Circumscribing Beam Load Transducer for Force Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional load transducers are limited by their size, material usage, and customization requirements, making them unsuitable for versatile applications and increasing material costs, as they often require specific designs for different force plate sizes and have limited moment capacity.
Innovation Solution
A compact, multi-component load transducer with a circumscribing or looped configuration of beam portions and integrated load cells, allowing for interchangeable use across various force plate sizes, reduced material usage, and enhanced moment capacity, while maintaining sensitivity and precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional load transducers are designed for specific force plate sizes, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and material costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The load transducer is designed with a universal interface that can be interchangeably mounted on force plates of various sizes. The transducer body includes mounting surfaces that accommodate different force plate footprints, allowing a single transducer design to serve multiple force plate configurations without requiring custom designs for each size.
Solution Approach 2:
The transducer incorporates modular components including interchangeable mounting plates or adapters that can be attached to different force plate sizes. This segmentation allows the core sensing element to remain standardized while only the mounting interface varies to match different force plate dimensions.
2Measurement precision
If conventional load transducers are designed for specific force plate sizes, then measurement precision is improved, but material costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single transducer design with universal mounting capabilities replaces the need for multiple custom-designed transducers for different force plate sizes, significantly reducing material costs associated with fabricating multiple specialized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows interchangeable mounting plates or adapters to be used and then swapped depending on the force plate size, rather than discarding the entire transducer. This recovering approach reduces material waste and manufacturing costs.
3Measurement precision
If conventional load transducers span the full length or width of the force plate, then measurement coverage is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transducer uses a vertical mounting arrangement where the sensing element extends perpendicular to the force plate surface rather than spanning the full horizontal length or width. This dimensional change allows comprehensive measurement coverage through the thickness of the force plate while minimizing the horizontal footprint and overall weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The transducer body is designed to nest within or attach to the force plate structure in a compact configuration, allowing the sensing elements to be positioned strategically to measure forces across the entire force plate area without requiring the transducer itself to span the full dimensions.
4Force
If conventional load transducers are used, then force measurement capability is provided, but moment capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The transducer incorporates asymmetric structural elements and strategically positioned strain gages that enable it to measure both force components and moment components simultaneously. The asymmetric mounting configuration and internal structure allow the transducer to resist and measure bending moments in addition to axial forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The transducer merges force sensing and moment sensing capabilities into a single integrated device. Multiple strain gages are arranged to detect both direct forces and bending moments, combining what would traditionally require separate measurement systems into one unified transducer that provides both force and moment data.
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 solution provides a lightweight, portable, and cost-effective force measurement system capable of measuring forces and moments with high precision across different force plate sizes, reducing material costs and increasing versatility.
Implementation Method 1
Each load channel measures one of the load components, and is comprised of one or more strain gages mounted to one or more elastic elements that deform under the applied load. An appropriate circuitry relates the resistance change in each set of gages to the applied force or moment.
Data Source
AI summary
A load transducer is disclosed herein. The load transducer includes a plurality of beam portions connected to one another in succession, the plurality of beam portions being arranged in a circumscribing pattern whereby a central one of the plurality of beam portions is at least partially circumscribed by one or more outer ones of the plurality of beam portions; and at least one load cell disposed on one of the plurality of beam portions, the at least one load cell configured to measure at least one force or moment component of a load applied to the load transducer. A force measurement assembly including a plurality of load transducers with beam portions arranged in a circumscribing pattern is also disclosed herein.