Overload clutch with joint torque and disengagement sensing

An overload clutch comprising an input flange and an output flange, said clutch being configured to transmit torque between the input flange and the output flange and to disengage the clutch when the torque exceeds a predetermined threshold,

• wherein the clutch comprises one or more sensing means at least partially integrated in at least one of the input and output flanges, and
• wherein the one or more sensing means are adapted to jointly determine the torque transmitted between both flanges and detect the disengagement of the clutch,
• wherein, that said at least one flange comprises a first rigid body and a second rigid body connected to each other via a deformable structure deformable in an angular direction of said at least one flange, the deformable structure being defined by at least one torsion spring constant, and that
• the one or more sensing means comprise:
• a sensor structure having an electrode connected to one of the first and second rigid bodies and electrically insulated therefrom, the sensor structure being configured to measure a first capacitance between the electrode and the other of said one of the first and second rigid bodies and configured to measure a second capacitance between the electrode and the other of said at least one flange, and
• an electronic circuit configured to determine the external torque based on the measured first capacitance and configured to detect disengagement of the clutch based on the measured second capacitance.