Strain Gauge Conductive Layout to Reduce Line Breakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Strain gauges are prone to line breakage when stress concentrates on a specific part, leading to failure.
Innovation Solution
The strain gauge design includes conductive lines connected to the resistor at positions away from the terminal end portions, with a zigzag structure and a staggered connection to electrodes, reducing the likelihood of line breakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the conductive line is connected to the resistor at a position near the terminal end portion, then the electrical connection is simplified, but the line breakage risk increases due to stress concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a buffer zone (intermediate region) between the terminal end portion and the resistor connection point. This buffer zone acts as a mediator that absorbs and distributes stress, preventing stress concentration at the connection point while maintaining electrical connectivity. The conductive line is designed to extend beyond the resistor ends, creating an overlapping region that serves as this protective intermediary structure.
2Reliability
If the conductive line is extended beyond the resistor ends, then the stress distribution is improved and line breakage is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive line is segmented into distinct functional regions: a terminal end portion for external connection, an intermediate buffer zone for stress distribution, and a connection region for electrical contact with the resistor. This segmentation allows each portion to optimize its specific function while maintaining overall structural integrity and reducing line breakage risk.
3Reliability
If the conductive line connection point is moved away from the terminal end portion, then the stress concentration is reduced, but the electrical connection length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive line is designed to extend in multiple dimensions beyond the resistor ends, creating a two-dimensional overlapping region rather than a simple linear extension. This dimensional approach allows the buffer zone to provide stress distribution benefits while minimizing the increase in overall connection length, as the extended portion overlaps with the resistor area rather than extending linearly away from it.
Data Source
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AI summary
A strain gauge includes a substrate, a resistor formed on the substrate, a pair of electrodes formed on the substrate, a first conductive line electrically connecting one end of the resistor and one of the pair of electrodes, and a second conductive line electrically connecting the other end of the resistor and the other electrode. Each of the first conductive line and the second conductive line has a terminal end portion on a side opposite to a side connected to the one electrode or the other electrode. The first conductive line or the second conductive line is connected to one end of the resistor at a position away from the terminal end portion, or the first conductive line and the second conductive line are connected to respective ends of the resistor at respective positions away from the terminal end portion.