Hardness Tester Radial Weight Nesting for Compact Force Application
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hardness testers face challenges in achieving compactness and stability due to the large distance required between the indenter and sample, leading to increased size and potential horizontal displacement of weights, which can result in inaccurate test forces during repeated tests.
Innovation Solution
A hardness tester design featuring a plurality of weights stacked vertically with hollow portions and tapered surfaces to prevent horizontal displacement, combined with a test force switching mechanism using a cam member and weight support to adjust the test force, allowing for accurate and compact force application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large distance is kept between the indenter and sample during standby, then the risk of damaging accidents is reduced, but the stroke of the indenter column must be increased and the overall device size becomes larger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the arrangement of weights from a horizontal/vertical stack to a radial arrangement around the indenter column. This dimensional change allows the weights to be positioned closer to the indenter tip while maintaining safety, reducing the required stroke of the indenter column and enabling a more compact device design.
Solution Approach 2:
The weights are nested radially around the indenter column, with each weight positioned at a different radial distance. This nesting arrangement allows multiple weights to occupy a compact space close to the indenter without interfering with each other, reducing the overall device size while maintaining safety distances.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the stroke of the indenter column is increased, then the test force can be applied with various weights, but the rotation amount of the load lever increases and the gap between weights must be larger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent arranges weights radially around the indenter column rather than stacking them vertically. This dimensional change allows weights to be positioned at different radial distances, enabling variable test forces without requiring large vertical gaps between weights, thus maintaining compactness while providing versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The load lever is designed to rotate dynamically, allowing different radial positions of weights to be engaged with the indenter column. This dynamic engagement mechanism enables the system to switch between different test forces by simply rotating the lever to different positions, without requiring large static gaps between weights.
3Volume of moving object
If weights are made compact in the vertical direction, then the device size is reduced, but the horizontal-direction position of weights becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from vertical stacking to radial arrangement of weights. This dimensional change allows weights to be compact in the vertical direction while maintaining stable horizontal positions through radial positioning around the indenter column, supported by guide surfaces that prevent horizontal displacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The weights are equipped with guide surfaces at specific locations (radial and axial ends) that provide localized stability. These guide surfaces engage with corresponding surfaces on the load lever or support structure, ensuring horizontal position stability only where needed, while allowing the rest of the weight structure to remain compact.
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 design enables a compact and stable hardness tester that can accurately generate test forces by preventing horizontal displacement of weights and allowing for precise switching between different weights to apply various test forces, ensuring consistent results.
Implementation Method 1
a weight 103 is used to apply the test force to the surface of the sample
Implementation Method 2
An interior surface of the accommodation portion is provided with an inside tapered portion engaging with the outside tapered portion of the accommodated weight to regulate horizontal-direction displacement of the weight
Data Source
AI summary
The hardness tester includes a plurality of weights; a transmission mechanism transmitting to an indenter a force of gravity acting on the weights; and a test force switching mechanism switching between magnitudes of a test force. The weights include hollow portions running through the weights in a vertical direction; and accommodation portions formed so as to be capable of accommodating the weight directly below. Outside tapered portions are provided to an exterior surface of the weights and inside tapered portions are provided to an interior surface of the accommodation portions. The transmission mechanism includes a shaft member and a weight engagement portion capable of being accommodated by the bottom-most accommodation portion to engage a weight. The weight engagement portion includes a tapered portion engaging the weight to regulate horizontal-direction displacement. A predetermined gap is reserved between the hollow portions and the shaft member.