Force-Torque Sensor Bridge Element Recesses and PCB Nesting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing force-torque sensors for robotic units lack the accuracy needed to capture forces and torques effectively due to limited measuring points, which affects their precision and reliability.
Innovation Solution
The force-torque sensor design incorporates additional concave recesses on bridge elements as measuring points, along with a prefabricated strain gage system on a carrier film and a flexible printed circuit board arrangement, allowing for increased accuracy and space-efficient integration of electronic components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If additional concave recesses are added to bridge elements as measuring points, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge elements are segmented into multiple functional zones: the central cylindrical bore serves as one measuring point, while additional concave recesses on the outer edges serve as further measuring points. This segmentation allows multiple strain gage installations per bridge element, increasing measurement precision without requiring additional bridge elements.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the bridge elements are given different qualities and functions. The central bore region handles one type of measurement while the concave recess regions handle additional measurements. This local differentiation optimizes the measuring effect in specific areas, improving overall measurement accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If strain gages are individually applied manually to measuring points, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier film is prepared in advance with strain gages pre-positioned and connected at their intended locations. This preliminary arrangement allows for precise positioning before application to the bridge elements, ensuring measurement precision while simplifying the actual installation process to a single application step.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple strain gages that would normally be applied individually are merged onto a single carrier film. This combines multiple installation operations into one, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining the precision benefits of individually positioned strain gages.
3Ease of manufacture
If printed circuit board arrangement is positioned horizontally, then ease of manufacture is improved, but volume of sensor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The printed circuit board arrangement is rotated from a horizontal position to an edgeways (vertical) orientation. This dimensional change allows the electronic components to be accommodated in the vertical space between the connection disks, significantly reducing the horizontal volume requirements while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The printed circuit board arrangement is nested within the space between the two connection disks of the force-torque sensor. By positioning it edgeways, the electronic components are contained within the existing structural envelope, minimizing the overall sensor volume.
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 design enhances the accuracy of force and torque measurements by increasing the number of measuring points and enabling a compact, prefabricated strain gage system and printed circuit board arrangement, reducing component costs and installation space requirements.
Implementation Method 1
each bridge element has a central cylindrical bore as a measuring point and is provided, on its opposite outer edges, with a respective concave recess at which a further measuring point is respectively provided
Data Source
AI summary
A force-torque sensor for capturing forces and torques in a robotic unit, including a one-part carrier body which has a cylindrical basic shape and is provided with two connection disks parallel to one another and at least three bridge elements which connect the connection disks to one another and are each assigned at least one measuring point, each bridge element having a central cylindrical bore as a measuring point. Each bridge element is provided, on its opposite outer edges, with a respective concave recess at which a further measuring point is respectively provided.