China Automotive Systems, Inc.
DIFFERENTIAL ANGLE SENSOR

Abstract:

A differential angle sensor for measuring a differential angle between an input shaft and an output shaft includes a target assembly fixed to rotate with one of the shafts and a ring magnet with equidistantly spaced magnet segments fixed to rotate with the other one of the shafts. The target assembly includes four identical targets extending about the common axis parallel and axially spaced apart from one another, and each having a plurality of wedge-shaped teeth extending radially toward the ring magnet. A first magnetic field sensor is disposed between first and second targets for measuring a first magnetic field strength therebetween. A second magnetic field sensor is disposed between third and fourth targets for measuring a second magnetic field strength. The targets are all circumferentially offset relative to one another such that the magnetic field strengths each vary with the differential angle between the shafts and differently from one-another.