Contact Probe Magnetic Force Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing contact probes face challenges in achieving high measurement accuracy due to fluctuations in measurement force, which are exacerbated by low spring constant in bending direction leading to increased deformation influences and decreased accuracy, and existing solutions generate heat and electrical noise, increasing costs.
Innovation Solution
A contact probe design incorporating a stylus with an elastic member and magnetic members to generate a resultant force from both spring and magnetic forces, allowing for adjustable measurement force with minimal configuration, preventing heat and noise generation by using permanent magnets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the spring constant in the bending direction is reduced to achieve smaller measurement force, then the measurement force decreases, but the rigidity in other directions (twisting, curving) also decreases leading to increased deformation influences and deterioration in measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the force generation function into two independent components: the elastic member (spring) provides rigidity and baseline force, while the magnetic member provides adjustable force modulation. This segmentation allows the spring constant to remain high for rigidity while the magnetic force fine-tunes the measurement force to desired low levels, resolving the contradiction between low measurement force and high measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic member acts as an intermediary force element that modifies the force from the elastic member. By introducing this intermediate magnetic force, the system can achieve precise control over measurement force without compromising the structural rigidity provided by the elastic member, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy while reducing measurement force.
2Adaptability or versatility
If control mechanisms are added to adjust measurement force, then measurement force becomes adjustable, but heat generation and electrical noise increase leading to thermal deformation and decreased measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces active control mechanisms (electrical actuators, motors) with a passive magnetic field-based force adjustment system. The magnetic member's position relative to the elastic member determines the measurement force through magnetic attraction/repulsion, eliminating the need for powered control systems that generate heat and electrical noise, thus preserving measurement accuracy while providing adjustability.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic member configuration uses simple permanent magnets rather than complex, expensive controlled systems. This approach trades the longevity and active control of electromechanical systems for the simplicity, lack of heat generation, and absence of electrical noise inherent in passive magnetic components, achieving adjustability without compromising measurement precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If controllers and actuators are mounted on the form measuring machine to control measurement force, then measurement force control is achieved, but costs of the form measuring machine increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the force control function from the main measuring machine body and implements it locally within the probe assembly using simple magnetic components. This eliminates the need to mount expensive controllers and actuators on the form measuring machine, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining measurement force adjustability through the magnetic member's positional configuration.
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 stabilizes and adjusts measurement force effectively, enhancing measurement accuracy while preventing thermal deformation and noise, thus improving the responsiveness and precision of the contact probe.
Implementation Method 1
a second magnetic member (second magnet) arranged separate from the first magnetic member so as to generate a magnetic force along the first direction between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member
Implementation Method 2
an elastic member (also referred to as an elastomer) where a first end is fixated and a second end provides force to the stylus along the first direction
Data Source
AI summary
A contact probe includes a stylus, a spring, a magnetic body, and a permanent magnet. The stylus is displaceable in an X direction and a tip of the stylus makes contact with a measured object. A first end of the spring is fixated and a second end provides spring force along the X direction. A position of the magnetic body is fixated with respect to the stylus. The permanent magnet is arranged separated from the magnetic body so as to generate a magnetic force along the X direction between the magnetic body and the permanent magnet.