Coaxial Torquemeter Drive Layout for Compact Torque Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical drive devices with torquemeters face challenges in minimizing axial space requirements and are prone to issues like splashing due to proximity to lubricating liquids, which can affect their operation.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical drive device with a torquemeter featuring an intermediate shaft and a reference shaft coaxial with input and terminal pinions, utilizing a second mechanical connection with interlocking teeth and a drive ring to transmit torque efficiently while minimizing axial space, keeping the connection above lubricating liquids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a long drive shaft is used to achieve significant angular offset for accurate torque measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but axial space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reference shaft is nested inside the drive shaft, with the reference shaft having a smaller diameter and being positioned coaxially within the drive shaft. This allows both shafts to occupy the same axial space, eliminating the need for separate axial positioning and thereby reducing the overall axial space requirement while maintaining the necessary working length for torque measurement
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of positioning the reference shaft axially adjacent to the drive shaft (one-dimensional arrangement), the invention transitions to a radial arrangement where the reference shaft is positioned inside the drive shaft (utilizing the radial dimension). This dimensional change allows both shafts to share the same axial space, reducing the axial footprint while preserving the functional length needed for accurate torque measurement
2Length of moving object
If the mechanical connection is positioned close to the lubricating liquid to minimize axial space, then axial space requirement is reduced, but harmful factors increase due to splashing
Solution Approach 1:
A seal is introduced as an intermediary element between the mechanical connection and the lubricating liquid. This seal acts as a barrier that prevents the lubricating liquid from splashing onto the mechanical connection, thereby eliminating the harmful effects of splashing while allowing the mechanical connection to be positioned in the optimal location for minimizing axial space
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution allows for accurate torque measurement with minimal axial space, preventing splashing and ensuring reliable operation by positioning the mechanical connection away from lubricating fluids.
Implementation Method 1
The drive shaft will undergo torsion under the effect of the transmitted mechanical torque between the respective connections to the input and terminal pinions
Implementation Method 2
a sensor can detect when these indexes move past each other and transmit information relating to these movements to a calculator so that the calculator can deduce the transmitted torque
Data Source
AI summary
A mechanical device comprising an input pinion, an intermediate shaft and a terminal pinion that are coaxial and are able to rotate about a rotation axis, as well as a torquemeter with a phonic wheel provided with a reference shaft connected by a distal end to the intermediate shaft, measuring indexes arranged at a proximal end of the intermediate shaft and reference indexes arranged at a proximal end of the reference shaft. A first mechanical connection connects the input pinion and the intermediate shaft. A second mechanical connection connects a first distal end of the intermediate shaft and the terminal pinion and comprises series of first teeth arranged on the distal end and second teeth arranged on the terminal pinion, and a drive ring comprising a series of connecting teeth cooperating with the first and second teeth.