DE102015202733A1 - Sensor arrangement for detecting rotational angles of a rotating component in a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a sensor arrangement (1) for detecting rotational angles of a rotating component (3, 5) in a vehicle which executes multiple revolutions and is coupled to a transducer (7) which, in conjunction with a transducer, determines the rotational angle of the rotating component ( 3, 5), wherein the transducer (7) with the rotating component (3, 5) is designed as a motion converter which converts the rotation (R1, R2) of the rotating component (3, 5) into a translation of the transmitter (3, 5). 7) with respect to the rotating member (3, 5) converts. According to the invention, a first guide element (9) arranged on the rotating component (3, 5) and a second guide element (12, 14) arranged stationary effect the translation of the transmitter (7), wherein the sensor detects the corresponding change in position of the transmitter (7).

Description

The invention is based on a sensor arrangement for detecting rotational angles of a rotating component in a vehicle according to the preamble of independent claim 1.

Multiple revolutions can be determined, inter alia, using a vernier method. For example, in a steering angle sensor, the rotation of one steering shaft is translated to two gears having a different number of teeth. By determining the respective angle of rotation of the gears can be closed on the angle of rotation or the difference in angle on the multiple rotation angle of the steering shaft. In other words, the two gears have the same absolute orientation again only with multiple rotation of the steering shaft.

In the DE 10 2008 011 448 A1 For example, an arrangement for detecting a rotation angle will be described. The arrangement described comprises encoders and sensors which, as a function of a rotation angle change of a rotating component, detect changes in a physical variable produced by the encoders as signals which can be evaluated digitally. The rotating member has at least one coupled to its circumference, rotating by its rotation satellites small scale, preferably with an angle sensor which drives via an axially coupled hypocycloidal a likewise rotating Hyperzykloidscheibe or Hypozykloidzahnrad whose speed of rotation is undercut by the Hypozykloidgetriebe such that From this, a number of revolutions of the rotating component and the absolute steering angle over several revolutions of the steering shaft with a revolution sensor system can be determined.

From the DE 2012 202 632 A1 a generic sensor arrangement for detecting rotational angles on a rotating component in a vehicle is known. The rotating component is coupled to a transmitter which, in conjunction with at least one sensor, generates a signal representing the angle of rotation of the rotating component. In this case, the transmitter with the rotating component is designed as a motion converter, which converts the rotation of the rotating component into an axial translation of the transmitter with respect to the rotating component. The transmitter has a spring-elastic base body with a fastening end and a measuring end, wherein the measuring end is guided on the rotating component. The at least one sensor determines the distance traveled by the measuring end of the transmitter, which represents the angle of rotation of the rotating component.

Disclosure of the invention

The sensor arrangement according to the invention for detecting rotational angles of a rotating component in a vehicle with the features of independent claim 1 has the advantage that of a rotatably mounted object, such as a shaft, a gear, a disc, etc., in addition to a rotation angle In the range from 0 to 360 °, multiple revolutions in the range from 0 to N × 360 ° can be detected. This is necessary, for example, in a steering angle sensor, since several revolutions of the steering wheel are possible.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a sensor arrangement for detecting rotational angles of a rotating component in a vehicle, which performs multiple revolutions and is coupled to a transmitter, which generates in conjunction with a transducer a signal representing the rotational angle of the rotating component. Here, the transmitter with the rotating component is designed as a motion converter, which converts the rotation of the rotating component in a translation of the transmitter with respect to the rotating component. According to the invention, a first guide element arranged on the rotating component and a second guide element arranged in a stationary manner cause the translation of the transmitter, wherein the sensor detects the corresponding position change of the transmitter.

Due to the measures and refinements recited in the dependent claims, advantageous improvements of the independent claim 1 sensor arrangement for detecting rotational angles of a rotating component in a vehicle are possible.

It is particularly advantageous that the transmitter can be designed as a ball or as a slide. To guide the transmitter, the first guide element can be designed as a spiral groove and the second guide element as a straight groove. Alternatively, the first guide element can be designed as a straight groove and the second guide element as a spiral groove. Due to the rotational movement of the rotating component, the transmitter moves in the straight groove from a first position to a second position. By determining the position of the transmitter in the straight groove can be closed on the rotation angle of the rotating component in an angular range which is greater than 0 to 360 °.

In an advantageous embodiment of the sensor arrangement according to the invention, the transducer can have at least two detection coils include. The transmitter is designed to change the inductance of the detection coils when it enters the detection range of the respective detection coil. Preferably, the transmitter is designed as a metal component. The transducer and the transmitter can for example form an eddy current sensor, which can determine the current position of the transmitter.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the sensor arrangement according to the invention, a plurality of transducers and a plurality of guide elements designed as straight grooves may be present, wherein a plurality of transducers detect the corresponding position changes of the transducers. The multiple signals can be used advantageously for averaging or for redundancy purposes.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the sensor arrangement according to the invention, the rotating component can be designed as a disk or gear and be connected directly to a shaft to be detected. Alternatively, the rotating component can be designed as a disk or gear wheel and connected indirectly via a disk or gearwheel to a shaft to be detected.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the sensor arrangement according to the invention, the stationary second guide element can be formed in an edge layer of a multilayer printed circuit board, wherein the at least two detection coils are formed in a printed circuit board layer, which is arranged below or above the edge layer.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description. In the drawings, like reference numerals designate components that perform the same or analog functions.

Brief description of the drawings

1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a sensor arrangement according to the invention for detecting rotational angles of a rotating component in a vehicle with two gears.

2 shows a more detailed representation of a gear for the sensor arrangement according to the invention for detecting rotational angles of a rotating component in a vehicle 1 ,

3 shows a more detailed representation of a first embodiment of a transmitter and a transducer for the sensor arrangement according to the invention for detecting rotational angles of a rotating component in a vehicle 1 ,

4 shows a schematic sectional view of the transmitter and the transducer from 3 ,

5 shows a schematic sectional view of a second embodiment of a transmitter and a transducer for the sensor arrangement according to the invention for detecting rotational angles of a rotating component in a vehicle 1 ,

Embodiments of the invention

How out 1 to 5 can be seen, comprises a sensor arrangement according to the invention 1 for detecting rotational angles of a rotating component 3 . 5 in a vehicle that performs multiple revolutions, a transmitter 7 , which with the rotating component 3 . 5 coupled and in conjunction with a transducer 16 . 16A a the angle of rotation of the rotating component 3 . 5 representing signal. Here is the transmitter 7 with the rotating component 3 . 5 designed as a motion converter, which rotation R1, R2 of the rotating component 3 . 5 in a translation R of the transmitter 7 with respect to the rotating component 3 . 5 transforms. According to cause a on the rotating component 3 . 5 arranged first guide element 9 and a second guide member fixedly disposed 12 . 12A . 14 . 14A the translation of the transmitter 7 , where the transducer 16 . 16A the corresponding position change of the transmitter 7 detected.

How out 1 is further apparent, is a first rotating component 3 executed in the illustrated embodiment as a gear which is connected directly to a shaft to be detected, which performs a rotational movement R1 about a first axis of rotation DA1. A second rotating component 5 is also designed as a gear which indirectly via the gear designed as the first rotating component 3 connected to the shaft to be detected. This means that the first gear designed as a rotating component 3 the second designed as a gear rotating component 5 drives, so that this performs a rotational movement R2 about a second axis of rotation DA2.

How out 1 and 2 can be further seen, are the first guide element 9 as spiral groove and the second guide element 12 . 14 executed as a straight groove. The spiral groove of the first guide element 9 can either through the first rotating component 3 or by the second rotating component 5 to be provided. The multiple rotation of the first rotating component applies 3 to eat. By the translation to a smaller gear designed as a rotating component 5 According to the translation, it is necessary to measure a larger number of multiple revolutions with a lower angle resolution requirement. The executed as a straight groove second guide element 12 . 14 can now either below or above the outside of the running as a gear first rotating component 3 and / or under or over the second rotating component designed as a gear 5 lie, like out 1 is apparent. It is also possible a plurality of second guide elements designed as straight grooves 12 . 14 , what a 1 are shown in dashed lines, with multiple transducers 7 and corresponding transducers 16 . 16A to use. For clarity, the transducers 16 . 16A in 1 and 2 not shown. The transducers 16 . 16A will be referred to below with reference to 3 to 5 described. The multiple signals can be used for averaging or for redundancy purposes. The transmitter 7 is in the illustrated embodiment as a metallic ball 7A executed. By the rotational movement of the respective rotating component 3 . 5 wanders the ball 7A in the second guide element designed as a straight groove 12 . 14 from the outside to the inside. By determining the position of the ball 7A can be closed to the angle of rotation of the rotating component in an angular range which is greater than 0 to 360 °.

In an alternative embodiment, not shown, of the sensor arrangement according to the invention, the first guide element can be designed as a straight groove on the rotating component, and the second guide element can be made stationary as a spiral groove.

3 and 4 show a possible embodiment of the transducer 16 for determining the position of the ball 7A in the second guide element designed as a straight groove 12 . 14 as eddy current sensor. For this purpose, a plurality of detection coils L1, L2, L3, L4 are arranged side by side. The metallic ball 7A affects the inductance of the detection coils L1, L2, L3, L4. By measuring the inductance, the position of the ball 7A be determined. It is possible the position of the ball 7A discreetly determine by the coil with the smallest inductance or when positioning the ball 7A in the geometric center of two coils L1, L2, L3, L4, both affected coils Ln, Lm are determined with the smallest inductance. Alternatively, the position of the ball 7A be determined continuously. In a first step, as in the discrete case, the two of the sphere apply 7A influenced coils Ln, Lm identify and in a second step from the measured values of the two coils Ln, Lm to calculate the exact position. In many practical cases this is possible according to the following calculation rule: (Ln-Lm) / (Ln + Lm), where Ln and Lm represent the affected coils.

How out 4 can be seen, is designed as a straight groove stationary second guide element 12 . 14 in a boundary layer S1 of a multilayer printed circuit board 10 formed, which in the illustrated embodiment comprises four layers S1, S2, S3, S4. In the illustrated embodiment, the executed as a straight groove second guide element 12 . 14 to guide the ball 7A by a milling in the uppermost layer S1 of the printed circuit board 10 realized. A second circuit board layer S2 advantageously ensures the electrical insulation between the detection coils L1, L2, L3, L4 and the ball 7A , The detection coils L1, L2, L3, L4 are placed in a third circuit board layer S3. The connection between the inner region of the detection coils L1, L2, L3, L4, which are preferably designed as spiral coils, and an evaluation electronics, not shown, is realized, for example, by a via and a feedback in a fourth printed circuit board layer S4. Thus, the detection coils L1, L2, L3, L4 are formed in a circuit board layer S3, which is arranged below or above the boundary layer S1.

5 shows an embodiment in which the transmitter as a metallic slide 7B is executed. The circuit board 10A is executed with only three layers S1, S2, S3. How out 5 can be further seen, the slider 7B a ball head 7.1B on, which in the helical groove designed as the first guide element 9 is guided. The slider 7B has in the illustrated embodiment, a length which is approximately half the length of the running as a straight groove second guide element 12A . 14A equivalent. Analogous to the printed circuit board 10 out 3 and 4 is the second guide element designed as a straight groove 12A . 14A to guide the slider 7B by a milling in the uppermost layer S1 of the printed circuit board 10A realized. In a third circuit board layer S3 under the slider 7B two detection coils L1, L2 are arranged, which are approximately the same length as the slider 7B exhibit. Analogous to the embodiment described above, the metallic slider influences 7B the inductance of the detection coils L1, L2. For electrical insulation, an insulating layer S2 is arranged between the uppermost layer S1 and the third layer S3. The slider 7B emulates a very big ball. Determining the position of the slider 7B can be done as in the embodiment described above. These are the inductances of the two Detection coils L1, L2 determined and charged to (L1 - L2) / (L1 + L2).

Embodiments of the present invention provide a sensor arrangement for detecting rotational angles of a rotating component in a vehicle in the range from 0 to N × 360 °, so that advantageously also the angle of rotation of a steering shaft can be detected, since several revolutions of the steering wheel are possible ,

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102008011448 A1 [0003]
• DE 2012202632 A1 [0004]

Claims (10)

Sensor arrangement ( 1 ) for detecting rotational angles of a rotating component ( 3 . 5 ) in a vehicle which performs multiple revolutions and with a transmitter ( 7 ), which in conjunction with a transducer ( 16 . 16A ) a rotation angle of the rotating component ( 3 . 5 ) signal, wherein the transmitter ( 7 ) with the rotating component ( 3 . 5 ) is designed as a motion converter which controls the rotation (R1, R2) of the rotating component ( 3 . 5 ) into a translation (R) of the transmitter ( 7 ) with respect to the rotating component ( 3 . 5 ), characterized in that a rotating component ( 3 . 5 ) arranged first guide element ( 9 ) and a stationary second guide element ( 12 . 12A . 14 . 14A ) the translation of the transmitter ( 7 ), whereby the transducer ( 16 . 16A ) the corresponding position change of the transmitter ( 7 ) detected. Sensor arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the transmitter ( 7 ) as a ball ( 7A ) or as a slider ( 7B ) is executed. Sensor arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first guide element ( 9 ) as a spiral groove and the second guide element ( 12 . 12A . 14 . 14A ) are designed as a straight groove. Sensor arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first guide element ( 9 ) as a straight groove and the second guide element ( 12 . 12A . 14 . 14A ) are designed as a spiral groove. Sensor arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the transducer ( 16 . 16A ) comprises at least two detection coils (L1, L2, L3, L4). Sensor arrangement according to claim 5, characterized in that the transducer ( 16 . 16A ) and the transmitter ( 7 ) form an eddy current sensor, which detects the current position of the transmitter ( 7 ). Sensor arrangement according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that a plurality of transducers ( 7 ) and a plurality of guide elements ( 12 . 12A . 14 . 14A ), with several transducers ( 16 . 16A ) the corresponding position changes of the transducers ( 7 ) to capture. Sensor arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the rotating component ( 3 ) designed as a disk or gear and is directly connected to a shaft to be detected. Sensor arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the rotating component ( 5 ) is designed as a disk or gear and is indirectly connected via a pulley or gear with a shaft to be detected. Sensor arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the stationary second guide element ( 12 . 12A . 14 . 14A ) in an edge layer (S1) of a multilayer printed circuit board ( 10 . 10A ), wherein the at least two detection coils (L1, L2, L3, L4) are formed in a printed circuit board layer (S3), which is arranged below or above the boundary layer (S1).

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