Monolithic Load Cell Flexure Bearings With Local Material Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing monolithic power transmission devices face challenges in achieving optimal material adaptation for thin-section flexure bearings, requiring a compromise between material properties for rigid and moving parts, leading to limitations in spring stiffness, corrosion resistance, and temperature independence, which affects the performance and durability of analytical and microbalances.
Innovation Solution
The power transmission device incorporates a combination of materials, where thin-point bending bearings and other functional areas are made of amorphous metals, such as zirconium-titanium-based compounds, embedded within a monolithic structure of a different material, allowing for targeted adaptation of material properties at bearing points and improving robustness and resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a monolithic structure is used for the power transmission device, then assembly operations are eliminated and material properties are uniform, but the material cannot be optimally adapted to the functional requirements of different sections (main block vs. thin sections)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating recesses at specific locations (thin sections/bearing points) in the monolithic structure and filling them with different material. This allows the main block to retain its original material properties while the thin sections have optimized material properties suitable for bearing applications, thus resolving the contradiction between monolithic construction and material adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining the base monolithic material with a different filling material in the recesses. This creates a composite structure where each material contributes its optimal properties to the specific functional area it occupies, enabling both the benefits of monolithic construction and the advantages of material optimization.
2Measurement precision
If thin-section bending bearings are made with smaller cross-sections to reduce spring stiffness, then cell resolution improves, but the bearings become more susceptible to damage during handling and assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter (using material with different mechanical properties) in the thin sections to achieve the desired spring stiffness while maintaining robustness. By selecting filling material with appropriate properties, the bearing points can have low spring stiffness for high resolution while the material composition provides enhanced durability and damage resistance.
3Ease of manufacture
If common materials like aluminum alloys are used for the monolithic power transmission device, then production is simplified and cost-effective, but the spring stiffness of thin-section bending bearings cannot be reduced below approximately 0.07 mm cross-section
Solution Approach 1:
The patent overcomes the limitations of common materials by using composite construction - the base structure uses cost-effective materials for simplified production, while the thin sections use specially selected filling materials that enable lower spring stiffness and higher resolution, thus resolving the contradiction between production simplicity and measurement precision.
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 approach reduces spring stiffness, enhances robustness and impact sensitivity, and simplifies production, resulting in improved performance and reduced packaging costs, while maintaining the benefits of a monolithic design.
Implementation Method 1
The spring stiffness of a thin-spot bending bearing is determined by the cross-section and the modulus of elasticity of the material. The second material is an amorphous metal... resulting in improved performance and reduced packaging costs
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b~1c
Figure 2a~2g
AI summary
The invention relates to a force transmission device with a parallel guide comprising a movable parallel limb, a fixed parallel limb, a first parallel guiding element and a second parallel guiding element, wherein the parallel limbs and the parallel guiding elements are connected to each other by thin-point flexional bearings, wherein the movable parallel limb is guided by the parallel guiding elements on the fixed parallel limb. The force transmission device further comprises a force transmission lever, which is arranged on the fixed parallel limb and has a lever bearing, and comprises a first lever arm, wherein the force transmission lever is pivotally mounted on the lever bearing and the first lever arm of the force transmission lever is connected to the movable parallel limb in a force-transmitting manner, wherein the force-transmitting connection is effected by means of coupling element with at least one further thin-point flexional bearing. The force transmission device or at least a functional region of the force transmission device is designed monolithically, and a functional region of the force transmission device consists of the first parallel limb, and/or the second parallel limb, and/or the force transmission lever and/or the coupling element, and of the corresponding adjacent bearing points. The invention is distinguished in that the force transmission device or at least one of the functional regions consists of at least one first material, and at least one of the bearing points of the force transmission device or the at least one functional region consists of a second material.