A torque sensor is provided. The torque sensor includes a shaft configured to receive an applied torque. The shaft includes a first region and a second region, both regions being magnetoelastic. The first region and the second region generate a first magnetic field and a second magnetic field in response to the applied torque. The shaft also includes a third region disposed between the first region and the second region. The third region generates a substantially negligible magnetic field in response to the applied torque. The torque sensor also includes a first sensor disposed adjacent to the first region, a second sensor disposed adjacent to the second region, and a third sensor disposed adjacent the third region. The first sensor senses the first magnetic field, the second sensor senses the second magnetic field, and the third sensor senses an ambient magnetic field.

Rapid calculation of magnetostriction effects can consist of calculating a stress field and a magnetic field in a structure by determining a magnetic field on the magnetic mesh, determining a magnetostriction from the magnetic field, applying the magnetostriction to the mechanical mesh, determining a stress field on the mechanical mesh, determining an inverse magnetostriction from the stress field, applying the inverse magnetostriction to the magnetic mesh, and determining a new magnetic field on the magnetic mesh by accounting for the inverse magnetostriction. Calculations can be based on data representing a structure, including a magnetic mesh, a mechanical mesh, and a plurality of material properties. After calculation is completed, data characterizing the calculated stress field and magnetic field for the structure can be provided as output. Related apparatus, systems, techniques, methods and articles are also described.

The invention provides a load determining system including a sensorized rolling element bearing in a hub unit for wheels. The bearing includes a first ring and a second ring as an inner ring and an outer ring. Either one of the first and second ring may be the inner ring, the other ring being the outer ring. The system includes at least one magnetic sensor attached to the first ring that interacts with a target wheel attached to the second ring. Further, the system includes a signal processing unit configured to receive the magnetic sensor output of the at least one magnetic sensor. The signal processing unit is configured to determine at least axial forces acting on the bearing based on the amplitude of the magnetic sensor output. It is proposed that a pitch wavelength of the target ring is 4 mm or less.

A sensor arrangement comprising an angle sensor for measuring torsion is disclosed. The angle sensor is designed for carrying out a measurement via n poles, where n1, and primarily comprises a sensor ring which at least partially surrounds a rotational axis, and a material measure which is rotatable relative to this sensor ring. One transmitting coil and multiple receiver coils are situated on the sensor ring. A magnetic circuit is formed between the transmitting coil and the receiver coils, which magnetic circuit comprises the material measure and a pot core including two limbs. In this case, the material measure forms a variable reluctance in the magnetic circuit. At least one of the two limbs of the pot core is segmented in such a way that the limb comprises ring segments. Each of the receiver coils surrounds at least one of the ring segments. Each of the ring segments forms a circular arc having a mean radius. The ring segments may be provided in pairs. The mean radii of the two ring segments of the individual pairs have an angle () relative to each other of (60/n+i.Math.360/n), wherein i is a whole number. The disclosure further relates to a rolling bearing arrangement.

A vehicle wheel supporting rolling bearing unit includes a stationary side bearing ring member, a rotation side bearing ring member, and plural rolling elements. The rotation side bearing ring member is provided with a first acceleration sensor, a second acceleration sensor, and a third acceleration sensor which are fixed on a virtual plane orthogonal to a center axis of the rotation side bearing ring member. The first acceleration sensor and the second acceleration sensor are arranged on a virtual line passing through a rotation center of the rotation side bearing ring member with a same distance from the rotation center while detection directions thereof are directed in a radial direction and are opposite to each other in the radial direction. The third acceleration sensor is arranged such that a detection direction thereof is non-parallel to the detection directions of the first acceleration sensor and the second acceleration sensor.

A method is for determining the braking force of vehicles with wheel brakes. In the method, a reaction force occurring on the vehicle during braking is determined, at least indirectly. An axle assembly includes: an axle; a wheel brake mounted on the axle; and, at least one sensor configured to measure variables for determining reaction forces during braking.

A sensor arrangement comprising an angle sensor for measuring torsion is disclosed. The angle sensor is designed for carrying out a measurement via n poles, where n1, and primarily comprises a sensor ring which at least partially surrounds a rotational axis, and a material measure which is rotatable relative to this sensor ring. One transmitting coil and multiple receiver coils are situated on the sensor ring. A magnetic circuit is formed between the transmitting coil and the receiver coils, which magnetic circuit comprises the material measure and a pot core including two limbs. In this case, the material measure forms a variable reluctance in the magnetic circuit. At least one of the two limbs of the pot core is segmented in such a way that the limb comprises ring segments. Each of the receiver coils surrounds at least one of the ring segments. Each of the ring segments forms a circular arc having a mean radius. The ring segments may be provided in pairs. The mean radii of the two ring segments of the individual pairs have an angle () relative to each other of (60/n+i.Math.360/n), wherein i is a whole number. The disclosure further relates to a rolling bearing arrangement.

A vehicle wheel supporting rolling bearing unit includes a stationary side bearing ring member, a rotation side bearing ring member, and plural rolling elements. The rotation side bearing ring member is provided with a first acceleration sensor, a second acceleration sensor, and a third acceleration sensor which are fixed on a virtual plane orthogonal to a center axis of the rotation side bearing ring member. The first acceleration sensor and the second acceleration sensor are arranged on a virtual line passing through a rotation center of the rotation side bearing ring member with a same distance from the rotation center while detection directions thereof are directed in a radial direction and are opposite to each other in the radial direction. The third acceleration sensor is arranged such that a detection direction thereof is non-parallel to the detection directions of the first acceleration sensor and the second acceleration sensor.

A mechanical device is provided for amplifying relative displacement between first and second mechanical structures operatively connected to opposite sides of a bearing. The relative displacement is caused by a thrust load on the bearing. The device includes a first bracket portion attachable to the first mechanical structure. The device further includes a compliant mechanism which extends from the first bracket portion to make contact with the second mechanical structure. The compliant mechanism is configured such that a measurement end of the mechanism moves in response to relative displacement between the first and second mechanical structures. The compliant mechanism is further configured such that the movement of the measurement end amplifies the relative displacement. The device further includes a sensor which measures the mechanically amplified movement of the measurement end.

A load determining system having a sensorized rolling element bearing in a hub unit for wheels. The bearing includes a first ring and a second ring as an inner and outer ring. The first and second ring may be the inner ring, the other ring being the outer ring. The system includes at least two magnetic sensors attached to the first ring interact with a target wheel attached to the second ring. The system includes a signal processing unit configured to receive the magnetic sensor output of the at least one magnetic sensor, to determine at least axial forces acting on the bearing based on the amplitude of the magnetic sensor output and to calculate averages value of the outputs of the at least two magnetic sensors and to calculate a logarithm of a ratio of the average values to determine a load acting on the bearing.