Piezoelectric Force Sensor Mechanical Amplification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sensors are complex, expensive, sensitive to environmental conditions, and limited to specific applications, making them inefficient for precise force and fluid flow measurements.
Innovation Solution
A low-power force sensor with a resilient deflectable portion and a support element, coupled with a force sensing element that provides a proportional output signal, allowing for mechanical amplification and sensitivity enhancement without electrical amplification, suitable for various applications including fluid flow measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional sensors are used for force measurement, then measurement capability is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional complex electronic sensing systems with a simple piezoelectric crystal element that directly converts mechanical force into electrical signals. This mechanical-to-electrical energy conversion eliminates the need for complex mechanical linkages, amplifiers, and signal conditioning circuits, thereby achieving accurate force measurement while dramatically reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the piezoelectric effect, where certain materials generate an electric charge in response to applied mechanical stress. By selecting piezoelectric crystals with appropriate sensitivity characteristics and optimizing their orientation relative to the applied force, the system achieves precise measurement capability through material property selection rather than complex system design
2Measurement precision
If conventional sensors are used for force measurement, then measurement capability is achieved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive piezoelectric crystal elements that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed. These simple ceramic or crystalline sensors cost far less than conventional force sensors while providing adequate measurement precision for most applications, making the system economically viable
Solution Approach 2:
By replacing expensive electronic sensing systems with simple piezoelectric elements, the patent dramatically reduces component costs. The direct energy conversion mechanism eliminates the need for costly amplifiers, filters, and signal processing electronics, resulting in a low-cost sensor system
3Measurement precision
If conventional sensors are used, then sensing capability is achieved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The piezoelectric sensor is a passive device that generates its own electrical signal in response to applied force without requiring external power supply. The mechanical energy from the measured force is directly converted into electrical energy, eliminating the need for power-consuming electronics and enabling ultra-low power operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces active electronic sensing systems that require power supply, amplification, and signal conditioning with a passive piezoelectric element that self-generates measurement signals through direct mechanical-to-electrical energy conversion, thereby eliminating power consumption
4Measurement precision
If conventional sensors are used, then measurement capability is achieved, but adaptability to different applications decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal sensor platform based on piezoelectric elements that can measure various physical quantities including force, pressure, and vibration. By changing the mechanical configuration, mounting arrangement, or piezoelectric crystal orientation, the same basic sensor design can be adapted to numerous different applications without requiring completely different sensing technologies
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 sensor achieves high sensitivity and a large turndown ratio, enabling precise force and fluid flow measurement across multiple applications with reduced complexity and cost, while being energy-efficient and compact.
Implementation Method 1
A force sensing element is coupled between the support element and the resilient deflectable portion and outputs a signal that is proportional to a force applied to the resilient deflectable portion
Data Source
AI summary
A force sensor utilizing force sensing element to generate an output signal that is commensurate with the force applied to the sensor. The force sensor includes a support element coupled to a resilient deflectable portion and at least one pivotable arm portion extending from the resilient deflectable portion; and a force sensing element supported by the base element and operably coupled to the at least one pivotable arm portion, wherein the force sensing element outputs an output signal that is proportional to a force applied to the at least one pivotable arm portion. The force sensor may be used a mass flow meter by coupling a fluid passage to the force sensor. The structure of the force sensor makes use of mechanical amplification to greatly increase the sensitivity of the sensor.