Monolithic Load Cell Flexures With Local Material Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing force transmission devices in scales and microweighers face challenges in achieving optimal material properties for both rigid and flexible areas, leading to compromises in performance and durability.
Innovation Solution
A monolithic force transmission device with a parallel guide is developed, where different materials are used for various functional areas, such as the power transmission lever and storage points, allowing for independent material adaptation while maintaining a monolithic design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a monolithic design is used for the force transmission device, then assembly processes are eliminated and material properties are uniform, but the material cannot be optimally adapted to different functional requirements (rigid block vs. flexible thin sections)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using a single monolithic material that possesses properties suitable for both rigid and flexible areas through its unique microstructure. The amorphous metal material provides different mechanical properties at different locations within the same component, enabling the block areas to be rigid while thin sections remain flexible, eliminating the need for multi-material construction while maintaining functional optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by utilizing an amorphous metal alloy with specific compositional characteristics that combine properties of both rigid and flexible materials. The material composition is designed to achieve a balance between structural integrity and elastic flexibility, allowing a single material to serve multiple functional requirements within the monolithic force transmission device.
2Measurement precision
If thin-section flexure bearings with very low spring stiffness are used to improve resolution, then the cross-section must be minimized, but this makes the bearings fragile and susceptible to damage during handling and transport
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing the unique properties of amorphous metal materials that allow for extremely thin cross-sections (down to 0.07 mm) while maintaining adequate mechanical strength. The material's amorphous microstructure provides a favorable ratio of strength to elasticity, enabling the thin-section flexure bearings to achieve the required low spring stiffness for high resolution while retaining sufficient robustness to withstand handling and transport without extensive protective packaging.
3Ease of manufacture
If common materials like aluminum alloys are used for the monolithic device, then production is simplified and cost-effective, but the spring stiffness cannot be reduced sufficiently for high-resolution measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials by utilizing an amorphous metal alloy with specific compositional characteristics that combine properties of both rigid and flexible materials. The material composition is designed to achieve a balance between structural integrity and elastic flexibility, allowing a single material to serve multiple functional requirements within the monolithic force transmission device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing the unique properties of amorphous metal materials that allow for extremely thin cross-sections (down to 0.07 mm) while maintaining adequate mechanical strength. The material's amorphous microstructure provides a favorable ratio of strength to elasticity, enabling the thin-section flexure bearings to achieve the required low spring stiffness for high resolution while retaining sufficient robustness to withstand handling and transport without extensive protective packaging.
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 improves the resolution and linearity of the force transmission device, while also simplifying production and reducing packaging requirements.
Implementation Method 1
The material of the monolithic force transmission device determines the behavior of the thin-section flexure bearings—also called flexure bearings or bearing points—of the parallel guide, the coupling, and the force transmission lever with properties such as spring stiffness, tensile and compressive strength, elastic modulus
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b~1c
Figure 2a~2g
AI summary
A power transmission device with a parallel guide comprising a movable parallel leg, a fixed parallel leg, a first parallel link and a second parallel link, wherein the parallel legs and the parallel links are connected to each other by thin-space bending bearings, wherein the movable parallel leg is guided on the fixed parallel leg by the parallel links, further comprising a power transmission lever arranged on the fixed parallel leg, comprising a lever bearing, and a first lever arm, wherein the power transmission lever is pivotably mounted on the lever bearing and its first lever arm is connected to the movable parallel leg in a force-transmitting manner, wherein the force-transmitting connection is effected by means of a coupling element with at least one further thin-space bending bearing.wherein the power transmission device or at least a functional area of the power transmission device is monolithic, and wherein a functional area of the power transmission device consists of the first parallel link, and/or the second parallel link, and/or the power transmission lever and/or the coupling element, and of the respective adjacent bearing points. The invention is characterized in that the power transmission device or at least one of the functional areas consists of at least one first material, and that at least one of the bearing points of the power transmission device or of the at least one functional area consists of a second material.