Lever-Amplified Length Measurement for Rigid, High-Resolution Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 6-axis force torque sensors face challenges in achieving high rigidity while maintaining high resolution of measured signals, as strain gauges require complex application and significant signal amplification, leading to high costs.
Innovation Solution
A device for measuring change in length using a lever element with a fulcrum and two lever arms of different lengths, where a length element is pivotably arranged to mechanically amplify the change in length, detected by a scanning element, allowing for high resolution without compromising rigidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If strain gauges are used to measure forces and moments, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to complex application and major signal amplification requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical measurement system (strain gauges requiring signal amplification) with a mechanical amplification system using lever elements. The lever elements mechanically amplify the displacement caused by forces and moments, allowing direct optical detection without complex electrical signal processing, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces lever elements as intermediary mechanical components between the force application point and the detection system. These lever elements transform small displacements into larger, more easily detectable movements, serving as a mechanical mediator that eliminates the need for complex signal amplification electronics
2Measurement precision
If strain gauges are used to measure forces and moments, then measurement precision is improved, but cost increases due to major signal amplification requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive electrical signal amplification systems with simple mechanical lever amplification. The lever elements provide inherent mechanical advantage, amplifying displacements without requiring costly electronic amplifiers, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses simple, inexpensive lever elements made from basic materials instead of expensive strain gauge systems with complex electronics. The lever mechanism is a simple mechanical structure that can be manufactured at low cost, eliminating the need for expensive signal processing electronics
3Reliability
If sensors are made rigid, then reliability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates because rigid sensors cannot detect deformations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sensor into two distinct functional parts: a rigid sensor body that maintains reliability and structural integrity, and flexible lever elements that provide the necessary compliance for detection. This segmentation allows each part to fulfill its specific function optimally - the rigid body provides stability while the lever elements enable displacement detection
Solution Approach 2:
The lever elements serve as intermediary components that bridge the rigid sensor body and the detection system. They provide the necessary mechanical compliance to detect displacements while being connected to the rigid structure, thus allowing the rigid sensor to maintain its reliability while the lever elements enable precise measurement through their flexibility
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 mechanical amplification of the change in length enables high resolution of measured signals while maintaining sensor rigidity, reducing complexity and cost compared to strain gauge-based solutions.
Implementation Method 1
a lever element with a first end, a second end and a fulcrum is arranged transversely to the longitudinal direction, wherein the lever element has a first lever arm with a first length between the fulcrum and a first lever arm end and a second lever arm with a second length between the fulcrum and a second lever arm end, wherein the second length is greater than the first length
Data Source
AI summary
A device for measuring a change in length has a first fastening element, a second fastening element and at least one length element which is arranged between the two fastening elements. The one length element has a first end a second end and a length along a longitudinal direction. A force acting parallel to the longitudinal direction leads to a change in length of the length element. A lever element has a first end, a second end, and a fulcrum and is arranged transversely to the longitudinal direction. The lever element includes a first lever arm with a first length between the fulcrum and a first lever arm end and a second lever arm with a second length between the fulcrum and a second lever arm end, with the second length being greater than the first length.