Torque sensor targets electronic power steering

By Heather Hamilton, contributing writer

TT Electronics has unveiled the SX-4462, a Hall-effect magnetic non-contact torque sensor offering flexibility, high accuracy, and diagnostic capabilities for electronic power steering applications. Designed for off-road vehicles, three wheelers, light commercial trucks, and tractors, the new sensor provides redundant outputs that allow for full diagnostics and output voltage clamps that facilitate open/short detection for high performance in harsh use conditions.

The MT4 Magnetorque family of sensors provide secure tactile steering control that performs even under vibration, contamination, and wear conditions. These devices are suited for ORVs, including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and utility terrain vehicles (UTVs), as well as industrial vehicles used in locations such as quarries, factories, farms, or construction sites.

The fourth-generation Magnetorque is customizable, offering a range of options including full-scale range and sensitivity, wire length, product marking, and connector type. Key specs include a 4.5-V to 5.5-V supply voltage range, which simplifies connection to a convenient power source, and a maximum current of 20 mA, which ensures low power consumption.

The sensors weigh only 82 grams and is engineered for high linearity near the zero-degree position and a torque angle of ±5°. It is capable of multi-turn measurement over ±2.5 turns with typical sensitivity of up to 0.4 V/°.