Thin-Bottom Bore Gauge Damping via Nested Compression Spring

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing thin-bottom type bore gauge lacks damping means between the gauge head and the head main body part, leading to component damage and reduced product life due to large impacts during repeated measurements.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a third compression coil spring interposed between the head main body part and the gauge head, with a spring holding groove and a smaller diameter end turn part to maintain a thin bottom configuration while providing damping, and using ceramic materials for the cam contacting faces to enhance wear resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If damping means (compression coil spring) is added between the gauge head and head main body part, then the gauge head operation is stabilized and component damage is prevented, but the bottom thickness of the head part increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegauge head operation stabilityVSAvoidbottom thickness of head part

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The compression coil spring is nested within the gauge head structure, specifically positioned between the gauge head and the head main body part. The spring is contained within a spring receiving groove formed in the head main body part, allowing the damping function to be integrated without significantly increasing the external dimensions of the head part. This nesting approach enables the addition of damping means while maintaining a relatively thin bottom configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of increasing the bottom thickness in the vertical direction, the spring receiving groove is formed in the radial direction of the head main body part. This dimensional reorientation allows the damping spring to be accommodated within the existing radial space, thereby providing vibration damping functionality without proportionally increasing the overall bottom thickness of the head part.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If a compression coil spring is added to provide damping, then measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The compression coil spring is merged with the existing head main body part structure by forming the spring receiving groove directly in the head main body part. This integration eliminates the need for separate damping components or additional assembly steps, thereby providing vibration damping to improve measurement precision while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The head main body part itself provides the spring receiving groove, making the structure self-sufficient for housing the damping spring. This self-service approach allows the damping function to be incorporated without requiring external damping components or complex additional structures, thus improving measurement precision while keeping the device complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the bottom of the head main body part is made thin for shallow hole measurement, then adaptability to shallow holes is improved, but the structural strength is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to shallow holesVSAvoidstructural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The compression coil spring is positioned to absorb impact forces before they can damage the thin-bottom structure. By placing the damping spring between the gauge head and the head main body part, the spring cushioning effect is activated in advance during retraction, protecting the structurally weaker thin bottom from impact damage while maintaining adaptability to shallow hole measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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

This configuration stabilizes the gauge head's operation, prevents it from popping out, and extends the life of the bore gauge by reducing collisions and improving measurement precision, allowing for more efficient and precise inner diameter measurements.

Implementation Method 1

a third compression coil spring which is interposed between the head main body part and the gauge head

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS9932822B2Inside measuring instrument

Publication Date: 2018.04.03 MITUTOYO CORP

AI summary

There is provided a thin-bottom type bore gauge having damping unit between a gauge head and a head main body part, and a long life. A head part of a bore gauge includes a head main body part, a measurement spherical face at one end face, and a gauge head slidably provided by penetrating an inside and an outside of the head main body part. The gauge head a spring holding groove carved in a circumferential direction at the other end side, and a compression coil spring is interposed between the spring holding groove and an inside end face of the head main body part.