Modular material testing apparatus for testing the materials of test specimens

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus (100) for material testing of a test piece (102). The apparatus (100) includes a test piece holder (101) that holds the test piece (102) to be tested, a rod assembly (110) that moves in a direction toward the test piece holder (101) to transmit a mechanical load to the test piece (102), an actuator (120) that moves at least one of the rod assembly (110) and the test piece holder (101) relative to each other along a horizontal impact direction (103), and a support base to which the test piece holder (101), the rod assembly (110), and the actuator (120) are attached, wherein the test piece holder assembly is removably coupled to a holder receiving portion (131) of the support base.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a test piece, particularly an apparatus for testing battery materials, and a method for testing battery materials.

Background Art

[0002] In materials testing, it is necessary to expose a material sample to various different types of stress. For example, a material sample is subjected to tensile stress or compressive stress for a certain period of time. For example, a testing machine may be designed to provide a tensile test, where the material sample is stretched with a specific tension. Furthermore, impact tests and bending tests may be performed on other testing machines, where an impact element is pressed against the material sample for testing purposes. Furthermore, testing machines are usually designed for different types of loading speeds. For example, a general-purpose testing machine can be used for quasi-static tests (low speed) only, usually a servo-hydraulic machine is used for repeated fatigue tests, and a dedicated machine (special servo-hydraulic machine or split Hopkinson bar) is used for high-speed loading conditions.

[0003] The force can be applied statically or dynamically. Since particularly high forces act during the test, the requirements for the testing machine are very high, especially with regard to durability and vibration safety. For this reason, testing machines are usually designed for one specific loading condition only, the purpose being to provide sufficient test performance for this one loading condition.

[0004] Furthermore, the fixing and alignment of the test piece to be tested need to be very accurate and robust, so that the preparation time of the test apparatus is long for the replacement time between tests of two test pieces.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, there may be a need to efficiently provide an apparatus for testing the materials of a plurality of test pieces.

[0006] This requirement can be met by an apparatus and method for material testing of test specimens as described in the subject matter of the independent claims.

[0007] According to a first aspect, an apparatus for material testing of test specimens is described. The apparatus comprises a test specimen holder for holding a test specimen to be tested, a rod assembly that moves in a direction towards the test specimen holder to transmit a mechanical load to the test specimen, an actuator for moving at least one of the rod assembly and the test specimen holder relative to each other along a horizontal impact direction, and a support base to which the test specimen holder, the rod assembly, and the actuator are attached, wherein the test specimen holder is removably coupled to a holder receiving portion of the support base.

[0008] According to a further aspect, a method for material testing of test specimens by the above-described apparatus is shown. According to this method, the test specimen holder is removably coupled to the holder receiving portion of the support base, and a mechanical load is transmitted to the test specimen by moving at least one of the rod assembly and the test specimen holder relative to each other to perform a material test of the test specimen.

[0009] The test specimen to be tested using the above-described apparatus may be part of a material such as a metal element or a plastic element, and may be in a sheet-like shape or a solid shape. Further, the test specimen to be tested may be part of a product such as a semi-finished or finished device. For example, the test specimen to be tested may be a battery cell, a multi-cell device, a battery module, or a battery pack. This device may be used for tensile tests and impact tests for testing the mechanical properties of materials, and is also capable of performing a withstand voltage test of a battery. Accordingly, the test specimen holder can hold the device, for example, such that the rod assembly is adapted to transmit a mechanical load to the housing of the device. The purpose is to provide a material test for each of the housings.

[0010] The test piece holder assembly has a test piece holder designed to hold a test piece, for example, in a particularly removable manner. For example, the test piece holder can include a clamping element for clamping the test piece to be tested. Further, the test piece holder may include a magnet, in particular a permanent magnet or an electromagnet. The purpose is to removably fix the test piece, in particular a metal test piece, to the holding device. Further, the test piece holder may include a chamber in which the test piece is disposed and into which a rod assembly can move. Through the opening of this chamber, the impact element of the rod assembly reaches the sample attached to the sample holder.

[0011] The rod assembly includes an impact portion designed to be pressed against the test piece being tested. Thereby, the rod assembly is configured to move in a direction towards the test piece holder. In a further exemplary embodiment, the rod assembly is configured to transmit a traction force to the test piece. The rod assembly can be driven by an actuator and move relative to the test piece at an adjustable speed and with an adjustable impact force or traction force. The rod assembly can have an impact element and a force transmission element, in particular a force transmission rod, coupled to the actuator. The impact element is, in particular, harder than the test piece being tested. Further, the impact element may include a conical or pyramidal shape with an impact tip. The impact element may also include a hemispherical shape with a round ball-shaped impact portion. The impact element may also include an impact edge extending in the longitudinal direction, or an impact spike / pin that applies force, for example, at a single point. Thus, the pressing / rod assembly is configured to transmit a mechanical load to the test piece. Depending on the actual test piece holder, various mechanical loads can be transmitted, such as, for example, a compressive load, a tensile load, a shear load, and / or a bending load. For example, the rod assembly can apply a load to the test piece at a high frequency, for example, to perform a repeated test or a fatigue test, or (using the same device) the rod assembly can also apply a static load to the test piece. Also, the rod assembly may apply a load to the test piece at a high speed to perform a high strain rate test. The force may not be generated constantly during a static test by the rod assembly controlled by the actuator. For example, in a static test, the force is continuously increased to a specific level or until the test piece breaks, while providing a very slow movement of the rod assembly. However, so-called creep tests are also possible, where the force is kept constant over a long period of time. In a dynamic test, it is possible to provide a faster movement of the rod assembly, for example, using a pre-acceleration phase, whereby the load introduction device of the test piece or the test piece holder is impacted at a specific speed and / or impact energy. All of these test cases can be performed with the described material testing device.

[0012] For example, in the static creep test described above, a constant force is provided over a long period of time. However, this force does not necessarily have to be constant. In a static test, it is possible to continuously increase the force up to a certain level or until the test piece breaks, while providing a very slow movement of the rod assembly. In a dynamic test, it is possible to provide a faster movement of the rod assembly using a pre-acceleration stage, whereby the test piece, or the load introduction device of the test piece holder, is impacted at a specific speed and / or impact energy.

[0013] The support base is designed to support the test piece holder assembly, the rod assembly, and the actuator. The test piece holder assembly, the rod assembly, and the actuator are attached to the support base (either directly or indirectly by coupling support elements). The support base is robustly formed, for example, by a framework of steel rods that can be placed on the ground. The support base transmits the force of weight and dynamic forces to the ground respectively.

[0014] The actuator may be, for example, an electric motor or a servo motor that drives at least one of the rod structure and the test piece holder structure with a desired impact force at a desired speed along the impact direction. Specifically, a constant speed or a variable speed (i.e., acceleration or deceleration) may be adjusted within the range of 0 m / s to 12 m / s. The electric motor is configured to relatively move the rod structure along the longitudinal impact direction to the test piece holder structure at a speed of at least 4 m / s, particularly up to 10 m / s, and more particularly up to 12 m / s. The speed of 4 m / s means that the speed can be adjusted to any speed within the range of 0 m / s to 4 m / s between the rod structure and the test piece holder structure in order to transmit a mechanical load to the test piece. In an exemplary embodiment, a constant speed or a variable speed (i.e., acceleration or deceleration) may be adjusted within the range of 0 m / s to 6 m / s or within the range of 0 m / s to 4 m / s. For example, when the rod structure is driven at 3.6 m / s with respect to the test piece, a force of 25 kN can be applied. The electric motor is configured to adjust the speed (e.g., constant or variable (i.e., acceleration or deceleration)) to any speed within the range of 0 m / s to 12 m / s between the rod structure and the test piece holder structure in order to transmit a mechanical load to the test piece. At least one of the rod structure and the test piece holder structure means that the rod structure can be driven with respect to the test piece holder structure, the test piece holder structure can be driven with respect to the rod structure, or both, and both the rod structure and the test piece holder structure can be driven (and thus move relative to each other). Specifically, a constant speed or a variable speed (i.e., acceleration or deceleration) may be adjusted within the range of 0 m / s to 12 m / s. That is, during the test time interval, the speed may vary over time.

[0015] In an exemplary embodiment, the actuator can also function using a pneumatic or hydraulic driving means. In one example, the actuator can be a linear motor. The actuator is particularly configured to provide the test piece with an impact energy exceeding 100 J (joules), particularly exceeding 200 J, and more particularly exceeding 500 J.

[0016] Thus, according to the approach of the present invention, a test piece holder assembly having, for example, a test piece holder and a receiving plate is removably coupled to the holder receiving portion of the support base. Thus, before attaching the test piece holder assembly to the apparatus, it is possible to pre-assemble one or more test piece holder assemblies together with the test pieces to be tested. Thus, it is possible to perform a test using this apparatus and attach the test pieces to the test piece holder of the test piece holder assembly in parallel, resulting in a more efficient test procedure. Further, as will be described in the following exemplary embodiments, the replacement of the test piece holder assembly to the holder receiving portion can be handled automatically and self-selectively by a handling device such as a robotic arm. Thus, a more efficient automatic test procedure for material testing can be provided.

[0017] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the actuator and rod assembly is configured to perform a static test that applies a constant pressing force to the test piece to be tested and / or a dynamic test that varies the impact force within a predetermined time range. In the static test, it is possible to provide no movement at all, up to a specific level, or continuously increase the force until the test piece breaks, and at the same time provide a very slow movement of the rod assembly. In the dynamic test, it is possible to provide a faster movement of the rod assembly using a pre-acceleration stage, whereby the test piece, or the load introduction device of the test piece holder, is impacted at a specific speed and / or impact energy. Thus, it is also possible to provide a test that alternately repeats static and dynamic loads on the test piece with this rod assembly.

[0018] According to a further exemplary embodiment, when the device is placed on the ground, the impact direction is parallel to the horizontal direction. That is, the impact direction, and thus the moving direction of the rod assembly, is orthogonal to the direction of gravity. By applying such a horizontal alignment of the rod assembly, the influence or disturbance caused by gravity along the impact direction is minimal, enabling the same movement or acceleration without being affected in both directions. This approach is contrary to many conventional approaches where the impact direction is vertical in order to generate a higher impact force using the weight of the impact tool.

[0019] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the receiving part has a holder receiving plate to which the test piece holder is removably coupled. For example, the receiving plate may be firmly fixed to the support base. The receiving plate can include removable fixing means, such as a screw connection, for removably fixing the test piece holder to the receiving plate. The holder receiving plate may also be firmly fixed to the test piece holder configuration so that the receiving plate and the test piece holder configuration form a modular unit that can be easily exchanged.

[0020] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the holder receiving plate has at least one mounting pin engageable with each receiving hole of the coupling plate of the receiving part. Alternatively, the coupling plate has at least one mounting pin engageable with each receiving hole of the holder receiving plate of the receiving part.

[0021] Thus, the holder receiving plate can move along the vertical direction towards the coupling plate together with the test piece holder configuration in order to engage the mounting pin with the receiving hole.

[0022] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the receiving part has controllable clamping means for fixing the mounting pins to the respective receiving holes of the coupling plate. A controllable fixing mechanism can be attached to the receiving holes. For example, the fixing mechanism may have respective clamping means that are movable to a clamping position when the mounting pin is disposed within the receiving hole. The clamping means may be, for example, a movable clamping pin or ball that can be pretensioned in the direction of the center of the hole and may be actively driven, for example, by an electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic actuator. Further, a magnetic fixing mechanism may be provided. For example, the mounting pin may be formed of a magnetic (e.g., ferromagnetic) material, and respective electromagnetic elements are provided inside the receiving hole. Thus, by activating the electromagnetic elements within the receiving hole, the respective magnetic mounting pins can be fixed.

[0023] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a lifting mechanism coupled to the coupling plate, the lifting mechanism being configured to lift the holder receiving plate from the coupling plate, thereby separating the holder receiving plate from the coupling plate. Thus, when the holder receiving plate is separated from the coupling plate, respective handling devices such as a robotic arm, a conveyor, and / or a forklift can move (automatically) the holder receiving plate to or away from the apparatus by moving between the coupling plate and the holder receiving plate. The lifting mechanism lifts the holder receiving plate particularly along the vertical direction. However, the lifting mechanism may also be configured as a pushing or pulling mechanism that pushes or pulls the holder receiving plate along the side (horizontal direction), particularly orthogonally to the impact direction, into or out of the coupling plate. For example, the lifting mechanism can push the holder receiving plate along the side onto a conveyor belt disposed adjacent to the coupling plate of the apparatus.

[0024] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the lifting mechanism has at least two, in particular three, lifting pistons configured to be extendable (and retractable) between the holder receiving plate and the coupling plate in order to lift and lower the holder receiving plate from the coupling plate. The lifting pistons may be driven by a pneumatic, hydraulic or electric actuator.

[0025] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the holder receiving plate has at least one receiving groove, and the test piece holder has at least one receiving protrusion. This receiving protrusion is configured to be slidable within the receiving groove in order to removably couple the test piece holder to the holder receiving portion. The receiving groove may be formed, in an exemplary embodiment, in particular orthogonally to the impact direction.

[0026] The holder receiving portion may have, for example, a plurality of receiving grooves extending in a horizontal plane and orthogonal to the impact direction. The test piece holder may have respective receiving protrusions slidable within the grooves along a direction orthogonal to the impact direction. The receiving protrusion may form, for example, a protruding edge or ridge extending along a linear longitudinal direction. The receiving protrusion may also form, in an exemplary embodiment, a protruding stud or pin insertable into the receiving groove.

[0027] The receiving groove may be formed, in an exemplary embodiment, in particular orthogonally to the impact direction. Thus, the force induced by the impact of the rod configuration on the test piece being tested is directed orthogonal to the sliding direction of the receiving protrusion within the groove such that the force can be directly transmitted from the test piece holder to the receiving portion. Thus, a robust, simple and removable fixation of the test piece holder to the receiving portion of the support base is provided.

[0028] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the receiving part has a coupling plate configured to removably couple the receiving plate. Thus, the receiving plate, together with the test piece holder construct (e.g., the test piece holder of the test piece holder construct), forms a modular unit that can be easily exchanged and pre-assembled before being attached to the coupling plate. The coupling plate may be firmly fixed to the support base. Further, since the receiving plate and the coupling plate form a surface contact rather than a point contact, improved and stable alignment and fixation are provided between the coupling plate and the receiving plate. According to this exemplary embodiment, a plurality of test piece holder constructs, each (firmly or removably) attached to each receiving plate, may be pre-assembled outside the test device together with each test piece. As will be described later, by an operating device (e.g., a robotic arm or a conveyor), the receiving plate, together with the test piece holder construct, can be automatically transferred to or from the test device. Thus, for example, an automated process for testing a plurality of test pieces under different test conditions can be provided.

[0029] In another exemplary embodiment, the receiving plate may form a receiving protrusion and the test piece holder may form a receiving groove.

[0030] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the receiving plate has at least one coupling groove and the coupling plate has a coupling protrusion. Here, the coupling protrusion and the coupling groove are formed such that the coupling protrusion is slidable within the coupling groove.

[0031] The coupling protrusion may form, for example, a protruding edge or ridge extending along a linear longitudinal direction. The coupling protrusion may also form, in an exemplary embodiment, a protruding stud or pin that can be inserted into the coupling groove.

[0032] According to an exemplary embodiment, the coupling groove extends orthogonally to the impact direction. Thus, the force induced by the impact of the rod assembly in the test piece being tested is directed orthogonally to the sliding direction of the coupling projection in the groove so that the force can be directly transmitted from the test piece holder to the receiving plate and further to the coupling plate. Thus, a robust, simple and removable fixation of the receiving plate to the coupling plate is provided.

[0033] In another exemplary embodiment, the receiving plate on the coupling projection and the coupling plate may form a coupling groove.

[0034] According to an exemplary embodiment, the coupling groove has, in particular, tapered side walls with a trapezoidal cross-section. According to an exemplary embodiment, the coupling projection is a longitudinal ridge having, in particular, tapered side walls with a trapezoidal cross-section. Thus, by providing tapered side walls in the coupling groove and / or the coupling projection, a self-aligning effect occurs when the receiving plate moves towards the coupling plate, in particular along the vertical direction. By providing tapered side walls, the opening of the coupling groove becomes larger than the width of the coupling groove at the bottom of the groove. Similarly, the free end and the upper width of the tapered coupling projection are smaller than the lower part of the coupling projection at the location where the coupling projection is fixed to the coupling plate. The angles of the tapered side walls of the coupling groove and the coupling projection are the same in order to provide proper alignment. Thus, the walls of the coupling groove and the coupling projection form a surface contact rather than a point contact.

[0035] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the receiving part has a clamping structure configured to selectively hold the receiving plate and move it along a clamping direction relative to the coupling plate so that the receiving plate can be clamped to the coupling plate. In an exemplary embodiment, the clamping direction is particularly a vertical clamping direction. The clamping direction is the direction along which the receiving plate can move towards the clamping plate. Thus, each clamping force along the clamping direction presses the receiving plate against the clamping plate and thus clamps it. Specifically, when the clamping plate presses against the receiving plate, fixation along the clamping direction is provided. Further, the above-described clamping protrusions and clamping grooves provide fixation perpendicular to the clamping direction, particularly along the impact direction. When the receiving plate is clamped to the clamping plate, the clamping force makes relative movement between the respective plates impossible. However, when the clamping connection between the receiving plate and the coupling plate is released, the removal of the receiving plate from the clamping plate is possible, particularly in a direction perpendicular to the clamping direction and the impact direction. For example, the receiving plate can slide along the clamping protrusion when no clamping force is generated. Thus, the clamping protrusions and the respective clamping grooves of the clamping plate and the receiving plate serve to adapt and orient the receiving plate with respect to the rod structure and the impact direction. On the other hand, the clamping structure that presses the receiving plate towards the clamping plate to clamp it serves to firmly fix the receiving plate to the coupling plate.

[0036] Thus, an efficient process for aligning and fixing the receiving plate relative to the rod structure is provided. This is because, in the first step, by providing the clamping groove / protrusion, the receiving plate is self-actuated to be oriented and aligned relative to the coupling plate, and in the second step, a firm fixation by the clamping structure is provided.

[0037] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the clamp assembly has at least one clamp rod configured to draw the receiving plate towards the coupling plate along the clamping direction. The clamp rod forms a tension rod capable of pressing the receiving plate against the clamping plate. Specifically, a plurality of clamp rods may be provided. The clamp rod may be fixedly or removably fixed to the receiving plate. Alternatively, the clamp rod may also be fixedly or removably fixed to the coupling plate. In the exemplary embodiments described below, the clamp rod is removably fixed to the receiving plate and can pass through the clamping plate.

[0038] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the clamp rod is coupled to the receiving plate and the coupling plate such that the coupling rod is fixed to the receiving plate along the clamping direction and is slidable relative to the coupling plate. Thus, the clamp rod is removably fixed to the receiving plate and can pass through the clamping plate through each hole of the clamping plate.

[0039] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the clamp assembly has a drive system for moving the clamp rod along the clamping direction. This drive system is generated, for example, by using the driving force generated by each motor such as the spindle motor described below, to move the clamp rod along the clamping direction. Alternatively, the clamp rod may be formed by a threaded bar that can be guided through the coupling plate and may be fixed by respective set screws. By screwing in the set screws, respective clamping forces can be generated.

[0040] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the drive system has a drive plate to which a clamping rod is fixed so as not to be movable at least along the clamping direction, and the drive plate is movable relative to the clamping plate. Thus, by moving the drive plate longitudinally along the clamping direction, the clamping rod fixed to the drive plate also moves. For example, a plurality of clamping rods can be fixed to the drive plate, so that by moving only one drive plate, a plurality of clamping rods also move. Therefore, it is not necessary to individually couple each clamping rod to a respective drive actuator.

[0041] According to a further exemplary embodiment, a spindle is fixed to a coupling plate, and the drive plate is movably coupled along the spindle. The drive system has a spindle drive unit attached to the drive plate for generating a driving force along the spindle. The spindle drive unit includes, for example, a rotatable threaded nut that rotates by the driving force. The spindle drive unit rotates the threaded nut, thereby providing movement along the spindle coupled to the threaded nut. The spindle may be further guided through a through-hole of the drive plate, whereby the coupling between the drive plate and the spindle does not prevent relative movement of the drive plate in the direction of the coupling direction. Thus, the clamping force is induced from the clamping rod through the drive plate to the coupling plate. All the components necessary for providing and controlling the movement of clamping the receiving plate to the coupling plate are arranged on the drive plate. For example, more usable area is provided for providing a coupling structure to the receiving plate because there are no actuators on the coupling plate at all.

[0042] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the receiving plate has a clamping groove for receiving a clamping rod, the clamping rod being slidable along the clamping groove and being movably fixed along the clamping direction together with the receiving plate. The clamping groove includes a side opening, in particular along the side edge of the receiving plate. Further, the clamping groove is formed in such a way that an undercut, such as a C-shape or a T-shape (seen in cross-section), is formed. Thus, the clamping groove has a T-shaped cross-section, and the clamping rod has a T-shaped rod end configured to fit into the T-shaped clamping groove.

[0043] The rod ends of the clamping rod each have a shape that fits into the clamping groove. Thus, the clamping rod can slide, in particular along the horizontal direction, from the side edge into the clamping groove perpendicular to the impact direction. When a clamping force is applied to the clamping rod, a form fit is generated between the clamping rod and the clamping groove with an undercut, such that the receiving plate can be pressed and pulled in the direction towards the clamping plate via the clamping rod.

[0044] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the support base has a support plate, in particular an aluminum plate, to which at least a clamping assembly, in particular a coupling plate, is attached. The support plate forms a separate and robust base for the rod assembly, the actuator, and the test piece holder assembly.

[0045] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the support base has at least one vertical shear panel extending between the ground on one side and the specimen holder assembly, the rod assembly, and the actuator on the other side, and this shear panel is, in particular, a vertically oriented sheet, in particular a metal sheet. The shear panel is, in particular, a vertically oriented sheet, in particular a metal sheet. By providing the vertical shear panel, forces (in particular shear forces) spreading along the vertical direction and further along the impact direction are absorbed and attenuated by the vertical shear panel. Specifically, to attenuate each force, each sheet-like panel is sufficient, thereby providing a lightweight solution for attenuating the vertical force. The shear panel is configured to have a natural frequency exceeding 300 Hz along the impact direction. The natural frequency can be adjusted by providing the thickness of the shear panel respectively and by using an appropriate material such as metal.

[0046] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the apparatus further has a handling device, and the handling device is configured to handle the receiving plate, in particular to move the receiving plate to or away from the coupling plate. The handling device can be, for example, a robotic arm, which is designed to grip the receiving plate and move the receiving plate to or away from the coupling plate along the horizontal direction and further along the vertical direction. Further, the handling device can include a conveyor device, such as a conveyor belt, for moving the receiving plate along the sliding direction to the coupling plate. Specifically, the sliding direction, that is, the conveying direction, is defined respectively along the coupling protrusion and the coupling groove. The sliding direction may be a horizontal direction orthogonal to the impact direction. Thus, the receiving plate can slide over the coupling plate from one side to provide a material test, and when the material test is completed, the receiving plate can move along the sliding direction to the coupling plate and / or move away from it. Thus, efficient loading of the apparatus for material testing is provided.

[0047] The above-described coupling structure provides a sliding mechanism for manually or automatically attaching the test piece holder structure together with the accommodation plate. The above-described clamping mechanism provides a clamping and fixing mechanism in the vertical direction in addition to the horizontal fixing mechanism. Therefore, the above-described clamping mechanism enables a firm connection by each support structure having a high rigidity exceeding, for example, 600 kN / mm even when moving during the test.

[0048] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a control unit that controls a handling device and an actuator for mounting a test piece holder structure in a holder accommodation section to perform a material test. The control unit can be coupled to a rod structure, an actuator, and a test piece holder structure for the purpose of transmitting a control signal to control the apparatus so that self-activation of the apparatus and a material test can be provided respectively. Further, the control unit is coupled to a handling device and a drive system to automatically clamp and release the accommodation plate. A test piece holder structure on which a test piece to be tested is mounted is pre-assembled on this accommodation plate. Therefore, the system of the present invention that clamps the accommodation plate and the coupling plate enables automatic and self-activating loading and unloading of the material testing apparatus.

[0049] Furthermore, the control unit can include test piece data, which includes, for example, pressing force of the rod structure, information regarding frequency, etc. in a dynamic test, in addition to design parameters and material parameters of the test piece, for performing respective material tests, and a predetermined test procedure is included. Therefore, the control unit enables automatic loading and unloading of the apparatus and also provides automatic operation of the material testing apparatus.

[0050] Therefore, the material test of the test piece can be performed under predetermined environmental conditions. For example, the material test can be performed in a low temperature environment such as a temperature below -40°C, or a high temperature environment such as exceeding 200°C.

[0051] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the rod assembly further comprises a force sensor for measuring the impact force between the rod assembly and the test piece being tested. The force sensor is arranged particularly between the impact element and the force transmission element of the rod assembly.

[0052] The force sensor can be arranged between the impact element and the force transmission element. Thus, when the force sensor is arranged close to the impact element, direct measurement of the force sensor and further appropriate accessibility are also possible. Specifically, when the force sensor is attached near the impact element at the front, no time delay of the force signal occurs during dynamic measurement, so very accurate force measurement is provided. Thus, for example, a direct signal is used instead of a delayed signal from the engine controller of the actuator unit. The force sensor can be removably attached to at least one of the impact element and the force transmission element. Thus, different types of force sensors can be applied to different load conditions, or a defective sensor can be replaced. The force sensor may be a piezoelectric sensor. A piezoelectric sensor is a sensor that measures a change by converting a change in pressure, acceleration, temperature, strain, or force into an electric charge using the piezoelectric effect. In force measurement, the piezoelectric sensor may have a thin film and a large base, and the applied pressure ensures the formation of respective electrical signals indicating the applied force, particularly when each element is loaded in one direction. Additionally or alternatively, a strain gauge sensor, i.e., a DMS sensor, can also be used as the force sensor for measuring the strain of the rod assembly.

[0053] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the apparatus further comprises an optical measurement device (particularly a high-speed camera) for optically measuring the test piece during the test, and / or a displacement sensor for measuring the displacement amount of a part of the test piece under test conditions (particularly during the processing of the test piece using the rod assembly). Thus, the high-speed camera can also be used for the deformation of the test piece during the test.

[0054] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the coupling device has a coupling pin configured to be insertable into a receiving hole of a coupling portion of the device. The coupling pin includes a receiving portion (in particular a groove) for receiving a clamping element (in particular a ball movable in the radial direction of the device, in particular a steel ball).

[0055] The coupling pin extends in particular in the force transmission direction and in the movement direction of the force transmission rod. The clamping element may be a pin or a ball pretensioned in the radial direction (and thus towards the central axis of the force transmission rod). Thus, when the coupling pin moves towards the actuator, the clamping element (e.g., the clamping pin or ball that has entered the receiving hole of the coupling portion of the actuator) is pushed radially outwards until the receiving portion of the clamping pin (i.e., the groove) reaches the clamping element. In this position, the clamping element is pushed into the receiving portion by the pretensioning force, thereby further preventing relative axial movement (along the central axis of the force transmission portion).

[0056] The clamping elements may be pretensioned by respective springs. In an exemplary embodiment, the clamping elements are pretensioned in such a way that the clamping elements are arranged in a closed position (e.g., a position where the clamping elements contact each other). The clamping elements are moved to an open position (e.g., arranged away from each other) by an opening force (e.g., compressed air) so that a pin can be arranged between the clamping elements. When the opening force is removed and deactivated, the clamping elements move to the closed position, thereby clamping a pin between them. The clamping elements can also be driven electrically, pneumatically, or hydraulically to control the pretensioning force. Thus, separation of the coupling device is also provided. That is, the coupling device can be, for example, a mechanical clamping device including an extension pin that extends in a direction from a force transmission rod to an actuator. The actuator may include, for example, a coupling portion having a receiving hole for the pin. Each clamping element can be arranged in the receiving hole. The pin can be clamped between the clamping elements to provide a connection between the force transmission rod and the actuator.

[0057] The coupling device may also form a magnetic coupling. For example, the force transmission rod may have a magnetic element, and the actuator may have a controllable electromagnetic device in the coupling portion that selectively couples the force transmission rod to the actuator.

[0058] Furthermore, the coupling device may also form a threaded connection between the force transmission rod and the actuator.

[0059] The actuator may have respective coupling mechanisms for removably coupling the coupling device. For example, the coupling device can have respective coupling pins that can be inserted into respective coupling holes of the actuator, and vice versa. The coupling holes may include respective clamping elements for clamping the coupling pins of the coupling device. Furthermore, a controllable magnetic coupling can also be provided.

[0060] The above-described control devices can be coupled to respective sensors, and each sensor data can be transmitted to a data acquisition unit (such as a central server unit) that processes the sensor data. Therefore, during the test of the test piece, an accurate visualization of the behavior of the test piece under the test conditions can be provided. The sensor data can also be used, for example, in simulation tools and other design processes. By processing the sensor data, an emergency stop can also be automatically initiated.

[0061] It should be noted that the embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to different subjects. In particular, some embodiments are described with reference to claims related to apparatuses, while on the other hand, other embodiments are described with reference to claims related to methods. However, those skilled in the art can infer from the above and the following descriptions that, unless otherwise noted, in addition to any combination of features belonging to a certain type of subject, any combination between features related to different subjects, particularly any combination between the features of claims related to apparatuses and the features of claims related to methods, is also considered to be disclosed in the present application.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0062] The aspects defined above and further aspects of the present invention are apparent from the examples of embodiments to be described hereinafter and are described with reference to the examples of embodiments. The present invention will be described in more detail hereinafter with reference to the examples of embodiments, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0063]

Figure 1

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Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

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Figure 11

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0064] Note that the illustrations in the drawings are schematic. It should be noted that the same reference numerals are provided for similar or identical elements in different drawings.

[0065] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an apparatus 100 for material testing of a test piece 102 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 100 includes a test piece holder structure having a test piece holder 101 that holds the test piece 102 to be tested, a rod structure 110 that moves in a direction toward the test piece holder 101 and transmits a mechanical load to the test piece 102, an actuator 120 that moves the rod structure 110 relative to the test piece holder 101 along a horizontal impact direction 103, and a support base to which the test piece holder 101, the rod structure 110, and the actuator 120 are attached. The test piece holder is removably coupled to a holder receiving portion 131 of the support base.

[0066] The test piece holder 101 of the test piece holder assembly is designed to hold the test piece 102 in a removable manner, particularly with respect to the holder receiving portion 131 of the support base 130. For example, the test piece holder 101 can have a clamping element that clamps the test piece 102 to be tested. By providing a removable test piece holder assembly, each test piece holder 101 can be pre-assembled with the test piece 102 to be tested before fixing the holder 101 to the holder receiving portion 131.

[0067] The test device 100 further includes a support plate 134 of the support base 130. The test piece holder 101, the rod assembly 110, and the electromechanical actuator 120 are attached to the support plate (either directly or indirectly via coupling support elements). The support base 130 transmits the forces of weight and dynamic forces to the ground respectively.

[0068] The holder receiving portion 131 includes at least one receiving plate 132 having a receiving groove 133. The test piece holder 101 includes at least one receiving pin as a receiving protrusion 405 (see FIG. 4). For example, the receiving plate 132 may be firmly fixed to the support base 130. The receiving pin is slidable within the receiving groove 133 to removably couple the test piece holder 101 to the holder receiving plate 132. The receiving groove 133 is formed particularly orthogonal to the impact direction 103. The holder receiving plate 132 can have, for example, a plurality of receiving grooves 133 that extend in a horizontal plane and are orthogonal to the impact direction 103. Each receiving pin of the test piece holder 101 slides through the receiving groove 133 along a direction orthogonal to the impact direction 103. Therefore, the force induced by the impact of the rod assembly 110 on the test piece 102 to be tested is directed orthogonal to the sliding direction of the receiving pin within the receiving groove 133 so that the force can be directly transmitted from the test piece holder 101 to the receiving plate 132.

[0069] The rod assembly 110 includes an impact element 111 having an impact portion designed to be pressed against the test piece 102 to be tested. Thereby, the rod assembly 110 is configured to move in the direction toward the test piece holder 101. The rod assembly 110 is driven by an electromechanical actuator 120 and can move relative to the test piece 102 at an adjustable speed and with an adjustable impact force.

[0070] The actuator 120 may be, for example, an electric motor or a servo motor that drives the rod assembly 110 at a desired speed along the impact direction 103 using a desired impact force. In an exemplary embodiment, the actuator 120 is a linear motor. The electromechanical actuator 120 is specifically configured to impart an impact energy of more than 100 J to the test piece 102.

[0071] The actuator 120 is configured to adjust at least one of the rod assembly 110 and the test piece holder assembly relative to each other at a constant speed or a variable speed (i.e., acceleration or deceleration) within the range of 0 m / s to 12 m / s. Thus, a plurality of loading conditions can be applied. For example, the rod assembly 110 can impact the test piece 102 at a high frequency, or the rod assembly 110 can statically transmit a mechanical load (tensile force, traction force, or pressing force) to the test piece 102. Therefore, with the mentioned apparatus 100, it is possible to apply a plurality of different loading conditions for material testing within one and the same apparatus.

[0072] When the device 100 is placed on the ground, the impact direction 103 is configured to be parallel to the horizontal direction h. That is, the impact direction 103, and thus the moving direction of the rod structure 110, is orthogonal to the gravitational direction (along the vertical direction v). By applying such a horizontal alignment of the rod structure 110, the influence or disturbance caused by gravity along the impact direction 103 is minimal, enabling the same movement or acceleration without being affected in both directions. Therefore, a static test that applies a constant pressing force to the test piece 102 to be tested and / or a dynamic test that changes the impact force within a predetermined time range can be provided. The electromechanical actuator 120 and the rod structure 110 are configured to press the rod structure 110 against the test piece 103 using a pressing force exceeding 5 kN.

[0073] Furthermore, the actuator 120 is configured to move the rod structure 110 along the impact direction 103 towards and away from the test piece holder 101. Therefore, it is possible not only to apply a pressing force to the test piece 102 in the direction towards the test piece 102, but also to apply a tensile force in the direction away from the test piece 102. Thus, a tensile test, as well as various load conditions between the further pressing / hanging test and the tensile test, can be provided by the device of the present invention. To provide a tensile test, the rod structure 110 can be firmly fixed to the test piece.

[0074] The rod structure 110 has an impact element 111 and a force transmission rod 112 coupled to the actuator 120. The impact element 111 is, in particular, harder than the test piece 102 to be tested. Furthermore, the impact element 111 can include an impact edge extending in the longitudinal direction in the illustrated exemplary embodiment.

[0075] The force transmission rod 112 provides a connection between the impact element 111 and the actuator 120. The force transmission rod 112 can be coupled to a movable part, such as the sliding part 121 of the electromechanical actuator 120. The weight of the sliding part 121 exceeds 100 kg. Therefore, a high impact energy due to a high mass exceeding 100 kg is provided.

[0076] The impact element 111 is removably coupled to the force transmission rod 112. Thus, for example, in order to test the test piece 102 under different load conditions, it is possible to exchange the impact elements 111 with different designs and shapes. Further, when the impact element 111 is damaged, each of the impact elements 111 can be exchanged.

[0077] The rod assembly 110 further has a force sensor 113 for measuring the impact force between the impact element 111 and the test piece 102 to be tested. The force sensor 113 is disposed between the impact element 111 and the force transmission rod 112. Thus, when the force sensor 113 is disposed near the impact element 111, direct measurement of the force sensor 113 and further appropriate accessibility are also possible. Specifically, when the force sensor 113 is attached near the impact element 111 at the front portion, no time delay of the force signal occurs during dynamic measurement, and thus very accurate force measurement is provided.

[0078] The force sensor 113 is removably attached to at least one of the impact element 111 and the force transmission rod 112. The force sensor 113 may be a piezoelectric sensor.

[0079] In an exemplary embodiment, the actuator 120 is a linear motor having a movable sliding portion 121 to which the rod assembly 110 is coupled, and a stator 122 that extends along the impact direction 103. The sliding portion 121 can be driven relative to the stator 122 along the impact direction 103 by an electromechanical driving force that can be generated between the stator 122 and the sliding portion 121. The linear motor generates a linear driving force along its length and thus along the impact direction 103. A typical operation mode is a Lorentz type actuator, and the applied force is linearly proportional to the current and the magnetic field. By the linear motor, the impact force and speed of the rod assembly 110 can be accurately adjusted.

[0080] The force transmission rod 112 is coupled to the movable sliding part 121. The force transmission rod 112 has a length particularly along the impact direction 103, and this length is longer than the moving distance of the sliding part 121 along the impact direction 103. Therefore, the maximum moving distance of the sliding part 121 can be used to move the rod structure 110. This is because, due to the length of the force transmission rod 112, the impact element 111 arranged on the force transmission rod 112 does not collide with the structural elements of the linear motor.

[0081] In this embodiment, the stator 122 is made of a rectangular stator table 123 and a further stator table 124. The stator tables 123 and 124 have a length along the impact direction 103 and a width orthogonal to the impact direction 103, and the length is longer than the width of the stator tables 123 and 124.

[0082] The sliding part 121 is slidably arranged between the stator table 123 and the further stator table 124. Therefore, by providing two stator tables 123 and 124 that sandwich the sliding part 121, a stronger magnetic field can be provided for driving the sliding part 121.

[0083] Therefore, the test piece holder 101 is removably coupled to the holder receiving part 131 of the support base 130. Therefore, before attaching the test piece holder 101 to this apparatus, it becomes possible to pre-assemble one or a plurality of test piece holders 101 together with the test piece 102 to be tested.

[0084] Figures 2 and 3 show exemplary embodiments of the clamp structure 210 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0085] The housing part 131 has a coupling plate 201 configured to removably couple the housing plate 132. Accordingly, the housing plate 132 can be pre-assembled together with the test piece holder assembly before being attached to the coupling plate 201. The coupling plate 201 may be firmly fixed to the support plate 134. Further, the housing plate 132 and the coupling plate 201 form a surface contact.

[0086] The housing plate 132 has at least one coupling groove 202, and the coupling plate 201 has a coupling protrusion 203. The coupling protrusion 203 and the coupling groove 202 are formed such that the coupling protrusion 203 is slidable within the coupling groove 202.

[0087] The coupling protrusion 203 forms a protruding edge or ridge extending along the linear longitudinal direction. The coupling groove 202 extends orthogonally to the impact direction 103. Accordingly, the force induced by the impact of the rod assembly 120 on the test piece 102 being tested is directed orthogonally to the sliding direction of the coupling protrusion 203 within the groove 202 such that the force can be directly transmitted from the test piece holder 101 to the housing plate 132 and further to the coupling plate 201.

[0088] The coupling groove 202 has tapered side walls, particularly with a trapezoidal cross-section. Also, the coupling protrusion 203 has a tapered side wall 204 and forms a longitudinal ridge, particularly with a trapezoidal cross-section. Accordingly, by providing the tapered side wall 204 on the coupling groove 202 and / or the coupling protrusion 203, a self-aligning effect occurs when the housing plate 132 moves towards the coupling plate 201, particularly along the vertical direction v. Accordingly, when the housing plate 132 is pulled downward along the coupling direction 205, the movement in the horizontal and vertical directions is prevented by fixing it on the inclined surface of the trapezoidal block.

[0089] Specifically, the support plate 134 is an aluminum plate, and at least the clamp assembly 210, in particular the coupling plate 201, is attached to this plate. In an exemplary embodiment, the support plate 134 and the coupling plate 201 may be integrally formed as one piece entirely.

[0090] The receiving portion 131 further has a clamp assembly 210 that moves the receiving plate 132 along the clamping direction 205 toward the coupling plate 201 so that the receiving plate 132 can be clamped to the coupling plate 201. The clamping direction 205 is a vertical clamping direction. The clamping direction 205 is the direction along which the receiving plate 132 can move toward the clamping plate 201. Each clamping force acts along the clamping direction 205. Accordingly, the receiving plate 132 is clamped to the clamping plate 201 so that fixation along the clamping direction is provided. Further, the tapered clamp protrusion 203 and the clamp groove 202 described above provide respective fixations orthogonal to the clamping direction 205, particularly along the impact direction 103. When the receiving plate 132 is clamped to the coupling plate 201, relative movement between the respective plates 132 and 201 becomes impossible due to the clamping force. However, when the clamping connection between the receiving plate 132 and the coupling plate 201 is released, movement of the receiving plate 132 with respect to the clamping plate 201 becomes possible, particularly in a direction orthogonal to the clamping direction 205 and the impact direction 103. For example, the receiving plate 132 can slide along the clamp protrusion 203 when no clamping force is generated. Accordingly, the clamp protrusion 203 and the respective clamp grooves 202 of the clamping plate 201 and the receiving plate 132 serve to adapt and orient the receiving plate 132 with respect to the rod assembly 120 and the impact direction 103, respectively. On the other hand, the clamp assembly 210 that presses and clamps the receiving plate 132 in the direction toward the clamping plate 201 serves to firmly fix the receiving plate 132 to the coupling plate 132.

[0091] To apply a clamping force along the vertical direction v, the clamping assembly 210 has a clamping rod 211 configured to draw the receiving plate 132 towards the coupling plate 201 along the clamping direction 205. The clamping rod 211 is removably fixed to the receiving plate 132. The clamping rod 211 passes through the clamping plate 201 through respective holes in the clamping plate 201. The clamping rod 211 is coupled to the receiving plate 132 and the coupling plate 201 such that the coupling rod 211 is fixed to the receiving plate 132 along the clamping direction 205 and is slidable relative to the coupling plate 201.

[0092] The clamping assembly 210 further has a drive system 220 for moving the clamping rod 211 along the clamping direction 205. The drive system 220 has a drive plate 221 to which the clamping rod 211 is fixed so as to be at least non - movable along the clamping direction 205, and the drive plate 221 is movable relative to the clamping plate 201. Thus, by moving the drive plate 221 longitudinally along the clamping direction 205, the clamping rod 211 fixed to the drive plate 221 also moves.

[0093] Furthermore, the spindle 222 is fixed to the coupling plate 201, and the drive plate 221 is movably coupled along the spindle 222. The drive system 220 has a spindle drive unit 223 attached to the drive plate 221 for generating a driving force along the spindle 222. The spindle drive unit 223 has, for example, a rotatable threaded nut that rotates by the driving force. The spindle drive unit 223 rotates the threaded nut, thereby providing movement along the spindle 222 coupled to the threaded nut. The spindle 222 is further guided through the through-hole of the drive plate 221, thereby enabling relative movement along the coupling direction 205 between the drive plate 221 and the spindle 222 such that the drive plate 221 can move in the direction of the coupling direction 205. Therefore, the clamping force is induced from the clamping rod 211 through the drive plate 221 to the coupling plate 201.

[0094] Furthermore, the receiving plate 132 has a clamping groove 206 for receiving the clamping rod 211, and the clamping rod 211 is slidable along the clamping groove 206 and is movably fixed together with the receiving plate 132 along the clamping direction 205. The clamping groove 206 has a side opening, particularly along the side edge of the receiving plate 132. Further, the clamping groove 206 is formed in such a shape that an undercut such as the shown T-shape (seen in the cross-sectional view) is formed. Accordingly, the clamping groove 206 has a T-shaped cross-section, and the clamping rod 211 has a T-shaped rod end 212 configured to fit into the T-shaped clamping groove 206. The rod end 212 may form a single rod end or a plate-shaped rod end, and a plurality of clamping rods 211 are attached thereto. The rod end 212 forms a plate extending in the horizontal direction h and can be inserted into the shaped clamping groove 206 formed therein respectively. Accordingly, a more uniform clamping force can be applied in the clamping direction 205. Thus, the clamping rod 211 can slide from the side end into the clamping groove 206 perpendicular to the impact direction 103, particularly along the horizontal direction h. When a clamping force is applied to the clamping rod 211, a form fit is generated between the clamping rod 211 and the clamping groove 206 having an undercut such that the receiving plate 132 is pressed and pulled in the clamping direction 205 towards the clamping plate 201 by the clamping rod 211.

[0095] A handling device for handling the receiving plate 132, particularly for moving the receiving plate 132 specifically along the horizontal direction h to and from the coupling plate 201, may be provided. Specifically, the sliding direction, and thus the conveying direction, is defined along the coupling protrusion 203 and the coupling groove 206 respectively. The sliding direction may be the horizontal direction h perpendicular to the impact direction 103. Accordingly, the receiving plate 132 can slide over the coupling plate 201 from one side to provide a material test, and when the material test is completed, the receiving plate 132 can move away from the coupling plate 201 along the sliding direction.

[0096] Figure 4 shows an embodiment of a test piece holder structure having a test piece holder 101. The accommodation plate 132 and the test piece holder 101 can form one replaceable modular unit. This unit can mount the test piece 102 and can be further arranged away from the apparatus 100. For example, the accommodation plate 132 may be fixed to the test piece holder 101. Further, the accommodation plate 132 may have an accommodation groove 133, and the test piece holder 101 has an accommodation protrusion 405 for removably attaching the test piece holder 101 to the accommodation plate 132.

[0097] The test piece 102 to be tested is arranged in a holder element 402 (such as a clamp unit) of the test piece holder. Further, the rod structure 110 can move along the impact direction 103.

[0098] The apparatus 100 can also be provided with an optical measurement device (especially a high-speed camera) for optically measuring the test piece 102 during the test, and / or a displacement sensor for measuring the displacement amount of a part of the test piece 102 under test conditions (especially during the processing of the test piece 102 using the impact element 111).

[0099] The control device 408 is coupled to each sensor, and each sensor data can be transmitted to a data acquisition unit (such as a central server unit) for processing the sensor data.

[0100] Furthermore, there may be provided a handling device for handling the test piece holder 101, particularly for moving the test piece holder 101, specifically together with the receiving plate 132, along the horizontal direction h to or away from the coupling plate 201. For example, the test piece holder 101 may be arranged together with the receiving plate 132 on a trolley or conveyor of the handling device. Here, the handling platform of the trolley is at the same vertical height as the coupling plate 201, whereby the test piece holder 101 can be pushed onto the coupling plate 201 together with the receiving plate 132. Here, the coupling protrusion 203 slides along the coupling groove 202. The coupling plate 201 may have a stopper for defining a predetermined position by ending the sliding movement.

[0101] The control unit 408 is further configured to control the handling device and the actuator 120 in order to mount the test piece holder 101 on the holder receiving portion 131 having the test piece holder 102 to perform a material test. The control unit 408 can be coupled to the rod assembly 110, the actuator 120, and the test piece holder 101 for the purpose of transmitting control signals to control the apparatus 100 so that self-activation of the apparatus 100 and material tests can be provided respectively. Further, the control unit 408 is coupled to the handling device and the drive system 220 to automatically clamp and release the receiving plate 132.

[0102] Furthermore, the control unit 408 can include test piece data, which includes, for example, design parameters and material parameters of the test piece 102, as well as information regarding the pressing force and frequency of the rod assembly 110 in a dynamic test, etc., for performing respective material tests, and a predetermined test procedure. Therefore, the control unit 408 enables automatic loading and unloading of the apparatus 200 and also provides automatic operation of the material testing apparatus.

[0103] FIG. 5 shows an apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, particularly having a support base 130. The support base 130 is configured to provide a rigidity exceeding 600 kN / mm. Thus, high-weight forces, and even dynamic forces, can be transmitted to the ground without generating vibrations that may adversely affect the test procedure. The support base 130 is robustly formed, for example, by a framework 502 of steel rods that can be placed on the ground. This rigidity can be further provided by the robust framework 502 of steel beams described above, and also by a vertical shear panel 501.

[0104] The vertical shear panel 501 extends between the ground on one side and the specimen holder 101, the rod assembly 110, and the electromechanical actuator 130 on the other side (e.g., between the support plate 134 and the ground). The shear panel 501 is a particularly vertically oriented sheet, particularly a metal sheet. By providing the vertical shear panel 501, forces (particularly shear forces) that spread along the vertical direction v and further along the impact direction 103 are absorbed and attenuated by the vertical shear panel 501. The shear panel 501 is configured to have a natural vibration frequency exceeding 300 Hz along the impact direction 103.

[0105] The support plate 134 forms a robust and non-bending receiving surface and can be placed on the strong framework 501 of the steel beams of the support base 130. By arranging the support plate 134 in the horizontal plane, forces directed along the horizontal direction h are effectively attenuated and absorbed. The apparatus 100 further includes a housing 503 that houses at least a portion of the actuator 120 and the rod assembly 110.

[0106] Figures 6 and 7 show an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus 100 that provides a rod structure 110 for applying a traction force FT to a test piece 102. The test piece holder 101 is fixed to the housing plate 132. Further, the test piece holder 101 has a clamping element 602, such as a clamping jaw, that clamps the test piece 102 so as not to be movable with respect to the support base 130. A gripping element 601 is disposed away from the clamping element 602 and is provided on a movable force transmission rod 112. For example, the gripping element 601 is attached to the free end of the force transmission rod 112. Specifically, the force transmission rod 112 has a split portion and forms a fork-shaped end. The fork-shaped end 603 passes through the test piece 102. A gripping element 601 is disposed at the end of the fork-shaped end 603. The gripping element 601 grips the test piece 102 that is disposed away from the clamping portion of the clamping element 602. The gripping element 601 can fix the test piece 102, for example, by clamping or by form-fit fixing. Therefore, when the force transmission rod 112 moves out of the housing 503 and thus along each horizontal movement direction, the gripping element 601 moves away from the clamping element 602, whereby the traction force FT is transmitted to the test piece 102 to be tested.

[0107] Figure 8 shows a schematic view of a coupling plate 201 having a receiving hole 802 according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 9 shows schematic views of a holder receiving plate 132 of a holder receiving portion having mounting pins 801 according to exemplary embodiments.

[0108] The elevating mechanism 801 has three elevating pistons 803 configured to be extendable (and contractible) between the coupling plate 201 and the holder receiving plate 132 to lift and lower the holder receiving plate 132. The elevating pistons 803 may be driven by a pneumatic, hydraulic, or electric actuator.

[0109] The coupling plate 201 has a receiving hole 802 for receiving the mounting pin 901 of the holder receiving plate 132. Here, the holder receiving plate 132 has controllable clamping means for fixing the mounting pin 901. Thus, the holder receiving plate 132 can be moved vertically onto the coupling plate 201 to engage the mounting pin 901 with the receiving hole 802. A controllable fixing mechanism can be attached to the receiving hole 802. For example, the fixing mechanism may have respective clamping means that can move to a clamping position when the mounting pin 901 is disposed within the receiving hole 802.

[0110] FIGS. 10 and 11 show schematic views of diagrams of a coupling device 1010 according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 10 shows the position of the force transmission rod of the rod structure 110 before coupling, and FIG. 11 shows the position of the force transmission rod of the rod structure 104 at the coupling position.

[0111] In the illustrated embodiment, the coupling device 1010 has a coupling pin 1001 configured to be insertable into a receiving hole 1002 of a coupling portion 1009 of the device 100. The coupling pin 1001 has a groove 1003 for receiving a receiving portion, particularly a clamping element 1004. In an exemplary embodiment, the clamping element 1004 is formed by a ball, particularly a steel ball, of the device 100 that is movable in the radial direction.

[0112] The coupling pin 1001 extends particularly in the movement direction of the force transmission rod. The ball as the clamping element 1004 is pretensioned in the radial direction (and thus towards the central axis of the force transmission rod 112). Thus, when the coupling pin 1001 moves towards the actuator 100, the ball in the receiving hole 1002 of the coupling portion 1009 of the actuator 100 is pushed radially outwards until the groove 1003 of the clamping pin 1001 reaches the ball. In this position, the ball is pushed into the groove 1003 by the pretensioning force, thereby further preventing relative axial movement (along the central axis of the force transmission rod).

[0113] The clamping elements 1004 (e.g., balls) may be pretensioned by respective springs.

[0114] Furthermore, the rod assembly 1004 has a rod flange 1005 with a joint surface 1006, and the coupling portion 1009 of the device has an actuator flange 1007 with a joint surface 1008. As can be seen from FIG. 11, the joint surfaces contact each other at the coupling position in FIG. 11, thereby forming a large contact area to stabilize the coupling even against radial forces.

[0115] Furthermore, the coupling device 1010 may also form a magnetic coupling. For example, the force transmission rod 112 may have a magnetic element, and the actuator 120 has a controllable electromagnetic device at the coupling portion 1009 that selectively couples the force transmission rod to the actuator 120. Furthermore, the coupling device 1010 may also form a screw connection between the force transmission rod 112 and the actuator 120. The actuator 120 may have respective coupling mechanisms for removably coupling the coupling device 108.

[0116] Note that the term "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. Also, elements described in connection with different embodiments may be combined. It should also be noted that reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the claims. (Other possible items) [Item 1] An apparatus (100) for material testing of a test piece (102), A test piece holder assembly having a test piece holder (101) for holding the test piece (102) to be tested, A rod assembly (110) that moves in a direction toward the test piece holder (101) to transmit a mechanical load to the test piece (102), An actuator (120) that moves at least one of the rod structure (110) and the test piece holder (101) relative to each other along the horizontal impact direction (103), and A support base to which the test piece holder structure, the rod structure (110), and the actuator (120) are attached Comprising The test piece holder structure is removably coupled to the holder accommodation portion (131) of the support base Device (100). [Item 2] The actuator (120) and the rod structure (110) are configured to perform a static test that applies a pressing force to the test piece (102) to be tested and / or to perform a dynamic test that changes the impact force within a predetermined time range. The device (100) according to Item 1. [Item 3] The accommodation portion (131) has a holder accommodation plate (132), and the test piece holder structure is removably coupled thereto. The device (100) according to Item 1 or 2. [Item 4] The holder accommodation plate (132) has at least one attachment pin (901) that can be engaged with each accommodation hole (802) of the coupling plate (201) of the accommodation portion (131), and / or The coupling plate (201) of the accommodation portion (131) has at least one attachment pin (901) that can be engaged with each accommodation hole (802) of the holder accommodation plate (132). The device (100) according to Item 3. [Item 5] The accommodation portion (131) has controllable clamping means for fixing the attachment pin (901) to each accommodation hole (802) of the coupling plate (201). The device (100) according to Item 4. [Item 6] Further comprising a lifting mechanism (801) coupled to the coupling plate (201), The apparatus (100) according to item 4 or 5, wherein the lifting mechanism (801) is configured to lift the holder accommodation plate (132) from the coupling plate (201), thereby separating the holder accommodation plate (132) from the coupling plate (201). [Item 7] The apparatus (100) according to item 6, wherein the lifting mechanism (801) has at least two, particularly three, lifting pistons (803) configured to be extendable between the accommodation plate (132) and the coupling plate (201) to lift and lower the holder accommodation plate (132) from the coupling plate (201). [Item 8] The holder accommodation plate (132) has at least one accommodation groove (133), the test piece holder assembly has at least one accommodation protrusion (405), the accommodation protrusion (405) is configured to be slidable in the accommodation groove (133) to removably couple the test piece holder assembly to the holder accommodation portion (131), The apparatus (100) according to any one of items 3 to 7, wherein the accommodation groove (133) is formed particularly perpendicular to the impact direction (103). [Item 9] The apparatus (100) according to any one of items 3 to 8, wherein the accommodation portion (131) has a coupling plate (201) configured to removably couple the accommodation plate (132). [Item 10] The accommodation plate (132) has at least one coupling groove (202), and the coupling plate (201) has a coupling protrusion (203), the coupling protrusion (203) and the coupling groove (202) are formed such that the coupling protrusion (203) is slidable in the coupling groove (202), for the apparatus (100) according to item 9. [Item 11] The apparatus (100) according to item 10, wherein the coupling groove (202) extends perpendicular to the impact direction. [Item 12] The device (100) according to item 10 or 11, wherein the coupling groove (202) has a tapered side wall with a trapezoidal cross section. [Item 13] The device (100) according to any one of items 8 to 12, wherein the coupling protrusion (203) is a longitudinal ridge having a tapered side wall (204) with a trapezoidal cross section. [Item 14] The housing portion (131) has a clamping structure (210) that moves the housing plate (132) along the clamping direction (205) toward the coupling plate (201) so that the housing plate (132) can be clamped to the coupling plate (201). The device (100) according to any one of items 9 to 13, wherein the clamping direction (205) is particularly a vertical clamping direction (205). [Item 15] The device (100) according to item 14, wherein the clamping structure (210) has at least one clamping rod (211) configured to draw the housing plate (132) toward the coupling plate (201) along the clamping direction (205). [Item 16] The device (100) according to item 15, wherein the clamping rod (211) is coupled to the housing plate (132) and the coupling plate (201) such that the coupling rod is fixed to the housing plate (132) and is slidable relative to the coupling plate (201) along the clamping direction (205). [Item 17] The device (100) according to item 15 or 16, wherein the clamping structure (210) has a drive system (220) that moves the clamping rod (211) along the clamping direction (205). [Item 18] The drive system (220) has a drive plate (221), and the clamping rod (211) is fixed thereto so as not to be movable at least along the clamping direction (205). The device (100) according to item 17, wherein the drive plate (221) is movable relative to the clamp plate. [Item 19] A spindle (222) is fixed to the coupling plate (201), the drive plate (221) is movably coupled along the spindle (222), The device (100) according to item 18, wherein the drive system (220) has a spindle drive unit (223) attached to the drive plate (221) for generating a driving force along the spindle (222). [Item 20] The accommodating plate (132) has a clamp groove (206) for accommodating the clamp rod (211), the clamp rod (211) is slidable along the clamp groove (206), and is fixed so as to be movable along the clamp direction (205) together with the accommodating plate (132). The device (100) according to any one of items 15 to 19. [Item 21] The clamp groove (206) has a T-shaped cross section, and the clamp rod (211) has a T-shaped rod end (212) configured to fit into the T-shaped clamp groove (206). The device (100) according to item 20. [Item 22] The support base (130) has, in particular, a support plate (134), in particular an aluminum plate, to which at least the clamp assembly (210), in particular the coupling plate (201), is attached. The device (100) according to any one of items 9 to 21. [Item 23] The support base (130) has at least one vertical shear panel (501) extending between the ground on one side and the test piece holder assembly, the rod assembly (110), and the actuator (120) on the other side, The shear panel (501) is, in particular, a vertically oriented sheet, in particular a metal sheet. The device (100) according to any one of items 1 to 22. [Item 24] further comprising a handling device, the handling device being configured to handle the receiving plate (132), in particular to move the receiving plate (132) to or away from the coupling plate (201), the device (100) according to any one of items 9 to 13. [Item 25] further comprising a control unit for controlling the handling device and the actuator for mounting the test piece holder on the holder housing part (131) to perform a material test, the device (100) according to item 24. [Item 26] the rod structure (110) further having a force sensor (113) for measuring the impact force between the rod structure (110) and the test piece (102) to be tested, the device (100) according to any one of items 1 to 25. [Item 27] an optical measurement device for optically measuring the test piece (102) during the test, in particular a high-speed camera, and / or a displacement sensor for measuring a displacement amount of a part of the test piece (102) under test conditions, in particular during the processing of the test piece (102) using the rod structure (110) the device (100) according to any one of items 1 to 26, further comprising. [Item 28] the rod structure (110) having a coupling device (1010) disposed at an end of the force transmission rod (112), the coupling device (1010) being removably connectable to the actuator (120) of the device (100), the device (100) according to any one of items 1 to 27. [Item 29] the coupling device (1010) having a coupling pin (1001) configured to be insertable into an actuator receiving hole (1002) of a coupling part (1009) of the device (100), The device (100) according to item 28, wherein the coupling pin (1001) includes a receiving portion, in particular a groove (1003), for receiving a clamping element (1004) of the device (100), in particular a ball movable in the radial direction, in particular a steel ball. [Item 30] The device (100) according to any one of items 1 to 29, wherein the test piece (102) to be tested is a battery device. [Item 31] A method for testing a material of a test piece (102) by means of the device (100) according to any one of items 1 to 30, removably coupling the test piece holder assembly to the holder receiving portion (131) of the support base, and moving at least one of the rod assembly (110) and the test piece holder assembly relative to each other to transmit a mechanical load to the test piece (102) for material testing of the test piece. A method comprising the steps of.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0117] 100 Device 101 Test piece holder 102 Test piece 103 Impact direction 110 Rod assembly 111 Impact element 112 Force transmission rod 113 Force sensor 120 Actuator 121 Sliding part 122 Stator 123 Stator table 124 Further stator table 130 Support base 131 Holder receiving portion 132 Receiving plate 133 Receiving groove 134 Support plate 201 Coupling plate 202 Coupling groove 203 Coupling projection 204 Tapered wall 205 Clamping direction 206 Clamping groove 210 Clamping assembly 211 Clamping rod 212 Rod end 220 Drive system 221 Drive plate 222 Spindle 223 Spindle drive part 402 Holder element 408 Control device 501 Shear panel 502 Support framework 503 Housing 601 Gripping element 602 Clamping element 603 End 801 Lifting mechanism 802 Receiving hole 803 Lifting piston 901 Mounting pin 1001 Coupling pin 1002 Receiving hole 1003 Groove 1004 Clamping element 1005 Rod flange 1006 Joint surface 1007 Actuator flange 1008 Joint surface 1009 Connection part of the device 1010 Coupling device v Vertical direction h Horizontal direction FT Tractive force

Claims

1. An apparatus for material testing of test pieces, comprising: a test piece holder assembly having a test piece holder for holding a test piece to be tested; a rod assembly that moves in a direction toward the test piece holder to transmit a mechanical load to the test piece; an actuator that moves at least one of the rod assembly and the test piece holder relative to each other along a horizontal impact direction; and a support base to which the test piece holder assembly, the rod assembly, and the actuator are attached. The apparatus is characterized in that the test piece holder assembly is removably coupled to a holder receiving portion of the support base.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the actuator and the rod assembly are configured to perform a static test that applies a pressing force to the test piece to be tested and / or a dynamic test that changes an impact force within a predetermined time range.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the holder receiving portion has a holder receiving plate, and the test piece holder assembly is removably coupled thereto.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the holder receiving plate has at least one mounting pin engageable with respective receiving holes of a coupling plate of the holder receiving portion, and / or the coupling plate of the holder receiving portion has at least one mounting pin engageable with respective receiving holes of the holder receiving plate.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the holder receiving portion has controllable clamping means for fixing the mounting pin in respective receiving holes of the coupling plate.

6. The apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a lifting mechanism coupled to the coupling plate, wherein the lifting mechanism is configured to lift the holder receiving plate from the coupling plate, thereby separating the holder receiving plate from the coupling plate.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the lifting mechanism has at least two, particularly three, lifting pistons configured to be extendable between the holder receiving plate and the coupling plate to lift and lower the holder receiving plate from the coupling plate.

8. The holder receiving plate has at least one receiving groove, and the test piece holder assembly has at least one receiving protrusion. ​ In order to removably couple the test piece holder assembly to the holder receiving portion, the receiving protrusion is configured to be slidable within the receiving groove, The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the receiving groove is formed particularly orthogonally to the impact direction.

9. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the holder receiving portion has a coupling plate configured to removably couple the holder receiving plate.

10. The holder receiving plate has at least one coupling groove, and the coupling plate has a coupling protrusion, The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the coupling protrusion and the coupling groove are formed such that the coupling protrusion is slidable within the coupling groove.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the coupling groove extends orthogonally to the impact direction.

12. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the coupling groove has a tapered side wall with a trapezoidal cross section in particular.

13. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the coupling protrusion is a longitudinal ridge having a tapered side wall with a trapezoidal cross section in particular.

14. The holder receiving portion has a clamping assembly configured to move the holder receiving plate along a clamping direction towards the coupling plate so that the holder receiving plate can be clamped to the coupling plate, The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the clamping direction is particularly a vertical clamping direction.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the clamping assembly has at least one clamping rod configured to draw the holder receiving plate towards the coupling plate along the clamping direction.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the clamping rod is coupled to the holder receiving plate and the coupling plate such that a coupling rod is fixed to the holder receiving plate along the clamping direction and is slidable relative to the coupling plate.

17. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the clamping assembly has a drive system configured to move the clamping rod along the clamping direction.

18. The drive system has a drive plate to which the clamping rod is fixed such that it cannot move at least along the clamping direction, The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the drive plate is movable relative to a clamping plate.

19. A spindle is fixed to the coupling plate, The drive plate is movably coupled along the spindle, The device according to claim 18, wherein the drive system has a spindle drive unit attached to the drive plate for generating a driving force along the spindle.

20. The holder accommodating plate has a clamping groove for accommodating the clamping rod, the clamping rod is slidable along the clamping groove, and is fixedly movable along the clamping direction together with the holder accommodating plate. The device according to claim 15.

21. The device according to claim 20, wherein the clamping groove has a T-shaped cross section, and the clamping rod has a T-shaped rod end configured to fit into the T-shaped clamping groove.

22. The device according to claim 9, wherein the support base has, in particular, a support plate, in particular an aluminum plate, to which at least a clamping assembly, in particular the coupling plate, is attached.

23. The support base has at least one vertical shear panel extending between the ground on one side and the test piece holder assembly, the rod assembly, and the actuator on the other side, The device according to claim 1, wherein the vertical shear panel is, in particular, a vertically oriented sheet, in particular a metal sheet.

24. Further comprising a handling device, The device according to claim 9, wherein the handling device is configured to handle the holder accommodating plate, in particular to move the holder accommodating plate towards or away from the coupling plate.

25. The device according to claim 24, further comprising a control unit for controlling the handling device and the actuator to mount the test piece holder on the holder accommodating part to perform a material test.

26. The device according to claim 1, wherein the rod assembly further has a force sensor for measuring an impact force between the rod assembly and the test piece being tested.

27. An optical measurement device for optically measuring the test piece during the test, in particular a high-speed camera, and / or A displacement sensor for measuring the displacement amount of a part of the test piece, in particular during the processing of the test piece using the rod assembly, under test conditions The device according to claim 1, further comprising.

28. The rod assembly has a coupling device disposed at an end of the force transmission rod, The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the coupling device is removably attachable to the actuator of the apparatus.

29. The coupling device has a coupling pin configured to be insertable into an actuator receiving hole of a coupling portion of the apparatus, The apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the coupling pin includes a receiving portion, particularly a groove, for receiving a clamping element of the apparatus, particularly a ball movable in a radial direction, particularly a steel ball.

30. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the test piece to be tested is a battery device.

31. A method for testing a material of a test piece by using the apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 30, comprising: removably coupling the test piece holder assembly to the holder receiving portion of the support base; and moving at least one of the rod assembly and the test piece holder assembly relative to each other to transmit a mechanical load to the test piece for material testing of the test piece The method includes the steps.

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