Force Sensor Tilting Structure for High Sensitivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing force sensors face challenges in improving detection accuracy due to reduced sensitivity from small elastic deformations, leading to compromised detection of forces and moments in robots and other applications.

Innovation Solution

A force sensor design featuring a tilting structure with deformable bodies connecting the force receiving body and support body, utilizing capacitive elements to detect displacement caused by elastic deformation, enhancing sensitivity and accuracy through strategic placement and symmetry of strain bodies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the strain body is elastically deformed by applied stress, then force or moment can be detected through displacement, but when elastic deformation is small, detection sensitivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoiddetection sensitivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The strain body is divided into multiple deformable bodies (first deformable body, second deformable body, third deformable body) connected in series. Each deformable body contributes to the total displacement, amplifying the overall displacement signal for a given applied force or moment, thereby improving detection sensitivity without compromising accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a tilting structure that converts force applied in one direction into displacement in multiple directions. The first deformable body tilts in response to force in the first direction, while the second and third deformable bodies are arranged to detect both first-direction and second-direction displacements, effectively utilizing multi-dimensional displacement to amplify the detection signal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 design improves detection accuracy and sensitivity by increasing displacement of capacitive elements, allowing for precise detection of forces and moments across multiple axes, reducing cross-axis sensitivity and enhancing the overall performance of the force sensor.

Implementation Method 1

a strain body that connects the force receiving body and the support body and that is elastically deformed by the action of force or moment received by the force receiving body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a detection element that detects displacement caused by elastic deformation produced in the strain body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitive detection: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP3872470B1Force sensor
Publication Date: 2025.01.15 TRI FORCE MANAGEMENT CORP
  • EP3872470B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3872470B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3872470B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A strain body of a force sensor according to the present invention includes a tilting structure disposed between a force receiving body and a support body, a force-receiving-body-side deformable body connecting the force receiving body and the tilting structure, and a support-body-side deformable body connecting the tilting structure and the support body. The tilting structure includes a first tilting body that extends in a second direction orthogonal to a first direction and that is elastically deformable by the action of force in the first direction.