Surface Texture Measuring Instrument with Internal Displacement Detector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surface texture measuring instruments face issues with accuracy due to offset detectors, risk of damage to measurement arms and styluses, poor usability, and operational inefficiency, especially when exchanging measurement arms with different weights.
Innovation Solution
A surface texture measuring instrument with a measurement arm supported in circular movement, a stylus, and a displacement detector housed in a casing, featuring an attachment-detachment mechanism within the casing to reduce errors and prevent damage, along with a balance adjuster using a voice coil to automatically adjust the measurement arm's balance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the detector is disposed outside the housing to enable easy exchange of the measurement arm, then the ease of operation is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to offset error between the detector and the measurement arm axis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the detector with the housing structure, integrating it inside the housing rather than disposing it outside. This integration ensures the detector is precisely positioned on the rotation axis of the measurement arm, eliminating offset errors while still allowing easy exchange of the measurement arm through the opening in the housing.
2Ease of operation
If the connecting unit is disposed outside the housing to enable detachable measurement arm exchange, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates as the measurement arm may fall when external force acts on it
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the connecting unit with the housing by disposing it inside the housing. This integration provides structural support and protection for the measurement arm attachment mechanism, preventing the measurement arm from falling when external force acts on it, while still allowing easy detachable exchange through the opening in the housing.
3Ease of operation
If the connecting unit is disposed outside the housing to enable measurement arm exchange, then the ease of operation is improved, but the object-affected harmful factors worsen as the connecting unit may interfere with the object and become dirty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the connecting unit with the housing by integrating it inside the housing. This protects the connecting unit from external contamination and prevents it from interfering with the object being measured, while still allowing easy exchange of the measurement arm through the opening in the housing.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the measurement arm is made detachable to enable exchange of styluses with different profiles, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional attachment and detachment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measurement arm into a detachable component that can be easily exchanged. This segmentation allows different styluses with various profiles to be attached and detached as needed, providing adaptability for measuring different surface profiles while keeping the attachment mechanism relatively simple.
5Adaptability or versatility
If the measurement arm weight is changed to match different measurement requirements, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to need for balance adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a balance adjustment mechanism that acts as a counterweight system. When the measurement arm weight is changed to match different measurement requirements, the balance adjustment mechanism compensates for the weight difference, maintaining proper balance without requiring complex redesign of the entire system.
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
This configuration enhances measurement accuracy, reduces the risk of damage, improves usability, and operational efficiency by ensuring proper attachment and balance adjustment during arm exchanges.
Implementation Method 1
a balance adjuster that adjusts balance of the measurement arm by adjusting an electromagnetic force generated by a voice coil
Data Source
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AI summary
In a surface texture measuring instrument, a measurement arm (24) includes: a first measurement arm (24A) that is supported by a bracket (22) around a support shaft (23) movably in a circular movement in a casing (28); and a second measurement arm (24B) having styluses (26A, 26B) that are attachably and detachably provided to an end of the first measurement arm (24A) via an attachment-detachment mechanism (25), the attachment-detachment mechanism (25) being arranged in the casing. A displacement detector (27) includes: a scale (27A) provided to the measurement arm; and a detection head provided to the bracket (22) to face the scale. A detecting surface of the scale is on an axis of the measurement arm and on a plane of the circular movement of the measurement arm.