Monolithic Weighing Cell Flexure Bearings for High Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-resolution low-load analysis scales and microscales face challenges in manufacturing thin-point flexional bearings with low spring stiffness due to material limitations, requiring protection during production and assembly, and existing multipart force transmission devices cannot optimally adapt materials to functional requirements.
Innovation Solution
A force transmission device with a parallel guide comprising movable and fixed parallel legs connected by thin-point flexional bearings, where different materials are used for bearing points and the 'block' to achieve reduced spring stiffness and improved robustness, with amorphous metals like zirconium-titanium alloys used for enhanced properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If thin-point flexional bearings are manufactured with smaller cross sections to achieve lower spring stiffness, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing reliability deteriorates due to damage risks during handling and assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using different materials for different parts of the force transmission device. Specifically, the bearing points are made from amorphous metal with low modulus of elasticity to achieve low spring stiffness and high resolution, while the block is made from a different material optimized for its specific functional requirements. This allows each component to have the optimal material properties for its local function without compromising overall device robustness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining amorphous metal bearing points with a separate block material. The amorphous metal provides the necessary low spring stiffness for high-resolution measurements, while the composite construction allows the block to be made from materials optimized for strength, corrosion resistance, and manufacturability, thereby resolving the contradiction between thin bearing point requirements and overall device robustness.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different materials are used for bearing points and block to optimize functional requirements, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to multipart construction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the bearing points and block into a single monolithic component manufactured by additive manufacturing. This combining eliminates the need for separate assembly procedures, screw connections, and pre-tensioning operations that would otherwise be required for multipart constructions. The additive manufacturing process allows different materials to be integrated into a unified structure, maintaining material optimization while reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The monolithic force transmission device serves multiple functions within a single component: the block provides structural support and force transmission, while the integrated bearing points provide rotational movement and force direction. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components and assembly procedures, reducing device complexity while maintaining the adaptability of using different materials for different functional regions.
3Measurement precision
If amorphous metal is used for bearing points to achieve low modulus of elasticity, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to processing difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical manufacturing methods with additive manufacturing technology. Conventional mechanical processing of amorphous metal bearing points would be difficult and time-consuming, but additive manufacturing allows for direct fabrication of complex geometries from amorphous metal or multi-material compositions. This substitution of the manufacturing system enables precise control of spring stiffness through material selection and geometric design while simplifying the overall manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by controlling the modulus of elasticity through material selection and geometric parameters during additive manufacturing. By adjusting the amorphous metal composition, heat treatment parameters, and bearing point geometry (cross-section, length, shape), the spring stiffness can be precisely controlled to achieve the desired low values for high-resolution measurements, while the additive manufacturing process maintains ease of manufacture.
Data Source
AI summary
A parallel guide of a force transmission device has movable and fixed parallel legs, and first and second parallel guiding elements. Thin-point flexional bearings connect the parallel legs to the parallel guiding elements. The movable parallel leg is guided by the parallel guiding element on the fixed parallel leg. A force transmission lever, arranged on the fixed parallel leg, has a lever bearing, and a first lever arm. The force transmission lever is pivotably mounted on the lever bearing and the first lever arm is connected to the movable parallel leg to transmit force. The force-transmitting connection is produced by a coupling element having at least one further thin-point flexional bearing, with at least one functional region of the force transmission device being formed monolithically. A functional region associates at least one bearing point with at least one of the parallel legs, the force transmission lever, and the coupling element.