Patent ID: 7073398
Filing Date: 2006-07-11
Classification: B62D,G01D

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for detecting the rotation angle of a rotational body comprising: an angle detecting element for generating angle detection analog signals each having an output value that cyclically and continuously changes in accordance with the rotation angle of the rotational body, wherein one cycle of each angle detection analog signal is associated with a predetermined degree of rotation of the rotational body; an angle determining unit, connected to the angle detecting element, for generating a digital signal having a digital value from the angle detection analog signals and determining the rotation angle of the rotational body based on the digital value of the digital signal and the output values and a number of cycles of the angle detection analog signals; and an abnormality detecting element for generating an abnormality detection analog signal having an output value that cyclically and continuously changes in accordance with the rotation angle of the rotational body; wherein one cycle of the angle detection analog signal is associated with the predetermined degree of rotation of the rotational body; and the angle determining unit determines abnormal functioning of the angle detecting element and the abnormality detecting element by comparing the output value of the angle detection analog signal and the output value of the abnormality detection element so as to check whether the two output value correspond to a predetermined relationship.