Flange Torque Sensor Layout for Load-Insensitive Measurement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing torque sensing systems are complex, expensive, and difficult to manufacture due to the use of stainless steel, and struggle to accurately measure torque without being significantly affected by axial or radial loads and tilting moments.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a flange made of aluminum or aluminum alloy with integrated torque sensor devices, featuring a compact design and Wheatstone bridge circuitry, allowing for accurate torque measurement without stainless steel, and providing redundancy through paired sensor devices to mitigate load effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If stainless steel is used for the circular body/diaphragm in torque sensor devices, then measurement accuracy and reliability are improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive stainless steel with aluminum or aluminum alloy materials for the circular body/diaphragm. This substitution significantly reduces material cost and manufacturing complexity while maintaining the structural integrity and measurement functionality required for torque sensing applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs aluminum or aluminum alloy composite materials that provide sufficient mechanical properties for torque measurement. These composite materials offer a favorable balance between cost, manufacturability, and performance, replacing monolithic stainless steel constructions.
2Strength
If stainless steel is used for the circular body/diaphragm, then structural strength and durability are improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes costly stainless steel with more economical aluminum or aluminum alloy materials. This replacement reduces material costs and manufacturing expenses while providing adequate structural strength for the intended application lifecycle.
3Volume of moving object
If torque sensor devices are integrated on a flange, then device compactness is improved, but the flange material must be stainless steel increasing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the use of aluminum or aluminum alloy flanges instead of stainless steel flanges when integrating torque sensor devices. This substitution maintains the compact integrated design while significantly reducing material costs associated with stainless steel fabrication.
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
Enables cost-effective, accurate torque measurement in robots, reducing manufacturing complexity and costs while maintaining high accuracy and insensitivity to axial and radial loads.
Implementation Method 1
The measurement transducers 40 can, in principle, be strain-sensitive transducers, in particular, strain gages
Implementation Method 2
In the art it is known to compensate for loads in directions other than the rotation direction by Wheatstone bridge circuitries
Data Source
AI summary
A system for sensing torque of an object includes a flange having a first length along a main axis of a main surface of the flange and a torque sensor device formed over the main surface of the flange. The torque sensor device includes a sensing portion and a plurality of measurement transducers formed over the sensing portion. The torque sensor device has a second length parallel to the main surface of the flange and a third length parallel to the main surface of the flange. The second length and the third length are each smaller than half of the first length.