Force Measuring Head Thermal Isolation via Shielding Body

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Solution Overview

Problem

Force transducers in testing devices face measurement errors and potential destruction when exposed to elevated temperatures, making precise material testing under such conditions challenging.

Innovation Solution

A heat-insulating shielding body encases the force transducer, connected via a heat storage element to the test tool, with additional thermal insulation and a prestressed spring assembly for overload protection, using materials like hard metal or composite materials for effective thermal management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the force transducer is directly connected to the test tool, then the device complexity is reduced, but the force transducer is exposed to elevated temperatures causing measurement errors and potential destruction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce transducer protectionVSAvoidshielding structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The force transducer is nested within a shielding body that provides thermal protection. The shielding body acts as a protective container, with the force transducer positioned inside it, creating a nested structure where the inner component is protected by the outer protective shell.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

A heat storage element is introduced as an intermediary component between the test tool and the force transducer. This intermediary element absorbs and stores thermal energy, preventing direct heat transfer to the force transducer while still allowing mechanical force transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the force transducer is protected by a shielding body, then measurement precision is maintained, but the device complexity increases due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce measurement accuracyVSAvoidshielding and insulation components
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding body provides localized thermal protection specifically around the force transducer, concentrating the protective function where it is most needed. The heat storage element is positioned locally at the interface between the test tool and shielding body, providing targeted thermal management without unnecessary additional components throughout the entire device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The shielding body is formed from composite materials that combine thermal insulation properties with structural integrity. This allows the shielding body to provide both thermal protection and mechanical support functions, reducing the need for separate components and simplifying the overall structure despite the added protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If heat storage elements and insulation materials are added, then the force transducer is protected from thermal effects, but the weight of the measuring head increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal protectionVSAvoidmeasuring head weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The heat storage element's mass and thermal capacity are optimized to provide sufficient thermal protection for the duration of typical measurements. By carefully selecting the parameters of the heat storage element (mass, specific heat capacity, thickness), adequate protection is achieved without excessive weight addition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The shielding body and heat storage element utilize composite materials that offer high thermal insulation performance per unit mass. These materials provide effective thermal protection while minimizing the weight penalty compared to traditional solid insulation materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 configuration effectively isolates the force transducer from elevated temperatures, preventing measurement errors and damage, ensuring reliable and accurate measurements over extended periods.

Implementation Method 1

the force transducer is encased by a heat-insulating shielding body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal Insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

connected to the test tool via at least one interposed heat storage element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat Storage: Thermal Energy Storage

Implementation Method 3

the spring mandrel is provided with an overload protection for the force transducer, which is formed by a prestressed spring assembly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2480863B1Force measuring head for test devices
Publication Date: 2013.07.24 ZWICK GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2480863B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2480863B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2480863B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention relates to a force measuring head intended for test devices for carrying out materials testing. Said head consists of a force transducer (2) that is arranged inside a measuring head housing (1) and is non-positively connected to a test tool (3).The force transducer (2) is encased in a thermally insulating, shielding body (4) and connected to the test tool (3) via at least one thermal storage element (5) which interconnects the transducer and the tool.