Crimping Tool Sensor Mounting for Vibration Decoupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current force sensors in pressing, crimping, and cutting tools suffer from inaccuracies due to vibrations, temperature changes, manufacturing tolerances, and electrical interference, leading to imprecise measurement signals that require frequent recalibration.

Innovation Solution

The integration of an elastic support element and a sensor in mechanical parallel connection within the tool's force flow, allowing for controlled deflections and reduced influence of error sources, with the elastic support element's rigidity designed to maximize sensor deflection at maximum working force, enhancing measurement accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If current force sensors are used in pressing, crimping, and cutting tools, then force measurement is enabled, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to vibrations, temperature changes, manufacturing tolerances, and electrical interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce measurement accuracyVSAvoidinfluence of error sources
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an elastic support element as an intermediary component between the sensor and the tool jaw. This elastic element acts as a mechanical filter that decouples the sensor from direct exposure to vibrations and mechanical shocks in the tool, thereby reducing the influence of error sources on measurement accuracy while still transmitting the relevant force information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic support element provides beforehand cushioning by absorbing and dampening vibrations and mechanical shocks before they reach the sensor. This protective mechanism is built into the sensor mounting structure, preventing harmful factors from directly affecting the sensor during tool operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Measurement precision

If rigid mounting of sensor is used, then structural simplicity is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to reduced sensor deflection at maximum working force

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor deflectionVSAvoidsensor mounting structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the mechanical parameter of the mounting structure by introducing an elastic support element with specific rigidity characteristics. This allows the mounting structure to provide both support and controlled deflection, optimizing the balance between structural simplicity and measurement accuracy by enabling sufficient sensor deflection at maximum working force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If frequent recalibration is performed, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but productivity deteriorates due to time loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement signal accuracyVSAvoidtool availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of vibrations and environmental factors into a benefit by using the elastic support element to naturally dampen these factors. This reduces measurement signal errors without requiring frequent recalibration, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy while improving tool availability and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 significantly reduces the impact of error sources on measurement signals, providing improved force measurement accuracy and consistency, allowing for precise monitoring of work forces in various applications.

Implementation Method 1

An elastic support element and a sensor are arranged mechanically in parallel between two components (87, 88) which are located in the power flow of the pressing, crimping or cutting tool (1, 2, 3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The two components (87, 88) are acted upon by the work force (25) of the pressing, crimping or cutting tool (1, 2, 3).

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectParallel mechanical connection:

Data Source

PatentEP3396796B1Press, crimping or cutting tool and tool group
Publication Date: 2021.07.21 WEZAG GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3396796B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3396796B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3396796B1 patent drawingFigure 3~8

AI summary

The invention relates to a pressing, crimping, or cutting tool (1; 2; 3) with a tool jaw (5) which is supported on a support body (24) via a guide (28) with a remaining degree of freedom (26). The tool jaw (5) is supported on the support body (24) in the direction of the degree of freedom (26) by a mechanical parallel connection of an elastic support element (14) and a sensor (84). The stiffness of the elastic support element (14) is dimensioned such that, at the maximum acting working force of the pressing, crimping, or cutting tool (1; 2; 3), the sensor (84) experiences a maximum deflection of at least 0.1 mm.