This paper describes the attributes, performance and development status of a high performance opto-electronic sensor intended for use in electric and electrohydraulic steering systems. This sensor can be used in both underhood and in-cabin environments and provides a measurement of torque, absolute angle and angular velocity to a steering controller.
This device overcomes deficiencies of existing sensors that generally exhibit combinations of problems such as high cost, low stiffness, poor resolution, hysteresis, susceptibility to electromagnetic fields, drift from mechanical wear, overload or environmental extremes and other problems. It has been designed to eliminate the need for calibration during and after manufacture, and can be disassembled and reassembled without recalibration.
In addition the measurement of torque, absolute angle and angular velocity in a single transducer eliminates the need for additional sensors for other vehicle systems such as stability control or intelligent cruise control.