Patent ID: 7412906
Filing Date: 2008-08-19
Classification: B62D,G01L

Abstract:
1. A sensor apparatus for use in a steering system on a vehicle, comprising: an input shaft for receiving a steering input and rotating about a rotational axis; an output shaft for transmitting the steering input from said input shaft to a steered wheel assembly of a vehicle; a torque transmitting member connected between said input shaft and said output shaft for transmitting a torque from said input shaft to said output shaft; a sensor providing an analog output voltage in response to a sensed magnetic field; a magnet located adjacent and in radially spaced relation to said sensor, said magnet being supported in stationary non-rotating and non-translating relation to said sensor; and a magnetic field varying member positioned in a magnetic field of said magnet between said magnet and said sensor, where said magnetic field varying member is movable to translate relative to said input shaft and said output shaft in a longitudinal direction generally parallel to said rotational axis to vary a magnetic flux between said magnet and said sensor in response to relative movement between said input shaft and said output shaft.