Patent ID: 7765702
Filing Date: 2010-08-03
Classification: B62D,G01D

Abstract:
1. An angle sensor comprising: a drive pinion rotatable about a rotational axis; a first measuring pinion rotatable about a first rotational axis parallel to the rotational axis of the drive pinion; a second measuring pinion rotatable about a second rotational axis parallel to the rotational axis of the drive pinion; wherein the measuring pinions engage the drive pinion such that the measuring pinions rotate in the same direction in response to the drive pinion rotating; the measuring pinions being configured differently from one another such that the measuring pinions have different absolute angular positions from one another after rotating in response to the drive pinion rotating, wherein the absolute angular position of the drive pinion is determinable from the absolute angular positions of the measuring pinions; a delta wheel between the measuring pinions, the delta wheel having first and second ring gears coaxially arranged and rotatable about a rotational axis parallel to the rotational axis of the drive pinion, wherein the first ring gear engages the second measuring pinion and the second ring gear engages the first measuring pinion such that the ring gears rotate in the same direction in response to the measuring pinions rotating in the opposite direction; the ring gears being configured differently from one another such that the ring gears rotate relative to one another in the same direction in response to the measuring pins rotating in the opposite direction; the delta wheel further including a coupling element which connects the ring gears together, wherein the coupling element biases the ring gears to move in opposite directions toward one another after the ring gears have been rotated relative to one another in the same direction such that the first ring gear presses the second measuring pinion against the drive pinion and the second ring gear presses the first measuring pinion against the drive pinion while the ring gears are rotated relative to one another in the same direction.