side of the central portion of the flange portion 57 is connected to the edge of the first fitting piece 111 on the side opposite to the end surface 57a. The third fitting piece 113 extends in the direction X. That is, the third fitting piece 113 extends in a direction intersecting the direction in which the second fitting piece 132 extends. An edge of the third fitting piece 113 opposite to the end surface 57a is connected to an edge of the second fitting piece 112 opposite to the central portion of the flange portion 57.

The sensor body 50 has a communication path P extending in the direction X. The magnetic detecting element 52 is exposed at the end opening of the communication path P on the sensor housing 23 side. The communication passage P located inside the tubular portion 58 of the sensor body 50 in the radial direction, that is, the end opening of the communication passage P opposite to the sensor housing 23 has an end portion of the bus bar 53a opposite to the pinion shaft 3. Is exposed. The end of the bus bar 53a is connected to the control device 59 via an external terminal.

The sensor body 50 is fixed to the sensor housing 23 with the insertion portion 55 of the sensor body 50 inserted in the opening 26 of the sensor housing 23. When the insertion portion 55 is inserted into the opening 26, the convex groove 55e of the fourth outer peripheral annular surface 55d fits into the concave groove 26d of the second inner peripheral annular surface 26b. Further, when the insertion portion 55 is inserted into the opening 26, the first outer peripheral annular surface 55a and the third outer peripheral annular surface 55c are opposed to each other radially inward of the first inner peripheral annular surface 26a. Further, an O-ring 70 is sandwiched between the sensor housing 23 and the sensor body 50. The O-ring 70 seals the part where the sensor housing 23 and the sensor body 50 are assembled. The O-ring 70 has a circular cross section in the axial direction. The O-ring 70 is arranged in a space surrounded by the first inner peripheral annular surface 26a, the second inner peripheral annular surface 26b, the second outer peripheral annular surface 55b, and the third outer peripheral annular surface 55c.

In these states, the sensor housing 23 and the sensor body 50 are assembled by two types of assembly parts A having different assembly structures. The assembling structure is a structure for assembling the sensor housing 23 and the sensor body 50. The assembling section A has a first assembling section A1 and a second assembling section A2 having a different assembling structure from the first assembling section A1. The first assembly portion A1 has an assembly structure in which the sensor housing 23 and the sensor body portion 50 are fitted together by using a bolt 60 which is a member separate from the sensor housing 23 and the sensor body portion 50. That is, in the first assembly portion A1, the sensor housing 23 and the sensor body 50 are fitted by inserting the bolts 60 into the bolt holes 30 of the sensor housing 23 and the bolt holes 56 of the sensor body 50. .. A metal bolt is used as the bolt 60. The second assembly portion A2 is an elastic member that fits the sensor housing 23 and the sensor main body portion 50 together by fitting the resin sensor housing 23 and the resin sensor main body portion 50 itself in a concave and convex shape without using the bolt 60. It is an assembly part composed of a body. Resin is an elastic body that has lower rigidity than metal and can be elastically deformed than metal. In the second assembly portion A2, the sensor housing 23 and the sensor body 50 are assembled by fitting the fitting protrusion 110 of the sensor body 50 into the fitting recess 100 of the sensor housing 23. In this case, the tip of the third fitting piece 113 is inserted from the opening of the first fitting hole 101, the first fitting piece 111 is positioned in the first fitting hole 101, and the second fitting piece 112 is placed in the first fitting hole 101. The second fitting hole 102 is positioned, and the third fitting piece 113 is positioned in the third fitting hole 103. With such an arrangement, the second fitting piece 112 can be brought into contact with the second fitting hole 102, and the third fitting piece 113 can be brought into contact with the third fitting hole 103. Thereby, the 2nd assembly part A2 can be constituted. The acting position of the assembling force between the sensor housing 23 and the sensor body 50 in the first assembling portion A1 is between the fixing portion 29 and the flange portion 57 in the direction X. In addition, the acting position of the assembling force between the sensor housing 23 and the sensor body 50 in the second assembling portion A2 is the contact portion between the fitting concave portion 100 and the fitting convex portion 110. It is closer to the fixed portion 29 than between the fixed portion 29 and the flange portion 57. The first direction described in the claims is the direction in which the bolt 60 extends.

In the state where the sensor body 50 is assembled to the sensor housing 23 as described above, the magnetic detection element 52 includes the first magnetism collecting part 41 b of the first magnetism collecting ring 41 and the second magnetism collecting part of the second magnetism collecting ring 42. It is arranged between 42b and 42b. The magnetic detection element 52 generates a magnetic detection signal according to the detected magnetism. In the torque sensor 1 configured as described above, the magnetic flux passing through the first magnetism collecting ring 41 and the second magnetism collecting ring 42 changes according to the twist of the torsion bar 13, so that the magnetic field detected by the magnetic detection element 52 is detected. The detection signal changes. The magnetic detection signal detected by the magnetic detection element 52 is output to the control device 59 via the bus bar 53a and an external terminal connected to the bus bar 53a. The control device 59 calculates the steering torque based on the magnetic detection signal. The control device 59 executes control for assisting the steering operation of the driver based on the calculated steering torque.

The operation and effect of the first embodiment will be described.
(1) When an external force such as vibration acts on the sensor device, the vibration may be transmitted between the sensor housing 23 and the sensor body 50. In the present embodiment, regarding the assembling portion A that is responsible for the assembling of the sensor housing 23 and the sensor main body portion 50, not only the first assembling portion A1 that is assembled by the bolt 60 but also the fitting concave portion formed in the sensor housing 23. The second assembling portion A2 is assembled by the concave and convex fitting between the fitting convex portion 110 formed on the sensor body 50 and the fitting convex portion 100. That is, in this embodiment, at least one of the plurality of assembling parts A is provided with the second assembling part A2 made of an elastic body. Since the second assembly portion A2 that can be elastically deformed is provided in this manner, the sensor housing 23 and the sensor main body portion 50 are provided more easily than when only the first assembly portion A1 that is not easily elastically deformed is provided. It becomes possible to suppress the transmission of vibration between the two. As a result, it is possible to prevent the position of the sensor body 50 from deviating from the position of the sensor housing 23.

(2) The tip of the third fitting piece is inserted through the opening of the first fitting hole 101, the first fitting piece 111 is positioned in the first fitting hole 101, and the second fitting piece 112 is inserted into the second fitting piece 112. The third fitting piece 113 is located in the fitting hole 102, and the third fitting piece 113 is located in the third fitting hole 103. With such an arrangement, the second fitting piece 112 can be brought into contact with the second fitting hole 102, and the third fitting piece 113 can be brought into contact with the third fitting hole 103. Thereby, the 2nd assembly part A2 can be constituted. Further, the first fitting piece 111 and the first fitting hole 101, the second fitting piece 112 and the second fitting hole 102, the third fitting piece 113 and the third fitting hole 103 respectively extend. The directions are different. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the fitting protrusion 110 from coming out of the fitting recess 100.

<Second Embodiment>
A second embodiment of the torque sensor will be described. Here, the difference from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the fitting recess 120 of the second embodiment has a groove groove 26d as a first fitting hole and a second fitting hole 122. The second fitting hole 122 is formed on the outermost surface of the recessed groove 26d that is closest to the sensor housing 23, and when viewed in the direction X, the first magnetism collecting ring 41 and the second magnetism collecting ring 42 are formed. It is formed in two places, the upper part and the lower part, with the pinch in between. The second fitting hole 122, which is located above the sensor unit 51 with the sensor unit 51 in between, extends upward in the axial direction Z. The axial direction Z is a direction intersecting with the direction X. The second fitting hole 122 located below with the first magnetism collecting ring 41 and the second magnetism collecting ring 42 interposed therebetween extends downward in the axial direction Z. The length of the second fitting holes 122 in the axial direction Z is set to become deeper from the sensor housing 23 toward the sensor body 50.

The fitting convex portion 130 of the second embodiment has a convex strip portion 55e as a first fitting piece and a second fitting piece 132. The second fitting pieces 132 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the protruding portion 55e, and when viewed from the direction X, they are formed at two locations, an upper portion and a lower portion, with the sensor unit 51 interposed therebetween. The second fitting pieces 132 both extend in the axial direction Z. The second fitting piece 132, which is located above the sensor unit 51 with the sensor unit 51 in between, extends upward. The second fitting piece 132 located below with the sensor unit 51 interposed therebetween extends downward. The length of the second fitting pieces 132 in the axial direction Z is set so as to become longer from the sensor housing 23 toward the sensor body 50. The fitting convex portion 130 has a claw shape. The fitting protrusion 130 has a slit. A pair of slits are formed so as to sandwich the second fitting piece 132, and extend in the direction X from the tip of the fitting projection 130.

A gap is formed between the inner peripheral side surface of the protrusion 55e and the inner peripheral side surface of the concave groove 26d. This gap allows the elastic deformation of the projection 55e when the second fitting piece 132 passes through the groove 26d. Further, since the fitting protrusion 130 has the slit, the protrusion 55e is easily elastically deformed when the second fitting piece 132 passes through the groove 26d. When the tips of the ridge 55e and the second fitting piece 132 are inserted through the openings of the groove groove 26d, the second fitting piece 132 passes through the ridge 55e due to the elastic deformation of the ridge 55e. After that, the elastic deformation of the ridge 55e is released, and the second fitting piece comes into contact with the second fitting hole 122. As a result, the fitting convex portion 130 and the fitting concave portion 120 are fitted into the concave and convex portions, and the second assembly portion A2 can be configured.

<Third Embodiment>
A third embodiment of the torque sensor will be described. Here, the difference from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

As shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 5( a ), and FIG. 5( b ), the fitting convex portion 150 of the third embodiment has a convex strip portion 55 e as a first fitting piece and a second fitting piece. And 152. The ridge portion 55e is provided on the fourth outer peripheral annular surface 55d and has a cylindrical shape. The ridge 55e extends in the direction in which the virtual line L extends. The virtual line L and the direction X are the same direction. The second fitting piece 132 is formed on the peripheral surface of the convex strip 55e and extends in a direction intersecting the direction X. A pair of the second fitting pieces 132 is provided so as to be opposed to each other with the sensor unit 51 interposed therebetween. The second fitting piece 132 located above and the second fitting piece 132 located below with the sensor unit 51 interposed therebetween extend outward in the radial direction of the imaginary line L so as to point in mutually opposite directions.

The fitting recess 140 of the third embodiment has a recessed groove 26d, a second fitting hole 142, and a third fitting hole 143. The groove groove 26d extends in an annular shape with the imaginary line L as the central axis. The second fitting hole 142 is formed on the outermost surface of the recessed groove 26d closest to the sensor housing 23 and extends in the circumferential direction with the virtual line L as the central axis. A pair of second fitting holes 142 are provided so as to be opposed to each other with the sensor unit 51 interposed therebetween. The third fitting hole 143 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the groove 26d and extends in the direction in which the virtual line L extends. The virtual line L and the direction X are the same direction. The third fitting hole 143 opens to the second inner peripheral annular surface 26b and is connected to the second fitting hole 142 on the sensor housing 23 side. The circumferential length of the third fitting hole 143 about the imaginary line L as a central axis is shorter than the circumferential length of the second fitting hole 142 about the imaginary line L. As shown in FIG. 5B, when viewed from the direction X, the second fitting hole 142 extends in the counterclockwise direction from the upper portion and the lower portion in the axial direction Z with the sensor unit 51 interposed therebetween. The third fitting hole 143 is arranged with respect to the groove groove 26d so as to indicate the upper side and the lower side in the axial direction Z with the sensor unit 51 interposed therebetween.

The tip ends of the ridge 55e and the second fitting piece 152 are inserted through the recessed groove 26d and the opening of the third fitting hole 143, and the ridge 55e moves the inside of the groove 26d into the second fitting piece 152. Passes through the third fitting hole 143. When the second fitting piece 152 moves to the second fitting hole 142, the ridge portion 55e and the second fitting piece 152 are rotated in the circumferential direction, and the ridge portion 55e moves in the concave groove 26d. The second fitting piece 152 moves in the second fitting hole 142. Accordingly, the second fitting piece 152 located in the second fitting hole 142 can be brought into contact with the second fitting hole 142 in the direction X. The bolt holes 56 of the flange portion 57 and the bolt holes 30 of the fixing portion 29 are oriented in a state in which the second fitting piece 152 has moved to the edge of the second fitting hole 142 opposite to the third fitting hole 143. At the same position in X, the sensor housing 23 and the sensor body 50 are assembled with the bolt 60. As a result, the second fitting piece 152 is restricted from moving in the circumferential direction along the shape of the second fitting hole 142. In this way, by bringing the second fitting piece 152 into contact with the second fitting hole 142 in the direction X, the second assembly portion can be configured.

<Fourth Embodiment>
A fourth embodiment of the torque sensor will be described. Here, the difference from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the flange portion 57 of the sensor body 50 is provided with a bolt hole 56 and a through hole 160. The bolt hole 56 and the through hole 160 penetrate in the direction X.

Of the pair of fixing portions 29 provided in the sensor housing 23 in the direction Y, one fixing portion 29 is provided with a bolt hole 30 penetrating in the direction X, and the other fixing portion 29 is provided with a shaft portion 170 and A head 171 is provided. The shaft portion 170 is formed in a columnar shape and extends in the direction X from the end surface 29 a of the fixed portion 29. The head 171 extends in a direction intersecting the direction X at the tip of the shaft 170. The end surface of the head portion 171 on the side of the shaft portion 170 is formed wider than the opening of the through hole 160 in the direction orthogonal to the direction X. The head 171 has a substantially hemispherical shape.

As shown in FIG. 6B, in the state before the head portion 171 is formed at the tip of the shaft portion 170, only the shaft portion 170 is formed in the fixed portion 29. After inserting the shaft portion 170 into the through hole 160, the head portion 171 is formed by caulking the tip of the shaft portion 170 protruding from the through hole 160 with heat.

In addition, each embodiment may be modified as follows. In addition, each of the above-described embodiments and the following other embodiments can be combined with each other within a technically consistent range.
In the fourth embodiment, the through hole 160 is formed in the sensor main body 50 and the shaft portion 170 and the head portion 171 are formed in the sensor housing 23, but the present invention is not limited to this. The shaft portion 170 and the head portion 171 may be formed in the sensor main body portion 50, and the through hole 160 may be formed in the sensor housing 23.

In the fourth embodiment, the shaft portion 170 may have any shape, for example, a cylindrical shape or a quadrangular prism shape. The through hole 160 may have any shape, for example, a circular hole or a square hole. Moreover, the head 171 may have any shape as long as it extends in a direction intersecting the direction X at the tip of the shaft 170.

-In 3rd Embodiment, the location where the protrusion part 55e as a 1st fitting piece was provided was the 4th outer peripheral annular surface 55d, but it is not limited to this, For example, a 3rd outer peripheral annular surface. It may be 55c. Further, the location where the recessed groove 26d as the first fitting hole is provided is the second inner peripheral annular surface 26b, but it is not limited to this, and it is, for example, the first inner peripheral annular surface 26a. May be. In addition, the shape of the ridge 55e is not limited to the cylindrical shape, and may be columnar, for example. Corresponding to this, the shape of the recessed groove 26d can be appropriately changed.

In the third embodiment, the fitting protrusion 150 is formed on the sensor body 50 and the fitting recess 140 is formed on the sensor housing 23, but the present invention is not limited to this. The fitting recess 140 may be formed in the sensor body 50, and the fitting protrusion 150 may be formed in the sensor housing 23.

-In the third embodiment, two second fitting pieces 152 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion 55e, but three or more second fitting pieces 152 may be formed or only one second fitting piece 152 may be formed. .. In this case, two second fitting holes 142 were formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral side wall of the groove 26d, but three or more second fitting holes 142 may be formed, or only one second fitting hole 142 may be formed. It may be formed. It is preferable that the number of second fitting pieces 152 and the number of second fitting holes 142 are the same. In addition, the second fitting piece 152 may be formed over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface of the protruding portion 55e. In this case, the second fitting hole 142 is formed over the entire circumference on the outer peripheral side wall of the recessed groove 26d. In this way, when the second fitting piece 152 is formed over the entire circumference, the second fitting hole 142 is also formed over the entire circumference.

-In 3rd Embodiment, although the 2nd assembly part A2 was provided in the convex line part 55e and the concave groove 26d, it is not restricted to this, for example, is provided in the fixing part 29 and the flange part 57. Good.

-In 2nd Embodiment, the location where the protrusion part 55e as a 1st fitting piece was provided was the 4th outer peripheral annular surface 55d, but it is not limited to this, For example, a 3rd outer peripheral annular surface. It may be 55c. Further, the location where the recessed groove 26d as the first fitting hole is provided is the second inner peripheral annular surface 26b, but it is not limited to this, and it is, for example, the first inner peripheral annular surface 26a. May be. In addition, the shape of the ridge 55e is not limited to the cylindrical shape, and may be columnar, for example. Corresponding to this, the shape of the recessed groove 26d can be appropriately changed.

In the second embodiment, the fitting protrusion 130 is formed on the sensor body 50 and the fitting recess 120 is formed on the sensor housing 23, but the present invention is not limited to this. The fitting recess 120 may be formed in the sensor body 50, and the fitting protrusion 130 may be formed in the sensor housing 23.

In the second embodiment, two second fitting pieces 132 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the protruding portion 55e, but three or more second fitting pieces 132 may be formed, or only one second fitting piece 132 may be formed. .. Further, the two second fitting holes 122 are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral side wall of the groove 26d, but three or more second fitting holes 122 may be formed, or only one second fitting hole 122 is formed. It may have been done.

In the second embodiment, the length of the second fitting hole 122 in the axial direction Z is set to be deeper from the sensor housing 23 toward the sensor body 50, but the length is not limited to this. Further, the protrusion amount of the second fitting piece 132 is set to be larger from the sensor housing 23 toward the sensor body 50, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the length of the second fitting hole 122 in the axial direction Z and the protrusion amount of the second fitting piece 132 may be set to be constant in the direction X.

-In 2nd Embodiment, although the 2nd assembly part A2 was provided in the convex line part 55e and the concave groove 26d, it is not limited to this, for example, is provided in the fixing part 29 and the flange part 57. Good.

In the first embodiment, the fitting protrusion 110 is formed on the sensor body 50 and the fitting recess 100 is formed on the sensor housing 23, but the present invention is not limited to this. The fitting recess 100 may be formed in the sensor body 50, and the fitting protrusion 110 may be formed in the sensor housing 23.

-In 1st Embodiment, although the fitting convex part 110 was comprised by the 1st fitting piece 111, the 2nd fitting piece 112, and the 3rd fitting piece 113, it is not restricted to this. For example, the fitting convex portion 110 may be composed of two fitting pieces, or may be composed of four or more fitting pieces. Further, the fitting recess 100 is composed of the first fitting hole 101, the second fitting hole 102, and the third fitting hole 103, but is not limited to this. For example, the fitting recess 100 may be composed of two fitting holes, or may be composed of four or more fitting holes. In this case, it is preferable that the number of fitting pieces forming the fitting convex portion 110 and the number of fitting holes forming the fitting concave portion 100 are the same.

-In 1st Embodiment, although the 2nd assembly part A2 was provided in the fixed part 29 and the flange part 57, it is not restricted to this, For example, you may provide in the insertion part 55 and the opening part 26.
-Operation position of the assembling force between the sensor housing 23 and the sensor body 50 in the first assembling portion A1, and action of the assembling force between the sensor housing 23 and the sensor body 50 in the second assembling portion A2 The position may be the same in the direction X.

-In each embodiment, two assembly parts A are provided, but three or more assembly parts A may be provided. Further, although one of the two assembling parts A is the second assembling part A2 made of resin, the present invention is not limited to this, and at least one of the plurality of assembling parts A is the second assembling part made of resin. It may be A2.

Although the Hall element is used as the magnetic detection element 52, a magnetic resistance element may be used.
The sensor device is embodied as the torque sensor 1 for detecting the torque, but may be embodied as a rotation angle detection device for detecting the rotation angle of the steering shaft 2, for example.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Torque sensor, 2... Steering shaft, 3... Pinion shaft, 11... Input shaft, 12... Output shaft, 13... Torsion bar, 16... Rack housing, 21... Magnet unit, 22... Magnetic yoke unit, 23... Sensor housing , 26... Opening portion, 26a... First inner circumferential annular surface, 26b... Second inner circumferential annular surface, 26c... Third inner circumferential annular surface, 26d... Groove groove, 27... Fixing portion, 28... Bolt hole, 29 ... fixing portion, 30... bolt hole, 32... annular magnet, 34... yoke holder, 35... first magnetic yoke, 36... second magnetic yoke, 41... first magnetic flux collecting ring, 41a... first ring portion, 41b... 1 magnetism collecting part, 42... 2nd magnetism collecting ring, 42a... 2nd ring part, 42b... 2nd magnetism collecting part, 50... Sensor main part, 51... Sensor unit, 52... Magnetic detection element, 53... Circuit member, 53a... Bus bar, 53b... Electronic component, 55... Insert part, 55a... First outer peripheral annular surface, 55b... Second outer peripheral annular surface, 55c... Third outer peripheral annular surface, 55d... Fourth outer peripheral annular surface, 55e... Convex ridge Part, 56... Bolt hole, 57... Flange part, 58... Cylindrical part, 59... Control device, 60... Bolt, 70... O ring, 100... Fitting recess, 101... First fitting hole, 102... Second Fitting hole, 103... Third fitting hole, 110... Fitting convex part, 111... First fitting piece, 112... Second fitting piece, 113... Third fitting piece, 120... Fitting concave part, 122 ... 2nd fitting hole, 130... Fitting convex part, 132... 2nd fitting piece, 140... Fitting concave part, 142... 2nd fitting hole, 143... 3rd fitting hole, 150... Fitting convex part , 152... Second fitting piece, 160... Through hole, 170... Shaft part, 171... Head part, A... Assembly part, A1... First assembly part, A2... Second assembly part, L... Virtual line , X, Y... direction, Z... axial direction.

Claims (6)

In a sensor device including a sensor housing that houses a detection target, and a sensor main body that is assembled to the sensor housing and that houses a detection unit that detects a change in magnetism in the detection target,
A plurality of assembling parts for assembling the sensor housing and the sensor body,
A sensor device in which at least one of the plurality of assembling parts is an assembling part made of an elastic body. A fitting protrusion is formed on one of the sensor housing and the sensor body,
A fitting recess is formed in the other of the sensor housing and the sensor body,
The sensor device according to claim 1, wherein an assembly portion formed of the elastic body is provided by the fitting convex portion and the fitting concave portion. The plurality of assembling parts has an assembling part for assembling the sensor housing and the sensor body part with bolts which are separate members from the sensor housing and the sensor body part,
When the direction in which the bolt extends is the first direction,
The fitting protrusion extends in a second direction that intersects with the first fitting piece and the first direction, and extends in a second direction that intersects the direction in which the first fitting piece extends. With a piece,
The fitting recess is a second fitting hole that extends in a second direction that is a direction that intersects the first fitting hole and the first direction and that intersects a direction in which the first fitting hole extends. Has and
The assembly part comprised by the said elastic body is provided because the said 2nd fitting piece inserted in the said 2nd fitting hole is contacting the said 2nd fitting hole. Sensor device. The fitting protrusion is formed on a peripheral surface of the first fitting piece and a second fitting piece extending in a direction intersecting a direction in which the first fitting piece extends. With a piece,
The fitting concave portion is formed with a first fitting hole and a second fitting hole formed in a peripheral surface of the first fitting hole and extending in a direction intersecting a direction in which the first fitting hole extends. Has and
The first fitting hole allows passage of the second fitting piece due to elastic deformation of the first fitting piece, the elastic deformation of the first fitting piece is released, and the second fitting piece is released. The sensor device according to claim 2, wherein an assembly portion configured by the elastic body is provided by a joint piece coming into contact with the second fitting hole. The fitting protrusion is formed on a peripheral surface of the first fitting piece and a second fitting piece extending in a direction intersecting a direction in which the first fitting piece extends. With a piece,
The fitting recess is formed in a first fitting hole extending in a circumferential direction about an imaginary line parallel to the extending direction of the first fitting piece and in a circumferential surface of the first fitting hole. And a second fitting hole extending in the circumferential direction about the imaginary line as an axial center, and a second fitting hole formed in the circumferential surface of the first fitting hole in the same direction as the extending direction of the first fitting piece. And a third fitting hole extending,
The assembling part configured by the elastic body by the second fitting piece that has passed through the third fitting hole and moved to the second fitting hole being in contact with the second fitting hole. The sensor device according to claim 2, wherein the sensor device is provided. The plurality of assembling parts has an assembling part for assembling the sensor housing and the sensor body part with bolts which are separate members from the sensor housing and the sensor body part,
When the direction in which the bolt extends is the first direction,
A shaft portion extending in the first direction and a head portion extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction at a tip of the shaft portion are provided on either one of the sensor housing and the sensor body. Formed,
A through hole penetrating in the first direction is formed in the other of the sensor housing and the sensor body,
The assembling portion configured by the elastic body is provided by inserting the shaft portion into the through hole and covering an opening of the through hole by an end surface of the head portion on the shaft portion side. 1. The sensor device according to 1.