Torque Measuring Device for Flywheel with Integrated Base

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional torque measuring devices for flywheels are structurally complex, inconvenient to assemble, and suffer from accuracy issues due to relative rotation of components during measurement.

Innovation Solution

A torque measuring device with a simplified structure where the measuring assembly, communication module, and power module are mounted on a base that can be directly assembled on the exercise bike, allowing direct rotation and reducing the impact of assembly tolerances, enhancing measurement accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the conventional torque measuring device uses a sleeve, transmission member, and housing assembled together, then the device can measure torque, but the structure becomes complicated and assembly becomes inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque measurement capabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the sleeve, transmission member, and housing into a single integrated base structure. The base directly connects the flywheel to the transmission mechanism without requiring separate assembled components, thereby simplifying the overall structure while maintaining torque measurement functionality through the magnet and measuring apparatus arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of manufacture

If the conventional torque measuring device uses separately assembled sleeve, transmission member, and housing, then the device can be constructed, but assembly becomes inconvenient and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveconstructabilityVSAvoidassembly convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The base integrates multiple previously separate components (sleeve, transmission member, housing) into one unified structure that can be installed as a single unit, greatly improving assembly convenience and reducing installation time while maintaining all necessary functional interfaces for torque measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If the transmission mechanism drives the transmission member to rotate separately from the sleeve and housing, then the components can be assembled, but relative rotation occurs affecting measurement accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent assemblyVSAvoidtorque measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the transmission member into the base structure, the patent eliminates relative rotation between separate components. The base rotates as a unified structure with the flywheel, ensuring that the magnet and measuring apparatus maintain consistent relative positions throughout the measurement process, thereby improving measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of allowing separate rotation of transmission components and constraining them to maintain relative position, the patent inverts the approach by making the entire base structure rotate together with the flywheel, eliminating the need for complex constraint mechanisms and achieving accurate measurement through unified motion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 improves assembly convenience and maintenance while significantly increasing the accuracy of torque measurements by ensuring the torque measuring apparatuses rotate synchronously with the base, minimizing the influence of assembly tolerances.

Implementation Method 1

The measuring assembly has a magnet fixed on the shaft and a measuring assembly... When the user pedals, the transmission mechanism simultaneously drives the transmission member of the measuring assembly and the flywheel to rotate, thereby causing relative rotation of the magnet fixed on the shaft and the measuring apparatuses of the measuring assembly, such that torque can be measured.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field interaction: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP3804821B1Torque measuring device for a flywheel
Publication Date: 2024.01.31 PELOTON INTERACTIVE TAIWAN INC
  • EP3804821B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3804821B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3804821B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A torque measuring device for a flywheel is mounted on a frame (51) of an exercise bike (50) and has a base (10) with multiple torque measuring apparatuses (22) of a measuring assembly (20), a communication module (30), and a power module (40) mounted on the base (10). The base (10) is connected to the flywheel (52), a wheel shaft (53), and a transmission mechanism (54). The communication module (30) receives and outputs measurement data. The power module (40) provides electricity to the communication module (30) and the measuring assembly (20). Through the simplified structure, the torque measuring device is directly assembled on the exercise bike (50) to improve installation convenience and facilitate inspection or replacement. Moreover, the multiple torque measuring apparatuses (22) can rotate simultaneously along with the base (10) so as to improve the accuracy of torque measurement.