FEATURE SENSORS & SENSING SYSTEMS Philipp Mehl, public
relations manager at KONUX in Munich, looks into the
development of a torque sensor which is built around a new optoelectronic measurement principle, and guides us through the benefits and applications in which it can be used
A
robust yet precise torque sensor – which is based on a relatively simple
technology and can easily be integrated into existing systems – has been developed by KONUX of Munich. Rather than being developed using traditional measurement technologies like strain gauges or the magnetoresistive effect, the sensor is built around a new optoelectronic measurement principle. The patented
technology is simple: An LED emits light onto a photodiode and thereby creates a current. A coded blind is located in between the LED and the
TORQUE ABOUT sensor developments
rotating as the technology is able to determine torque in both cases. The sensor can be built for different
torque ranges from 0.08Nm up to 10,000Nm, or even more if needed.
THE BENEFITS There are many other benefits to the new sensor. For a start, as it uses a contactless means of measurement, wear will not be a problem. In addition to this, it is extremely precise, thanks to the use of optical measurement using light; and offers accuracy of up to 0.1% (although even higher precision is
possible). Another advantage
of the technology is the insusceptibility of the sensor towards
environmental influences.
Internal cross section of the sensor
Temperature fluctuations, dirt, dust and electromagnetic disturbance do not pose a risk to the robustness of the
“There are many benefits to the new sensor. For a start, as it uses a contactless means of measurement, wear will not be a problem. In addition, it is extremely precise...”
photodiode. When an external force moves the blind, the amount of light arriving at the photodiode changes and this alters the current. Nine different types of sensors have
already been developed based on the principle – including pressure, flow and position devices. The torque sensor works through
the combination of two angle measurements. These are located on both ends of a shaft, either within the sensor or in separate housings on the ends of bigger shafts – in the engine of a ship, for example. A simple calculation using the
difference between the two angle measurements returns the torsion; and, as torque is directly proportional to torsion, it can be determined exactly. In fact the application can be static or
14 NOVEMBER 2015 | DESIGN SOLUTIONS / DESIGNSOLUTIONS
Multidimensional datagraph showing a 3D model of torque, temperature and vibration data
sensor’s signal; and electromagnetic disturbance is ruled out through the separation of the mechanical and the electronic parts within the sensor.
THE APPLICATIONS KONUX torque sensors can be used to determine torque in applications such as automatic screw machines, test benches, robotic joints or in agricultural machines. Take automatic screw machines as an example. Used on assembly lines or construction sites, these can be in the form of static, fully automatic versions within factories, or as relatively mobile devices to securely tighten the screws on railroad tracks, for example. Here, the torque sensors can be used to check if the torque applied to a screw is correct.
A DIGITISED ENVIRONMENT Today, monitoring application processes and storing data of the applied torque is becoming a standard procedure - either for the purpose of efficiency enhancement or because it is mandatory. Within the KONUX sensor platform there is no additional hardware needed to fulfil this requirement – the sensors come equipped with a software suite, several filters onboard and industry standard interfaces to enable easy integration into existing systems. In fact the software suite is the second half of KONUX’s approach towards a digitised measurement environment. By enabling the communication and connection of multiple sensors and the analysis of their data in a computing infrastructure, machine learning becomes possible. Through that, concepts like predictive maintenance become a reality.
KONUX
www.konux.de/en
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