Hardness Measurement Device with Infrared Temperature Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing measuring devices for determining the hardness of elastic materials face challenges due to slow temperature adjustment of test specimens during transport, requiring extended waiting periods before measurement, and are often affected by temperature and humidity gradients, leading to inaccurate results.
Innovation Solution
A measuring device equipped with a non-contact infrared sensor unit for temperature measurement near the penetration point, along with additional sensors for ambient temperature and humidity, allows for real-time compensation of temperature and environmental factors, providing accurate and immediate hardness values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a test specimen is transported and then allowed to adjust to ambient temperature, then the temperature of the test specimen approaches the ambient temperature, but the adjustment process takes a long time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces contact-based temperature measurement with non-contact infrared measurement. The infrared sensor measures the temperature of the test specimen's surface without physical contact, eliminating the need for waiting periods and enabling immediate temperature-compensated hardness measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an infrared sensor as an intermediary between the measurement system and the test specimen. This intermediary enables temperature measurement without direct contact, allowing the system to obtain temperature data immediately without waiting for thermal equilibrium.
2Device complexity
If temperature measurement is performed away from the penetration point, then the measurement setup is simpler, but the temperature measurement is falsified by temperature gradients in the test body
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the infrared sensor to measure temperature specifically at the penetration point on the test specimen surface. This localized measurement ensures that the temperature data directly reflects the conditions at the measurement location, eliminating errors from temperature gradients in other parts of the specimen.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent measures temperature from a different dimension (infrared radiation field) rather than through direct thermal contact. This allows temperature measurement at the penetration point without physical interference, maintaining both measurement precision and setup simplicity.
3Measurement precision
If environmental conditions are controlled to ensure accurate hardness measurements, then measurement accuracy improves, but the measurement process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by measuring the actual temperature of the test specimen at the penetration point and using this data to compensate for temperature effects on hardness measurements. This feedback mechanism allows accurate measurements without requiring strict environmental control, simplifying the overall system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from requiring controlled environmental conditions to directly measuring and compensating for actual temperature conditions. This allows the system to adapt to varying environmental conditions rather than requiring them to be controlled, reducing system complexity.
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 device enables rapid and accurate determination of temperature-compensated hardness values, improving measurement efficiency and accuracy by integrating temperature and humidity measurements directly into the calculation process, thus overcoming the limitations of existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
a first sensor unit SE1, which uses a measuring opening FE1 arranged on the underside UA of the measuring device MG to measure the temperature of the surface OF of the test body PK
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A measuring instrument for determining the hardness values of elastic materials is described, comprising an indenter (MS) surrounded in the radial direction by a support plate (AP) and connected to a measuring device (ME) for determining the indentation depth in a test specimen (PK), wherein the support plate (AP) is arranged in the region of a lower part (FT) and protrudes from a termination surface (UA) bounding the lower part (FT), the termination surface (UA) having a first measuring opening (FE1) designed such that a first sensor unit (SE1) arranged within the lower part (FT) behind the first measuring opening (FE1) can perform a temperature measurement of a surface (OF) of the test specimen (PK), and an output signal of the first sensor unit (SE1) for measuring the temperature of the test specimen (PK) and an output signal of the measuring device (ME) for determining the hardness of the test specimen (PK) are transmittable.