This application claims priority to Swiss Application No. CH/909/05 filed May 26, 2005 and International Application Serial No. PCT/CH2006/000271 filed May 23, 2006.
The invention relates to a strain gauge for measuring elongation and compression at a surface of a stationary body.
Strain gauges are industrially used since a long time. Sensors of this type are widely used in industry, for example for monitoring loads which act on a component. Generally, in these sensors one or two measuring elements able to measure shearing forces are assembled in a housing. This housing is attached firmly, with about 10.000 N, by means of a screw to a surface. The housing bears on this surface with a very high static friction by means of two support surfaces which on both sides are spaced apart from the screw. Each of the support surfaces may be provided with a measuring element. Due to elongation or compression of the surface in the area between these two support surfaces shearing forces occur at each measuring element which can be measured.
Known models are for example type 9233 or type 9232, both manufactured by Kistler Instrumente AG company, CH-Winterthur.
If a compression or elongation of the surface 9 of the component occurs the distance between the two support surfaces 4 of the strain gauge is changed. This requires of course that the tension force of the fixation 10 is strong enough to make the support surfaces 4 constantly adhering to the surface 9 by static friction.
If the spacing between the two support surfaces 4 of the strain gauge is altered the transduction element 3 transmits shearing forces to the measuring element 2 clamped between the housing 1 and the transduction element 3 which in turn sends a corresponding signal via the cabling 5 to the connector 6.
In type 9233 the measuring element is welded inside the housing thereby protecting the measuring element and the electronic component connected thereto from external influences, in particular from dirt, oils or liquids. To protect the measuring element 2 as well as the cabling 5 from external influences and to attach the transduction element 3 to the housing 1 the transduction element 3 is welded to the housing 1 at a welding site 7. This provides a sealed interior space within the housing 1 protected from external influences such as gases and/or liquids. This welding is very complex and therefore unsuitable for small quantities because in this case the sensor would become very expensive.
In this example only one support surface 4 is equipped with a measuring element 2; the other support surface 4 is only a dummy 12 and therefore merely serves for attachment to the surface 9 of the component by means of static friction.
Moreover, in the example shown in
In type 9232 the measuring elements are cast in plastic. In contrast to
Strain gauges of the types shown in
It is the object of the invention to suggest a strain gauge providing for simple and cost-effective assembly also in a limited-lot production while ensuring a safe inclusion of the measuring element against environmental influences by various gases and liquids.
This object has been achieved by the features of the independent claim.
The idea underlying the present invention is that the strain gauge according to the invention comprises at least one module with a support surface in which the measuring element is pre-assembled such as to be sealed therein. Said module is preferably sealingly attached to an opening of the housing so that electronic cabling accommodated by the housing is protected from environmental influences. The module is assembled at the housing in a simple manner to be secured during transport and assembly on the housing.
In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with respect to the figures which show
In this embodiment of the invention each measuring element 2 is pre-assembled together with the transduction element 3 in a module 16.
The cabling 5 extends from the measuring element 2 out of an opening in the module housing 18 provided for this purpose and can be connected to a desired connector 6 or to electronics 13. The opening in the module housing 18 for the cables 5 can also be sealed. However, this will not be necessary for most applications.
Mounting of the module 16 can be performed in different ways known to those skilled in the art. During mounting it is important, however, to tightly seal the opening of the recess 14. This can be achieved for example by very planar support surfaces between the module 16 and the housing 1 or by applying a seal 17 between these two components.
The assembly of the module 16 itself at the housing 1 must only be tight enough that it can withstand transport and installation. In the assembled state about 10.000 N are effective via the fixation 10 between the housing 1 and the surface 9 so that the module 16 is automatically secured. The required installation can also be achieved for example by a pin and nut 21, by a split pin or an equivalent wherein the installation in this case is carried out from a different recess 15 in the housing 1 for the attachment of the module 16. The opening of this recess 15 can be for example covered by a plastic cast or a sealing cover.
Alternatively, the module 16 may be attached to the housing 1 also by means of a split pin, a strap, a clamp or by stapling, it may be in particular screwed, clamped, glued or fastened by welding spots. Many techniques for this purpose are known to those skilled in the art.
The electronics 13 can be housed in a space provided therefore in the housing 1 which is formed by a sleeve 22 at the edge of the housing 1 wherein to the sleeve 22 is attached the connector 6. Alternatively, the electronics 13 can also be accommodated in a different recess at the housing 1.
The second support surface 4 can be formed by a dummy 12 as in the prior art as represented in
Another arrangement according to the invention is shown in
A ground-insulated strain gauge according to the invention can be easily fabricated by inserting a ground-insulated module 16. For this purpose, the inner structure of the module 16 must be altered so that none of the electrodes of the measuring element 2 placed on both sides makes a direct or indirect contact to the module housing 18 or to the transduction element 3. In this case the cabling 5 comprises two insulated leads.
Another advantage of a strain gauge according to the invention using modules 16 is that the modules 16 may be replaced according to need, for example to be repaired. It shall be pointed out that similar to known models the structures according to the invention can be fabricated with one, two or four modules 16 and with or without electronics 13 as well as any combination thereof.
Because these small, compact modules 16 can be universally employed only one type or a few different types of such modules must be fabricated. Due to the larger quantity of these modules the fabrication costs will be consequently lower which will also have an impact on the costs and prices of strain gauges.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
0909/05 | May 2005 | CH | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
PCT/CH2006/000271 | 5/23/2006 | WO | 00 | 11/20/2007 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
WO2006/125335 | 11/30/2006 | WO | A |
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5168758 | Wolfer | Dec 1992 | A |
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5461933 | Ives et al. | Oct 1995 | A |
5477729 | Cavalloni | Dec 1995 | A |
6198207 | Lally et al. | Mar 2001 | B1 |
Number | Date | Country |
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687647 | Jan 1997 | CH |
4330808 | Mar 1996 | DE |
19829410 | Aug 1999 | DE |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20090145238 A1 | Jun 2009 | US |