Project Details
Projekt
Elastic couplings with integrated flexible dielectric elastomer sensors
Applicants
Professor Dr.-Ing. Berthold Schlecht; Dr.-Ing. Ernst-Friedrich Markus Vorrath; Professor Dr.-Ing. Thomas Wallmersperger
Subject Area
Engineering Design, Machine Elements, Product Development
Automation, Mechatronics, Control Systems, Intelligent Technical Systems, Robotics
Mechanics
Automation, Mechatronics, Control Systems, Intelligent Technical Systems, Robotics
Mechanics
Term
since 2021
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 466661922
Couplings are machine elements whose primary function is to enable power transmission between two shafts by means of a mechanical connection. Form-fitting torsionally flexible couplings are considered to be very important in drive technology because, on the one hand, their design is comparatively simple and therefore inexpensive and, on the other hand, because of their torsional flexibility, they can mitigate critical torque shocks and dampen system-related dynamic vibrations. Within the scope of this project, flexible couplings such as flexible jaw couplings and rubber wedge couplings are to be equipped with sensors in order to determine torques and forces during the running time in operation. Such couplings have elastic elastomer elements (i) to compensate for axial and radial misalignment and (ii) to absorb torque shocks. The sensors should be placed directly in the flexible elastomer elements and should not, or only as little as possible, change them geometrically as well as mechanically towards the outside. This project aims at developing compliant, integrable sensor systems, including the necessary evaluation and communication electronics. The deformations expected in the coupling’s elastomer elements under load are very small, making them difficult to measure with conventional measuring tools such as strain gauges. For this purpose, piezoresistive and capacitive dielectric elastomer sensors are to be generated and embedded within the project. The measuring system must have mechanical properties similar to those of the elastic element. Dielectric elastomers have the necessary material properties and will be used as sensors in order to continuously monitor the behaviour of the couplings. The project goal, monitoring the behaviour of couplings by integrated sensors, will be achieved through close cooperation among three participating working groups with special expertise. The Chairs of Machine Elements at the Institute of Machine Elements and Machine Design (IMM), the Chair of Mechanics of Multifunctional Structures at the Institute for Solid Mechanics (IFKM) and the MEiTNER junior research group at the Institute of Semiconductors and Microsystems (IHM) will work closely together to (i) determine relevant numerical and experimental system parameters of real coupling systems, (ii) carry out numerical simulations of the elastic components and of the overall system, and (iii) design and develop the individual sensor elements. Finally, the sensor demonstrators will be integrated into real couplings and the behaviour of the entire system will be numerically simulated and tested under real conditions on adapted test benches.
DFG Programme
Priority Programmes
