Patent ID: 7685891

Claim:
A torque sensor, comprising: a sensor element, wherein the sensor element is manufactured by applying a first current pulse to the sensor element, the first current pulse being applied in such a manner that there is a first current flow in a first direction along a longitudinal axis of the sensor element; and wherein the first current pulse is such that the application of the first current pulse generates a magnetically encoded region in the sensor element, wherein a second current pulse is applied to the sensor element; and wherein the second current pulse is applied in such a manner that there is a second current flow in a second direction along the longitudinal axis of the sensor element; wherein the sensor element has a circumferential surface surrounding a core region of the sensor element; wherein the first current pulse is introduced into the sensor element at a first location at the circumferential surface such that there is the first current flow in the first direction in the core region of the sensor element; wherein the first current pulse is discharged from the sensor element at a second location at the circumferential surface; and wherein the second location is at a distance in the first direction from the first location wherein the first current pulse is applied using an electrode system having at least a first electrode and a second electrode; and wherein the first electrode is located at the first location and the second electrode is located at the second location wherein each of the first and second electrodes has a plurality of electrode pins; and wherein the plurality of electrode pins of each of the first and second electrodes are arranged circumferentially around the sensor element such that the sensor element is contacted by the electrode pins of the first and second electrodes at a plurality of contact points at an outer circumferential surface of the shaft at the first and second locations.