Lever Assembly Weight Measurement Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Weight measurement devices face challenges in accurately measuring the weight of small objects due to the minimal forces generated, leading to high manufacturing costs and potential inaccuracies when using piezo-resistive force sensors, especially when dealing with large receiving areas and offset weight distributions.
Innovation Solution
A weight measurement device utilizing a lever assembly with multiple levers to convert the weight force into a singular point force, which is then transmitted to a piezo-resistive force sensor, ensuring accurate measurement regardless of force location and eliminating the need for multiple sensors, thus accommodating large receiving areas without sacrificing precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a piezo-resistive force sensor is used to measure the weight of small objects, then measurement capability is provided, but manufacturing costs increase and measurement precision deteriorates due to minimal forces generated
Solution Approach 1:
The weight measurement device segments the force measurement function by using multiple levers (first lever, second lever, third lever) that divide and transmit the weight force from the receiving tray to a single piezo-resistive force sensor. This segmentation allows the sensor to measure accumulated force from multiple lever actions, improving measurement precision for small objects while maintaining cost-effectiveness by using only one sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism between the receiving tray and the piezo-resistive force sensor. The multiple levers transmit and amplify the minimal forces generated by small objects, enabling the single sensor to accurately measure weights that would otherwise be below its detection threshold, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and manufacturing cost.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple force sensors are used to cover large receiving areas, then measurement coverage is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges the force measurement function into a single piezo-resistive force sensor by using multiple levers that collectively transmit forces from different locations on the receiving tray to one sensor. The first lever receives force at a first location, the second lever at a second location, and the third lever at a third location, with all forces converging at the sensor, thus covering a large area without increasing sensor quantity or device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever assembly provides multi-functionality by enabling a single force sensor to measure weights from various locations on the receiving tray. The multiple levers allow the sensor to universally detect forces applied at different points (first location, second location, third location), effectively expanding the measurement coverage area without requiring multiple sensors.
3Area of stationary object
If the force sensor is positioned away from the center, then receiving area is expanded, but measurement precision deteriorates due to offset weight distributions
Solution Approach 1:
The lever assembly introduces dynamic adaptability to compensate for offset weight distributions. When an object is placed at any location on the receiving tray, the levers dynamically adjust their force transmission paths to ensure accurate measurement. The first lever, second lever, and third lever work together to transmit forces from offset positions to the force sensor, maintaining measurement precision regardless of where the object is placed within the expanded receiving area.
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 enables low-cost, precise weight measurement of objects across a wide range of sizes and types, maintaining device performance and reducing manufacturing costs by using a single force sensor and a lever assembly to handle distributed forces effectively.
Implementation Method 1
A weight measurement device is disclosed that uses a lever assembly that includes a plurality of levers to convert a weight force into a point force
Implementation Method 2
transmitted to a piezo-resistive force sensor, ensuring accurate measurement regardless of force location
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments are directed to methods and apparatuses for determining a weight of one or more objects disposed about an area of the weight measurement device using a single force sensor to accurately measure a force generated by the one or more objects. In various embodiments, the apparatus comprises a housing, a receiving tray, a lever assembly configured to receive a weight force from the receiving tray and generate a collective lever force corresponding to the weight force, the lever assembly comprising a plurality of levers, wherein each lever of the plurality of levers being at least substantially fixed to the housing at a first lever location and configured to receive a partial weight force from the receiving tray at a second lever location, and a force sensor configured to define a fulcrum point along each of the plurality of levers.