Test Device Holder Fastening Assembly for Force Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing force measuring devices face challenges in achieving precise, stable, and reproducible attachment of test device holders, which is crucial for obtaining meaningful measurement results, especially in tensile and compression tests on medical hollow bodies.

Innovation Solution

A fastening arrangement with a test device holder and a carriage part that includes position-determining elements, angle adjustment devices, and fixing elements, allowing for precise alignment and fixation of the test device holder relative to the carriage part, enabling secure, stable, and reproducible attachment along the vertical direction of the force measuring tower.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional attachment methods are used for the test device holder, then the device can be assembled, but precise and reproducible positioning cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidfastening arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The position-determining elements on the test device holder automatically engage with corresponding features on the carriage part, enabling self-alignment and self-positioning without requiring complex external alignment tools or procedures. The geometry of the holder and carriage part themselves provide the positioning function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment system uses specifically designed geometric parameters of the position-determining elements (such as pin locations, slot orientations, or surface profiles) to achieve precise positioning. By carefully selecting and controlling these geometric parameters during manufacturing, high positioning precision is achieved without adding complex adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the test device holder is loosely attached to allow adjustment, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement reliability deteriorates due to positional instability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement reliabilityVSAvoidholder adjustment ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening arrangement transitions from a static fixed attachment to a dynamic system that allows controlled adjustment during operation. The position-determining elements enable the holder to be positioned and adjusted, then securely fixed in the desired position, providing both adjustability and stability throughout the measurement process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The position-determining elements are pre-configured on the test device holder with specific geometries that guide the attachment process. This preliminary configuration ensures that when the holder is attached to the carriage part, the correct position is achieved automatically, maintaining both ease of operation and measurement reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If angular misalignment is present in the test fixture holder, then assembly is simpler, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidalignment mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical alignment mechanisms (such as adjustable mounts, alignment screws, or optical alignment systems) with a geometrically defined attachment system. The position-determining elements use precise geometry to enforce correct angular alignment automatically, substituting mechanical adjustment with geometric constraint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The position-determining elements utilize asymmetric geometric features that inherently prevent angular misalignment. By designing the holder and carriage part with complementary asymmetric geometries, the system ensures that only one correct angular position is possible, eliminating the need for complex alignment mechanisms while achieving high alignment precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP3894819B1Fastening assembly for fastening a test device holder to a force-measuring apparatus, force-measuring apparatus having a fastening assembly of this type, test device holder, and slide part for a force-measuring apparatus
Publication Date: 2024.08.28 VETTER PHARMA FERTIGUNG
  • EP3894819B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3894819B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3894819B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a fastening assembly (3) for fastening a test device holder (5) to a force-measuring apparatus (1), which has a test device holder (5) and a slide part (7), which can be or is arranged on a force measurement tower (9) of the force-measuring apparatus (1) in such a way that the slide part can move in the vertical direction of the force measurement tower (9). The test device holder (5) has at least one position-defining element (11), and the slide part (7) has at least one counter position-defining element (13). The position-defining element (11) and the counter position-defining element (13) are designed to fix the position of the test device holder (5) relative to the slide part (7) in at least one direction, selected from the vertical direction of the force measurement tower (9) and a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, and at the same time to allow rotation of the test device holder (5) relative to the slide part (7) about an axis of rotation (D) defined by the position-defining element (11) and/or the counter position-defining element (13). The test device holder (5) has a first angle adjustment device (15) and the slide part (7) has a second angle adjustment device (17), which are designed to adjust and preferably to fix the angle of the test device holder (5) relative to the slide part (7) about the axis of rotation (D). The test device holder (5) has at least one fixing element (19) and the slide part (7) has at least one counter fixing element (21). The fixing element (19) and the counter fixing element (21) are designed to fix the test device holder (5) on the slide part (7).