Measuring and testing – Dynamometers – Responsive to torque
Patent
1989-07-12
1991-04-23
Woodiel, Donald O.
Measuring and testing
Dynamometers
Responsive to torque
G01L 310
Patent
active
050091107
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention is concerned with a torque sensor, in particular for electric steering mechanisms.
Such torque sensor is known from Norton, U.S. Pat. No. 4,548,091. This patent has an inductively operating torque sensor with two input elements and an annular output element connected to the input elements by a series of connecting elements and reinforcing arms with articulated connections. The construction is very expensive and has a relatively big outside diameter which results from the installation of a large number of complicated individual parts. Constructing a series of torque sensors out of such elements is not possible since so doing would cut the sensor's twisting rigidity in half.
The object of the invention is to avoid the disadvantages inherent in Norton and to provide a torque sensor of small size and ease of manufacture. A series of sensors should be possible without affecting the torsional characteristics.
A technical article of "Machine Design" of Apr. 14, 1966 (V903) shows a sleeve of magnetically permeable material having ring flanges at its ends secured to a torque bar. The sleeve has a central ring flange in between the end ring flanges on each side.
There is an arrangement of bores connected by slots slanted at 45.degree. in the sleeve between each ring and the center ring.
The slots at one side of the center ring are slanted oppositely from that on the other side to result in a relative 90.degree. angular relationship.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
By means of the flexible elements, e.g., spokes, between the input elements on respective sides of the output element, the individual coacting elements of the torque sensor can be manufactured easily. The spokes coact directly from the input elements to the output element to shift it axially. The spoke array of the torque sensor is variably conical as later described.
The input means carry respective collars, and encompass a torque bar to which they are secured. There is a lost motion coupling wherein the rotative mechanism is safe against overloading in the event of steering power failure with resort to manual steering.
The invention permits a construction of torque sensors in series without increase in torsion rigidity.
When two output means are used, different directions of movement of the output means results from different arrangement of the spokes where their angular position is concerned. The movement of the output means can take place in the same direction or in opposite directions as a result of that, so that favorable measured variables, depending upon the application that is to be made, result for the electrical utlitization of the torque signals.
When the output means has two cylindrical rings or collars, each having spokes for support on an input means, the individual parts are very easy to manufacture by presses. The individual parts can be connected with each other easily by laser beam welding or components made as an integral piece .
The invention is described in greater detail in the drawing wherein like reference numbers are generally used for similar parts.
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the torque sensor in a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal section through the torque sensor of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal section as in FIG. 2, of a second embodiment and is a preferred embodiment.
FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C show developed plan views of the elements in two different operating positions and neutral.
FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the input elements of a torque sensor of a third embodiment.
FIG. 6 shows a longitudinal section through the entire torque sensor of the third embodiment.
FIG. 7 shows a cross section through the torque sensor along the line VII--VII in FIG. 6.
FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C show developed plan views of the two output elements of the torque sensor shown in FIG. 6 in two different operating positions and neutral.
FIG. 9 shows a longitudinal section through a torque sensor of a fourth embodiment.
FIG. 10 shows the cross section through the torque sensor along the line X--X
REFERENCES:
patent: 2432900 (1947-12-01), Jacobsen
Lang Armin
Schweizer Bernhard
Woodiel Donald O.
Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen AG.
Zalkind Albert M.
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