Piezoelectric Probe Insulator Hardness for Contact Force Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing contact force measuring devices for spring contacts are imprecise due to bending sensitivity, abrasion, complex structure, and potential oblique mating issues, leading to inaccurate and time-consuming measurements.
Innovation Solution
A contact force measuring device with a measuring probe that uses insulator elements with high Vickers hardness and elastic modulus, held in a predefined position by a holding device and positioned by a positioning device, ensuring precise and durable contact force measurement with reduced abrasion and error.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a piezoelectric film is used in a bending-sensitive probe to measure contact force, then the measurement can be performed, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to bending-induced false signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces insulator elements as intermediary components between the spring contact arms and the measuring probe. These insulator elements with high Vickers hardness and elastic modulus transmit the contact force to the piezoelectric film while preventing bending of the probe, thereby eliminating the harmful bending sensitivity and improving measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the insulator elements by selecting materials with high Vickers hardness and high elastic modulus. These parameter changes enable the insulator elements to effectively transmit force while maintaining probe rigidity, thus resolving the bending sensitivity issue and improving measurement accuracy
2Duration of action of moving object
If hard metal contact pin halves are used to reduce abrasion, then abrasion resistance improves, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the hard metal contact pin halves from the device structure. By removing this complex component, the patent simplifies the overall structure and reduces manufacturing cost while maintaining abrasion resistance through the use of insulator elements with high Vickers hardness that directly contact the spring contact arms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter approach by focusing on high Vickers hardness of insulator elements rather than using hard metal contact pin halves. This parameter change achieves the same abrasion resistance goal with a simpler structure, extending service life without increasing device complexity
3Reliability
If the measuring probe is subject to abrasion during operation, then the outer dimensions change over time, but this leads to measurement accuracy deterioration and limited service life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces insulator elements as protective intermediaries that contact the spring contact arms. These insulator elements with high Vickers hardness resist abrasion, protecting the measuring probe from dimensional changes and maintaining measurement accuracy throughout the device's service life
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material properties by combining insulator elements with high Vickers hardness and high elastic modulus. This composite approach creates a wear-resistant interface that prevents abrasion of the measuring probe, ensuring long-term reliability and consistent measurement accuracy
4Ease of manufacture
If the probe structure is simplified to reduce manufacturing cost, then production efficiency improves, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes complex components like hard metal contact pin halves and insulating layers, simplifying the structure for easier and cheaper manufacturing. The simplified design uses insulator elements with high Vickers hardness that directly contact the spring contact arms, maintaining measurement precision while reducing production cost and complexity
5Measurement precision
If positioning devices and holding devices are added to ensure predefined measuring position, then measurement accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by using positioning devices and holding devices to pre-establish the measuring probe in a predefined measuring position and state. This preliminary positioning ensures accurate measurements from the start, improving measurement precision while the systematic integration of these devices maintains reasonable overall complexity
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 achieves high accuracy with a standard deviation of ≤1%, extends the device's lifespan, and simplifies production, enabling quick and error-free measurements.
Implementation Method 1
Under the impact of the contact force, the piezoelectric film generates electrical charges due to the piezoelectric longitudinal effect in an amount which is proportional to the magnitude of the contact force
Implementation Method 2
In the bent state, the piezoelectric film generates further electrical charges according to the piezoelectric shear effect which are also tapped off by the electrodes on the surfaces of the piezoelectric film and falsify the contact force measurement
Data Source
AI summary
A contact force measuring device for measuring a contact force of a spring contact includes a measuring probe having a height in a contact region identical to the height of the contact pin that fits into an opening defined between a pair of opposing spring contact arms of the spring contact. The probe includes an upper insulator element attached to an upper side of a piezoelectric element, and a lower insulator element is attached to a lower side of the piezoelectric element opposite the upper side. The contact force measuring device includes a holding device connected to one end of the probe, an evaluation unit, a supporting device and a positioning device.