Machine Foot with Capacitive Pressure Sensor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing machine foot technologies are expensive, complex, and not suitable for high-hygiene environments, as they rely on costly load cells and visible components, which are not always necessary and can lead to uneven load distribution causing instability and design distortion.

Innovation Solution

A machine foot design incorporating a rubber-elastic body with an electro-mechanical transducer that measures hydrostatic pressure, using a capacitive pressure sensor and wireless communication to provide accurate load measurement without direct force influence, allowing for even load distribution and stability, suitable for high-hygiene environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a load cell with strain-gauge embedded in steel structure is used for load measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload measurement precisionVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical load cell with a capacitive sensor system. Instead of using strain gauges embedded in steel structures, the invention uses capacitive measurement between two plates to detect displacement caused by load, thereby substituting a complex mechanical measurement system with a simpler electrical field-based system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the measurement function from the mechanical structure itself. Rather than embedding sensors within the load-bearing steel structure, the capacitive plates are positioned to measure displacement externally, separating the measurement function from the structural function and simplifying the overall device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Measurement precision

If a load cell with many visible and exposed components is used, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation in high-hygiene environments deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload measurement precisionVSAvoidhygiene suitability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible membrane structure that can be sealed and integrated into the machine foot housing. This allows the capacitive sensor to be protected within an enclosed space, preventing exposure to hygienic-critical environments while maintaining measurement capability through the sealed structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Measurement precision

If a complex machine foot structure with many components is used, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload measurement precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces expensive mechanical load cells with a capacitive sensing system that uses simple parallel plates and electronic measurement circuits. This substitution dramatically reduces component costs while maintaining adequate measurement precision for the application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The machine foot structure is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides mechanical support, enables load measurement through capacitive sensing, and maintains hygiene through sealed construction. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, lowering overall manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 provides a cost-effective, stable, and hygienically suitable machine foot that ensures even load distribution, preventing spindle buckling and design distortion, while enabling wireless communication for efficient maintenance and operation.

Implementation Method 1

a measurement of the distance-related electrical capacity between a first plate with the rubber-elastic body's free surface part and another plate with the immobile part

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

the space between the first plate and the other plate is filled by a dielectric element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectric: Dielectric

Data Source

PatentUS10731788B2Method for establishing a signal indicative of the pressure-condition in the as contact-surface befitted rubber-elastic body of a machine foot, as well as machine foot with hydrostatic pressure sensor

Publication Date: 2020.08.04 NGI AS

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for the establishment of a signal which is indicative of the pressure-condition of a machine foot (1), as a fixed surface of a rubber-elastic body (5), where a load of the machine foot (1) is transferred from a cap (4) to a substrate (31) through the rubber-elastic body (5), which is pressurised by the increasing load, such that the distance between a free upper surface part (5.1) of the rubber-elastic body (5) and an immobile part (14.1) is determined by an electro-mechanical transducer (6) establishing an electrical signal corresponding to the distance which is used as the measurement for the rubber-elastic body's pressure-condition and thus the machine foot's load.