Multi-sided Force Sensor for Pile Deformation Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current force sensors used for monitoring deformation in piles often rely on invasive methods, which can induce stress concentrations and reduce accuracy and sensitivity. Additionally, these sensors may not accurately detect forces applied at angles, leading to incomplete measurement of deformation.
Innovation Solution
A force sensor design featuring a bearing member with a multi-sided recess, a restraint member, a contact member, and multiple sensing members. The contact member applies forces to the sensing members in directions perpendicular to their surfaces, allowing for accurate measurement of forces and deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If invasive sensing methods are used to monitor deformation, then the sensor can be embedded in the pile, but stress concentrations are induced and the risk of damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a contact member as an intermediary element that transmits force from the pile to the sensing members without requiring direct embedding. The contact member has a surface that contacts the pile and transmits deformation forces to multiple sensing members, avoiding the need to drill or cut the pile structure itself. This mediator approach eliminates stress concentrations while maintaining reliable force transmission.
2Measurement precision
If a single sensing surface is used, then the sensor structure is simple, but forces applied at angles are not accurately detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sensing function into multiple sensing members, each with its own sensing surface oriented at different angles. Instead of using a single complex sensing surface, the system segments the measurement task across multiple simpler sensing elements. Each sensing member detects forces in its specific sensing direction, and the combined data provides accurate three-dimensional force measurement. This segmentation approach improves measurement precision while keeping individual sensor elements simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-plane sensing approach to a multi-dimensional sensing arrangement. By orienting sensing surfaces in different directions (e.g., perpendicular to different faces of a polyhedral contact member), the system captures force components in multiple dimensions. This dimensional expansion allows accurate detection of oblique forces by resolving them into orthogonal components, each detected by a dedicated sensing member.
3Measurement precision
If the pile deformation in radial direction varies at different positions, then the radial force is transmitted at angles, but the sensor cannot detect all component forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the force detection task by providing multiple sensing members, each responsible for detecting force in a specific direction. When the pile deforms radially at different positions, the contact member transmits these forces as oblique components to the sensing members. Each sensing member detects the component force aligned with its sensing direction, ensuring no information is lost. The segmented approach captures the full vector information of the applied forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact member is designed with a polyhedral geometry that provides multiple bearing surfaces, making it a universal interface that can accommodate and transmit forces from various directions. This multi-functional contact member structure allows the sensor to handle different loading scenarios (axial, radial, oblique forces) using the same basic configuration, preventing information loss across different force application scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
A force sensor having a contact member and an annular force sensing device including the same are provided. The force sensor comprises a bearing member with several bearing surfaces forming a multi-sided recess, a restraint member coupled to the bearing member and having a through hole, a contact member positioned within the multi-sided recess and protruding through the hole, and several sensing members disposed on or within the bearing member. Each sensing member corresponds to a specific bearing surface and has a sensing direction perpendicular to that surface. The annular force sensing device includes a ring and at least one of the force sensors, which can be arranged on the inner surface of the ring.