Patent ID: 7134329

Claim:
A torque detecting apparatus for detecting torque transmitted from an engine output element to a torque converter input element, comprising: a drive plate configured to be respectively connectable with the engine output element and the torque converter input element and to be elastically deformable in response to torque transmitted from the engine output element to the torque converter input element; at least one strain gauge mounted to the drive plate; and a torque detecting circuit electrically connected to the strain gauge for applying electrical signals to the strain gauge and for receiving electrical signals output from the strain gauge, the torque detecting circuit generating torque signals on the basis of the electrical signals output from the strain gauge wherein the drive plate comprises: a first connecting portion configured to be connectable with the engine output element; a second connecting portion configured to be connectable with the torque converter input element; and a plurality of coupling portions connecting the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion, the plurality of coupling portions being disposed not to be equidistant from each other, wherein the strain gauge is mounted to a coupling portion that is relatively farther from neighboring coupling portions than the neighboring coupling portions are from each other.