DEVICE FOR MEASURING TORQUE AND DRIVE FOR ACTUATING A MACHINE ELEMENT

Abstract

A device is for the optoelectronic measurement of torque with a first component (2), and a second component (3), it being possible for the first component (2) to be connected to a drive element and the second component (3) to be connected to a drive element, or vice versa. A first encoding element that is arranged on the first component (2). A second encoding element is arranged on the second component (3). A first light barrier (6) detects the rotational movement of the first encoding element. A second light barrier (7) detects the rotational movement of the second encoding element. An electronic evaluation unit (8) detects and evaluates signals originating from the first light barrier (6) and second light barrier (7), with at least one elastic element that is deformable according to a torque acting upon it being provided between the first (2) and the second component (3). When the torque changes, a change in the angle-of-rotation position of the components (2, 3) in relation to one another can be identified and the torque calculated on that basis.

Claims

1. A device for optoelectronic measurement of torque, the device comprising: a first component, a second component, wherein the first component can be connected to a drive element and the second component can be connected to a drive element, or vice versa, a first encoding element arranged on the first component, a second encoding element arranged on the second component, a first light barrier detecting rotational movement of the first encoding element, a second light barrier detecting rotational movement of the second encoding element, an electronic evaluation unit for detecting and evaluating the signals originating from the first light barrier and from the second light barrier, at least one elastic element, the elastic element being deformable according to a torque acting upon the elastic element, the elastic element being between the first component and the second component, and, when the torque changes, a change in an angle-of-rotation position of the componenr in relation to one another is identifiable and the torque calculated on a basis of the change in the angle-of-rotation position of the components in relation to one another.

2. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first component has a crosspiece swivelable to the second component over a defined angular range, the second component comprises the elastic element, the crosspiece engages the elastic element, and a force can be applied to the elastic element upon swiveling of the crosspiece.

3. The device as set forth in claim 2, wherein the second component has at least one recess into which the elastic element protrudes and in which the crosspiece engages.

4. The device as set forth in claim 2, wherein the recess forms a stop for limiting the angular range of the crosspiece.

5. The device as set forth in claim 2, wherein the recess is arranged on a front side of the second component facing toward the first component, and the crosspiece is arranged on the front side of the first component facing toward the second component.

6. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the change in the torque via the elastic elements is independent of direction of rotation.

7. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least two elastic elements are provided on both sides of the crosspiece.

8. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the elastic elements are loaded with pressure by the crosspiece in every angle-of-rotation position of the components.

9. The device as set forth in claim 2, wherein the elastic elements are arranged so as to have point or mirror symmetry in relation to the crosspiece.

10. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the crosspiece and/or the recess each widens toward a respective edge region of the first and second components.

11. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the elastic element or the elastic elements are oriented toward the change in the angle-of-rotation position in relation to longitudinal axis of the elastic element or the elastic elements.

12. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein a spring is provided as an elastic element.

13. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first and second components are prevented from being displaced in the axial direction toward one another in the coupled state.

14. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the crosspiece can be swiveled relative to the second component over an angular range of +/30.

15. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first and/or second encoding element is embodied as an encoder disc or encoder discs.

16. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the encoding elements have recesses arranged in regular fashion around a periphery of the encoding elements.

17. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the device has a housing enclosing the first and second components.

18. A drive for actuating a machine element or a slide armature, the drive comprising: a motor comprising a stator, a rotor, and a motor shaft, wherein the motor shaft is equipped with a device for the optoelectronic measurement of torque as set forth in claim 1.

19. The drive as set forth in claim 18, wherein the motor shaft and/or the rotor cannot be are prevented from being displaced in the axial direction.

20. The drive as set forth in claim 18, wherein the motor has a housing and the device for the optoelectronic measurement of torque is located outside of the housing.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION ON THE BASIS OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0028] The invention will be explained in further detail with reference to advantageous exemplary embodiments according to the figures of the drawing.

[0029] FIG. 1 shows a schematic, partially sectional representation of a device for the optoelectronic measuring torque with an electronic evaluation unit (cut-out from FIG. 2);

[0030] FIG. 2 shows a schematic, partially sectional representation of a drive for actuating a machine element; and

[0031] FIG. 3 shows three perspective representations (FIGS. 3a-3c) in the area of the first and second components, with the components in FIGS. 3a and 3b not being coupled and being coupled in FIG. 3c.

[0032] Reference number 1 designates the device according to the invention for the optoelectronic measurement of torque in its entirety. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the device comprises a first component 2 and a second component 3. The first component 2 is connected to a drive element, and the second component 3 is connected to a drive element. Furthermore, a first encoder disc 4 is provided which is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner on the first component 2. A second encoder disc 5 is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner on the second component 3. A first light barrier 6 detects the rotational movement of the first encoder disc 4, and a second light barrier 7 detects the rotational movement of the second encoder disc 5. An electronic evaluation unit 8 is used to detect and evaluate the signals originating from the first light barrier 6 and from the second light barrier 7.

[0033] Moreover, it is used to store defined torque characteristics. These make it possible to compare current measurements with previous measurements.

[0034] Moreover, four springs 13 are that are deformable according to a torque acting upon them are provided between the first component 2 and the second component 3, and, when the torque changes, a change in the angle-of-rotation position of the components 2, 3 in relation to one another can be identified and the torque calculated on that basis. The first and second components 2, 3 cannot be displaced relative to one another in the axial direction in the coupled state.

[0035] The first and second components 2, 3 are shown in detail in FIGS. 3a-c. The first component 2 has a crosspiece 11 that can be swiveled to the second component 3 over a defined angular range. The crosspiece 11 acts on the springs 13 when the components 2, 3 rotate. As a whole, the two components 2, 3, together with their crosspiece 11 and the springs 13, form a torque-transmitting assemblage. FIGS. 3a and 3b show the two components 2, 3 in the non-coupled state, so that the individual designs and elements are visible. FIG. 3c shows the two components 2, 3 in the coupled state.

[0036] When the torque increasesfor example, when a torsional force acts on the drive element connected to the first component 2the crosspiece 11 transfers the force in a direction to the springs 13, which deform according to the acting force. This means that two springs 13 are compressed, whereas the other two springs 13 expand. The resulting angle-of-rotation position of the components relative to one another can be detected by means of the encoder discs 4, 5 and the light barriers 6, 7 arranged thereon. The time offset of the signals of the light barriers 6, 7 enables a conversion to the acting torque. By virtue of the springs 13 and the direct transfer of the force through the crosspiece 11, the arrangement is nearly frictionless and responds extremely quickly.

[0037] The second component 3 has a recess 12 into which the springs 13 protrude and in which the crosspiece 11 engages in the coupled state of the two components.

[0038] The crosspiece 11 can then be swiveled within the recess 12 over the defined angular range and applies more or less force to the springs 13 depending on the torque. The recess 12 simultaneously forms a stop that defines the swivelable angular range of the crosspiece 11.

[0039] The recess 12 is arranged on the front side 10 of the second component 3 facing toward the first component 2. The crosspiece 11 is arranged on the front side 9 of the first component 2 facing toward the second component 3. The springs 13 are located in recesses 14, which lead to the recess 12. The springs 13 arranged in the recesses protrude into the recess 12, so that a load can be applied to them with the crosspiece 11.

[0040] The springs 13 are arranged in mirror symmetry on the two sides of the crosspiece 11. The change in torque is thus independent of the direction of rotation and suitable both for clockwise and counterclockwise rotation.

[0041] The springs 13 are loaded by means of the crosspiece 11 with pressure in every angle-of-rotation position of the components 2, 3. As a result, a spring pressure is always being applied even to the comparatively relieved spring 13.

[0042] The crosspiece 11 and the recess 12 each widen toward the respective edge region of the first and second components 2, 3. This configuration has the advantage that assembly is made easier as a result.

[0043] With respect to their longitudinal axes, the springs 13 are oriented or positioned in the direction of the change in the angle-of-rotation position and thus absorb the force acting via the crosspiece 11 directly for their deformation in the longitudinal direction.

[0044] The crosspiece 11 can be swivelable relative to the second component 3 over an angular range of +/30, preferably over an angular range of +/20, especially over an angular range of +/10. A corresponding torque range is thus measured.

[0045] Should it be necessary in a given case to measure a higher torque, then the number of springs can be increased as desired and/or springs with a higher spring constant can be used.

[0046] As can also be seen from FIGS. 3a-c, the encoder discs 4, 5 each have directly opposing recesses 14 through which the light of the light barriers 6, 7 passes. In the electronic evaluation unit 8, a determination of or conversion to the torque is performed on the basis of the time offset of the detected light barrier signals of the encoder discs 4 and 5.

[0047] The device 1 also has a housing 15 that encloses the first and second components 2, 3. Accordingly, the encoder discs 4, 5 can be expediently arranged within the housing 15 as well and thus be protected from external influences.

[0048] FIG. 2 shows a drive for actuating a machine element or armature, particularly a slide armature. This drive can have a motor 16, which can comprise a stator 17, a rotor 18, and a motor shaft 19. The motor shaft 19 is equipped at its front end with the above-described device 1 for the optoelectronic measurement of torque. In the depicted exemplary embodiment, both the motor shaft 19 and the rotor 18 cannot be displaced in the axial direction, which is also not necessary for measuring the torque.

[0049] With the illustrated drive, for example, slide armatures (not shown)e.g., slide armatures without a housingcan be actuated in order to block water flows at pipes or channel lines. Using the device for measuring torque, a maximum torque can be set, for example in order to prevent a slide armature from being damaged in the case of an obstruction. For instance, an alarm can be triggered when the set torque is exceeded.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0050] 1 device [0051] 2 first component [0052] 3 second component [0053] 4 first encoder disc [0054] 5 second encoder disc [0055] 6 first light barrier [0056] 7 second light barrier [0057] 8 electronic evaluation unit [0058] 9 front side [0059] 10 front side [0060] 11 crosspiece [0061] 12 recess [0062] 13 spring [0063] 14 recess [0064] 15 housing [0065] 16 motor [0066] 17 stator [0067] 18 rotor [0068] 19 motor shaft [0069] 20 housing