Hardness Test Method Using Reference Block for Environmental Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hardness test methods, such as instrumented indentation tests, face challenges in accurately evaluating the influence of installation environments due to disturbances like floor vibrations and noise, which affect the validity of test results, especially when using materials like silica glass that are less susceptible to disturbance.
Innovation Solution
A hardness test method using a controller to perform a series of measurements with a cone-shaped indenter, fitting load loading history curves with quadratic functions, selecting curves with maximum and minimum slope values, and setting an acceptable range of variation, which can be adjusted by a safety factor, to quantify the influence of disturbances in actual usage environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If floor vibration measurement is used to verify installation environment, then the verification process is simplified, but the measurement precision is insufficient because floor vibration impact varies with frequency and cannot be judged based on only a numeric value
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reference block as an intermediary medium between the hardness tester and the installation environment. By measuring the reference block's hardness in the actual installation environment and comparing it with the manufacturer's reference value, the system indirectly assesses environmental influences (vibrations, noise, temperature) without directly measuring each parameter. This mediator approach provides quantitative verification of environmental impact while maintaining operational simplicity.
2Ease of operation
If empirical judgment is used to evaluate test result validity, then the evaluation process is simplified, but the measurement precision is insufficient because empirical values cannot provide quantitative verification of environmental influences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the hardness tester measures a reference block in the installation environment, compares the obtained value with the manufacturer's reference value, and uses this comparison to quantitatively assess environmental influences. The system provides feedback information about the degree of environmental impact, enabling precise evaluation while maintaining simple operation through automated comparison and judgment.
3Ease of operation
If silica glass is used for performance evaluation, then the test process is simplified, but the measurement precision is insufficient because silica glass is less susceptible to disturbance and does not reflect actual installation environment conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary measurement of a reference block in the actual installation environment before conducting actual hardness tests on workpieces. This preliminary action characterizes the environmental conditions (vibrations, noise, temperature) specific to the installation location, allowing subsequent workpiece measurements to be properly interpreted in context. This ensures test results are reliable and applicable to the actual installation environment.
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 method allows for quantitative verification of the influence of installation environments by comparing load loading history curves in controlled and actual usage conditions, ensuring the accuracy of hardness test results and identifying types of disturbances.
Implementation Method 1
silica glass is less susceptible to disturbance due to its high elastic deformability
Implementation Method 2
forming an indentation by pressing or urging an indenter loaded with a specified (predetermined or predeterminable) load or force against a surface of a test specimen
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
A hardness test method performed by a controller of a hardness tester includes a first measurement process measuring an indentation curve (indentation history curve) for a plurality of times under a same condition with respect to a test specimen for verification in a predetermined environment; a setting process setting an acceptable range of variation in a load loading curve based on load loading curves (load loading history curves) of the plurality of the indentation curves obtained by the first measurement process; a second measurement process measuring an indentation curve under a same condition as the first measurement process with respect to the test specimen in an actual usage environment; and a judging process judging whether a load loading curve of the indentation curve measured by the second measurement process is within the acceptable range of variation in a load loading curve set by the setting process.