Electrostatic Clamping for Scale Detachment and Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for holding a scale on a carrier, such as wringing and gluing, face challenges in achieving high stability and drift resistance while being detachable, as they can lead to peeling, non-reproducible length errors, and difficulty in replacing damaged scales.
Innovation Solution
The method employs electrostatic clamping using bipolar electrostatic attraction between a scale and a carrier, with electrodes on the carrier and a counter-electrode on the scale, allowing for a short force path and easy detachment, reducing the risk of peeling and length errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wringing is used to hold the scale on the carrier, then stability and drift resistance are improved, but the scale becomes difficult to detach and replace
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the attachment from permanent (wringing) to controllable and reversible by introducing electrostatic field parameters. By applying voltage to electrodes, the attachment force can be adjusted, allowing the scale to be firmly held during operation and easily detached when needed, resolving the contradiction between stability and detachability.
2Strength
If gluing is used to hold the scale on the carrier, then attachment strength is improved, but shrinkage processes lead to non-reproducible length errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical-mechanical attachment system (gluing) with an electrostatic field-based system. This substitution eliminates the shrinkage processes inherent in adhesive curing, preventing the generation of internal stresses and non-reproducible length errors while maintaining strong attachment through electrostatic forces between charged electrodes.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a long force path through the entire thickness of the scale is used, then structural stability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the force transmission path by introducing intermediate support elements that provide localized support points. This segmentation allows the scale to maintain structural stability through distributed support while keeping the effective force path short at any given point, thereby preserving measurement precision by minimizing deformation across the scale thickness.
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 approach provides a stable, drift-resistant, and detachable attachment that minimizes mechanical stresses and thermal expansion issues, ensuring high precision and ease of replacing defective scales, while maintaining accuracy and reducing manufacturing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The method employs electrostatic clamping using bipolar electrostatic attraction between a scale and a carrier, with electrodes on the carrier and a counter-electrode on the scale
Implementation Method 2
A dielectric is provided between the electrodes
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
According to the invention, a scale (1) having a measuring graduation (15) is reliably and releasably held on a carrier (2) by means of electrostatic clamping.