TORQUE MEASUREMENT APPARATUS

• US 20080314162A1
• Filed: 08/29/2008
• Published: 12/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Inventors: INOUE, Tadashi
• Application Number:
  US12/201,420
• Publication Number:
  US 20080314162A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/862.23
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 19/066 by electrical means
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 5/24 for determining value of torque or twisting moment for tightening a nut or other member which is similarly stressed

Abstract

A torque measurement apparatus includes a torque sensor that detects an output torque of a measuring object, a rotation mechanism that holds the torque sensor and rotates the torque sensor, and a controller that controls the rotation mechanism so as to change a rotational angle of the torque sensor. The torque measurement apparatus can automatically and accurately measure the output torque at every rotational angle of the measuring object.

Claims

1. A torque measurement apparatus comprising:

a torque sensor that detects an output torque of a measuring object;

a rotation mechanism that holds the torque sensor and rotates the torque sensor; and

a controller that controls the rotation mechanism so as to change a rotational angle of the torque sensor.

2. A torque measurement apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the controller alternately performs a measurement of the output torque by using the torque sensor and an operation of changing the rotational angle of the torque sensor.

3. A torque measurement apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the controller has a function of recording the output torque measured at every rotational angle of the torque sensor.

4. A torque measurement apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the measuring object is a screw tightening apparatus, and

the torque measurement apparatus further comprising an axial force sensor which is held by the rotation mechanism, the axial force sensor detecting an axial force generated in a screw tightened by the screw tightening apparatus.

5. A torque measurement apparatus according to claim 4,

wherein the controller alternately performs measurements of the output torque and screw axial force by respectively using the torque sensor and the axial force sensor, and an operation of changing the rotational angle of the torque sensor.

6. A torque measurement apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the rotation mechanism includes:

a driving source;

a first reduction mechanism that reduces a rotational speed of the driving source; and

a second reduction mechanism that transmits rotation from the first reduction mechanism to a part holding the torque sensor at a reduction gear ratio greater than that of the first reduction mechanism.