Ultra-low Load Cell with Elastomer Central Hole
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional load cells used in tanks and silos have high installation height requirements and suffer from low accuracy and repeatability due to their static design and stress sensitivity, making them difficult to install and maintain, especially in indoor environments where space is limited.
Innovation Solution
An ultra-low load cell module featuring an elastomer and bottom plate with a support cushion block, where the elastomer has a central hole for point or small-area contact with the cushion block, allowing for angular movement and 360° rotation, and is secured with an anti-pull ring and flexible ring for stability and ease of installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional cantilever beam type or double cantilever beam type load cells are used, then the load cell can bear the weight, but the installation height requirement becomes high
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomer is designed to be movable relative to the bottom plate, allowing angular movement and 360° rotation through the central hole structure. This dynamic design enables the load cell to accommodate various installation angles and orientations while maintaining weight bearing capacity, effectively reducing the required installation height compared to traditional static cantilever beam designs.
2Length of stationary object
If static design load cell is used to reduce height, then the installation height is reduced, but the weighing accuracy decreases due to stress state sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomer's ability to move and rotate within the central hole allows it to dynamically adjust to stress distributions, maintaining optimal measurement conditions regardless of installation orientation. This dynamic adaptation eliminates the stress state sensitivity problem inherent in static designs, preserving weighing accuracy while achieving reduced height.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows the elastomer to change its orientation parameters (angular position and rotation angle) in response to installation conditions, enabling it to maintain accurate weighing performance across different stress states while keeping the overall structure compact for reduced height installation.
3Ease of manufacture
If bolts are used to connect elastomer and bottom plate, then the components can be assembled, but the bolts easily contact the bottom plate after use, causing decreased performance
Solution Approach 1:
The connection function is extracted from traditional bolts and reimagined through the central hole structure. The elastomer passes through the central hole and is retained by the anti-pull ring, eliminating the need for bolts that contact the bottom plate. This extraction of the connection mechanism prevents the performance degradation caused by bolt-bottom plate contact while maintaining assembly capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The central hole structure acts as an intermediary between the elastomer and bottom plate, providing a controlled passage that prevents direct contact between connecting elements and the bottom plate surface. This intermediary structure ensures long-term performance stability while allowing initial assembly.
4Length of stationary object
If O-ring is directly disposed for cushion block and elastomer, then height can be reduced, but the installation becomes complicated and requires high actual installation conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into distinct functional elements: the central hole provides the passage, the anti-pull ring provides retention, and the flexible ring provides sealing. This segmentation simplifies installation by making each component's function clear and independent, avoiding the complicated integrated O-ring design while maintaining reduced height.
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 design minimizes height while ensuring accurate and repeatable weighing, simplifying installation and maintaining performance over time by allowing for flexible movement and stress distribution, reducing the risk of bolt contact and improving site implementation.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomer and a bottom plate, the elastomer is disposed above the bottom plate
Data Source
AI summary
Provided by the present invention is an ultra-low module load cell, comprising: an elastomer and a bottom plate; the elastomer is disposed above the bottom plate, and a support cushion block is disposed between the elastomer and the bottom plate; the elastomer is provided with a central hole having an opening facing downward; the support cushion block has a central top end, the central top end and the bottom of the central hole being in point contact support or small-area contact support; a gap exists between a hole wall of the center hole and the support cushion block, while the support cushion block is mounted on the bottom plate, and a head portion of the support cushion block is encapsulated in the central hole. The ultra-low load cell module of the present invention is easy to install, accurate in weighing, and may minimize height.