Movable Weighing Platform for Wind Tunnel Balance Configurations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wind tunnel test benches face challenges in quickly and accurately converting between different configurations, such as five-band, three-band, and cover configurations, which affects measurement accuracy and requires significant time and effort, leading to increased costs and reduced precision due to parasitic forces and self-resonance issues.
Innovation Solution
A wind tunnel test bench design featuring a movable weighing platform and a sled system that allows for relative movement between the testing frame and the weighing platform, enabling easy conversion between configurations while maintaining high measurement accuracy by decoupling parasitic forces and allowing for friction-free movement, thus reducing the need for extensive reassembly and minimizing the impact of mass on measurement precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a wind tunnel test bench is converted between different configurations (five-band, three-band, cover), then the adaptability of the test bench is improved, but the time required for conversion and the measurement precision deteriorate due to parasitic forces and extensive reassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The test bench is divided into modular components: the weighing platform can be detached from the test frame, and the treadmill assembly is separated into independent parts. This segmentation allows rapid reconfiguration between five-band, three-band, and cover configurations without extensive reassembly, directly reducing conversion time while maintaining measurement precision through consistent modular interfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The weighing platform is designed to be relatively movable with respect to the test frame through guided linear motion. This dynamic design enables the platform to be repositioned for different configurations without permanent installation changes, allowing quick adaptation between test types while maintaining stable measurement conditions through controlled movement paths
2Stability of the object's composition
If the weighing platform is rigidly fixed to the test frame, then the structural stability is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to parasitic forces from friction and self-resonance
Solution Approach 1:
The weighing platform is designed to be relatively movable with respect to the test frame through guided linear motion rather than rigid fixation. This dynamic design reduces parasitic forces from friction and mechanical stress while maintaining measurement stability through controlled movement paths and precise positioning mechanisms, thereby improving force measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
Linear guides and motion constraints act as intermediaries between the weighing platform and test frame, allowing controlled relative movement while maintaining stable measurement conditions. These intermediary elements reduce direct friction and parasitic forces by providing smooth, constrained motion paths that eliminate rigid connection stresses
3Measurement precision
If the weighing platform is made movable relative to the test frame, then the measurement precision is improved by reducing parasitic forces, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into the movable weighing platform and the stationary test frame with clearly defined interfaces. This segmentation isolates the complexity to specific components (linear guides, motion constraints) while keeping the overall system simple and maintainable, achieving improved measurement precision without excessive overall complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The weighing platform's relative movability is implemented through simple linear guides and motion constraints rather than complex mechanisms. This dynamic design achieves the necessary precision by reducing parasitic forces while maintaining device simplicity through straightforward mechanical elements that are easy to implement and maintain
4Adaptability or versatility
If extensive reassembly is performed during configuration conversion, then the adaptability is improved, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates due to accumulated assembly errors
Solution Approach 1:
The test bench is divided into pre-assembled modular units (weighing platform, treadmill assembly, test frame) with standardized interfaces. This segmentation allows configuration changes through simple module repositioning rather than extensive reassembly, maintaining high assembly precision by minimizing the number of connection points and reducing accumulated assembly errors
Solution Approach 2:
The modular components are designed with universal interfaces that work across all configurations (five-band, three-band, cover). This universality allows the same high-precision components to be used in all modes without requiring configuration-specific assembly variations, maintaining consistent manufacturing precision across different test bench configurations
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a device which is a wind tunnel test stand, in particular a multiple configuration wind tunnel test stand, which can be converted with a lower level of complexity into at least a single band, three-band and/or five band configuration, thereby ensuring increased measurement accuracy.