Durometer Crank Mechanism Guide Member for Smooth Piston Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional durometers using acceleration sensors face challenges in achieving smooth piston motion, leading to noise contamination in hardness measurement data, particularly when using a crank mechanism, and lack effective sealing techniques to reduce mechanical load on the piston tip.
Innovation Solution
A durometer configuration incorporating a main body unit, a movable unit, a first sensor for acceleration information, a second sensor for reactive force, a motor-driven crank mechanism, and buffering members to facilitate smooth piston motion and reduce noise, while a contact member with cutouts helps in accurate hardness measurement by minimizing skin tension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a crank mechanism is used to drive piston motion, then the durometer can be operated, but the contact portion shakes laterally causing noise in acceleration sensor information
Solution Approach 1:
A guide member is introduced as an intermediary component between the crank mechanism and the movable unit. The guide member receives the oscillating motion from the crank mechanism and converts it into smooth reciprocating piston motion, eliminating lateral shaking. This mediator component allows the crank mechanism to operate while preventing noise contamination of the acceleration sensor signals.
2Measurement precision
If the piston tip is pressed against the object, then hardness measurement is enabled, but mechanical load on the piston tip increases causing rough motion
Solution Approach 1:
A sealing member is introduced as an intermediary between the piston and the measurement object. The sealing member contacts the object surface and provides sealing while distributing the mechanical load, preventing excessive concentration of force on the piston tip. This allows continuous pressing for hardness measurement while maintaining smooth piston reciprocation without rough motion.
3Measurement precision
If acceleration sensor is used for hardness measurement, then dynamic hardness information is obtained, but noise from non-smooth piston motion contaminates the sensor data
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member acts as a mediator that decouples the oscillating motion of the crank mechanism from the piston motion. By providing a constrained reciprocating path, the guide member ensures smooth piston movement that does not generate lateral vibrations or shocks. This eliminates noise sources that would otherwise contaminate the acceleration sensor data, preserving the quality of dynamic hardness measurement information.
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
Enables accurate and noise-free hardness measurement by ensuring smooth piston motion and reduced mechanical load, allowing for precise calculation of both skin surface and deeper tissue hardness without noise interference.
Implementation Method 1
a first sensor that outputs acceleration information corresponding to acceleration of movement of a contact part of the object to be measured in contact with the movable unit in a pressing direction
Implementation Method 2
a second sensor that outputs reactive force information corresponding to reactive force at the contact part of the object to be measured in contact with the movable unit
Implementation Method 3
a crank mechanism that causes the main body unit and the movable unit to perform piston motion
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the present invention is to provide a durometer enabling a contact portion in contact with an object to perform smooth piston motion. The durometer includes a main body unit including a movable unit pressed continuously against an object to be measured, a first sensor outputting acceleration information corresponding to an acceleration of movement of a contact part of the object to be measured in contact with the movable unit in a pressing direction, a second sensor outputting reactive force information corresponding to a reactive force at the contact part of the object to be measured in contact with the movable unit, a motor, a crank mechanism driven by the motor and causing the main body unit and the movable unit to perform piston motion, and at least one buffering member disposed on a periphery of the main body unit.