Accelerating advanced automotive testing using torque transducers
The Automotive Industry has long placed the highest demands on torque measurement, as transducers provide important data that is critical to the engineering, design, testing and performance monitoring of all types of vehicles.
Interface has long been a preferred Supplier of torque and reaction sensors for the automotive industry. Why? Accuracy and durability are key selection factors, as is the wide range of sensors available, which vary in capacity and configuration. The industry is also undergoing change. Advanced testing requirements for torque transducers, which support innovation and facilitate the transition from concept to production, are being driven by the industry's shift toward higher engine performance, fuel-efficient designs, electric vehicles (EVs), advanced safety systems and the integration of technologies for autonomous vehicles (AV) pushed forward.
These industrial and market demands require highly precise and reliable force and torque measurement solutions. Interface force gauges are critical for critical tests in the design and manufacturing of commercial and industrial vehicles to ensure safety and reliability.
Torque transducers are becoming increasingly common. While basic applications such as Tightening hood bolts, the Assembly of wheel nuts and the Testing of vacuum pumps remain crucial, the focus is increasingly on the high speed and high power density requirements of EVcomponents and the precise, dynamic control of ADAS/AV systems. Interface offers a wide range Torque and reaction torque solutions for these diverse testing needs, from small designs for easy integration to advanced wireless technologies for maximum efficiency.
Automotive torque solutions from Reaction to high-speed rotators
The scope of torque testing in the automotive sector has never been broader, ranging from low-torque quality testing on the assembly line to high-speed dynamometer testing of high-performance engines. Interface meets these requirements by providing a variety of high-precision solutions spanning both reaction and torque transducer technologies. This range includes:
- Reaction torque transducers are primarily used for static applications such as fastening, tightening, and assembly. These static transducers ensure precise quality control.
- Torque solutions for dynamic testing of rotating components with advanced options such as miniaturized, lightweight torque transducers for easy integration into compact test benches and wireless torque transducers that eliminate the need for cables, thus enabling more convenient and efficient testing. They are widely used in engine test benches, dynamometers, component testing, and for testing all moving components.
The revolutionary AxialTQ™ range of torque transducers, an advanced product specifically designed for the automotive industry, illustrates this evolution in dynamic testing.
The AxialTQ is now used in a wide range of test environments, from traditional to next-generation components, including:
- Laboratory and end-of-line (EOL) tests for internal combustion engines (ICE)
- Laboratory tests for powertrains
- Laboratory tests for automotive accessories
- EOL testing for electric vehicle (EV) motors and laboratory testing for electric vehicles
High-accuracy applications in automotive torque measurement
While traditional automotive applications use reliable torque transducers such as the T33 spindle torque transducer for quality control on production lines, the most demanding and fastest-evolving areas focus on electric powertrains, dual-motor systems, and ADAS/autonomy testing.
Testing of EV motors and powertrains
Electric motors for electric vehicles operate at significantly higher speeds and have a much higher power density than their internal combustion engine (ICE) counterparts. EV manufacturers require a high-precision torque measurement system to verify the torque and speed of their electric motors and ensure optimal instantaneous peak torque performance. The AxialTQ™ wireless torque transducer is a precise system specifically designed for this purpose. It is mounted on a test bench and accurately senses the motor by measuring and calculating torque and speed (rpm) in real time. This system is critical for achieving and verifying the required instantaneous peak power.
Dual-motor dynamometer testing is used in electric and hybrid vehicles. Two AxialTQ™ Wireless Rotary Torque Transducers can be installed at either end of a double-ended dynamometer, enabling simultaneous, high-accuracy testing and data acquisition of two motors. For more information, see our Dual-Motor Dynamometer Application Note.
Autonomous driving and ADAS system tests
Another important and rapidly growing application requiring advanced torque transducers is testing the performance of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). ADAS and autonomous systems rely on various sensors to measure and control vehicle dynamics. Torque transducers are used to measure and monitor forces and moments associated with steering, braking, and suspension systems, all of which are controlled or assisted by ADAS technology. The collected data helps engineers verify the precise, real-time control these systems require for safe and reliable operation. This application often requires small, lightweight torque transducers that can be easily integrated into complex assemblies and dynamic vehicle test setups.
Measurement of tire force and torque
The dynamic control capabilities of tires are critical for both high-performance and safety-critical vehicle operation, especially in the context of advanced driver assistance systems and autonomous functions. Tire manufacturers subject their products to stress tests to investigate dynamic control. This requires simultaneously measuring both the torque (rotational force) and the lateral force (lateral force) of the tire under dynamic conditions.
The AT105 non-contact force and torque transducer was specifically designed for this purpose and enables the measurement of tire lateral force and torque during load tests. The data provides valuable insights for optimizing tire design to improve vehicle control and stability.
Torque transducer technology for advanced automotive testing
Interface provides the essential tools modern automotive test labs need to meet these ever-evolving requirements. Interface torque transducers are critical to automotive innovation, providing the specialized accuracy, speed, and form factors required for testing the next generation of vehicles. Interface is helping accelerate the transition to these advanced platforms by offering critical solutions for dynamic and static testing.
The AxialTQ provides the high-speed, high-precision measurement capabilities required to validate the performance and efficiency of electric motors and powertrains. At the same time, high-precision reaction sensors and miniature designs enable precise dynamic measurement of steering and braking components, which is critical for ensuring the functional reliability and safety of autonomous systems.
This commitment to advanced measurement technology extends across the entire testing spectrum. Interface not only supports demanding dynamic testing but also offers solutions to optimize operational efficiency, such as wireless capabilities that simplify test bench integration by eliminating cumbersome cables. Interface torque transducers ensure the precision and data integrity required to bring new automotive concepts from concept to market quickly and safely.
To find the right product for specific application requirements, manufacturers and test engineers should consult Interface's Torque Transducer Selection Guide. Also, read our case study, "Accelerating Automotive Expertise with Interface Test Lab Solutions."
Interface showcases its growing portfolio of torque transducers, wireless systems, multi-axis sensors, and measurement devices each year at Automotive Testing Expos in Asia, Europe, and the United States. If you are unable to meet us in person at these events, please contact our experienced application specialists.
Selecting a torque transducer training