Torque Sensor Radially Elastic Decoupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing torque sensors are sensitive to mechanical interference, particularly due to manufacturing tolerances that cause roundness deviations, leading to crosstalk and measuring errors.
Innovation Solution
A compact torque sensor design featuring a radially elastic material portion with low stiffness in radial deformations to compensate for axial forces and tilting moments, while maintaining high stiffness in torsional forces, decoupling the measurement transducers and reducing sensitivity to mechanical interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the torque sensor uses a rigid connection between the outer flange and sensor portion, then torsional force transmission is efficient, but radial deformations from manufacturing tolerances cause crosstalk and measuring errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different stiffness characteristics to different regions of the connection: the radially elastic material portion has low radial stiffness to compensate for roundness deviations, while maintaining high torsional stiffness through its geometric configuration (thin-walled structure extending in axial direction). This local differentiation of mechanical properties allows the same component to simultaneously tolerate radial deformations and transmit torsional forces accurately.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the stiffness parameter of the connecting material in the radial direction by selecting materials and geometries with specifically tuned elastic properties. The radially elastic material portion is designed to have low stiffness in the radial direction (allowing deformation compensation) while maintaining high stiffness in the torsional direction, effectively decoupling these two mechanical responses through parameter optimization.
2Reliability
If the torque sensor compensates for axial forces and tilting moments, then measurement reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radially elastic material portion serves multiple functions simultaneously: it transmits torsional forces, compensates for axial forces, and absorbs tilting moments. By designing a single multi-functional connection element rather than separate components for each function, the patent achieves reliable torque measurement while avoiding the complexity of multiple dedicated compensation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The radially elastic material portion acts as an intermediary element between the outer flange and sensor portion, mediating the transmission of forces and moments. This intermediate layer with specific elastic properties filters out unwanted radial deformations and tilting effects while allowing accurate transmission of torsional information to the measurement transducers.
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 design effectively compensates for manufacturing tolerances, reducing measuring errors and enabling accurate torque measurements by decoupling radial forces and maintaining stiffness in torsional forces, resulting in a robust and precise torque sensor.
Implementation Method 1
the radially elastic material portion has low stiffness in respect of radial deformations, in order to compensate for axial forces and tilting moment
Implementation Method 2
a torque sensor having a base body which extends in a radial direction of the base body from an annular inner flange having first force application points, via a mechanically weakened sensor portion equipped with measurement transducers which generate output signals
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a torque sensor having a base body which extends in a radial direction of the base body from an annular inner flange having first force application points, via a mechanically weakened sensor portion equipped with measurement transducers which generate output signals, to an annular outer flange having second force application points, wherein the second force application points are connected to the sensor portion by a radially elastic material portion.