Strain Wave Gearing With Built-In Thrust Force Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Strain wave gearings lack a small, built-in mechanism for detecting thrust force, which prevents operation control based on thrust force information during operation.
Innovation Solution
A strain wave gearing with a detection mechanism that includes a load meter and a transmission mechanism to detect thrust force generated between the wave generator and the externally toothed gear, allowing for operation control based on detected thrust force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a strain wave gearing is provided without a built-in thrust force detector, then the device complexity is reduced and the structure remains simple, but it is impossible to perform operation control corresponding to detected thrust force
Solution Approach 1:
The detection mechanism is nested within the strain wave gearing structure. The load meter is disposed inside the housing, and the transmission mechanism is integrated with the wave generator and externally toothed gear components, allowing the detection system to be contained within the existing gear structure without requiring external separate systems
Solution Approach 2:
The wave generator serves multiple functions: it generates the elastic deformation of the externally toothed gear for speed reduction, and simultaneously acts as part of the thrust force transmission path to the load meter. The externally toothed gear also serves dual purposes of speed reduction and transmitting thrust force to the detection mechanism
2Loss of information
If a detection mechanism with load meter and transmission mechanism is built in, then operation control corresponding to thrust force becomes possible, but the device complexity and structural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The thrust force detection function is extracted from the main power transmission path. The load meter is separated as a distinct detection component disposed inside the housing, while the transmission mechanism extracts and transmits only the thrust force component to the load meter without interfering with the primary speed reduction function
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission mechanism acts as an intermediary between the wave generator/externally toothed gear interface and the load meter. It transfers the thrust force generated during operation to the load meter for detection, while the load meter itself serves as an intermediary that converts mechanical thrust force into measurable signals for control systems
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 operation control corresponding to detected thrust force, improving the management and efficiency of strain wave gearing operations by utilizing thrust force information.
Implementation Method 1
a transmission mechanism that transmits the thrust force to the load meter
Data Source
AI summary
A strain wave gearing has a detection mechanism that detects thrust force generated between a wave generator and an externally toothed gear. The detection mechanism is provided with a strain gauge or piezoelectric load meter, and a transmission mechanism that transmits thrust force from the wave generator to the load meter. Only rotational force is transmitted to the wave generator from a from a motor shaft side, and axial force is not transmitted. The load meter and the transmission mechanism provide a small and compact detection mechanism that can be incorporated inside the externally toothed gear. In the strain wave gearing into which the detection mechanism is incorporated, operation control according to detected thrust force becomes possible using thrust force information during operation.