Multi-Direction Force Transducer with Radial Measuring Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional force transducers are designed to measure a single force and require multiple transducers when multiple forces act from different directions, leading to increased installation effort, costs, and maintenance volume.
Innovation Solution
A single force transducer system with multiple electrical measuring systems and an evaluation unit that calculates the absolute value of forces acting from different directions using a system of equations, where each measuring system has a first and second measuring cell arranged radially and electrically connected, with strain gauges detecting stresses caused by these forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple conventional force transducers are used to measure forces from different directions, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity and installation effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple force measurement capabilities into a single transducer body by integrating multiple measuring systems with strain gauges arranged in different spatial orientations. The measuring body contains multiple membrane zones with strain gauges that can simultaneously detect forces from different directions, eliminating the need for multiple separate transducers.
Solution Approach 2:
The single force transducer is designed to perform multiple measurement functions by incorporating measuring systems that can detect forces acting in different directions. The evaluation unit processes signals from multiple measuring systems to determine both magnitude and direction of applied forces, making one device universally capable of measuring multi-directional forces.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple conventional force transducers are used to measure forces from different directions, then measurement capability is improved, but installation effort and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple force measurement capabilities into a single transducer body by integrating multiple measuring systems with strain gauges arranged in different spatial orientations. The measuring body contains multiple membrane zones with strain gauges that can simultaneously detect forces from different directions, eliminating the need for multiple separate transducers.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple conventional force transducers are used to measure forces from different directions, then measurement capability is improved, but maintenance volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple force measurement capabilities into a single transducer body by integrating multiple measuring systems with strain gauges arranged in different spatial orientations. The measuring body contains multiple membrane zones with strain gauges that can simultaneously detect forces from different directions, eliminating the need for multiple separate transducers.
4Measurement precision
If strain gauges are arranged radially opposite each other, then measurement accuracy is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric arrangement of strain gauges on opposite sides of the measuring body, positioned at different radial distances from the longitudinal axis. This asymmetric design creates a moment difference that enhances measurement accuracy for forces acting in specific directions, while the evaluation unit compensates for positioning variations through signal processing.
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
Enables the determination of multiple forces acting from different directions with a single transducer, reducing installation effort and costs, and maintaining a lower maintenance volume compared to conventional solutions.
Implementation Method 1
multiple electrical measuring systems (34) that convert the acting forces into electrical signals... each of the measuring systems having a first measuring cell (38) and a second measuring cell (40)... each of the measuring cells has a sensor (44), wherein the sensors have strain gauges
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3~4
AI summary
A force transducer system (10) for simultaneously measuring several forces (Fein) acting radially along different directions (60) simultaneously on a longitudinal axis (18) of the force transducer system (10) is disclosed, comprising: several electrical measuring systems (34) that convert the acting forces (Fein) into electrical signals (S), each corresponding to a measured force (Fmess) caused by the acting forces (Fein), wherein a number of measuring systems (34) is equal to a number of forces (Fein) acting simultaneously along the different directions (60), wherein each of the measuring systems (34) has a first measuring cell (38) and a second measuring cell (40) arranged radially opposite each other and electrically interconnected, each generating one of the signals (S);an evaluation unit (46) which is electrically connected to the measuring systems (34) and receives and processes the signals (S) of the measuring systems (34), wherein the evaluation unit (46) has a data storage device (50); and a force transducer body (14) which is preferably rotationally symmetric along the longitudinal axis (18), wherein the body (14) has: a first axial section (20) into which the forces (Fein) are introduced radially; a second axial section (22) with radial recesses (30) for receiving the measuring cells (38), wherein the second section (22) is axially adjacent to the first section (20); and a third axial section (24) for radially supporting and mounting the body (14), wherein the second section (22) is arranged axially between the third section (24) and the first section (20);wherein each of the measuring cells (38, 40) has a sensor (44), wherein the sensors (44) of the first and second measuring cells (38, 40) are each radially spaced equally to the longitudinal axis (18) (A), are electrically interconnected, and define a virtual connecting line (42), wherein the respective virtual connecting line (42) passes through the longitudinal axis (18) and is perpendicular to one of the directions (60) along which the forces (Fein) act; wherein the evaluation unit (46) is configured to calculate from the measured forces (Fmess) an amount for each of the acting forces (F in) from the following system of equations: Fmess,i=∑j=1kxijFein,j where i and j each range from 1 to k, where k is the number of measuring systems (34) and where Xij is a factor which is one for i=j and which is pre-stored in the data memory (50) for i ≠ j.;