Patent ID: 6505504
Filing Date: 2003-01-14
Classification: F16H,G01L

Abstract:
A device for real time measurement of torque output from an engine to a transmission of an automobile comprising:a plate type clutch with a clutch plate for intermitting the engine power; a clutch shaft for connecting said clutch plate to a transmission; an axle guide tube for surrounding said clutch shaft over a length of said clutch shaft, wherein said clutch plate includes a lower body member with annular frictional materials attached along peripheries on both sides thereof and formed with a first aperture at a central portion thereof, and an intermediate body member with a hub penetrated into and attached to said intermediate body member at a central portion thereof, said hub being adapted for coupling with said clutch shaft and a lower portion of said hub being inserted into said first aperture, said intermediate body member being adapted to be positioned onto said lower body member, and an upper body member formed with a second aperture at a central portion thereof and adapted to be positioned onto said intermediate body member, an upper portion of said hub being inserted into said second aperture, said lower and upper body members being fixedly fastened together with said intermediate body member interposed therebetween to be circumferentially displaced relative to said lower and upper body members by a damper spring means; a signal-producing reference means formed on said clutch plate, wherein said signal-producing reference means includes a first plurality of axially extending posts formed equidistantly around a periphery of said upper portion of said hub, and a second plurality of axially extending posts formed equidistantly around a circumference of said second aperture of said upper body member, said first posts being disposed radially inside said second posts; at least one sensor mounted into a mounting aperture in a leading end portion of said axle guide tube to be positioned radially inside said signal-producing reference means and to face said signal-producing reference means; and computing means for receiving a signal output from said at least one sensor and for computing the engine torque based on said signal.