Research on the reliable test range of four-point supported piezoelectric dynamometer

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to improve the reliability of the force measurement system by determining the reliable test range of dynamometer.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the principle of leverage and moment balance, a general force distribution model is applicable in where the test point is located either inside or outside the support region of four three-component force links of dynamometer is established. After corroborating the correctness of the model through verification experiments, the boundary conditions that each three-component force link should satisfy are analyzed by considering the characteristic of the dynamometer components comprehensively. Furthermore, the reliable test range of dynamometer is determined, followed by a calibration experiment to verify its rationality.

Findings

The relationships between the reliable test range and the tested force, the bolt pre-tightening force and the bearing capacity of quartz wafers are clarified. Further, the experimental calibration results show that when the test point is within the reliable test range, the three-directional output voltage of dynamometer has excellent linearity and repeatability. The nonlinearity and repeatability in X-, Y- and Z-directions are all less than 1.1%.

Originality/value

A general mathematical model of force distribution of four three-component force links is constructed, which provides a theoretical basic for the mechanical analysis of multi-sensors’ dynamometer. Comprehensively considering the performance of dynamometer components, the value of measured force and the pre-tightening force, the simultaneous equations of reliable test range are deduced, which limits the boundary of allowable test position of piezoelectric dynamometer.

Citation

Zhang, J., Ma, Y., Ren, Z., Bai, T., Hu, P. and Wang, Z. (2022), "Research on the reliable test range of four-point supported piezoelectric dynamometer", Sensor Review, Vol. 42 No. 2, pp. 230-240. https://doi.org/10.1108/SR-06-2021-0180