Flexure Force Transducer With Parallel PCB Bridge Circuit
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing force transducers, such as load cells and torque sensors, face challenges in efficiently integrating strain gages with bridge circuits while maintaining compact size and structural integrity, particularly in applications requiring miniaturization.
Innovation Solution
A flexure body with a central opening is machined to accommodate strain gages, and a printed circuit board (PCB) is mounted parallel to the flexure body, separated by a slot, with a cover providing protection and support, allowing for strain gage resistance changes to be converted into electrical signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If strain gages are directly integrated on the flexure body, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional modules: the flexure body with strain gages remains distinct from the bridge circuit electronics. The strain gages are mounted on the flexure body interior surfaces, while the bridge circuit is implemented on a separate PCB, reducing integration complexity while preserving measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
A printed circuit board (PCB) serves as an intermediary carrier for the bridge circuit, physically separating it from the flexure body while maintaining electrical connections. This intermediary structure simplifies the integration process by providing a dedicated platform for electronics without compromising the structural integrity or measurement capabilities of the flexure body.
2Volume of moving object
If the transducer is miniaturized, then adaptability to confined spaces is improved, but structural integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge circuit is arranged in a planar configuration on the PCB, allowing the electronics to be distributed across a two-dimensional surface rather than occupying three-dimensional space within the flexure body. This dimensional arrangement enables miniaturization while maintaining adequate spacing and structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The PCB is positioned within the central opening of the flexure body, nesting the electronic components inside the structural housing. This nested arrangement maximizes space utilization, allowing the transducer to be compact while maintaining the structural strength of the outer flexure body.
3Ease of manufacture
If the bridge circuit is mounted on a separate PCB, then ease of manufacture is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturing process is segmented into distinct stages: fabricating the flexure body with strain gages, separately producing the PCB with the bridge circuit, and finally assembling the components together. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized and manufactured independently using specialized processes, improving overall ease of manufacture despite the increased component count.
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 solution enables miniaturized force transducers with enhanced structural stability and ease of integration, suitable for applications in confined spaces like surgical and spacecraft environments.
Implementation Method 1
the flexure body is generally rectangular in shape and the opening 16 which provides the interior surfaces for strain gage mounting positions is centrally located and extends, as explained above, between opposite plane surfaces of the flexure body. The body is machined by one of any available processes to flex in a desired fashion in response to applied loads
Implementation Method 2
Strain gages or the like are mounted on portions of the interior surface of the opening to respond to elastic distortion of the flexure body to produce resistance changes
Data Source
AI summary
A force transducer capable of measuring tension and/or compression loads, including a generally rectangular flexure body made of high modules of elasticity material having through cuts that divide the body into an S shaped force transmission path. Strain gages are strategically located on the inside surfaces of a central opening and are connected into a bridge circuit mounted on a printed circuit board which is integrally attached to said body. Printed circuit means are provided for conditioning and transmitting signals from the bridge circuit either through hardwiring or wirelessly. A battery powered embodiment is described. Various configurations of covers for the device are shown.