A flow measurement device and method based on a flexible mechanism

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of flow measurement, and discloses a flow measurement device and method based on a flexible mechanism, which comprises a base, a mounting rack fixedly connected to the top of the base, an airflow balance assembly arranged at the top of the base, and a displacement detection assembly arranged at the outer side of the mounting rack. The airflow balance assembly comprises a sealed air bellow fixedly connected to the top of the base, a first sealing sleeve and a second sealing sleeve fixedly connected to the outer side of the sealed air bellow from left to right, a standard fan installed at the inner side of the first sealing sleeve, a to-be-measured fan installed at the inner side of the second sealing sleeve, and a partition plate slidingly connected to the inner side of the sealed air bellow. The sealed air bellow with air-tightness maintained by the sealing sleeves at two ends, and the transmission rod and the partition plate achieving non-contact synchronous linkage through magnetic coupling can solve the problem of inaccurate measurement caused by component contact or airflow leakage in traditional flow measurement devices.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of flow measurement technology, specifically to a flow measurement device and method based on a flexible mechanism. Background Technology

[0002] Flow rate is a core performance parameter for fluid machinery such as fans and blowers, and its measurement accuracy directly affects equipment performance evaluation, quality control, and optimized design. Currently, flow rate measurement methods mainly include differential pressure measurement, particle imaging velocimetry, and hot-wire anemometer method.

[0003] Differential pressure measurement calculates flow rate by measuring the pressure difference generated when fluid flows through a throttling element. However, the throttling element can cause flow field interference and requires extremely high installation accuracy. It also has a large measurement error in low flow and low wind speed scenarios. Particle imaging velocimetry calculates flow velocity and then obtains flow rate by tracking the movement trajectory of tracer particles in the flow field. Although it can achieve visual measurement of the flow field, the equipment is expensive, data processing is complex, and it has strict requirements for the optical conditions of the measurement environment, making it unsuitable for batch testing in conventional industrial scenarios. Hot wire anemometers measure flow velocity based on the principle of heat exchange. Although they have a fast response, they are affected by ambient temperature and humidity, have poor stability, and require regular calibration.

[0004] For flow measurement of fan-type equipment, existing technologies still have the following shortcomings: First, contact measurement components can disrupt the fluid flow state, leading to distorted measurement results; second, traditional measurement devices have complex structures and cumbersome calibration processes, making it impossible to quickly compare the flow rate of the fan under test with that of a standard; third, it is difficult to balance the rigidity and sensitivity of the measurement system, making it difficult to balance measurement range and accuracy, especially in detecting minute flow differences. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a flow measurement device and method based on a flexible mechanism, which solves the problems of flow field interference, low measurement accuracy, complex operation, and low detection efficiency in the technology.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: The first aspect of the present invention provides a flow measurement device and method based on a flexible mechanism, including a base and a mounting frame fixedly connected to the top of the base. An airflow balancing component is provided on the top of the base, and a displacement detection component is provided on the outside of the mounting frame. The airflow balancing assembly includes a sealed air box, which is fixedly connected to the top of the base. A first sealing sleeve and a second sealing sleeve are fixedly connected to the outside of the sealed air box from left to right. A standard fan is installed inside the first sealing sleeve, and a fan to be tested is installed inside the second sealing sleeve. A partition is slidably connected to the inside of the sealed air box, and the displacement detection assembly is located on the top of the partition.

[0007] Preferably, the displacement detection component includes a laser interferometer, which is mounted on the outside of the mounting frame. A parallelogram flexible hinge is mounted on the outside of the mounting frame, a transmission rod is fixedly connected to the bottom of the parallelogram flexible hinge, and a reflector is fixedly connected to the outside of the parallelogram flexible hinge.

[0008] Preferably, a first magnetic block is fixedly connected to the bottom of the transmission rod, and a first slide rail is slidably connected to the outside of the first magnetic block. The first slide rail is fixedly connected to the top of the sealed air box.

[0009] Preferably, a second slide rail is fixedly connected to the top of the base, and the partition is slidably connected to the outside of the second slide rail.

[0010] Preferably, a second magnetic block is fixedly connected to the top of the partition, and the second magnetic block is slidably connected to the inside of the sealed air box.

[0011] Preferably, the sealed air box has a left chamber and a right chamber arranged sequentially from left to right on its inner side.

[0012] Preferably, the speeds of the standard fan and the fan under test are adjustable to simulate airflow conditions under different operating conditions.

[0013] Preferably, the parallelogram flexible hinge has good flexibility and precision retention, and is used to accurately transmit the displacement of the transmission rod.

[0014] Preferably, the laser interferometer has high-precision displacement measurement capability, which is used to provide accurate data support for flow measurement.

[0015] A second aspect of the present invention provides a flow measurement method based on a flexible mechanism, comprising the following steps: S1. Securely place the airflow balancing component on the base and check the internal state of the airflow balancing component to ensure that the partition can slide smoothly and horizontally along the second slide rail inside the sealed air box without mechanical jamming; the transmission rod is located outside the sealed air box and is attracted to the second magnetic block partition wall at the top of the partition inside the sealed air box by the first magnetic block at the bottom of the transmission rod, and achieves contactless synchronous linkage by using magnetic coupling. The two ends of the sealed air box maintain overall airtightness through the first sealing sleeve and the second sealing sleeve respectively, completely blocking the airflow leakage path of the internal left and right chambers; S2. Adjust the attitude calibration of the laser interferometer so that the laser beam emitted by the laser interferometer is perpendicularly incident on the reflector on the side of the parallelogram flexible hinge to complete the initial displacement zeroing; then, suspend standard weights at the lower end of the parallelogram flexible hinge to perform multiple sets of stiffness calibrations, establish an accurate conversion model of force and displacement according to Hooke's law, and store the stiffness parameters in the data processing module. S3. Install the fan under test into the second sealing sleeve, and the standard fan into the first sealing sleeve. Start the fan under test and introduce airflow into one side of the sealed air box. The pressure in the right chamber increases and pushes the partition to move along the second slide rail. Relying on the magnetic attraction between the second magnetic block and the first magnetic block, the external transmission rod moves synchronously and forces the parallelogram flexible hinge to deform. The laser interferometer captures and outputs the horizontal displacement signal of the reflector in real time. S4. After the data processing module detects that the reflector has deviated from the zero position, it instructs the standard fan to start and dynamically increase the flow rate, generating a reverse balancing pressure on the other side of the partition until the pressure on both sides cancels out. The partition drives the transmission rod to retract through magnetic coupling, so that the parallelogram flexible hinge gradually resets. When the laser interferometer determines that the reflector has returned to and is stably maintained at the zero position, the system automatically locks the calibrated flow rate value of the standard fan at this time, which is the actual flow rate of the fan under test.

[0016] This invention provides a flow measurement device and method based on a flexible mechanism. It has the following beneficial effects: 1. This invention solves the problem of inaccurate measurement caused by component contact or airflow leakage in traditional flow measurement devices by setting up a transmission rod and partition that achieve contactless synchronous linkage through magnetic coupling, and a sealed air box with sealing sleeves at both ends to maintain airtightness. It achieves the technical effect of blocking the airflow leakage path, ensuring the stability of internal airflow, avoiding interference from external factors, and thus improving the accuracy of flow measurement.

[0017] 2. This invention uses a parallelogram flexible hinge to convert minute pressure differences into significant displacements, and combines this with the nanoscale detection capability of a laser interferometer. This solves the problem that traditional measurement methods are unable to accurately capture minute flow rate changes, achieving precise perception of minute pressure changes, significantly improving measurement sensitivity and accuracy, and meeting the technical requirements of various minute flow rate measurements.

[0018] 3. This invention, through a design concept based on balanced comparison, directly calculates the actual flow rate of the fan under test using the calibrated flow rate value of a standard fan. This solves the problem of low efficiency caused by the complex flow field modeling and conversion required in traditional flow measurement. It achieves the technical effects of simplifying the measurement process, shortening the testing time of a single unit, being suitable for rapid testing of batch fans, and effectively reducing industrial testing costs. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the sealed air box of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the second sealing sleeve of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the partition of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the fan under test in this invention; Figure 6 for Figure 5 Enlarged view of point A in the image; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the transmission rod of the present invention; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the second magnetic block of the present invention.

[0020] The components include: 1. Base; 2. Airflow balancing assembly; 201. First sealing sleeve; 202. Sealed air box; 203. Second sealing sleeve; 204. Fan under test; 205. Partition plate; 206. Standard fan; 3. First slide rail; 4. Displacement detection assembly; 401. Laser interferometer; 402. Reflector; 403. Parallelogram flexible hinge; 404. Transmission rod; 5. Mounting bracket; 6. First magnetic block; 7. Second magnetic block; 8. Second slide rail; 9. Left side chamber; 10. Right side chamber. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0022] Example 1: Please see the appendix Figure 1 - Appendix Figure 6 The present invention provides a flow measurement device and method based on a flexible mechanism, including a base 1 and a mounting frame 5 fixedly connected to the top of the base 1. An airflow balancing component 2 is provided on the top of the base 1, and a displacement detection component 4 is provided on the outside of the mounting frame 5. The airflow balancing assembly 2 includes a sealed air box 202, which is fixedly connected to the top of the base 1. A first sealing sleeve 201 and a second sealing sleeve 203 are fixedly connected to the outer side of the sealed air box 202 from left to right. The two ends of the sealed air box 202 maintain overall airtightness through the first sealing sleeve 201 and the second sealing sleeve 203, completely blocking the internal airflow leakage path. A standard fan 206 is installed inside the first sealing sleeve 201, and a fan 204 to be tested is installed inside the second sealing sleeve 203. The first sealing sleeve 201 ensures the airtightness of this end of the sealed air box 202, ensuring the output of the standard fan 206. The generated airflow can flow as expected within the sealed air box 202, participating in the airflow balancing process. The second sealing sleeve 203 ensures the airtightness of this end of the sealed air box 202, ensuring that the airflow generated by the fan under test 204 can flow as expected within the sealed air box 202, pushing the partition 205 to move to achieve airflow balance measurement. The partition 205 is slidably connected to the inner side of the sealed air box 202, and the displacement detection component 4 is set on the top of the partition 205. Under the action of the airflow pressure generated by the fan under test 204, the partition 205 moves horizontally along the second slide rail 8, driving the external transmission rod 404 to move synchronously through magnetic coupling. When the standard fan 206 generates reverse balancing pressure, the partition 205 retracts, thereby achieving the balance of airflow pressure on both sides. It is a key component in the airflow balancing process. The speeds of the standard fan 206 and the fan under test 204 can be adjusted to simulate airflow conditions under different working conditions.

[0023] Specifically, it mainly consists of a base 1, a mounting bracket 5 fixed to the top of the base 1, an airflow balancing component 2 located on the base 1, and a displacement detection component 4 on the outside of the mounting bracket 5.

[0024] The core of the airflow balancing assembly 2 is a sealed air box 202 fixed on the base 1. A first sealing sleeve 201 and a second sealing sleeve 203 are fixedly connected to both ends of the air box to completely block airflow leakage and ensure overall airtightness. A standard fan 206 is installed inside the first sealing sleeve 201, and a fan under test 204 is installed inside the second sealing sleeve 203. The speeds of both fans can be adjusted to simulate different operating conditions.

[0025] A partition 205 is slidably connected to the inner side of the sealed air box 202, and a transmission rod 404 is provided on its top. During operation, the partition 205 is pushed by the airflow pressure of the fan under test 204, and moves horizontally along the second slide rail 8, and drives the external transmission rod 404 to move synchronously through magnetic coupling. When the standard fan 206 generates reverse pressure, it causes the partition 205 to retract, thereby using the movement of the partition 205 to achieve the balance and measurement of the airflow pressure on both sides.

[0026] Please see the appendix Figure 7 - Appendix Figure 8In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the displacement detection component 4 includes a laser interferometer 401, which is mounted on the outside of a mounting frame 5. A parallelogram flexible hinge 403 is mounted on the outside of the mounting frame 5, and a transmission rod 404 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the parallelogram flexible hinge 403. The parallelogram flexible hinge 403 has good flexibility and precision retention. High-precision measurement of minute torque is achieved through the elastic deformation characteristics of the parallelogram flexible hinge 403, which is used to accurately transmit the displacement of the transmission rod 404. The laser interferometer 401 has high-precision displacement measurement capabilities, providing accurate data support for flow measurement. A reflector 402 is fixedly connected to the outside of the parallelogram flexible hinge 403. The reflector 402 receives the laser beam emitted by the laser interferometer 401 and reflects it back. The displacement change is detected by the laser interferometer 401, thus reflecting the deformation of the parallelogram flexible hinge 403, and further reflecting the displacement of the transmission rod 404 and the partition 205. It is a key reflective component in the displacement detection process.

[0027] Specifically, the displacement detection component 4 combines high-precision optical measurement with flexible mechanical transmission to provide accurate data support for flow measurement.

[0028] This component mainly consists of a laser interferometer 401 mounted on the outside of the mounting bracket 5 and a parallelogram flexible hinge 403. The bottom of the parallelogram flexible hinge 403 is fixedly connected to a transmission rod 404, which, thanks to its excellent flexibility and precision retention, accurately transmits the movement of the transmission rod 404.

[0029] A reflector 402 is fixedly connected to the outer side of the parallelogram flexible hinge 403. As a key reflective component, the reflector 402 receives and reflects the laser beam from the laser interferometer 401. The laser interferometer 401 accurately calculates the deformation of the hinge by detecting the displacement change of the reflector 402, and then derives the real-time displacement of the transmission rod 404 and the internal partition 205.

[0030] Please see the appendix Figure 4 - Appendix Figure 6In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a first magnetic block 6 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the transmission rod 404, a first slide rail 3 is slidably connected to the outside of the first magnetic block 6, the first slide rail 3 is fixedly connected to the top of the sealed air box 202, a second slide rail 8 is fixedly connected to the top of the base 1, and a partition 205 is slidably connected to the outside of the second slide rail 8. The second slide rail 8 provides a horizontal sliding track for the partition 205, ensuring that the partition 205 can slide smoothly and steadily along a straight line under the pressure difference between the two chambers, ensuring the stability and accuracy of the airflow balance process. A second magnetic block 7 is fixedly connected to the top of the partition 205, and the second magnetic block 7 is slidably connected to the inside of the sealed air box 202. The second magnetic block 7 and the first magnetic block 6 are attracted to each other through the partition wall, and the transmission rod 404 is driven to move synchronously by magnetic coupling, ensuring that the displacement of the partition 205 can be accurately transmitted to the transmission rod 404, and then to the displacement detection component 4. It is a key connecting component for realizing contactless synchronous linkage. The left chamber 9 and the right chamber 10 are arranged sequentially from left to right on the inside of the sealed air box 202.

[0031] Specifically, the sealed air box 202 is divided into a left chamber 9 and a right chamber 10.

[0032] Regarding internal motion guidance, a second slide rail 8 is fixed to the top of the base 1, and the partition 205 is slidably connected to it. The second slide rail 8 provides precise horizontal guidance for the partition 205, ensuring that it can move smoothly and steadily along a straight line under the pressure difference between the two chambers, thereby ensuring the stability and accuracy of the airflow balance process.

[0033] In terms of displacement transmission mechanism, the system adopts a contactless magnetic coupling design. A second magnetic block 7 is fixed to the top of the partition 205, while a first magnetic block 6, which is fixed to the transmission rod 404, is slidably connected to the first slide rail 3 on the top of the outer side of the sealed air box 202. The two are attracted to each other through the partition wall, and the displacement of the partition 205 is accurately and synchronously transmitted to the external transmission rod 404 by magnetic force, and then to the displacement detection component 4. This is the key connection structure for realizing internal and external linkage.

[0034] Example 2: The present invention also provides a flow measurement method based on a flexible mechanism, comprising the following steps: S1. Securely place the airflow balancing component 2 on the base 1, check the internal state of the airflow balancing component 2, and ensure that the partition 205 can slide smoothly and horizontally along the second slide rail 8 inside the sealed air box 202 without mechanical jamming; the transmission rod 404 is located outside the sealed air box 202, and is attracted to the partition wall of the partition 205 inside the sealed air box 202 by the first magnetic block 6 at the bottom of the transmission rod 404 and the second magnetic block 7 at the top of the partition 205, and achieves contactless synchronous linkage by using magnetic coupling. The two ends of the sealed air box 202 maintain overall airtightness through the first sealing sleeve 201 and the second sealing sleeve 203 respectively, completely blocking the airflow leakage path of the internal left chamber 9 and right chamber 10; S2. Adjust the attitude calibration of the laser interferometer 401 so that the laser beam emitted by the laser interferometer 401 is perpendicularly incident on the reflector 402 on the side of the parallelogram flexible hinge 403 to complete the initial displacement zeroing; then, suspend standard weights at the lower end of the parallelogram flexible hinge 403 to perform multiple sets of stiffness calibrations, establish an accurate conversion model of force and displacement according to Hooke's law, and store the stiffness parameters in the data processing module; S3. Install the fan under test 204 into the second sealing sleeve 203, and the standard fan 206 into the first sealing sleeve 201. Start the fan under test 204 to introduce airflow into one side of the sealed air box 202. The pressure in the right chamber 10 increases, pushing the partition 205 to move along the second slide rail 8. Relying on the magnetic attraction of the second magnetic block 7 and the first magnetic block 6, the external transmission rod 404 moves synchronously and forces the parallelogram flexible hinge 403 to deform. The laser interferometer 401 captures and outputs the horizontal displacement signal of the reflector 402 in real time. S4. After the data processing module detects that the reflector 402 is deviating from the zero position, it instructs the standard fan 206 to start and dynamically increase the flow rate, generating a reverse balancing pressure on the other side of the partition 205 until the pressures on both sides are canceled out. The partition 205 drives the transmission rod 404 to retract through magnetic coupling, so that the parallelogram flexible hinge 403 gradually resets. When the laser interferometer 401 determines that the reflector 402 has returned to and is stably maintained at the zero position, the system automatically locks the calibrated flow rate value of the standard fan 206 at this time, which is the actual flow rate of the fan 204 to be tested.

[0035] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A flow measurement device based on a flexible mechanism, comprising a base (1) and a mounting bracket (5) fixedly connected to the top of the base (1), characterized in that, The base (1) is provided with an airflow balancing component (2) on its top, and the mounting bracket (5) is provided with a displacement detection component (4) on its outer side. The airflow balancing assembly (2) includes a sealed air box (202), which is fixedly connected to the top of the base (1). A first sealing sleeve (201) and a second sealing sleeve (203) are fixedly connected to the outside of the sealed air box (202) from left to right. A standard fan (206) is installed inside the first sealing sleeve (201), and a fan to be tested (204) is installed inside the second sealing sleeve (203). A partition (205) is slidably connected inside the sealed air box (202), and the displacement detection assembly (4) is located on the top of the partition (205).

2. The flow measurement device based on a flexible mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The displacement detection component (4) includes a laser interferometer (401), which is mounted on the outside of the mounting frame (5). A parallelogram flexible hinge (403) is mounted on the outside of the mounting frame (5). A transmission rod (404) is fixedly connected to the bottom of the parallelogram flexible hinge (403), and a reflector (402) is fixedly connected to the outside of the parallelogram flexible hinge (403).

3. The flow measurement device based on a flexible mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, The bottom of the transmission rod (404) is fixedly connected to a first magnetic block (6), and the outside of the first magnetic block (6) is slidably connected to a first slide rail (3), which is fixedly connected to the top of the sealed air box (202).

4. The flow measurement device based on a flexible mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base (1) is fixedly connected to the top of the second slide rail (8), and the partition (205) is slidably connected to the outside of the second slide rail (8).

5. The flow measurement device based on a flexible mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top of the partition (205) is fixedly connected to a second magnetic block (7), which is slidably connected to the inside of the sealed air box (202).

6. The flow measurement device based on a flexible mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sealed air box (202) has a left chamber (9) and a right chamber (10) arranged from left to right on the inner side.

7. The flow measurement device based on a flexible mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The speeds of the standard fan (206) and the fan under test (204) are adjustable to simulate airflow conditions under different operating conditions.

8. The flow measurement device based on a flexible mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, The parallelogram flexible hinge (403) has good flexibility and precision retention, and is used to accurately transmit the displacement of the transmission rod (404).

9. The flow measurement device based on a flexible mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, The laser interferometer (401) has high-precision displacement measurement capability, which is used to provide accurate data support for flow measurement.

10. A flow measurement method based on a flexible mechanism, characterized in that, The flow measurement device based on a flexible mechanism according to any one of claims 1-9 includes the following steps: S1. Securely place the airflow balancing component (2) on the base (1), check the internal state of the airflow balancing component (2), and ensure that the partition (205) can slide smoothly and horizontally along the second slide rail (8) inside the sealed air box (202) without mechanical jamming; the transmission rod (404) is located outside the sealed air box (202), and is attracted by the first magnetic block (6) at the bottom of the transmission rod (404) and the second magnetic block (7) at the top of the partition (205) inside the sealed air box (202) through the partition wall, and achieve contactless synchronous linkage by using magnetic coupling. The two ends of the sealed air box (202) maintain overall airtightness through the first sealing sleeve (201) and the second sealing sleeve (203) respectively, completely blocking the airflow leakage path of the left side chamber (9) and the right side chamber (10) inside; S2. Adjust the attitude calibration of the laser interferometer (401) so that the laser beam emitted by the laser interferometer (401) is perpendicularly incident on the reflector (402) on the side of the parallelogram flexible hinge (403) to complete the initial displacement zeroing; then, suspend standard weights at the lower end of the parallelogram flexible hinge (403) to perform multiple sets of stiffness calibration, establish an accurate conversion model of force and displacement according to Hooke's law, and store the stiffness parameters in the data processing module; S3. Install the fan under test (204) into the second sealing sleeve (203), and the standard fan (206) into the first sealing sleeve (201). Start the fan under test (204) to introduce airflow into the sealed air box (202). The pressure in the right chamber (10) increases, pushing the partition (205) to move along the second slide rail (8). Relying on the magnetic attraction of the second magnetic block (7) and the first magnetic block (6), the external transmission rod (404) moves synchronously and forces the parallelogram flexible hinge (403) to deform. The laser interferometer (401) captures and outputs the horizontal displacement signal of the reflector (402) in real time. S4. After the data processing module detects that the reflector (402) is deviating from the zero position, it instructs the standard fan (206) to start and dynamically increase the flow rate, generating a reverse balancing pressure on the other side of the partition (205) until the pressure on both sides cancels out. The partition (205) drives the transmission rod (404) to retract through magnetic coupling, so that the parallelogram flexible hinge (403) is gradually reset. When the laser interferometer (401) determines that the reflector (402) has returned to and is stably maintained at the zero position, the system automatically locks the calibrated flow rate value of the standard fan (206) at this time, which is the actual flow rate of the fan (204) to be tested.

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