Helical Weighing Sensor Structure for Electronic Scale Cost Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-supporting weighing sensors for electronic scales are costly due to the need for additional supports and complex structures, which increase manufacturing costs and reduce precision.
Innovation Solution
A weighing sensor with a helical shape formed from a single sheet of metal, featuring a load-supporting portion, strain portion, and bearing portion, where the load-supporting portion directly bears the acting force and the bearing portion transfers the reaction force, eliminating the need for additional supports and simplifying the structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional supporting beams and rigid connections are used to transfer forces, then the sensor achieves stable force transfer, but the manufacturing cost increases and the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the supporting beam and the force transfer mechanism into a single integrated elastic body. The bearing surfaces and strain portions are formed as one unified structure, eliminating the need for separate supporting beams and rigid connections, thus reducing structural complexity while maintaining force transfer stability
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic body serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the supporting structure and the force transfer mechanism, while also incorporating the strain gauge mounting surface. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for additional components, reducing both complexity and manufacturing cost
2Measurement precision
If multiple strain rods with strain gauges are used to ensure precision, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the manufacturing cost highly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple strain rods into a single integrated elastic body with a unified strain portion. Instead of bonding strain gauges to multiple separate strain rods, the design uses one strain portion for the strain gauge, significantly reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining measurement precision through the integrated structure's inherent mechanical properties
3Measurement precision
If load-supporting portions are added to achieve point stressing, then the sensor eliminates partial load error, but the structure becomes more complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The load-supporting portions are integrated directly into the elastic body structure itself, forming a unified design where the bearing surfaces and load-supporting features are part of the same continuous elastic structure. This eliminates the need for separate load-supporting additions, maintaining precision while avoiding increased complexity
4Stability of the object's composition
If a bearing frame with planar self-supporting structure is used, then the sensor achieves stable disposal, but additional load-supporting portions are necessarily added which increases cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the bearing frame function and the load-supporting function into the single elastic body structure. The elastic body itself provides both the stable disposal (bearing frame equivalent) and the point stressing capability, eliminating the need for additional load-supporting portions and reducing manufacturing cost
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 solution results in a low-cost, simple, and thin electronic scale with reduced manufacturing costs and improved installation convenience, while maintaining precision and accuracy in weight measurement.
Implementation Method 1
a strain gauge is mounted on the strain portion
Data Source
AI summary
The invention discloses a weighing sensor and an electronic scale provided with the same. The weighing sensor comprises a flat plate formed into helical shape, including successively a load-supporting portion, a strain portion and a bearing portion from the center to the outer of this plate, with the load-supporting portion situated between and surrounded by the bearing portion and the strain portion; wherein the load-supporting portion and the bearing portion are respectively used to bear the acting force and the reaction force in opposite directions, and a strain gauge is mounted on the strain portion. The electronic scale comprises at least three weighing sensors, wherein the bearing portion of the sensor is mounted on the scale body, the load-supporting portion directly contacts the supporting leg of the scale, which contacts the plane on which the scale is positioned. The present invention has small thickness, simple structure and low manufacturing cost.