Torsiometer Layout With Universal Joint for Precise Torque Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing torsiometers for measuring torsional characteristics of automotive transmission system components, such as tensioners, suffer from measurement uncertainty due to errors caused by flexural deformation sensing, misalignment, spindle flexure, and encoder angle detection inaccuracies.
Innovation Solution
A torsiometer design where the torsiometric cell is positioned coaxially between the motor unit and the spindle, connected by a multi-stage universal joint that absorbs bending loads, thereby eliminating errors associated with flexural deformations and misalignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the torsiometric cell is positioned to measure torque on the spindle, then torque measurement capability is achieved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to flexural deformation sensing and misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
A universal joint is introduced as an intermediary element between the spindle and the torsiometric cell. This universal joint absorbs bending loads and misalignment, allowing the torsiometric cell to measure only pure torsional torque without being affected by flexural deformations or radial forces, thereby resolving the measurement precision issue
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful flexural deformation sensing capability is extracted from the measurement system by orienting the torsiometric cell's sensitive axis perpendicular to the bending load direction. This allows the system to isolate and measure only the desired torsional component while ignoring the harmful flexural component
2Stability of the object's composition
If the spindle is made rigid to maintain alignment, then alignment stability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional support structures
Solution Approach 1:
The universal joint serves as a mediator that accommodates misalignment between the spindle and torsiometric cell without requiring rigid precision alignment. This allows the use of simpler support structures while maintaining measurement accuracy, as the universal joint compensates for alignment variations
Solution Approach 2:
The universal joint introduces dynamic adaptability to the system, allowing the connection between spindle and torsiometric cell to adjust to varying alignment conditions during operation. This dynamic compensation simplifies the overall support structure requirements compared to rigid fixed alignment 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
The proposed torsiometer significantly reduces measurement uncertainty by isolating the torsiometric cell from bending loads and ensuring accurate torsional torque measurement, even as components wear and misalign.
Implementation Method 1
a joint configured to absorb bending loads... said joint is configured to absorb the bending loads and comprising a plurality of elements constrained to each other in a rotatable manner about mutually orthogonal axes
Implementation Method 2
a torsiometric cell facing the spindle and coaxial thereto... the torsiometric cell is interposed between the motor unit and the spindle
Data Source
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AI summary
A torsiometer (1) for determining torsiometric characteristics of a component (100) of an automotive transmission system, comprising a spindle (6) configured to receive the first member (101) of the component (100), a motor unit (5) connected to the spindle and configured to drive it in rotation, a reaction unit (10) facing the spindle and provided with a restraining element (79) for the second member (102) of the component (100), an encoder (9) configured to measure the rotation angles of the spindle (6) and a torsiometric cell (8) configured to measure the torque transmitted to the component, wherein the torsiometric cell (8) is interposed between the motor unit (5) and the spindle (6), coaxially with the latter, and is connected to the motor unit (5) through a multi-stage universal joint (28) that absorbs the bending loads.