Flexible Mount for Caliper Jaw Force Actuator Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing calipers face issues with unreliable and non-repeatable measurements, especially when measuring soft objects, due to variations in force applied by the measuring jaws, leading to inconsistent results.
Innovation Solution
A flexible mount is introduced to couple a force actuator to the caliper jaw, featuring a first and second mounting portion with a flexible element between them, allowing controlled force application and guiding the actuator along the measuring axis while providing resistance, which enhances force control and repeatability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a force actuator is directly coupled to the caliper jaw, then the structure is simple, but the force control and user feedback are poor
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible mount including a flexible element (such as a flexure or spring) is used to couple the force actuator to the caliper jaw. This flexible element provides compliant connection that allows controlled displacement while maintaining force transmission, enabling better user feedback and force control without requiring a complex rigid linkage system.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible mount acts as an intermediary component between the force actuator and the caliper jaw. It mediates the force transmission while providing mechanical compliance, allowing the actuator to be suspended from the jaw and move with it along the measuring axis while being restrained from transverse displacement.
2Ease of operation
If the force actuator is allowed to move freely with the caliper jaw, then the structure is simple, but the actuator displaces transverse to the measuring axis
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible element in the flexible mount provides directional compliance - it allows movement along the measuring axis while restraining transverse displacement. This is achieved through the geometric configuration and material properties of the flexible element, which provides stiffness in certain directions and flexibility in others.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible mount provides dynamic constraint on the actuator movement. As the actuator moves with the caliper jaw along the measuring axis, the flexible element dynamically adjusts to maintain the actuator's position relative to the jaw, preventing unwanted transverse displacement while allowing longitudinal movement.
3Ease of operation
If a rigid coupling is used between the force actuator and caliper jaw, then the force transmission is efficient, but the user lacks feedback and control
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible element provides a compliant connection that maintains force transmission efficiency while allowing controlled displacement. This compliance enables the user to feel and control the force application, providing tactile feedback without significant energy loss, as the flexible element efficiently transmits forces along the measuring axis.
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 flexible mount improves user control over force application, reduces part count, and provides intuitive force feedback, resulting in more reliable and repeatable measurements with a better 'feel' during the measuring process.
Implementation Method 1
when a force is applied to the force actuator along the measuring axis direction, the flexible element flexes such that the force actuator displaces along the measuring axis direction relative to the caliper jaw, and generates a measuring force that depends on that relative displacement
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible mount is provided for coupling a force actuator to a caliper jaw. The flexible mount includes a first mounting portion for being coupled to the caliper jaw, a second mounting portion for being coupled to the force actuator, and a flexible element (e.g., a parallel flexure) coupled between the first and second mounting portions. When a force is applied to the force actuator (e.g., by a user pushing on a thumbwheel) along the measuring axis direction, the flexible element flexes to generate a measuring force that is applied to the caliper jaw. The use of the flexible mount results in more control and a better feel for a user when attempting to exert control to provide a desired amount of force during a measuring process. The flexible mount may also utilize a fastening configuration that is compatible with existing mounting features on existing caliper jaws.