Material Testing Machine Striker Elastic Return Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

In conventional material testing machines, the striker's downward movement is limited when set to the lower limitation position, causing difficulties in returning to the original state after automatic stop, as it cannot readily space apart from the crosshead.

Innovation Solution

The striker is designed to be movable relative to the movable member by a predetermined extent, with an elastic member allowing relative movement, and an automatic stop mechanism using a relay switch to control the motor, enabling easy return from the automatically stopped state.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the striker is disposed at the lower limitation position to enable automatic stop, then the automatic stop function is achieved, but the striker cannot readily space apart from the crosshead causing difficulty in returning to the original state

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic stop functionVSAvoidreturn to original state

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The striker is designed to be movable relative to the movable member by a predetermined extent from the limitation position. This dynamic capability allows the striker to automatically retract from the crosshead after collision, enabling easy return to the original state while maintaining the automatic stop function at the limitation position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system is divided into independent functional components: the movable member that detects position, the striker that contacts the crosshead, and the limitation member that defines boundaries. The striker's independent movability relative to the movable member allows it to separate from the crosshead after collision, resolving the contradiction between maintaining stop position and enabling easy reset.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If the striker is fixed at the limitation position to ensure precise automatic stop, then positioning precision is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional elastic members

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestriker positioningVSAvoidelastic member structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic member provides controlled flexibility, allowing the striker to move within a predetermined extent from the limitation position. This parameter-based approach maintains precise positioning for automatic stop while enabling necessary movement for easy return, avoiding more complex mechanical structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the striker is allowed to move freely from the limitation position to enable easy return, then ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of automatic stop positioning deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereturn to original stateVSAvoidautomatic stop position accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 design allows for effortless return to the initial state by spacing the striker apart from the crosshead, preventing erroneous positioning and ensuring safety by direct motor stoppage, reducing part complexity, and preventing striker misplacement beyond bound positions.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic member that supports the striker so that the striker is capable of relative movement in the direction of the longitudinal axis relative to the movable member by a predetermined extent from a position limited by the limitation member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS7757564B2Material testing machine

Publication Date: 2010.07.20 SHIMADZU CORP

AI summary

The present invention includes: a pair of columnar members 12 disposed on both sides of a specimen piece SP; a crosshead 15, bridging the pair of columnar members 12, that applies a load to the specimen piece SP by moving in a direction of a longitudinal axis of the columnar member 12 and; a movable member 31 disposed at a side of the columnar member 12, extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis and elastically supported so as to be movable in the direction of the longitudinal axis; a striker 35, integrally attached to the movable member 31 so as to be displaceable in the direction of the longitudinal direction, that is allowed to be pushed by a movement of the crosshead 15 to a position where the striker is attached; a position sensor 38 that detects a movement of the movable member 31 by being pushed by the striker 35; a limitation member 34 that limits the position where the striker 35 is attached; and an elastic member 36 that supports the striker 35 so that the striker 35 is capable of relative movement in the direction of the longitudinal axis relative to the movable member 31 by a predetermined extent from a position limited by the limitation member 34.