Force Sensor Coupling Assembly for Fragile Tip Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing materials testing systems face challenges with miniaturized force sensors, which are fragile, difficult to integrate with macro-scale tips, and require the exchange of entire assemblies for different force sensors, limiting flexibility and ease of use.
Innovation Solution
A materials testing assembly with a first holder supporting a force sensor and a second holder supporting a coupling body, allowing for a substantially one-degree-of-freedom movement, enabling easy exchange and protection of the force sensor during handling, and using a coupling body to transmit force independently of the tip size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If miniaturized force sensors are used, then sensing precision and resolution are improved, but the sensors become fragile and difficult to handle
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate modules: the force sensor remains in the headstock while the tip can be independently exchanged. This segmentation allows the fragile sensor to stay protected in the headstock environment while only the robust tip is exposed to external handling, resolving the contradiction between miniaturization for precision and fragility from handling.
Solution Approach 2:
A coupling body acts as an intermediary between the force sensor and the materials testing tip. This mediator transmits force from the tip to the sensor while allowing independent exchange of the tip without disturbing the sensor, thus protecting the fragile sensor while enabling precise measurements.
2Measurement precision
If the force sensor is integrated in the holder supporting the tip, then measurement capability is improved, but exchange of different force sensors requires exchange of the entire holder and tip assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the force sensor (in the headstock) from the tip assembly (in the second holder). This segmentation allows independent exchange of tips without affecting the sensor, eliminating the need to exchange entire assemblies and reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The force sensor is extracted from the tip holder and placed in the headstock. This extraction allows the sensor to remain fixed while only the necessary tip components are exchanged, simplifying the exchange process and reducing the complexity of the overall system.
3Measurement precision
If miniaturized force sensors are used, then sensing range and stiffness properties can be optimized, but integration with macro-scale tips becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling body serves as an intermediary that bridges the size gap between miniaturized force sensors and macro-scale tips. It transmits force effectively across the scale difference while allowing independent optimization of sensor properties without complicating the integration process.
Solution Approach 2:
By extracting the miniaturized sensor from direct integration with the macro tip and placing it in the headstock, the system eliminates integration difficulties. The sensor can be optimized for specific sensing ranges and stiffness properties without being constrained by the need to integrate with large-scale tip structures.
Data Source
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AI summary
Materials testing assembly (1) comprising: - a first holder (1) supporting a force sensor (7) adapted to measure force parallel to a first axis (Z); - a second holder (15) supporting a coupling body (25) suspended by a flexure pivot suspension (27) adapted to provide substantially only one degree of freedom of movement of said coupling body (25) parallel to said first axis (Z), wherein said coupling body (25) has a first face adapted to be in contact with said force sensor (7) and a second extremity supporting a materials testing tip (17) adapted to cooperate with a sample (19).