Material Testing Machine Cable Disconnection Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing material testing machines cannot detect cable disconnection during measurement, leading to delayed user notification and potential waste of test pieces and time, as the disconnection detection circuit operates separately from the measurement circuit, preventing simultaneous operation.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a detection circuit within the control device that extracts and compares resistance and capacitive components from the measurement signal to detect cable disconnection, allowing for real-time warning display without the need for a separate abnormality detection circuit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate disconnection detection circuit is used, then cable disconnection can be detected, but the detection circuit and measurement circuit cannot operate simultaneously, preventing real-time detection during measurement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable disconnection detectionVSAvoidseparate detection circuit
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the disconnection detection function with the existing measurement circuit by adding a capacitive component extraction unit and comparator to the measurement circuit. This allows the measurement circuit to perform both measurement and disconnection detection functions simultaneously, eliminating the need for a separate detection circuit and enabling real-time monitoring during measurement operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement circuit is enhanced to serve multiple functions: it continues to perform its original measurement function while simultaneously detecting cable disconnection by extracting and comparing capacitive components. This multi-functionality allows a single circuit to handle both measurement and abnormality detection without requiring separate dedicated circuits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If switching between measurement circuit and disconnection detection circuit is implemented, then cable disconnection can be detected, but detection cannot occur during measurement, causing delay in user notification

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable disconnection detectionVSAvoiddetection response time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables continuous operation of the measurement circuit for both measurement and disconnection detection simultaneously. The capacitive component extraction and comparison operations run continuously alongside measurement operations, ensuring that cable disconnection can be detected at any moment without interrupting or delaying the measurement process, thus providing immediate notification to users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If a separate abnormality detection device is added, then cable disconnection can be detected, but the system complexity increases and real-time monitoring during measurement is prevented

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabnormality detectionVSAvoidseparate abnormality detection device
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of adding a separate abnormality detection device, the patent integrates the detection functionality into the existing measurement circuit by incorporating a capacitive component extraction unit and comparator. This integration approach maintains reliability while avoiding the increased system complexity that would result from adding independent detection hardware.

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

Enables continuous detection of cable disconnection during measurement, providing timely warnings and preventing unnecessary test continuation, thus saving test pieces and time by integrating disconnection detection into the measurement circuit.

Implementation Method 1

a detection circuit which extracts a capacitive component due to electrostatic capacitance of the cable from a measurement signal from the detector

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic capacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP3575771B1Material testing machine
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 SHIMADZU CORP
  • EP3575771B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3575771B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3575771B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided a material testing machine that a control device (20) of the material testing machine includes a detection circuit (41) which extracts a resistance component (A) caused by the physical quantity and a capacitive component (B) caused by an electrostatic capacitance of the cable (CL) from a measurement signal from the detector, a memory element (35) which stores a normal capacitive component (BN) extracted by the detection circuit (41), and a comparator (47) which compares the current capacitive component (B) extracted by the detection circuit (41) with the normal capacitive component (BN), and when a comparison result from the comparator (47) indicates that a value of the current capacitive component (B) varies beyond a predetermined allowable range with respect to the normal capacitive component (BN), it is treated that the cable (CL) is disconnected, and a disconnection warning is provided.