TORQUE SENSOR COMPONENT PAIRING AND ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A system and method are provided related to replacing components of a fully assembled torque sensor system having been previously calibrated, whereby the new system with its new components, which may be installed in a larger system, can be recalibrated at the location where the component replacement or servicing occurs. Individual components are provided with individual characteristics information, either on or associated with the shipped component, so the end user may retrieve the information and enter it in the software, such as that associated with a control unit, which is used with the fully assembled torque sensor. A database storing information about each manufactured component and their respective characteristics information, and fully assembled systems and their collective characteristics information, may be maintained and accessible by end users.

Claims

1. A method for assembling a torque sensor system comprising: receiving at an assembly location one or more of a rotatable shaft or disk component, a magnetic field sensors component, and an electronics component for use in assembling the torque sensor system; receiving at the assembly location information useful in at least calibrating an output signal generated by the assembled torque sensor system when in use, wherein the information comprises one or more correction factors based on at least one of a pre-determined characteristic of the received shaft or disk component, the received magnetic field sensor component, and the received electronics component; merging any one or two of the shaft or disk component, the magnetic field sensor component, and the electronics component with any one or two of the remaining components; and updating a software associated with the assembled torque sensor system using the received information, wherein the updated software includes a gain and an offset value for the assembled torque sensor system.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the pre-determined characteristic of the one or more shaft or disk component, the magnetic field sensors component, and the electronics component is a measured sensitivity value, an offset value, a compassing value, a near field interference value, other value characteristic of the component, or a combination of the same.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the pre-determined characteristic value of the one or more shaft or disk component, the magnetic field sensors component, and the electronics component is electronically retrievably stored in an electronic storage device attached to the respective component.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising retrieving the characteristic value from the electronic storage device and inputting the same in the software.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the pre-determined characteristic value of the one or more shaft or disk component, the magnetic field sensors component, and the electronics component is provided on a surface of the component or on or in a package used to transport the component to the assembly location.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the shaft or disk component comprises first and second oppositely circumferentially magnetized sensing regions for outputting respective first and second magnetic fields useful in determining an amount of torque applied to the shaft or disk component.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the magnetic field sensors component comprises one or more magnetic field sensors arranged proximate to the shaft or disk component for sensing magnetic fields and outputting a signal indicative of a torque applied to the shaft or disk component.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronics component comprises one or more logic circuits for receiving a signal from the magnetic field sensors component indicative of a torque applied to the shaft or disk component and for outputting a second signal.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: manufacturing the one or more of the shaft or disk component, the magnetic field sensors component, and the electronics component at a manufacturing location; and shipping the manufactured component to the assembly location.

10. A method for assembling a torque sensor system comprising a rotatable shaft or disk component, a magnetic field sensors component, and an electronics components, the method comprising: at a first location, merging the shaft or disk component, the magnetic field sensors component, and the electronics component into a final assembled torque sensor system for use in a second system; storing or retrieving from a storage device characteristics information concerning the final assembled torque sensor system, wherein the characteristics information is one or more of a sensitivity value, an offset hysteresis value, an RSU value, a compassing value, and near field interference value; and shipping or providing the final assembled torque sensor system along with the characteristics information in the storage device to a second location.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: at a second location different from the first location, incorporating the final assembled toque sensor system into the second system; storing or retrieving from the storage device the characteristics information; determining characteristics information of the second system having the final assembled torque sensor system installed; and programming or updating a software associated with an electronic control unit used to control the second system using the characteristics information about the final assembled torque sensor system.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising: manufacturing the one or more of the rotatable shaft or disk component, the magnetic field sensors component, and the electronics component at the first location or at one or more separate manufacturing locations; and shipping the manufactured component from each of the one or more manufacturing locations to the first location.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the characteristics information includes characteristics information of or about the one or more shaft or disk component, the magnetic field sensors component, and the electronics component.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the characteristics information of or about the one or more shaft or disk component, the magnetic field sensors component, and the electronics component is electronically retrievably stored in an electronic storage device attached to the respective component.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the characteristics information of or about the one or more shaft or disk component, the magnetic field sensors component, and the electronics component is provided on a surface of the component or on or in a package used to transport the component or the final assembled torque sensor system to the second location.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the shaft or disk component comprises first and second oppositely circumferentially magnetized sensing regions for outputting respective first and second magnetic fields useful in determining an amount of torque applied to the shaft or disk component.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein the magnetic field sensors component comprises one or more magnetic field sensors arranged proximate to the shaft or disk component for sensing magnetic fields and outputting a signal indicative of a torque applied to the shaft or disk component.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein the electronics component comprises one or more logic circuits for receiving a signal from the magnetic field sensors component indicative of a torque applied to the shaft or disk component and for outputting a second signal.

19. A system comprising: a plurality of shaft or disk components, magnetic field sensor components, and electronics components for use in assembling a torque sensor system, each component comprising one or more measured characteristic; a plurality of storage and indicia devices, wherein one of the devices is associated with one of the plurality of components for storing or displaying information of or about the measured characteristic of the component, wherein the plurality of storage and indicia devices is adapted to being attached to or attached on or associated with the respective component; and a database comprising records related to each of the plurality of components, wherein the records include at least a copy of the characteristic information.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the plurality of storage devices are RFID chips adapted to being removably attached to the respective component.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the plurality of indicia devices include one or more of a removably attached barcode or a hangtag, or wherein the plurality of indicia devices include an etching or marking made directly into or onto the respective component.

22. The system of claim 19, wherein the characteristics information comprises one or more of a sensitivity value, an offset value, a temperature compensation value, a compassing value, a nearfield adjustment value, a hysteresis value, and an RSU value.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the characteristics information is useful in determining a gain and an offset value for the assembled torque sensor system, wherein the assembled torque sensor system comprises a shaft or disk component, a magnetic field sensors component, and an electronics component each selected from the plurality of shaft or disk components, magnetic field sensor components, and electronics components.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] FIG. 1(a) is a schematic perspective view of a prior art shaft-type torque sensor system component;

[0034] FIG. 1(b) is a schematic perspective view of a prior art disk-type torque sensor system component;

[0035] FIG. 2 is a schematic partial cross-sectional diagram of an assembled torque sensor system, showing a shaft, magnetic field sensors, and electronics components according to one aspect of the present invention;

[0036] FIG. 3 is a block flow diagram summarizing a method for making the assembled torque sensor system of FIG. 2;

[0037] FIG. 4 is a schematic partial cross-sectional diagram of the individual components of and a final assembled torque sensor system, showing a shaft, magnetic field sensors, and electronics components according to another aspect of the present invention;

[0038] FIG. 5 is a block flow diagram summarizing a method for making the components and final assembled torque sensor system of FIG. 4;

[0039] FIG. 6 is a schematic partial cross-sectional diagram of the individual components of and a final assembled torque sensor system, showing a shaft, magnetic field sensors, and electronics components according to another aspect of the present invention;

[0040] FIG. 7 is a block flow diagram summarizing a method for making the components and final assembled torque sensor system of FIG. 6;

[0041] FIG. 8 is a graph showing a calibration output signal from an assembled torque sensor system; and

[0042] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of an individual component of the torque sensor system showing indicia attached to the component containing information.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0043] Several preferred embodiments of the invention are described for illustrative purposes, it being understood that the invention may be embodied in other forms not specifically described below and/or shown in the drawings.

[0044] Turning first to FIG. 2, shown therein is a schematic partial cross-sectional diagram of an assembled torque sensor system 200, showing a shaft 202, non-contact magnetic field sensors 204 in proximity to the shaft 202, and electronics components 206 according to one aspect of the present invention.

[0045] In the embodiment shown, the assembled torque sensor system 200 may be manufactured at a single location (i.e., “Location A”). The torque sensor system 200 may be shipped from “Location A” to the customer's assembly location.

[0046] The shaft 202 may be rotatable or stationary. It has one or more (preferably two or three) magnetoelastic magnetized portions shown as features 208, 210, which are axially-extending axial portions of the shaft 202. Each feature 208, 210 may be circumferentially magnetized such that the magnetization in each portion is substantially circumferential in the direction shown (i.e., as indicated by the arrows 208a, 210a).

[0047] One skilled in the art will appreciate that the shaft 202 may instead be a disk. The disk, like the shaft 202, may be rotatable or stationary.

[0048] A magnetized shaft (disk) 202, magnetic field sensors 204, and electronics 206 components suitable for the present invention are available from Methode Electronics, in Chicago, Ill., USA, and are generally disclosed in one of several Methode patents, including, but not limited to, those identified and described above such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,047,605, U.S. Pat. No. 8,087,304, and U.S. Pat. No. 8,635,917, the contents and disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0049] The shaft 202, magnetized as described above, and the magnetic field sensors 204 collectively exhibit or inherently possess certain magnetic and magnetic field characteristics, including sensitivity, offset, hysteresis, rotational signal error (RSU), compassing, changes thereto due to near field interference, and changes thereto due to temperature and other environmental or operating conditions. Definitions and/or descriptions of each of those characteristics and/or parameters are provided above and in the above-cited references and are well-known to those skilled in the art. Those characteristics may be identified through testing and/or experimentation and thereafter associated with that unique pairing of torque sensor system components.

[0050] In FIG. 2, the “Location A” may be a physical location, such as a manufacturing facility.

[0051] Turning now to FIG. 3, shown therein is a block flow diagram summarizing a method for making the assembled torque sensor system 200 of FIG. 1. In the method depicted therein, in which assembly into its final, completely-assembled form for later integration into a final product (such as an automobile) is performed at a single location, step 302 involves production of the magnetic field sensors 204 and the electronics components 206.

[0052] Step 304 involves magnetization of the shaft 202 as described and referenced above.

[0053] Step 306, which is optional if digital electronics are available, involves loading a temperature compensation (Tcomp) algorithm into an ECU of the magnetic field sensors 204.

[0054] Step 308 involves merging (e.g., through the various processes of positioning, arranging, orienting, connecting, fastening, assembling, attaching, etc.) the shaft 202 and magnetic field sensors and electronics 204 into a final assembled product.

[0055] Step 310 involves storing or retrieving from storage characteristics information or data concerning the final assembled product regarding its sensitivity, offset hysteresis, RSU, compassing, and near field interference, and/or other parameters.

[0056] Step 312 involves providing the characteristics information to, or determining initial or updated characteristics information of the final assembled product at or by, the end of line tester (EOLT). In this step, the information and data for step 310 is/are created.

[0057] Step 314 involves shipping or providing the final assembled product along with the characteristics information determined at or by the EOLT.

[0058] Step 316 involves incorporating the final assembled product into another system, such as an automotive transmission.

[0059] Step 318 involves storing or retrieving from storage characteristics information or data concerning the final assembled product regarding its sensitivity, offset hysteresis, RSU, compassing, and near field interference, and/or other parameters. The customer creates the same data again.

[0060] Step 320 involves providing the characteristics information to or determining initial or updated characteristics information of the full system at or by the EOLT of the customer.

[0061] Step 322 involves programming or updating the programming of the electronic control unit that is used to control the full system (e.g., transmission ECU).

[0062] Turning now to FIG. 4, shown therein is a schematic partial cross-sectional diagram of the individual components of and a final assembled torque sensor system 200, showing a shaft 202, one or more magnetic field sensors 204, and electronics component 206 according to another aspect of the present invention. The magnetic field sensors 204, and the electronics components 206, which possess certain characteristics (as shown and described above), may be manufactured at a first location (i.e., “Location A”) and then shipped to a customer assembly location (i.e., “Shipment A”). The shaft 202 component may be manufactured at a second location (i.e., “Location B”) and then shipped to the customer assembly location (i.e., “Shipment B”). The two shipments are then merged together at the customer assembly location (e.g., through the various processes of positioning, arranging, orienting, connecting, fastening, assembling, attaching, etc., the shipped components).

[0063] In FIG. 4, the “Location A” and the “Location B” could each be, for example, a different physical location, such as different manufacturing facilities owned by different entities in different states or countries. Or, the “Location A” and the “Location B” could each be a different manufacturing facility owned by the same entity but located at a different physical location, such as in different states or countries. Or, the “Location A” and the “Location B” could each be different manufacturing lines at a particular physical address owned by a single entity. The two locations where the torque sensor system components are made are not to be considered as being limited to any particular physical distance separating where they are made, or who or what owns or controls the property at the locations where the components are separately made.

[0064] As one non-limiting example of the above, an assembly location might be an automobile dealership service shop where automobiles are serviced (i.e., repaired, maintained, inspected, etc.). Automobiles equipped with assembled torque sensor systems could be repaired or otherwise serviced at the service shop. The dealership's parts department might carry in stock or provide to the service shop one or more replacement magnetic field sensors 204, replacement electronics components 206, and replacement shaft 202 components, each of which may have been manufactured at different locations and shipped to the dealership.

[0065] Turning now to FIG. 5, shown therein is a block flow diagram summarizing a method for making the components and final assembled torque sensor system 200 of FIG. 4. In the method shown, step 502 involves production of the magnetic field sensors 204 and the electronics components 206 at, for example, “Location A”.

[0066] Step 504 involves production of the shaft 202 component as described and referenced above at, for example, “Location B”.

[0067] Step 506, which is optional if digital electronics are available, involves loading a temperature compensation (Tcomp) algorithm into an ECU of the magnetic field sensors 204.

[0068] Step 508 involves preferably storing (or retrieving from storage) characteristics information or data for the magnetic field sensors 204 and the electronics components 206 assembly regarding its/their sensitivity, offset, compassing, near field interference, temperature compensation, and/or other parameters.

[0069] Step 510 involves providing the characteristics information to, or determining initial or updated characteristics information of the magnetic field sensors 204 and the electronics components 206 assembly at or by, the EOLT of the magnetic field sensors 204 and the electronics components 206 assembly. In this step, the information and data for step 508 is/are created.

[0070] Step 512 involves storing or retrieving from storage characteristics information or data for the shaft 202 component regarding its sensitivity, offset, hysteresis, RSU, and/or other parameters.

[0071] Step 514 involves providing the characteristics information to, or determining initial or updated characteristics information of the shaft 202 component at or by, the EOLT of the shaft 202 component. In this step, the information and data for step 512 is/are created.

[0072] Steps 516 and 518 involve marking (such as by etching), tagging, affixing to, etc., a device or unique identification number to the magnetic field sensors 204 and the electronics components 206 assembly and to the shaft component, respectively. The device may be, for example, a barcode etched to a surface feature of the assembly or component, an RFID chip attached to the assembly or component, a unique identification number marked on the assembly or component for cross-referencing a record in a database or memory of a computer device, or a tag containing written data.

[0073] Steps 520 and 522 involve shipping or providing the magnetic field sensors 204 and the electronics components 206 assembly (“Shipment A”) and the shaft 202 component (“Shipment B”), along with their characteristics information, to a customer assembly location.

[0074] Step 524 involves merging (e.g., through the various processes of positioning, arranging, orienting, connecting, fastening, assembling, attaching, etc.) the shaft 202 component and the magnetic field sensors 204 and the electronics components 206 assembly into a final assembled product by the customer at the customer's assembly location.

[0075] Step 526 involves incorporating the final assembled product into another system, such as an automotive transmission by the customer.

[0076] Step 528 involves obtaining the previously-determined characteristics information from the device used to store, provide, or transmit the characteristics information for the shaft 202 component and the magnetic field sensors 204 and the electronics components 206 assembly.

[0077] Optionally, decision step 530 involves determining whether the temperature compensation (Tcomp) algorithm requires adjustment based on the previously-determined characteristics information for the shaft 202 component and the magnetic field sensors 204 and the electronics components 206 assembly.

[0078] If the temperature compensation algorithm requires updating, step 532 involves programming or updating the programming of the electronic control unit for the magnetic field sensors 204 or the system ECU.

[0079] If the temperature compensation algorithm does not require updating, step 534 involves programming or updating the programming of the electronic control unit that is used to control the full assembled system (e.g., transmission ECU).

[0080] Step 536 involved optionally determining, as necessary, a system level offset after assembly and integration of the assembly into a larger system.

[0081] Turning now to FIG. 6, shown therein is a schematic partial cross-sectional diagram of the individual components of and a final assembled torque sensor system 200, showing a shaft 202, magnetic field sensors 204, and electronics components 206 according to another aspect of the present invention. The magnetic field sensors 204 may be manufactured at a first location (i.e., “Location A”) and then shipped to a customer assembly location (i.e., “Shipment A”). The shaft 202 component may be manufactured at a second location (i.e., “Location B”) and then shipped to the customer assembly location (i.e., “Shipment B”). The electronics 206 may be manufactured at a third location (i.e., “Location C”) and then shipped to the customer assembly location (i.e., “Shipment C”). The three parts may then be combined at the customer's assembly location.

[0082] In FIG. 6, the “Location A,” the “Location B,” and the “Location C” could each be, for example, a different physical location, such as different manufacturing facilities owned by different entities in different states or countries. Or, the “Location A,” the “Location B,” and the “Location C” could each be a different manufacturing facility owned by the same entity but located at a different physical location, such as in different states or countries. Or, the “Location A,” the “Location B,” and the “Location C” could each be different manufacturing lines at a particular physical address owned by a single entity. The three locations where the torque sensor system components are made are not be considered as being limited to any particular physical distance separating where they are made, or who or what owns or controls the property at the locations where the components are separately made.

[0083] Turning now to FIG. 7, shown therein is a block flow diagram summarizing a method for making the components and final assembled torque sensor system 200 of FIG. 6. In the method, step 702 involves production of the magnetic field sensors 204 at, for example, “Location A,” according to the method described and referenced above.

[0084] Step 704 involves storing or retrieving from storage characteristics information or data for the magnetic field sensors 204 regarding their sensitivity, offset, compassing, near field interference, and/or other parameters.

[0085] Step 706 involves providing the characteristics information to, or determining initial or updated characteristics information of the magnetic field sensors 204 at or by, the EOLT of the magnetic field sensors 204. In this step, the information and data for step 704 is/are created.

[0086] Step 708 involves marking (such as by etching), tagging, affixing to, etc., a device or unique identification number to the magnetic field sensors 204. The device may be, for example, a barcode etched to a surface feature of the magnetic field sensors 204, an RFID chip attached to the magnetic field sensors 204, a unique identification number marked on the magnetic field sensors 204 for cross-referencing a record in a database or memory of a computer device, or a tag containing written data attached to the magnetic field sensors 204.

[0087] Step 710 involves shipping or providing the magnetic field sensors 204 (i.e., “Shipment A”), along with the characteristics information, to a customer assembly location.

[0088] Step 712 involves production of the electronics 206 at, for example, “Location C,” according to the method referenced above.

[0089] Step 714, which is optional if digital electronics are available, involves loading a temperature compensation (Tcomp) algorithm into an electronic control unit (ECU) of the magnetic field sensors 204.

[0090] Step 716 involves storing or retrieving from storage characteristics information or data for the electronics 206 regarding their sensitivity, offset, temperature compensation (Tcomp), and/or other parameters.

[0091] Step 718 involves providing the characteristics information to or determining initial or updated characteristics information of the electronics 206 at or by the EOLT of the electronics 206. In this step, the information and/or data for step 716 is/are created.

[0092] Step 720 involves marking (such as by etching), tagging, affixing to, etc., a device or unique identification number to the electronics 206. The device may be, for example, a barcode etched to a surface feature of the electronics 206, an RFID chip attached to the electronics 206, a unique identification number marked on the electronics 206 for cross-referencing a record in a database or memory of a computer device, or a tag containing written data attached to the electronics 206.

[0093] Step 722 involves shipping or providing the electronics 206 (i.e., “Shipment C”), along with the characteristics information, to a customer assembly location.

[0094] Step 724 involves production of the shaft 202 at, for example, “Location B”) according to the method described and referenced above.

[0095] Step 726 involves storing or retrieving from storage characteristics information or data for the shaft 202 regarding its sensitivity, offset, hysteresis, RSU, and/or other parameters.

[0096] Step 728 involves providing the characteristics information to or determining initial or updated characteristics information of the shaft 202 at or by the EOLT of the shaft 202. In this step, the information and/or data for step 728 is/are created.

[0097] Step 730 involves marking (such as by etching), tagging, affixing to, etc., a device or unique identification number to the shaft 202. The device may be, for example, a barcode etched to a surface feature of the shaft 202, an RFID chip attached to the shaft 202, a unique identification number marked on the shaft 202 for cross-referencing a record in a database or memory of a computer device, or a tag containing written data attached to the shaft 202.

[0098] Step 732 involves shipping or providing the shaft 202 (i.e., “Shipment B”), along with the characteristics information, to a customer assembly location.

[0099] Step 734 involves merging, at the customer assembly location, the magnetic field sensors 204 produced at “Location A”, the electronics 206 produced at “Location C”, and the shaft 202 produced at “Location B” into a final assembled product (e.g., through the various processes of positioning, arranging, orienting, connecting, fastening, assembling, attaching, etc.).

[0100] Step 736 involves incorporating the final assembled product into another system, such as an automotive transmission.

[0101] Step 738 involves obtaining the previously-determined characteristics information from the device used to store, provide, or transmit the characteristics information for the shaft 202, the magnetic field sensors 204, and the electronics 206.

[0102] Decision step 740 involves determining whether the temperature compensation (Tcomp) algorithm for the sensor electronics 206 requires adjustment based on the previously-determined characteristics information.

[0103] If the temperature compensation algorithm requires updating, step 742 involves programming or updating the programming of the electronic control unit for the magnetic field sensors 204, or the system ECU in the case where only pure analog electronics are available.

[0104] If the temperature compensation algorithm does not require updating, step 744 involves programming or updating the programming of the electronic control unit that is used to control the full assembled system (e.g., transmission ECU).

[0105] Step 746 involved optionally determining, as necessary, a system level offset after assembly and integration of the assembly into a larger system.

[0106] Turning next to FIG. 9, shown therein is a schematic diagram of a shaft 202 component for use in the torque sensor system 200, where information about the component is provided with the component such as by etching, tagging, affixing to, etc., a device or unique identification number to the shaft 202. As noted above, the device may be, for example, a barcode 902 etched to a surface feature of the shaft 202. A barcode reader (not shown) could be used to scan the barcode 902 to cross reference information stored in a memory device (not shown) that has been previously associated with the component.

[0107] As also noted above, instead of a barcode 902, the information about the component may be stored in an RFID chip (not shown) temporarily (and removably) attached to the shaft 202, or a unique identification number (not shown) marked on the shaft 202 for cross-referencing a record in a database or memory of a computer device, or a tag containing written data temporarily (and removably) attached to the shaft 202. The barcode, RFID chip, ID number, or other information storage device or conveying method may also be associated with or included with a package used to transport the component from one location to another.

EXAMPLE

[0108] For use in a gearbox torque sensor assembly system or some other application, a shaft having ID No. 506 was paired with a magnetic field sensor having ID No. 105 and a printed circuit board electronics device having ID No. 398. This pairing of components in a fully assembled system was then referred to as a master system.

[0109] Table 1 provides, and FIG. 8 shows, data reflecting certain characteristics of the master system. In particular, the sensor output signals (mV) was measured relative to varying amounts of applied torque (Nm) to the shaft component. The data in Table 1 and shown in FIG. 8 thus are the calibration results of the master system against which all other combinations of components can be measured (calibrated) against.

[0110] As shown in Table 1 and FIG. 8, the offset of the master system (i.e., the electronics output signal at zero applied torque) was determined to be 2,479.0 mV. The gain (i.e., the change in output with applied torque input) was determined to be 2.0006 mV/Nm, with a factor (R.sup.2) equal to 0.9999.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Measurement Applied Torque Signal Output Point (Nm) (mV) Deviation (%) BFL 1 0 2470 −0.44 2 103 2678 −0.37 3 201 2876 −0.29 4 300 3075 −0.21 5 402 3281 −0.10 6 502 3481 −0.06 7 398 3278 0.14 8 297 3080 0.30 9 200 2886 0.39 10 98 2683 0.40 11 0 2489 0.51 12 −100 2289 0.45 13 −200 2084 0.31 14 −300 1883 0.21 15 −402 1678 0.13 16 −501 1478 0.07 17 −403 1671 −0.14 18 −299 1877 −0.26 19 −200 2074 −0.31 20 −100 2273 −0.29 21 0 2470 −0.44

[0111] Tables 2(a), 2(b), and 2(c) show measured data (inherent characteristics) for fifteen different assembled pairings of shafts, sensors, and electronics components. Pairing No. 1, shown in the tables, is the master system comprised of the combination of a reference shaft, a reference magnetic field sensor, and a reference electronic component, as described above.

[0112] Table 2(a) shows the measured data for the pairing of various shafts (ID Nos. 502, 503, 504, 505, and 507) substituted for the reference shaft (ID No. 506(M)), combined with the reference magnetic field sensor (ID No. 105(M)) and the reference electronic component (ID No. 398(M)).

[0113] Table 2(b) shows the measured data for the pairing of various magnetic field sensors (ID Nos. 101, 102, 103, 104, 106) substituted for the reference magnetic field sensors (ID No. 105(M)), combined with the reference shaft (ID No. 506(M)) and the reference electronic component (ID No. 398(M)).

[0114] Table 2(c) shows the measured data for the pairing of various electronic components (ID Nos. 399, 401, 403, 404, 405) substituted for the reference electronic component (ID No. 398(M)), combined with the reference shaft (ID No. 506(M)) and the reference magnetic field sensors component (ID No. 105(M)).

[0115] In the three tables 2(a), 2(b), and 2(c), the target slope was 2.0 mV/Nm, the target offset was 2,500 mV at zero applied torque, and a general offset adjustment incorporated into the result was 20.987 mV.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2(a) Offset Assembly Sensor Electronics Gain Factoring Offset Adjustment No. Shaft ID ID ID (mV/Nm) (1) (R.sup.2) (mV) (2) (mV) (3) 1 506 (M) 105 (M) 398 (M) 2.0006 0.99971 2479.013 0.00 2 502 105 (M) 398 (M) 2.0340 0.98330 2470.263 8.749 3 503 105 (M) 398 (M) 2.0289 0.98574 2840.340 −1.328 4 504 105 (M) 398 (M) 1.9977 1.00117 2471.673 7.340 5 505 105 (M) 398 (M) 2.0210 0.98960 2480.449 −1.436 6 507 105 (M) 398 (M) 2.0109 0.99457 2469.583 9.430 (1) Target slope for torque sensor assembly system is 2.0 mV/Nm. (2) Reference offset for torque sensor assembly system is 2,500 mV. (3) Calculated from an actual reference offset of 2,479.013 mV.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 2(b) Gain Offset Assembly Sensor Electronics (mV/Nm) Factoring Offset Adjustment No. Shaft ID ID ID (1) (R.sup.2) (mV) (2) (mV) (3) 1 506 (M) 105 (M) 398 (M) 2.0006 0.99971 2479.013 0.00 2 506 (M) 101 398 (M) 2.0072 0.99641 2476.559 2.453 3 506 (M) 102 398 (M) 2.0136 0.99323 2472.893 6.120 4 506 (M) 103 398 (M) 2.0094 0.99531 2483.848 −4.835 5 506 (M) 104 398 (M) 1.9561 1.02245 2451.617 27.396 6 506 (M) 106 398 (M) 2.0138 0.99316 2471.111 7.902

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 2(c) Gain Offset Assembly Sensor Electronics (mV/Nm) Factoring Offset Adjustment No. Shaft ID ID ID (1) (R.sup.2) (mV) (2) (mV) (3) 1 506 (M) 105 (M) 398 (M) 2.0006 0.99971 2479.013 0.00 2 506 (M) 105 (M) 399 1.9928 1.00361 2475.357 3.655 3 506 (M) 105 (M) 401 1.9966 1.00171 2475.678 3.335 4 506 (M) 105 (M) 403 1.9993 1.00034 2476.464 2.549 5 506 (M) 105 (M) 404 2.0083 0.99586 2478.658 0.355 6 506 (M) 105 (M) 405 2.0020 0.99899 2477.096 1.917

[0116] In practical terms, the master system may be, for example, a fully assembled torque sensor system used by a customer in one of its products, e.g., a gear box for an automobile. When one of the three components needs to be replaced, a new component could be ordered and swapped for the old component. The data in Tables 2(a), 2(b), and 2(c) would be useful in recalibrating the newly paired combination of components by updating software associated with the system.

[0117] Table 3 shows the measured data for the pairing of shaft component ID No. 503 with magnetic field sensor component ID No. 102 and electronic component ID No. 401. This pairing of components in a fully assembled torque sensor system was found to exhibit the characteristics as shown, i.e., a gain of 2.0393 mV/Nm with a factor (R.sup.2) of 0.9807, and an offset of 2,470.886 mV at zero applied torque, which produces an offset adjustment (relative to the master system) of 8.127 mV. Various other pairings of existing and future-made components, in combination with each other and with the reference components, could be determined in the manner described above, and the results maintained in a database for future reference when customers need to swap components. The database may be accessed directly via a desktop terminal or through a wireless device, such as a barcode scanner with wireless capabilities.

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 3 Offset Assembly Sensor Electronics Gain Factoring Offset Adjustment No. Shaft ID ID ID (mV/Nm) (R.sup.2) (mV) (mV) 3-3-3 503 102 401 2.0393 0.9807 2470.886 8.127