Integrated Force Sensor for Energy Guide Chains
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing monitoring systems for energy guide chains, which measure traction and compression forces, are costly and complex, making them unsuitable for smaller equipment like automatic interlinking systems and machine tools, despite the need for reliable force monitoring in these applications.
Innovation Solution
A force sensor designed as a flexural beam with elastically deformable regions and integrated strain gauges, serving both as a connecting member and a force sensor, allowing for precise measurement of traction and compression forces without the need for a separate connecting device, using a lever action to enhance measurement accuracy even with lower forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a special connecting device and weighing cell are used to monitor forces in energy guide chains, then measurement reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the connecting device and force sensor into a single integrated component. The connecting member includes a force sensor integrated within its structure, eliminating the need for separate connecting devices and weighing cells. This merging reduces device complexity while maintaining force monitoring reliability through the integrated sensor that measures forces during connection operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it connects the movable chain end to the entrainment member while also functioning as a force sensor. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized components, reducing overall system complexity and cost while maintaining reliable force measurement capabilities.
2Reliability
If a special connecting device and weighing cell are used to monitor forces in energy guide chains, then measurement reliability is improved, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the connecting device and force sensor into a single integrated component. The connecting member includes a force sensor integrated within its structure, eliminating the need for separate connecting devices and weighing cells. This merging reduces device complexity while maintaining force monitoring reliability through the integrated sensor that measures forces during connection operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it connects the movable chain end to the entrainment member while also functioning as a force sensor. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized components, reducing overall system complexity and cost while maintaining reliable force measurement capabilities.
3Device complexity
If a simple connecting member is used without integrated force sensing, then device complexity is reduced, but force monitoring capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the connecting device and force sensor into a single integrated component. The connecting member includes a force sensor integrated within its structure, eliminating the need for separate connecting devices and weighing cells. This merging reduces device complexity while maintaining force monitoring reliability through the integrated sensor that measures forces during connection operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting member performs self-measurement of forces through the integrated force sensor. The sensor automatically detects and measures forces during connection operations without requiring external measurement equipment, enabling the component to monitor its own operational conditions and provide force data for control systems.
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 solution provides a cost-effective and reliable method for monitoring traction and compression forces in energy guide chains, ensuring precise measurement and preventing chain fracture by integrating the force sensor with the connecting member, suitable for various applications including smaller equipment.
Implementation Method 1
at least one elastically or resiliently deformable flexural region with an associated sensor for measuring the deformation produced by flexing of the flexural region
Implementation Method 2
the web extending in the transverse direction provides for using a lever action which permits an increase in the elastic deformation and thus precise measurement even when lower forces are involved
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a monitoring system for tractive and compressive forces in a power track chain (1) for protected guidance of cables, hoses etc. The monitoring system comprises at least one force sensor (10, 90) for measuring a tractive or compressive force transmitted between a driver (4) and a moveable end (3) of the power track chain, and an evaluation unit (12) for evaluating the measurement signals detected by the force sensor. The invention is characterized by the design and arrangement of the force sensor (10, 90). This force sensor is designed as a connecting member for attaching the moveable end (3) of the power track chain (1) on the driver (4) and comprises at least one web (32, 34, 92) extended substantially transversely to the direction of the tractive/compressive force. The web has at least one elastically deformable bending region (321, 322, 341, 342) with an associated sensor (621, 622, 641, 642) for measuring deformation produced by bending.