Torque Measurement Assembly Using Magnetic Coupling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing assemblies for measuring torque and axial load in capping heads are prone to measurement errors due to inaccuracies in the relative positioning and coupling between the capping head and the measuring assembly, leading to spurious angular moments and anomalies in physical quantity measurements.
Innovation Solution
A contactless interface system using magnetic coupling between a pin-shaped first part and a cup-shaped second part, allowing torque and load transfer without direct contact, ensuring precise alignment and reducing measurement distortions from friction and misalignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If direct contact coupling is used between the capping head and measuring assembly, then torque and load transfer is achieved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to misalignment and spurious angular moments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces magnetic coupling as an intermediary mechanism between the capping head and measuring assembly. The first part (attached to capping head) and second part (attached to measuring assembly) are coupled magnetically without direct contact, allowing torque and axial load transfer while eliminating misalignment issues and spurious angular moments that plague direct contact couplings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical direct-contact coupling system with a magnetic coupling system. This substitution eliminates friction, wear, and mechanical misalignment problems while maintaining the ability to transfer torque and axial load for measurement purposes.
2Reliability
If mechanical coupling with contact is used, then torque transfer is achieved, but measurement reliability deteriorates due to friction and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based torque transfer with magnetic coupling. This eliminates friction and wear that occur in mechanical systems, thereby improving both reliability and measurement precision over time without degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic field acts as an intermediary that transfers torque without physical contact between the capping head and measuring assembly, eliminating the friction and wear that would otherwise compromise measurement reliability and precision.
3Ease of operation
If independent centring structures are used for the capping head and measuring assembly, then positioning flexibility is achieved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to clearance and tolerance accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic coupling serves as an intermediary that maintains precise alignment between the capping head and measuring assembly despite independent positioning. The magnetic attraction force continuously centers the two parts relative to each other, eliminating the need for perfect mechanical alignment while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic coupling creates a dynamic centering effect where the magnetic attraction forces continuously adjust the relative positions of the first and second parts, maintaining optimal alignment during operation rather than relying on static mechanical alignment.
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 provides robust, precise, and repeatable measurements of torque and axial load, independent of the capping head's shape and alignment, with minimal wear and no contact-induced distortions, enhancing measurement accuracy and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
the first part of the interface means is suitable to transfer a torque to the second part of the interface means in the absence of a mutual contact
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to an assembly (10) for measuring torque and/or axial load for capping heads, comprising a containing body (11), at least one torque sensor (12) and/or at least one load sensor (13) housed within the containing body (11), and interface means (20) adapted to connect a capping head (50) with the containing body (11), such interface means (20) being coupled to the at least one torque sensor (12) and/or to the at least one load sensor (13) in a manner which is suitable to transfer a torque applied on the interface means (20) to the at least one torque sensor (12) and/or to transfer a load applied on the interface means (20) to the at least one load sensor (13), characterised in that the interface means (20) comprise at least a first part (21), which is fixedly constrained to the capping head (50) in such a way that the first part (21) is brought into rotation and/or translation by the capping head (50), and a second part (22), which is coupled to the at least one torque sensor (12) for transferring a torque thereto and/or to the at least one load sensor (13) for transferring a load thereto, which torque and/or load are applied by the first part (21) of the interface means (20) to the second part (22) of the interface means (20), wherein the first part (21) of the interface means (20) is suitable to transfer a torque to the second part (22) of the interface means (20) in the absence of a reciprocal contact.