Plastic Housing Segment for Rotating Torque Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional torque measuring devices using strain gauges on rotating components face challenges such as measurement inaccuracies due to additional stiffening from protective rings, complex assembly processes, and limited reusability of components, which are exacerbated by the weight and centrifugal forces of metal rings.
Innovation Solution
A housing segment made of lightweight plastic, designed for simplified assembly and maintenance, utilizing 3D printing for individual adaptation to the component's surface, with a snap connection mechanism and non-positive clamping to reduce assembly complexity and allow for easy disassembly, and incorporating electromagnetic shielding for improved performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a metal protective ring is used to protect strain gauges, then protection and sealing are improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to additional stiffening of the component
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal to plastic for the protective ring, fundamentally altering the mechanical properties. The plastic material provides protection and sealing while having negligible stiffening effect on the component, thus maintaining measurement precision. The material transition from metal to plastic is the key parameter change that resolves the contradiction between protection and measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective ring is designed as a composite structure combining plastic material with integrated sealing elements. The sealing ribs are formed as integral parts of the plastic ring, creating a composite functional design that provides both protection and sealing without requiring separate metal components, thereby avoiding the stiffening problem while maintaining reliability.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional manufacturing processes are used for the protective ring, then production is simplified, but assembly complexity increases due to tension-induced expansion/contraction and weight-related handling difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal to plastic, which fundamentally alters the manufacturing and assembly characteristics. Plastic material eliminates the tension-induced expansion/contraction problem during splitting and reduces weight, making assembly simpler and enabling single-person operation. The material parameter change resolves both manufacturing simplicity and assembly complexity issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The plastic protective ring is designed as a single-use or limited-reuse component that can be easily replaced. The simplified design accepts that the ring may need replacement after adhesive removal from the component, but this is acceptable given the significant simplification of assembly and manufacturing processes. The low cost and simplicity of the plastic ring make it suitable for this disposable approach.
3Reliability
If the protective ring is designed with a narrow contact surface for support, then protection is maintained, but load transfer capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal to plastic, which has different mechanical properties including lower modulus of elasticity. This allows the plastic ring to provide adequate load transfer capability even with a narrow contact surface, as the plastic material can deform slightly to distribute loads more effectively while maintaining protection function.
4Strength
If the protective ring is made of metal material, then strength and stiffness are improved, but weight increases leading to higher centrifugal forces and reduced ease of assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal to plastic, fundamentally altering the density and strength characteristics. The plastic material provides sufficient strength for the protective function while having much lower density, reducing weight and centrifugal forces. This enables easy assembly by a single person and improves overall ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective ring uses plastic as a composite material that combines adequate strength with low weight. The integrated sealing ribs and snap connection features create a composite functional design that maintains structural integrity while minimizing weight, resolving the contradiction between strength and ease of assembly.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a housing segment for providing a housing for a component which rotates about a rotational axis. The housing segment is provided for covering a sub-region in the axial direction of the rotational axis and for covering a sub-region in the circumferential direction of the rotating component, and the housing segment is made of plastic and comprises an electronic housing for an electronic module and a cavity, which is arranged radially outside of the electronic housing and is connected thereto, for receiving an antenna.