Patent ID: 6412356
Filing Date: 2002-07-02
Classification: G01L

Abstract:
A torque sensor for sensing torque applied to a shafthaving a magnetostrictive member fixed to the shaft, wherein the magnetostrictive member is strained by the torque applied to the shaft, an exciting coil for generating flux running through the magnetostrictive member, a detecting coil for detecting the flux variation, the torque sensor comprising; a bobbin about which the exciting coil and the detecting coil are wound, a stator for supporting the bobbin such that the coils surround the magnetostrictive member, and wherein the stator is rotatably supported relative to the shaft and is formed with a plurality of stator pieces, the stator having an annular groove formed in an inner surface of the stator to accommodate the bobbin, the annular groove having a first end wall, a second end wall and a circumferential wall and the bobbin having a first end surface, a second end surface and a circumferential surface, the first end surface of the bobbin is fixed to the first end wall of the annular groove, and a first annular clearance is formed between the circumferential surface of the bobbin and the circumferential wall of the annular groove, and a second annular clearance is formed between the second end surface of the bobbin and the second end wall of the annular groove.