Coriolis Flowmeter Electric Connections via Mechanical Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual cabling and electrification of Coriolis mass flowmeters result in production tolerances and mechanical influences on the measuring tube, affecting the accuracy and reliability of mass flow measurements due to discrepancies in cable placement and material usage.
Innovation Solution
Applying electric connections using a mechanical printing method on structural parts of the Coriolis mass flowmeter, such as aerosol jet printing, to minimize errors and ensure high repeatability, with an electrically insulating coating and cover layer for protection and safety, and designing end points for robust joining.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual cabling and electrification methods are used, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to discrepancies in cable placement and material usage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical cabling operations with an automated printing process. Electric connections are applied directly to structural parts using a printing method, eliminating the need for manual cable routing and attachment. This substitution of mechanical manual work with an automated deposition process resolves the contradiction by maintaining operational simplicity while dramatically improving manufacturing precision and repeatability.
2Ease of operation
If cables are attached to structural parts by hand, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to mechanical influence on the measuring tube
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates manual cable attachment that mechanically influences the measuring tube by replacing it with a printing process. Electric connections are deposited directly onto structural parts without requiring physical cables to be routed near or attached to the measuring tube. This substitution removes the mechanical interference source while maintaining ease of operation through automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the problematic cables from the system near the measuring tube. Instead of routing cables along the measuring tube, electric connections are applied directly to structural parts away from the sensitive measurement zone. This extraction of the harmful element (cables) from the critical area resolves the measurement precision issue while maintaining operational simplicity.
3Manufacturing precision
If automated printing method is used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional coating layers and processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the structural parts themselves. The structural parts serve both as mechanical support and as substrates for electric connections. By printing electric connections directly onto existing structural parts rather than adding separate cable assemblies, the patent combines electrical functionality with structural components, improving precision while minimizing additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The structural parts are designed to serve multiple functions: providing mechanical support, housing components, and serving as substrates for electric connections. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate cable routing structures, reducing overall device complexity while enabling precise automated application of electric connections.
Data Source
AI summary
A method (1) for at least partially equipping a Coriolis mass flowmeter (2) with electric connections (3), wherein the Coriolis mass flowmeter (2) at least has at least one measuring tube (5a, 5b), at least one actuator receptacle (6a, 6b) attached to the measuring tube (5a, 5b) and at least one sensor receptacle (7a-7d) attached to the measuring tube (5a, 5b) as structural parts and such a Coriolis mass flowmeter (2) can be implemented for achieving smaller production tolerances, higher accuracy and reliability in production and operation in that the electric connections (3) are applied on at least one structural part of the Coriolis mass flowmeter (2) by means of a mechanical printing method.