US 12,187,294 B2
Differential transfer case torque sensor apparatus and method
Johannes Gießibl, Amerang (DE); and Chad Reed, Ypsilanti, MI (US)
Assigned to Methode Electronics, Inc., Chicago, IL (US)
Filed by Methode Electronics, Inc., Chicago, IL (US)
Filed on Jan. 22, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/155,507.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/990,270, filed on Mar. 16, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/964,946, filed on Jan. 23, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0229679 A1, Jul. 29, 2021
Int. Cl. B60W 10/119 (2012.01); B60W 10/18 (2012.01); B60W 30/18 (2012.01); B60W 40/12 (2012.01); G01L 3/10 (2006.01); B60K 17/344 (2006.01)
CPC B60W 40/12 (2013.01) [B60W 10/119 (2013.01); B60W 10/18 (2013.01); B60W 30/18027 (2013.01); G01L 3/101 (2013.01); B60K 17/344 (2013.01); B60W 2420/50 (2013.01); B60W 2422/95 (2013.01); B60W 2510/0208 (2013.01); B60W 2510/1005 (2013.01); B60W 2510/105 (2013.01); B60W 2510/12 (2013.01); B60W 2520/26 (2013.01); B60W 2530/10 (2013.01); B60W 2710/18 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
8. A system for dynamically assessing a vehicle characteristic comprising:
a torque sensor associated with a power transmission shaft of a transfer case for outputting an electronic signal representing a measured torque of the power transmission shaft at a present state condition of the vehicle, wherein the torque sensor comprises:
a portion of the power transmission shaft that has been endowed with a magnetically conditioned region integral to a portion of the shaft and extending circumferentially around the shaft and into the shaft a distance radially from its surface;
at least four non-contact magnetic field vector sensors near the magnetically conditioned region have their sensing directions arranged to determine the direction of rotation of the power transmission shaft by detecting a magnetic flux extending from the surface of the magnetically conditioned region;
wherein a first two non-contact magnetic field vector sensors are arranged at an axial position of a first polarized band or region of the magnetically conditioned region of the shaft, the first two sensors circumferentially separated by an azimuth angle of about 180-degrees, and wherein a second two non-contact magnetic field vector sensors are arranged at an axial position of a second polarized band or region of the magnetically conditioned region of the shaft, the second two sensors circumferentially separated by an azimuth angle of about 180-degrees; and
at least one electronic control unit adapted to storing one or more signal processing modules for receiving the electronic signal from the power transmission shaft torque sensor, calculating the vehicle characteristic based on the received electronic signal, and outputting, based on the calculated vehicle characteristic, an output signal for use in altering the state of the vehicle during operation.