GEARBOX TORQUE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A torque transmission apparatus comprising:
- a differential gear system (12) including an input element (14), a transmission output element (16), and a measurement output element (18), wherein the transmission output element (16) rotates in response to rotation of the input element (14) and the measurement output element (18) reacts an output torque transmitted by the transmission output element (16);
a rotatable input shaft (20) arranged to drive rotation of the input element (14);
a rotatable output shaft (22) driven to rotate by rotation of the transmission output element (16), wherein the rotatable output shaft (22) transmits the output torque;
a measurement member (26) connected to the measurement output element (18) and to a structural ground (G); and
a stationary sensor (30, 30′
) for measuring at least one of (i) a deformation of the measurement member (26), (ii) an angular displacement of the measurement output element (18), (iii) a force applied by the measurement member (26), and (iv) a force applied by the measurement output element (18), the measurement by the stationary sensor (30, 30′
) being proportional to the output torque, wherein the stationary sensor (30, 30′
) generates a signal representative of the output torque.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A torque transmission apparatus incorporates a differential gear system and a stationary sensor connected to the differential gear system for measuring output torque. The stationary sensor may be connected to a measurement output element of the differential gear system by a torsionally compliant measurement member, wherein the stationary sensor measures torsional deformation of the measurement member. The torsional deformation may be measured directly, or it may be measured following amplification by a gear train. A rotary position sensor may be used as the stationary sensor. Alternatively, the stationary sensor may be connected to the measurement output element of the differential gear system by way of a rigid measurement member, wherein the stationary sensor measures force applied by the measurement member. In this alternative, a force sensor may be used as the stationary sensor.
38 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A torque transmission apparatus comprising:
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a differential gear system (12) including an input element (14), a transmission output element (16), and a measurement output element (18), wherein the transmission output element (16) rotates in response to rotation of the input element (14) and the measurement output element (18) reacts an output torque transmitted by the transmission output element (16); a rotatable input shaft (20) arranged to drive rotation of the input element (14); a rotatable output shaft (22) driven to rotate by rotation of the transmission output element (16), wherein the rotatable output shaft (22) transmits the output torque; a measurement member (26) connected to the measurement output element (18) and to a structural ground (G); and a stationary sensor (30, 30′
) for measuring at least one of (i) a deformation of the measurement member (26), (ii) an angular displacement of the measurement output element (18), (iii) a force applied by the measurement member (26), and (iv) a force applied by the measurement output element (18), the measurement by the stationary sensor (30, 30′
) being proportional to the output torque, wherein the stationary sensor (30, 30′
) generates a signal representative of the output torque. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification