Monoblock Measuring Head Flexural Hinge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing measuring heads for workpieces are expensive, prone to malfunctions, and require frequent maintenance due to precise assembly and sensitivity to component alignment, leading to inaccurate measurements.
Innovation Solution
A measuring head with a one-piece metal construction featuring a flexural pivot bearing as a rotational hinge, comprising a cylindrical cavity and blades, which allows for elastic deformation and is formed using chip-removal and electrical-discharge machining, reducing assembly complexity and potential for imbalance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a measuring head with multiple separate components is used, then the measurement function can be achieved, but the device becomes expensive and prone to malfunctions due to precise assembly requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate components (fixed portion, movable portion, hinge, constraint element) into a single monoblock component manufactured by electrical discharge machining. This integration eliminates assembly requirements, reduces the number of parts, and ensures consistent manufacturing tolerances throughout the measuring head, directly resolving the contradiction between measurement reliability and assembly complexity.
2Measurement precision
If precise assembly of multiple components is performed, then measurement accuracy can be maintained, but maintenance requirements increase and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining all functional elements into one monoblock component, the patent eliminates the need for precise assembly operations and reduces maintenance requirements. The single-component design ensures consistent geometric relationships without requiring tight tolerances between multiple parts, thereby reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical assembly methods with electrical discharge machining to create the monoblock component. This substitution of manufacturing methods achieves precise geometric relationships through a single machining process rather than through assembly of multiple components, reducing both cost and complexity.
3Ease of operation
If multiple separate components are used in the measuring head, then the rotational hinge can provide movement, but unbalance and disassembly errors occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the rotational hinge functionality directly into the monoblock component, eliminating separate hinge parts. This ensures perfect balance and consistent geometric relationships between the fixed portion, movable portion, and constraint element, preventing unbalance and disassembly errors while maintaining smooth feeler arm rotation.
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 results in a cost-effective measuring head with reduced maintenance needs and high accuracy, as it eliminates unbalance and disassembly errors, providing reliable size and tolerance measurements.
Implementation Method 1
a rotational hinge which is a flexural pivot bearing made up of metal elements adapted to be elastically deformed
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a measuring head (1) for a feeler (2) of workpieces (3) being machined, including a fixed portion (10) to be secured to an outer fixed support, a movable portion (11) including a constraint element (14) for a feeler arm (4), a rotational hinge (12) adapted to connect the fixed portion (10) to the movable portion (11), wherein the fixed portion (10), movable portion (11) and pivot bearing (12) are of one piece construction.