A rotary-type series elastic actuator (SEA) for use in robotic applications. The SEA including a motor, gear transmission assembly, spring assembly, and sensors. In one example, a robotic joint may include the SEA as well as two links coupled with each other at the joint assembly. The two links may be designated as input and output links. Each link may have a joint housing body which may be concentrically connected via a joint bearing so that they freely rotate against each other. The housing frame of the SEA may be fixed at the joint housing body of the input link while the output mount of the spring assembly of the SEA may be concentrically coupled with the joint housing body of the output link. The rotation of the motor rotor causes the rotation of the output link with respect to the input link plus spring deflection of the spring assembly. When an external force or torque are applied between the two links, a control action of a control loop may cause a rotation and motive force of the motor that lead to the deflection of the spring assembly to balance with the external force/torque and inertial force from body masses moving together with the links.

A torsion sensor, configured to sense torque generated or received by a joint actuator, is provided. The torsion sensor includes an inner ring, an outer ring, multiple radial bridging portions, multiple overload structures, and multiple strain sensing units. The inner ring and the outer ring are disposed on the same axis and are separated from each other. The torque enables the inner ring and the outer ring to relatively rotate with reference to the axis. The radial bridging portions are disposed at intervals and each radial bridging portion is connected between the inner ring and the outer ring along a radial direction, and each radial bridging portion has at least one depression. Each overload structure extends from the inner ring toward the outer ring along the radial direction and has at least one gap with the outer ring. The strain sensing units are respectively disposed on the radial bridging portions.

A rotary-type series elastic actuator (SEA) for use in robotic applications. The SEA including a motor, gear transmission assembly, spring assembly, and sensors. In one example, a robotic joint may include the SEA as well as two links coupled with each other at the joint assembly. The two links may be designated as input and output links. Each link may have a joint housing body which may be concentrically connected via a joint bearing so that they freely rotate against each other. The housing frame of the SEA may be fixed at the joint housing body of the input link while the output mount of the spring assembly of the SEA may be concentrically coupled with the joint housing body of the output link. The rotation of the motor rotor causes the rotation of the output link with respect to the input link plus spring deflection of the spring assembly. When an external force or torque are applied between the two links, a control action of a control loop may cause a rotation and motive force of the motor that lead to the deflection of the spring assembly to balance with the external force/torque and inertial force from body masses moving together with the links.

A torque sensor system for a pedelec includes an annular gear (6), a planetary gear train (5), a sun gear output shaft (2), a pressure conversion device (9) and a signal processing component (8). The annular gear (6), the planetary gear train (5), and the sun gear output shaft (2) are engaged in turn. The annular gear (6) is driven by the planetary gear train (5), and an applied force signal is transmitted to the signal processing component (8) via the pressure conversion device (9) at an edge of the annular gear (6). The applied force signal is converted to an electric signal by the signal processing component (8) and transmitted to a controller, so as to realize a torque feedback. As a result, a problem that a speed sensor is not applicable to a pedelec when climbing is solved; and a user will feel real and comfortable when riding.

An elastic torque sensor utilizing a torsion spring and components to measure the movement of the spring output side and input side. The torque sensor is in communication with a programmable controller. The components detecting movement or distortion of the either side of the torsion spring are not positioned within the load path experienced by the torsion spring. This configuration allows the detected position of the spring input and output sides not to be distorted by hysteresis. The components comprise a sensor disk that is attached to either the spring input or output side. The sensor disk is not within the spring load path. The sensor disk rotates with the torsion spring. The sensor disk is mark so that the degree of rotation can be detected by a stationary sensor also not in the load path. The sensor disk can send a signal to a programmable controller.

A series elastic actuator includes a gear configured to rotate, an output body configured to rotate by the gear, and an elastic body connecting the gear and the output body. The elastic body may include an outer ring fastened to the gear, an inner ring positioned inside the outer ring and fastened to the output body, and a deformation portion connecting the outer ring and the inner ring and deforming elastically. The elastic body may include a plurality of elastic bodies connected in parallel or in series.

A method and a device (1) are provided for determining a torque of a transmission, in particular of an actuating drive (14), in which an elastically deformable bending element (4) that deforms as a function of the torque is arranged in a transmission path of the torque, and a sensor unit (8) with which deformation of the bending element can be detected forms a structural unit which can be mounted as a whole.

A series elastic actuator includes a gear configured to rotate, an output body configured to rotate by the gear, and an elastic body connecting the gear and the output body. The elastic body may include an outer ring fastened to the gear, an inner ring positioned inside the outer ring and fastened to the output body, and a deformation portion connecting the outer ring and the inner ring and deforming elastically. The elastic body may include a plurality of elastic bodies connected in parallel or in series.

A method and a device (1) are provided for determining a torque of a transmission, in particular of an actuating drive (14), in which an elastically deformable bending element (4) that deforms as a function of the torque is arranged in a transmission path of the torque, and a sensor unit (8) with which deformation of the bending element can be detected forms a structural unit which can be mounted as a whole.

A rotary-type series elastic actuator (SEA) for use in robotic applications. The SEA including a motor, gear transmission assembly, spring assembly, and sensors. In one example, a robotic joint may include the SEA as well as two links coupled with each other at the joint assembly. The two links may be designated as input and output links. Each link may have a joint housing body which may be concentrically connected via a joint bearing so that they freely rotate against each other. The housing frame of the SEA may be fixed at the joint housing body of the input link while the output mount of the spring assembly of the SEA may be concentrically coupled with the joint housing body of the output link. The rotation of the motor rotor causes the rotation of the output link with respect to the input link plus spring deflection of the spring assembly. When an external force or torque are applied between the two links, a control action of a control loop may cause a rotation and motive force of the motor that lead to the deflection of the spring assembly to balance with the external force/torque and inertial force from body masses moving together with the links.