JP2009103507A - Torque sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a torque sensor which is small-sized and lightweight, has a reduced thickness and is designed for electrically measuring a minute torque and which is capable of measuring the torque more accurately even in the case of electrically measuring the minute torque. <P>SOLUTION: The torque sensor 1 is composed of a strain body 2 formed of a strip-shaped metal member of which either end is made an inner end and the other an outer end and which is formed in the shape of a single-fold coil around the inner end so that a plane part is formed at an arbitrary position of the metal member, and a strain gage 14 disposed on either or both of surfaces of the plane part of the strain body. In the case when the torque in the coiling direction of the coil-shaped strain body is inputted to the strain body and the body is relatively deformed in the direction of coiling in or opening, a strain caused in the surface of the strain body is detected by the strain gage and thereby the inputted torque is made measurable. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention is a torque sensor including a spiral strain generating body having a flat surface portion on which a strain gauge can be arranged, and a strain gauge disposed on the flat surface portion, and an external force is applied to the strain generating body. The present invention relates to a torque sensor that can detect a torque of an input external force when a strain gauge disposed on the plane portion detects the strain when the strain is generated and strain is generated in the plane.

  Conventionally, a torque gauge has been proposed as a torque measuring device for measuring a relatively small torque of about 0.05 cN m to 150 cN m. This torque gauge is used, for example, for measuring the torque required for rotation of a rotating body such as a rotary knob provided in an electronic device or precision device.

  For example, Patent Document 1 describes an example of a torque gauge. This torque gauge includes a cylindrical gripping part, a main shaft provided at the axis of the gripping part, a spiral spring mounted around the main shaft, a chuck for gripping the object to be measured, and the like. The spiral spring has an inner end fixed to the main shaft and an outer end fixed to the grip portion.

  In the operation for measuring the torque with the torque gauge, first, a rotary body such as a knob to be measured is held and fixed by the chuck, and the user rotates the torque gauge in this state. Then, a torque for rotating the torque gauge is input to the spiral spring, and the grip portion and the main shaft rotate relatively while the spiral spring is deformed so as to be wound according to the elastic force. At this time, the torque value applied to the rotating body is expressed by the scale portion in which the torque value converted from the relationship between the torque input to the spiral spring and the deformation amount (displacement amount) generated thereby is engraved. I can know.

  When torque is applied to the rotating body, the rotating body starts rotating when a certain torque is exceeded, and the elastic deformation of the spiral spring disappears and the measured torque decreases. The maximum torque value measured until the body starts rotating is the torque (starting torque) necessary to rotate the rotating body. Therefore, in this torque gauge, if the maximum torque measured before the rotating body starts rotating or a so-called needle-type structure in which the input maximum torque is displayed on the scale, Measure body starting torque.

  In such a conventional torque gauge, a spiral spring is used as an elastic body for torque measurement, and the torque is mechanically measured from the relationship between the amount of elastic deformation of the spring and the input torque. It was. However, in that case, the torque cannot be calculated digitally, and the measured torque cannot be displayed as numerical data, nor can it be directly stored or output.

  On the other hand, in order to digitally display the force such as the measured load, it is necessary to measure the force as an electric signal. Usually, when measuring the force and load as such an electric signal, A load cell configured by attaching a strain gauge to the surface of a strain generating body such as a steel material is used. The load cell generates a strain by applying a load to a strain generating body such as a steel material, and the applied load can be measured by detecting the strain with a strain gauge. Here, the strain gauge is formed by affixing a metal foil resistance wire on a synthetic resin base material, and is an electric resistance whose resistance value changes due to its own strain. Usually, a bridge circuit is configured using this strain gauge, and is used by being attached to an object for detecting strain. When distortion occurs, a potential difference is generated at an intermediate point of the bridge circuit, and a voltage corresponding to the distortion amount is output. Therefore, the distortion amount and the applied force of the measurement object can be measured from the output.

  And the apparatus which can measure a torque using this load cell is also proposed. Patent Document 2 describes a torque check device using a load cell. In this load cell, a steel plate having a strain gauge disposed on the surface is used as a strain generating body, and a torque is applied in the twist direction of the steel plate. Are vertically installed in the direction of the rotation axis. When torque is input to the load cell by the torque check device, the steel plate as the strain generating body is twisted, and the strain gauge disposed on the surface detects the strain due to the twist, thereby measuring the torque.

In addition, Patent Document 3 proposes a torque detection device using a so-called Robertal type load cell that uses a plate-like steel material with a hollow center portion as a strain body. In the case of this torque detection device, the torque in the rotational direction is converted into a linear force by the worm gear, and the load cell is deformed by acting on the load cell, and the resulting strain is detected by a strain gauge (strain sensor). Seeking.
JP 2006-71468 A JP-A-10-78361 JP 2003-307461 A

  As described above, in order to measure the torque as an electrical signal, the load cell strained body is directly twisted, or the torque is converted into a linear load and a strain is applied to the strain body. The torque is obtained by detecting the strain with a strain gauge, and when using such a load cell as a sensor for a small torque measuring device as described in Patent Document 1, The following problems arise.

  That is, as disclosed in Patent Document 2, in the case of a method of measuring strain generated by twisting a strain generating body such as a steel plate vertically provided in the rotation axis direction, the strain can be caused to be twisted. If such a load cell is used for a small torque measuring instrument, the torque measuring instrument will be enlarged.

  On the other hand, in the case of the method of converting torque into a linear load and acting on the strain generating body as disclosed in Patent Document 3, the worm gear is interposed between the rotating shaft and the strain generating body in order to use it as a torque sensor. There is a problem that the number of parts increases, and the torque measuring device itself is also increased in size. Further, even if the load cell itself can detect the load with high accuracy, there is a problem that the accuracy is lowered due to friction generated in the worm gear portion, and it is not suitable for measuring minute torque.

  Thus, when a torque sensor is configured using a strain body having a shape and structure as proposed in the past, the torque measuring device must be enlarged in order to be used as a sensor for the torque measuring device, It cannot be used for a small torque measuring instrument that is held by a user to measure torque.

  Furthermore, since such a small portable torque measuring instrument needs to measure a relatively small torque with high accuracy, the linearity between the input torque and the output of the torque sensor used in the torque measuring instrument is higher. It is desirable. For example, even with a small torque sensor, the linearity of the input torque and the signal output to it is low, and if a large amount of correction is required during the measurement torque calculation processing stage, the measurement accuracy Is difficult to keep high.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a small torque sensor that can accurately measure the torque even when the torque of the object to be measured is a minute torque and has high output linearity with respect to the input torque. The purpose is to do.

  The torque sensor according to the present invention is composed of a band-shaped metal member having one end as an inner end and the other end as an outer end, and a flat portion is formed at an arbitrary position of the metal member, with the inner end being the center. A spirally formed strain body that elastically deforms in the direction of winding of the spiral or in the opposite direction, and a strain gauge that is disposed on one or both surfaces of the plane portion of the strain body. Features.

  According to the torque sensor of the present invention, the strain generating body is formed in a spiral shape, and the direction in which the torque acts is caused to act in the same direction as the direction of rotation of the spiral to generate the strain, and the torque is generated from the strain. Therefore, the torque can be directly applied to the strain generating body, the sensitivity is excellent, and the torque can be measured more accurately even with a minute torque. Further, if the flat surface portion on which the strain gauge is arranged is formed on the outermost end side where the flat surface portion of the strain generating body can be formed, the linearity between the input torque and the output is high, and the correction amount in the torque calculation is A small number of torque sensors can be obtained.

  In addition, since this torque sensor is formed with only a spiral strain generator and a strain gauge, it is small and lightweight. If this torque sensor is used, the torque measuring device can be made small and light, and the structure may be complicated. Absent. And since the thickness of a torque sensor can also be made thin to such an extent that a strain gauge can be arranged, even when it is installed on a torque measuring device, the size of the torque measuring device can be made smaller. it can.

  Hereinafter, a torque sensor according to the present invention will be described based on embodiments shown in the drawings.

  The torque sensor according to the present embodiment is composed of a spiral strain generating body and a strain gauge attached to the surface thereof. The torque sensor is elastically deformed by applying torque to the strain generating body. By detecting, the torque can be measured by the output corresponding to the deformation amount. This torque sensor measures, for example, torque when a rotating body such as a rotary shaft of a volume knob starts rotating, in other words, torque required to rotate the rotating body to be measured (hereinafter referred to as starting torque). It is possible to use it for a torque measuring instrument or the like.

  The strain gauge used in the torque sensor of the present embodiment is the same as that described in the background art, and is formed by attaching a metal foil resistance wire on a synthetic resin base material. It is an electrical resistance whose resistance value changes due to strain. When strain occurs in the strain gauge, a voltage corresponding to the strain amount is output, so that the strain amount of the measurement object and the applied force can be measured from the output.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a torque sensor 1 according to the present invention in a normal state where no external force is applied, (a) is a side view of a portion where a strain gauge 14 is attached, and (b) is a plan view. is there. The torque sensor 1 includes a strain body 2 and a strain gauge 14 attached to the strain body 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the strain body 2 is formed by winding a band-shaped metal member in a flat spiral shape around the inner end 4 so that one end is the inner end 4 and the other end is the outer end 6. It was. The inner end 4 is formed with a shaft hole that is inserted into the rotating shaft of the torque measuring device 100 connected to the rotating body to be measured for use as a sensor in the torque measuring device 100 of the embodiment described later. . Similarly, the outer end 6 is formed with a screw hole for fixing to the torque measuring instrument 100 side with a screw or the like. However, since the shape of the inner end 4 and the outer end 6 in this embodiment is a shape for use in the torque measuring instrument 100 which is an example, it is not limited to this, and the torque sensor 1 is used as a sensor. It can be formed in a shape suitable for the apparatus to be used.

  As a feature of the torque sensor 1 of the present embodiment, the strain body 2 has three plane portions 8, 10, and 12 that are linearly represented in the plan view of FIG. In addition, the strain generating body 2 as a whole is formed in a square shape with rounded corners. Of the three flat portions 8, 10, and 12, in the present embodiment, strain gauges 14 (14a, 14b) are provided on both the outer side (outward direction of the spiral) and the inner side (the inner end 4 side) of the flat portion 8. , 14c, 14d). The strain gauge 14 may be disposed at any of the three plane portions 8, 10, 12, but is preferably disposed at the plane portion 8 closest to the outer end 6 for the reason described later. In addition, since these flat portions are formed in order to dispose the strain gauge 14, it is necessary to form the planar portion so as to have a length that allows the strain gauge 14 to be disposed. The height of the side surface to which the strain gauge 14 is attached may be larger than the width at which the strain gauge 14 can be attached. In this embodiment, the strain gauges are arranged in all four resistors of the bridge circuit constituting the strain gauge 14, but the strain gauges are not necessarily used in all. Moreover, in this embodiment, although the strain gauge 14 is arrange | positioned on both surfaces of the plane part 8 of the strain body 2, you may make it affix on only one side.

  Next, a mechanism for measuring torque using the torque sensor 1 composed of the strain body 2 and the strain gauge 14 will be described. First, when torque acts on the strain generating body 2, for example, in FIG. 1, when torque in the direction opposite to the clockwise direction (relative to the outer end 6) acts on the inner end 4, the strain generating body. 2 is deformed so as to be wound around the inner end 4. Then, the plane portion 8 is also deformed by the deformation of the strain body 2. If it does so, the strain gauges 14a-14d arrange | positioned at the plane part 8 will also deform | transform, and the resistance value of each strain gauge 14a-14d will change. When the resistance values of the strain gauges 14a to 14d change, a voltage is generated in the circuit configured by the strain gauge 14, and the generated voltage has a certain correspondence with the input torque. Therefore, if the correspondence relationship is obtained in advance, the torque value of the external force input from the correspondence relationship can be obtained.

  Next, the arrangement position of the strain gauge 14 described above will be described. Since the strain gauge 14 needs to be affixed on a plane, the strain generating body 2 of the present embodiment has the plane portions 8, 10, and 12 for affixing the strain gauge 14. Even if the strain gauge 14 is affixed to any plane portion, it functions as a torque sensor. However, for each of the three plane portions 8, 10, and 12, the input torque and the voltage generated from the strain gauge 14 (of the torque sensor 1). As a result, the linearity is most excellent when it is arranged on the flat portion 8 formed on the outermost end 6 side among the three flat portions 8, 10, and 12. And the result that the output of voltage was also large was obtained. Since the linearity between the input torque and the output of the torque sensor 1 is high, the torque can be calculated with fewer corrections, so that the torque value can be accurately measured.

  On the contrary, when the linearity between the input torque and the generated voltage is low, a large correction or a complicated correction is required in calculating the torque, and the measurement accuracy is lowered as compared with the case where the linearity is high. Therefore, it is preferable that the linearity of the correspondence relationship is as high as possible.

  Therefore, in the torque sensor 1 using the strain body 2 of the present embodiment, the strain gauge 14 is disposed on the flat surface portion 8 where the linearity between the input torque and the generated voltage is the highest. Of course, it is also possible to arrange the strain gauges 14 on the other plane portions 10 and 12, and in that case, the torque value may be calculated by making necessary corrections.

  In addition, the torque sensor 1 of this embodiment can change the magnitude | size of the restoring force produced by a deformation | transformation by changing the material, magnitude | size, etc. which are used for the strain body 2, and the range of the measurable torque Can be changed. For example, if a material having high rigidity and hardly elastically deforms is used as the material of the strain generating body 2, a larger torque can be measured. Therefore, if a torque sensor with a material and shape corresponding to the torque measurement range is used within the size range that can be stored in the torque measurement device used as a sensor, a wide range of torque can be measured with a single torque measurement device. It is possible.

  Moreover, although the torque sensor 1 of this embodiment used what formed the shape of the strain body 2 in the (8,10,12) square shape which has two or more plane parts, it is not restricted to this. . Since it is sufficient that a strain gauge can be attached to the surface of the strain generating body 2, it is only necessary to have one or more plane portions. For example, a circular shape (D-cut shape) in which one flat portion is formed on the outer end 6 side may be used. As described above, it is preferable to form the plane portion on which the strain gauge 14 is arranged on the fixed end side as much as possible so that the linearity between the input torque and the output of the torque sensor is high.

  Moreover, although the torque sensor 1 of this embodiment demonstrated what was formed in the single spiral shape, it is not limited to single, The plane part which can affix the strain gauge 14 is the inner end 4. As long as it is formed between the outer end 6 and the outer end 6, it may have a shape wound twice or more such as double or triple winding.

  Next, as an embodiment using the torque sensor 1, a torque measuring device using the torque sensor 1 as a sensor will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the torque measuring device 100 using the torque sensor 1, and FIGS. 3A to 3C show a state in which the processing circuit storage unit 114 of the torque measuring device 100 shown in FIG. 4 is a top view of the torque measuring device 100. FIG. The torque measuring device 100 connects the detachable chuck portion 102 for gripping the rotating measurement object, the chuck portion 102 and the torque measuring device main body 101 by tightening screws, and measures the torque by the bearing 106. A rotation connecting portion 104 fixed by press-fitting or the like to a rotating shaft 110 that can be rotated with little frictional resistance with respect to the main body 101, and a process for calculating a torque value from the voltage generated in the strain gauge 14. The circuit 200 includes a processing circuit storage unit 114 in which the circuit 200 is stored. As shown in FIG. 4, a display unit 116 for displaying torque values and an operation unit 118 for performing various operations such as torque value storage processing and reset processing are arranged on the upper surface of the processing circuit storage unit 114. Yes.

  A specific structure of the torque measuring device 100 will be described. The chuck portion 102 can hold the rotating body of the measurement object so as not to be displaced in the rotation direction by the claw portion 102a. The chuck portion 102 is attached to the torque measuring device main body 101 via the rotation connecting portion 104. As described above, the rotation connecting portion 104 is press-fitted and fixed to the rotating shaft 110 rotating with a small amount of frictional resistance with respect to the torque measuring device main body 101 by the bearing 106. The rotating shaft 110 is integrally rotatable relative to the torque measuring device main body 101. Therefore, if the torque sensor 1 (distortion body 2) is not attached to the rotating shaft 110, the chuck portion 102 and the rotating connecting portion 104 are connected to the torque measuring device main body 101 by the rotating shaft 110 and the bearing 106. In contrast, it rotates without resistance.

  Further, the torque measuring device main body 101 is provided with a stopper mechanism 122 which is a rotation restricting member for restricting an angle at which the chuck portion 102 and the rotation connecting portion 104 and the rotation shaft 110 can rotate relative to the torque measuring device main body 101. It has been. This is because when the torque exceeding the measurable range is input to the torque sensor 1 and it is deformed to a state where the measurement accuracy cannot be maintained, or when the large torque is input and the strain generating body 2 is This is to prevent breakage or plastic deformation that makes it unusable.

  The stopper mechanism 122 of the present embodiment is configured by a stopper pin disposed in the torque measuring device main body 101 and a groove portion formed in a peripheral portion on the pedestal portion 108 side of the rotation connecting portion 104 in a range allowing relative rotation. Is done. By engaging the stopper pin with the groove portion, the rotation connecting portion 104 and the torque measuring device main body 101 can relatively rotate only within the range where the groove portion is formed. Therefore, for example, if the rotation angle of the torque sensor 1 that can detect the torque with high accuracy and can maintain the linearity between the input torque and the output is 30 degrees in both directions from the normal state where there is no external force, What is necessary is just to form over the range of 60 degree | times. The stopper mechanism is not limited to the above-described configuration, and the stopper pin may be disposed in the rotation connecting portion 104, the groove portion may be disposed in the torque measuring device main body 101, and the range of the relative rotation described above. Any structure can be used as long as it can be regulated.

  In the torque sensor 1, the inner end 4 of the strain body 2 is fixed to the rotating shaft 110, and the outer end 6 is fixed to the fixed shaft 112 provided on the pedestal portion 108 of the torque measuring device main body 101. Installed in the torque measuring device main body 101. By installing the torque sensor 1 in this manner, the chuck portion 102 (the rotation connecting portion 104) rotates with respect to the torque measuring device main body 101 with a resistance corresponding to the elasticity of the strain generating body 2. . Therefore, when no external force in the rotational direction is applied to the torque measuring instrument 100, the strain body 2 is not deformed and is stationary in a normal state where the elastic energy is zero.

  The processing circuit storage unit 114 is normally in a state in which the user can easily hold the torque measuring device 100, for example, in a cylindrical gripping part 101a formed in a polygonal shape (FIG. 3A). )), Until the display unit 116 and the operation unit 118 on the upper surface of the processing circuit storage unit 114 are directed toward the chuck unit 102 (completely opened state) as shown in FIG. It can be opened and closed steplessly. The hinge shaft 120 is moved to an arbitrary position between the normal closed state (FIG. 3A) and the fully opened state (FIG. 3C) by a frictional force or the like. Can be stopped. Thereby, the directions of the display unit 116 and the operation unit 118 provided on the upper surface of the processing circuit storage unit 114 can be changed according to the use situation.

  For example, if the processing circuit storage unit 114 is used in a state in which the processing circuit storage unit 114 is opened obliquely or in a state in which the processing circuit storage unit 114 is opened up to 90 degrees (FIG. 3B), Even when the display unit 116 is used at a position lower than the eye level, the torque can be measured while viewing the display unit 116 because the display unit 116 faces the user. In the fully open state (FIG. 3C), the torque measuring instrument 100 is fixed to a fixed base or the like, and the user observes the display unit 116 from the chuck unit 102 side while measuring the object to be measured. It is also possible to measure torque by rotating.

  The torque measuring device 100 of the present embodiment is formed so that the processing circuit storage unit 114 can be opened and closed so that the display unit 116 and the operation unit 118 can be easily observed and operated. However, the torque measuring device 100 is limited to such a structure. Instead, it may have a shape fixed to the upper surface of the torque measuring device 100 as in the prior art.

  An operation in the case of measuring torque using the torque measuring device 100 having the above configuration will be described. Note that the processing circuit storage unit 114 is closed.

  First, a rotating body such as a rotating shaft of a knob as a measurement object is inserted into the chuck portion 102, and the chuck portion 102a and the rotating body are firmly fixed by the claw portion 102a so that the chuck portion 102 and the rotating body do not slide or shift in the rotation direction. In this state, the torque measuring device 100 is rotated while holding the grip 101a of the torque measuring device main body 101. Until the rotating body starts to rotate, the torque measuring device main body 101 rotates relative to the rotating connecting portion 104, the chuck portion 102, and the rotating body held, whereby the fixed shaft 112 (outer end 6) rotates. The torque sensor 1 is relatively rotated around the shaft 110 (inner end 4), and the torque sensor 1 is elastically deformed in a direction in which the spiral shape of the strain generating body 2 is wound or opened. Since a restoring force that attempts to return to the normal state according to the elastic deformation acts on the rotating shaft 110, a force in the rotational direction according to the deformation amount of the strain generating body 2 with respect to the rotating body fixed to the chuck portion 102. That is, torque acts.

  At this time, a strain is generated by elastic deformation of the strain generating body 2, whereby a voltage is generated in the strain gauge 14 attached to the surface of the strain generating body 2, and from the voltage value generated by the processing circuit 200. The torque applied to the rotating body is calculated, and the calculated torque value is displayed on the display unit 118.

  When the force for rotating the torque measuring device main body 101 is increased, that is, when the torque acting on the rotating body is increased, the torque measured by the torque sensor 1 is increased until the rotating body starts to rotate. Then, when a torque exceeding the starting torque, which is a torque necessary for the rotation, is input to the rotating body, the rotating body starts to rotate, and then the torque decreases. Therefore, when the torque input to the rotating body is increased, the maximum torque measured until the rotating body starts rotating becomes the starting torque. Therefore, in the torque measuring device 100 of the present embodiment, when the maximum value (peak value) of the torque is measured after the measurement is started, the maximum value is the starting torque of the rotating body of the measurement object, and the display unit 116 Is displayed.

  When the input torque exceeds the starting torque and the rotating body starts to rotate, the deformation of the strain generating body 2 is eliminated, and the restoring force of the strain generating body 2 and the resistance force of the rotating body (rotational frictional force, etc.) When they are balanced, they stand still.

  With the operation as described above, the starting torque necessary for the rotation of the rotating body can be measured by relatively rotating the torque measuring device 100 and the measurement object.

  Next, the processing circuit 200 that performs torque calculation and other processing / control in the torque measuring device 100 of the present embodiment will be described. As described above, the processing circuit 200 is disposed in the processing circuit storage unit 114. The other components of the torque measuring instrument 100, such as the strain gauge 14, the display unit 116, the operation unit 118, and the like, are illustrated in FIG. Are connected as shown in the circuit diagram shown in FIG.

  The processing circuit 200 amplifies the voltage signal output from the strain gauge 14 or cuts unnecessary signals, and digitally converts the analog signal output from the amplifier / filter unit 201. A / D converter 202 that converts the signal (voltage value), a CPU unit 203 that performs calculation processing from the voltage value to the torque value, display control of the torque value on the display unit 116, and the strain gauges 14a to 14d. The applied voltage control unit 204 controls the voltage applied to the bridge circuit.

  The flow of processing performed in the processing circuit 200 when torque measurement is actually performed using the torque measuring device 100 will be described. When the chuck portion 102 of the torque measuring device 100 is fixed to a rotating body that is a measurement object and the torque measuring device main body 101 is rotated, the strain generating body 2 is elastically deformed to generate distortion. As described above, when strain is generated in the strain generating body 2, a voltage is generated at an intermediate point of the bridge circuit formed by the four strain gauges 14, and an analog signal of the voltage is transmitted to the amplifier / filter unit 201. Amplification and unnecessary signal cutting are performed and output to the A / D converter 202. In the A / D converter 202, the voltage analog signal is converted into a digital signal and output to the CPU unit 203.

  In the CPU unit 203, first, the torque value is calculated from the voltage value of the preset torque value and the voltage value from the voltage value of the digital signal input in the calculation unit 203a. The calculated torque value is output to the display control unit 203b and displayed on the display unit 116. The user can check the torque applied to the rotating body by looking at the torque value displayed on the display unit.

  When the torque measuring device main body 101 is further rotated with respect to the rotating body, the rotating body of the measurement object starts rotating when the torque necessary for the rotation of the rotating body is exceeded. As described above, the maximum value of the torque measured at that time is the starting torque value necessary for rotating the measuring object, and the maximum value is the starting torque of the measuring object on the display unit 116. It is displayed so that it can be understood. The above is the flow of processing in the processing circuit 200 during torque measurement.

  In addition, the torque value determination unit 203c and the applied voltage control unit 204 are configured so that an appropriate voltage is applied to the bridge circuits of the strain gauges 14a to 14d based on the torque value calculated by the calculation unit 203a. The voltage applied from 126 to the strain gauge 14 is controlled.

  The communication data processing unit 203d is means for outputting the measured torque value to an external device such as a computer. Since the torque measuring device 100 according to the present embodiment calculates the torque value as a digital value, the measurement data can be recorded as it is if it is connected to a computer or the like and output. As an output terminal for this purpose, the torque measuring device main body 101 is provided with a USB output unit 124 and the like, and is connected to an external device via the output terminal for communication.

  As described above, the torque sensor 1 according to the present embodiment is configured by the thin and light strain body 2 having a small thickness, and therefore, when used in the small torque measuring instrument 100 as described in the examples. However, it is possible to prevent an increase in the size and weight of the entire apparatus. Further, since the strain body 2 of the torque sensor 1 can measure the torque by receiving and deforming in the same rotational direction as the direction in which the torque acts, there is no need to convert the force via a gear or the like. Even minute torque can be measured accurately. In addition, by arranging the strain gauge 14 on the flat surface portion 8 formed on the outer end 6 side, a torque sensor with high linearity between the input torque and the sensor output can be obtained.

The (a) side view and (b) top view of the torque sensor 1 which consist of the strain body 2 and the strain gauge 14 of this embodiment. Sectional drawing of the torque measuring device 100 using the torque sensor 1 of FIG. The figure which shows a mode that the processing circuit storage part 114 was changed from the closed state to the open state in the torque measuring device 100 shown in FIG. The top view of the torque measuring device 100 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of members constituting the torque measuring device 100 according to the first embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Torque sensor 2 Strain body 4 Inner end 6 Outer end 8, 10, 12 Planar part 14 (14a-14d) Strain gauge 100 Torque measuring instrument 101 Torque measuring instrument main body 101a Grasp part 102 Chuck part 102a Claw part 104 Rotation connection Unit 106 bearing 108 pedestal unit 110 rotating shaft 112 fixed shaft 114 processing circuit storage unit 116 display unit 118 operation unit 120 hinge shaft 200 processing circuit 201 amplifying unit / filter unit 202 A / D conversion unit 203 CPU unit 204 applied voltage control unit

Claims (4)

One end is an inner end and the other end is a strip-shaped metal member, and a flat portion is formed at an arbitrary position of the metal member to form a spiral around the inner end. A strain body that elastically deforms in the spiral direction or in the opposite direction;
A torque sensor comprising: a strain gauge disposed on any one surface or both surfaces of the planar portion of the strain generating body.   The torque sensor according to claim 1, wherein the strain body is formed in a single spiral shape with the inner end as a center.   3. The torque sensor according to claim 1, wherein the flat portion is formed on the outermost side where the flat portion of the strain generating body can be formed. 4. The strain body is formed in a rounded polygonal shape having a plurality of the flat portions,
3. The torque sensor according to claim 1, wherein the strain gauge is disposed on a flat surface portion formed on the outermost side among the plurality of flat surface portions. 4.

Images