Force Measuring Element With Deflectable Arms for Precise Plug Testing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing force measurement systems, particularly for plug connections, suffer from low response sensitivity, repeatability, and exactness due to wear and geometric mismatches, leading to inaccurate force readings and increased wear on measuring cells.
Innovation Solution
A measuring element with two deflectable measuring arms connected by an elastically deformable section, incorporating transformer units within the deformation section to enhance sensitivity and exactness, and featuring multiple measurement ranges based on arm contact and spacing to capture a wide range of forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a measuring cell is located precisely at the contact point for direct force registration, then measurement exactness is improved, but wear on the measuring cell increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary measuring arm structure between the contact point and the measuring cell. The measuring arm receives the contact force and transmits it to the measuring cell through a controlled mechanical path, allowing the measuring cell to be positioned optimally for measurement while being protected from direct wear at the contact interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The measuring system is divided into separate functional components: the measuring arm that interfaces with the contact point and the measuring cell that performs the actual measurement. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the measuring arm for mechanical strength and wear resistance, and the measuring cell for measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If the measuring arm geometry is modelled identically on the component geometry, then measurement exactness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring the entire measuring arm to match the component geometry, the patent applies local quality by modelling only the critical measurement region identically on the component geometry, while other portions of the measuring arm can have simplified structures for ease of manufacture and reduced complexity.
3Reliability
If a coating is applied to increase mechanical strength of the measuring cell, then wear resistance is improved, but response sensitivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The measuring arm serves as an intermediary that carries the contact force away from the measuring cell, allowing the measuring cell to be coated with wear-resistant materials without compromising its sensitivity, since the force transmission path does not require direct contact at the measuring cell surface.
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 provides improved response sensitivity, repeatability, and exactness in force measurement, with reduced wear and enhanced adaptability to varying geometries, allowing precise force detection across a broad range.
Implementation Method 1
a deformation section (130) which connects the first measuring arm (110) and the second measuring arm (120) to one another in an elastically deformable manner
Implementation Method 2
at least one transformer unit (140) which responds to deformation and which is situated fully within the deformation section (130)
Data Source
Figure 1a~1d
Figure 2a~2d
Figure 3a~3e
AI summary
A measuring system for measuring forces, for instance spring forces in plug connections, has a measuring element with an advantageous geometric design and/or is formed in a way that it can assume several mechanical states corresponding to several measurement ranges, and/or is at least on the side of the force effect onto the measuring arms formed to have a firm connection of the measuring arms in order to thus overall improve response sensitivity and/or exactness and/or resolution. Consequently, the measuring element according to the invention may fulfil criteria for the measuring system analysis and thus may create the conditions to obtain exact and reproducible measurement results for rating measurement objects.