In an embodiment, a relative deflection detector may include at least two structural arcs, and a predetermined number of means for measuring position capable of determining the relative deflection in a first component. The at least two structural arcs may be for example, comprised of a first and second structural arc whereby the first and second structural arcs are attached to the first component at respective first and second predetermined locations and whereby each arc is comprised of a respective sequence of indicators, such as, for example, codes inscribed on the outer circumference of each arc. The first and second structural arcs may be positioned in concentric and coplanar relationship with each other. The predetermined number of sensors may be comprised of a first and second optical encoder sensor each positioned in proximate and coplanar relationship with the first and second structural arcs so as to read the first sequence of codes, second sequence of codes, or both, and thereby detect positions of each structural arc (e.g., a first position corresponding to the first structural arc and a second position corresponding to the second structural arc). The first and second positions may be used to calculate and thereby determine a relative deflection of the first component.

An inner support member, a detection deformable body, and a ring-shaped outer support member are disposed sequentially from the inside to the outside around a Z axis as a central axis. Inner surfaces in the vicinity of inner support points of the detection deformable body connect to outer surfaces of the inner support member via inner connecting members, and outer surfaces in the vicinity of outer support points of the detection deformable body connect to inner surfaces of the outer support member via outer connecting members. When a torque acts in the clockwise direction on the outer support member (130) while the inner support member is fixed, detection parts are displaced outwardly, and detection parts are displaced inwardly. These displacements are detected electrically as changes in capacitance values of four capacitor elements including opposing electrodes.

The invention relates to a method for measuring the torque of a drive unit (10), particularly a vehicle drive unit (10), said drive unit (10) comprising at least one bearing (20) for connecting to a fixed support point (21), and at least one sensor (22) being provided which measures a change in force and/or position, particularly a relative rotation of the drive unit (10), as a sensor value, wherein a torque at the drive unit (10) is determined as a measurement value on the basis of said sensor value.

A torque sensor according to the present invention includes: an annular deformation body; first and second displacement electrodes which cause displacement by elastic deformation of the annular deformation body; first and second fixed electrodes arranged at positions opposite to the first and second displacement electrodes; and a detection circuit that outputs an electric signal indicating a torque based on a variation amount of capacitance values of first and second capacitive elements each of which is configured of the displacement electrode and the fixed electrode. The annular deformation body includes a high elastic portion and a low elastic portion having a spring constant smaller than a spring constant of the high elastic portion. The detection circuit outputs a first electric signal corresponding to a capacitance value of the first capacitive element and a second electric signal corresponding to a capacitance value of the second capacitive element as an electric signal indicating the acting torque, and determines whether the torque sensor functions normally based on a ratio between the first electric signal and the second electric signal.

The invention relates to a component transducer (20) for sensing a torque component (Mx, My, Mz); wherein an element (21) made of piezoelectric crystal material comprises element surfaces; wherein a force component (Fx, Fy, Fz) produces electric polarization charges on the element surfaces; and wherein the torque component (Mx, My, Mz) to be sensed consists of at least one pair having force components (+Fx, Fx; +Fy, Fy; +Fz, Fz) wherein said force components (+Fx, Fx; +Fy, Fy; +Fz, Fz) of a pair have the same axis of action and opposite directions of action. The component transducer (20) receives the force components (+Fx, Fx; +Fy, Fy; +Fz, Fz) of a pair separately.

Provided herein is a capacitive torque sensor, which can completely offset forces/torques in all axial directions, except for force/torque in a direction of a central axis, by measuring variations in capacitances of four sensing cells arrayed at angular intervals of 90 degrees on the basis of a center of the sensor and can offer a sensing value for the torque in a central axis direction.

A torque sensor of the present invention includes: a ring-shaped deformation body; first to fourth displacement electrodes deformable due to elastic deformation of the ring-shaped deformation body; first to fourth fixed electrodes arranged at positions opposite to those of the first to fourth displacement electrodes; and a detection circuit that outputs an electrical signal representing torque based on a variation amount of capacitance values of first to fourth capacitive elements formed by the first to fourth displacement electrodes and the first to fourth fixed electrodes, wherein the detection circuit outputs, as the electrical signals representing the acting torque, a first electrical signal corresponding to a difference between a sum of a capacitance value of the first capacitive element and a capacitance value of the second capacitive element and a sum of a capacitance value of the third capacitive element and a capacitance value of the fourth capacitive element and a second electrical signal corresponding to a difference between the capacitance value of the first capacitive element and the capacitance value of the third capacitive element and determines whether the torque sensor is normally functioning based on the first and the second electrical signals.

An inner support member, a detection deformable body, and a ring-shaped outer support member are disposed sequentially from the inside to the outside around a Z axis as a central axis. Inner surfaces in the vicinity of inner support points of the detection deformable body connect to outer surfaces of the inner support member via inner connecting members, and outer surfaces in the vicinity of outer support points of the detection deformable body connect to inner surfaces of the outer support member via outer connecting members. When a torque acts in the clockwise direction on the outer support member (130) while the inner support member is fixed, detection parts are displaced outwardly, and detection parts are displaced inwardly. These displacements are detected electrically as changes in capacitance values of four capacitor elements including opposing electrodes.

Disclosed is a device for measuring torque applied to a rotary shaft, including: a transmission, including a first part securely fastened to the shaft and receiving the torque applied to the shaft, and a second part securely fastened to the first part and able to move in relation to the first part when a torque is applied thereto; a first electrode securely fastened to the second part; a first support, securely fastened to the second part, including a second electrode situated facing the first electrode when no torque is applied to the shaft, the first and the second electrodes generating a first capacitance, the value of which varies according to a movement of the second part; a unit for measuring the first capacitance; and a unit for converting the first capacitance into a value of the torque applied to the shaft.

A SAW sensor arrangement includes a transducer including a support for supporting a SAW device. The support includes a sensor location part located between two oppositely extending attachment parts. The SAW device is mountable to the sensor location part. The sensor arrangement 10 includes at least two spaced friction raisers. The sensor arrangement includes a clamp arrangement which applies a clamping force to clamp the sensor arrangement to an item. The sensor arrangement is arranged so that in use each of the friction raisers is located between a different one of the attachment parts and the item.