Low-Profile Load Cell Diaphragm Design for Compression Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing load cells for measuring compression force often have high profiles, making them unsuitable for applications where space is limited, as they require thicker structures to achieve sufficient capacity.
Innovation Solution
A high-capacity low-profile load cell design featuring a support ring, diaphragm, and strategically placed strain gauges in a Wheatstone bridge configuration, with a ball and socket mechanism to accommodate uneven loading, allowing for a compact form factor while maintaining high compression strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If beam bending or shear web designs are used for load cells, then sufficient compression capacity is achieved, but the profile height becomes too large to fit in limited spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a diaphragm made of thin flexible material that can withstand high compression forces despite its low profile. The diaphragm's flexibility allows it to deform under load while maintaining structural integrity, enabling the load cell to achieve sufficient compression capacity without requiring the thickness of traditional beam bending or shear web designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the structural parameters by transitioning from thick beam-based designs to a thin diaphragm with a specific geometry featuring a central dome and annular region. This parameter change allows the load cell to maintain high compression capacity while reducing the profile height to fit in space-constrained environments.
2Length of stationary object
If a low-profile design is used to reduce height, then space constraints are satisfied, but measurement precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating strain measurement in specific high-stress regions of the diaphragm, namely under the central dome and in the annular region. Strain gauges are strategically placed in these locations where deformation is most pronounced, ensuring accurate measurement despite the overall thin profile of the diaphragm.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the three-dimensional geometry of the diaphragm, particularly the central dome structure, to create areas of concentrated strain. By measuring strain in this third dimension (the domed profile) rather than relying solely on the planar dimensions, the load cell achieves high measurement precision while maintaining a low overall profile height.
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 accurate measurement of high loads with a significantly lower profile than traditional load cells, ensuring compatibility in space-constrained environments without compromising sensitivity to uneven loading.
Implementation Method 1
The load cell is structured such that the applied force or load deforms the strain gauges. The strain gauges convert the deformation (i.e., strain) into electrical signals.
Implementation Method 2
A load cell usually consists of four strain gauges in a Wheatstone bridge configuration. The electrical signal output by the Wheatstone bridge is typically on the order of a few millivolts
Data Source
AI summary
A high-capacity low-profile load cell for measuring compression force. The load cell comprises a support ring, a diaphragm supported by the support ring, and first and second pluralities of strain gages arranged under the diaphragm for detecting strain produced by application of a load from above. The diaphragm comprises a slug portion and a plate portion that surrounds and supports the slug portion. The slug portion has a height greater than a thickness of the plate portion. The first plurality of strain gages is disposed on a bottom surface of the slug portion, while the second plurality of strain gages is disposed on a bottom surface of the plate portion. These strain gages are electrically connected to form a Wheatstone bridge.