Cylindrical Load Cell With Integrated Force Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rotationally symmetrical, cylindrical load cells require additional force transmission elements, leading to increased complexity and undesirable force introduction influences that affect measurement accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A simplified design featuring an inner cylindrical metal core with a load application plate, concentrically connected ring-shaped deformation bodies, and flexible connecting webs that reduce the need for separate force transmission elements and minimize unwanted force influences, incorporating strain gauges for accurate force measurement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If additional force transmission elements are used to connect the load cell to the support plate, then the structural stability is improved, but the device complexity increases and measurement accuracy deteriorates due to unwanted force introduction influences

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the force transmission function into the load cell body itself by integrating a support plate connection element directly into the load cell structure. This eliminates the need for separate force transmission elements, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining structural stability. The connection element is formed as an integral part of the load cell, combining multiple functions into a single component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Stability of the object's composition

If additional force transmission elements are used to connect the load cell to the support plate, then the structural stability is improved, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates due to unwanted force introduction influences

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the support plate connection element directly into the load cell body, the patent eliminates intermediate force transmission elements that could introduce unwanted force influences. This direct integration ensures that forces are transmitted cleanly from the support plate through the load cell without additional interface points that could compromise measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If more separate components are used in the load cell structure, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the device complexity increases and costs rise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functional elements into a single integrated load cell structure, including the measurement element, deformation body, and support plate connection element. This integration reduces the total number of separate components that need to be manufactured and assembled, thereby reducing device complexity and manufacturing costs while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized production processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 reduces the number of components and unwanted force influences, enhancing measurement accuracy and reducing costs while allowing for adjustable strength and position of connecting webs to manage horizontal forces effectively.

Implementation Method 1

convert deformations that occur under the action of a force to be measured into electrical signals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 2

electromechanical strain gauges are arranged on the measuring surfaces of the deformation rings

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectStrain gauge measurement: Piezoresistive Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2187187B1Weighing disc
Publication Date: 2017.09.13 QLAR EUROPE GMBH
  • EP2187187B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2187187B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2187187B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The load cell is rotation symmetric and cylindrical with a rotation axis (A). A load introducing plate (1) is concentrically formed on an inner cylindrical metal core (1a), where the load introducing plate extends over the total diameter of the load cell. A thin connecting bar (2) is concentrically formed on the metal core, where the connecting bar extends radially outwards and axially at a distance from the load introducing plate. The connecting bar is connected with the load introducing plate by a ring-shaped deformed body (3).