A system for detecting hands-on or off of a steering wheel and a method thereof, include a direct sensor configured for detecting a hands-on sense value depending on a grip area of the steering wheel; an indirect sensor configured for detecting a hands-on sense value depending on a magnitude of a torque for rotating the steering wheel; and a controller connected to the first sensor and the second sensor and combining a direct hands-on sense value detected by the direct sensor and an indirect hands-on sense value detected by the indirect sensor to each other to determine a grip state of the steering wheel depending on a combined hands-on sense condition, and then to display and warn a result of determining the grip state of the steering wheel through an output unit.

A system for detecting hands-on or off of a steering wheel and a method thereof, include a direct sensor configured for detecting a hands-on sense value depending on a grip area of the steering wheel; an indirect sensor configured for detecting a hands-on sense value depending on a magnitude of a torque for rotating the steering wheel; and a controller connected to the first sensor and the second sensor and combining a direct hands-on sense value detected by the direct sensor and an indirect hands-on sense value detected by the indirect sensor to each other to determine a grip state of the steering wheel depending on a combined hands-on sense condition, and then to display and warn a result of determining the grip state of the steering wheel through an output unit.

A steer-by-wire assembly for a steering system in a vehicle is disclosed. The assembly includes a first shaft rotatable in response to a steering input, a second shaft adapted to rotate in response to rotation of the first shaft, a first gear (with a sensed element) that rotates in response to rotation of the first shaft, a second gear (with a sensed element) that rotates in response to rotation of the second shaft, a first sensing element adapted to sense the element carried by the first gear and provide an output associated with an angular position of the first gear, and a second sensing element adapted to sense the element carried by the second gear and provide an output associated with an angular position of the second gear. When the second shaft rotates relative to the first shaft, the outputs provide position and torque data associated with the steering input.

In accordance with various exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure describes methods and systems for detecting steering wheel contact by a user. A test signal may be transmitted to a power assisted steering system of a vehicle, where the test signal may apply torque to the steering wheel of the vehicle. A torque sensor may then receive measurements signals indicative of steering wheel torque. The torque indicated by the measurement signals may be compared to an expected torque. Based on the comparison, it may be determined whether the user is in contact with the steering wheel.

In accordance with various exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure describes methods and systems for detecting steering wheel contact by a user. A test signal may be transmitted to a power assisted steering system of a vehicle, where the test signal may apply torque to the steering wheel of the vehicle. A torque sensor may then receive measurements signals indicative of steering wheel torque. The torque indicated by the measurement signals may be compared to an expected torque. Based on the comparison, it may be determined whether the user is in contact with the steering wheel.

Disclosed are structures of a torque sensor and of an angle sensor for a vehicular steering angle sensing devise. An embodiment of the present invention provides a torque sensor module comprising: a rotor holder, which has a hollow interior; a yoke member coupled along the outer peripheral surface of the rotor holder; and a first magnet coupled so as to contact the outer peripheral surface of the yoke member, wherein the torque sensor module comprises a supporting/coupling portion, which extends from the upper surface of the rotor holder, and which contacts the upper surfaces of the yoke member and of the first magnet, respectively.

A method for determining a driver's manual torque at a steering wheel of a vehicle which includes sensing a steering angle speed by a steering angle sensor, sensing a steering torque by a steering torque sensor at a steering column connected to the steering wheel, estimating a driver's manual torque applied by a driver at the steering wheel based on the sensed steering angle speed and the sensed steering torque by a Kalman filter by a controller, wherein during the estimation of the driver's manual torque a frictional torque is considered, and the frictional torque is estimated based on the steering torque which is sensed by the steering torque sensor, wherein the estimated frictional torque is taken into account as an interference factor during the estimation of the driver's manual torque in the Kalman filter. Also disclosed is an associated device.

A method for determining a driver's manual torque at a steering wheel of a vehicle which includes sensing a steering angle speed by a steering angle sensor, sensing a steering torque by a steering torque sensor at a steering column connected to the steering wheel, estimating a driver's manual torque applied by a driver at the steering wheel based on the sensed steering angle speed and the sensed steering torque by a Kalman filter by a controller, wherein during the estimation of the driver's manual torque a frictional torque is considered, and the frictional torque is estimated based on the steering torque which is sensed by the steering torque sensor, wherein the estimated frictional torque is taken into account as an interference factor during the estimation of the driver's manual torque in the Kalman filter. Also disclosed is an associated device.

The present invention may provide a torque sensor comprising, a rotor, a stator disposed outside the rotor; a sensor assembly configured to measure a magnetic field generated between the rotor and the stator; and a housing, the rotor and the stator are disposed outside the housing, the sensor assembly is disposed inside the housing, wherein the housing includes a protrusion which faces the stator, wherein the stator includes a groove, wherein the protrusion is disposed in the groove.

The present invention may provide a torque sensor comprising, a rotor, a stator disposed outside the rotor; a sensor assembly configured to measure a magnetic field generated between the rotor and the stator; and a housing, the rotor and the stator are disposed outside the housing, the sensor assembly is disposed inside the housing, wherein the housing includes a protrusion which faces the stator, wherein the stator includes a groove, wherein the protrusion is disposed in the groove.