Active Scale Electromagnetic Counterweight High Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional scales are inadequate for measuring a wide range of weights, often requiring multiple scales due to limited capacity and resolution, and existing solutions for weight measurement by counterbalancing drive current are slow and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An active scale design incorporating a low capacity sensing mechanism and a force transfer mechanism, including a lever assembly and electromagnetic actuator, which allows for accurate measurement of heavy loads with high resolution by neutralizing the load on the sensing mechanism, enabling a high capacity-to-resolution ratio.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a conventional scale is designed for high weight capacity, then it can weigh heavy objects, but it cannot achieve high resolution for light objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an electromagnetic actuator that generates a counterbalancing force to offset the weight of heavy objects placed on the scale. This counterweight mechanism allows the sensing mechanism to measure only the difference in weight, enabling high resolution measurements even for light objects while maintaining the ability to weigh heavy objects up to 100 lbs.
2Measurement precision
If a conventional scale is designed for high resolution, then it can detect small weight changes, but it cannot withstand heavy weights
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnetic actuator provides active counterbalancing that protects the sensing mechanism from excessive loads. The actuator generates force to neutralize heavy weights, allowing the use of a sensitive, low-capacity sensing mechanism that can detect weight changes as small as 1/32 oz without being damaged by heavy objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The electromagnetic actuator serves as an intermediary between the heavy object and the sensing mechanism. It transfers the weight information to the sensor in a scaled-down form that the sensor can handle, protecting the sensor from direct exposure to full heavy loads while still enabling accurate measurement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple scales are used to cover different weight ranges, then both light and heavy objects can be measured, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal scale that can measure objects across a wide weight range from 0.25 oz to 100 lbs using a single device. The combination of the electromagnetic actuator and low-capacity sensing mechanism enables one scale to perform the function of multiple specialized scales, eliminating the need for separate light-duty and heavy-duty weighing devices.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The active scale can accurately weigh objects from 0.25 oz to 100 lbs with a resolution of 1/32 oz, achieving a capacity-to-resolution ratio of four orders of magnitude, improving efficiency and adaptability compared to conventional passive scales.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic actuator, which may include a controller, power amplifier and solenoid, configured to generate a counterbalancing force in response to the weight of the object
Data Source
AI summary
A scale can include a low capacity sensing mechanism operatively coupled to a load, wherein the low capacity sensing mechanism may detect movement of the load. A transfer mechanism can be operatively coupled to the low capacity sensing mechanism, wherein the low capacity sensing mechanism may enable the scale to weigh both relatively heavy loads and relatively light loads to a minor division resolution associated with the low capacity sensing mechanism.