Abstract: A load cell utilizes a plurality of strain gauges mounted upon the load cell body such that there are six independent load-strain relations. Load is determined by applying the inverse of a load-strain sensitivity matrix to a measured strain vector. The sensitivity matrix is determined by performing a multivariate regression technique on a set of known loads correlated to the resulting strains. Temperature compensation is achieved by configuring the strain gauges as co-located orthogonal pairs.

Abstract: A sensor strain causer can be made into a simple shape, and the attachment work for strain gauges is made easy. In a multiaxial sensor 1 for measuring one or more of multiaxial force, moment, acceleration, and angular acceleration, externally applied, a plurality of strain gauges R11 to R48 disposed on one plane are provided. Thereby, because the time for the attachment work for the strain gauges R11 to R48 can be shortened, the mass productivity can be improved and the cost can be reduced.

Abstract: A multi-axis force analyzer and data acquisition system is disclosed. Using non-invasive structure, parts to be tested are analyzed without obstructing user access or defacing the object in any way. Accordingly, the forces required to open and close a container can be accurately and easily measured.

Abstract: A vehicular antilock brake control system does not require a lengthy extension piping from its actuator. The system provides for an accurate controlling method for maximizing a calculated road surface friction coefficient. Each wheel has a control unit consisting of a stress sensor, a controller and an actuator installed at the respective wheel. A stress value is detected, representative of road surface friction value or road surface friction coefficient value, for the corresponding wheel independently of the other wheels. In response to the output signal of the sensor, the controller regulates the actuator which controls brake fluid pressure applied to the respective wheel.

Abstract: A load cell body for transmitting forces and moments in a plurality of directions includes an integral assembly having a first ring member and a second ring member. Each ring member has a central aperture centered on a reference axis. In one embodiment, three or more sensor assemblies extend from the first ring member to the second ring member parallel to the reference axis. The sensor assemblies include spaced-apart apertures forming flexure members.

Abstract: An occupant weight sensor (1) for placement between a frame (7) fixed to the chassis of a vehicle and a second frame (8) supporting a vehicle seat has a sense element having a first body (12, 22, 28, 34, 50, 62, 64, 68, 84) formed with a planar sense surface on which are mounted piezoresistors electrically connected in a Wheatstone bridge configuration. A post (12a, 22c, 28c, 34e, 50b, 62a, 64a, 68b, 84g) extends outwardly from the first body for attachment to the first frame. A second body is formed with a force transfer portion (14a, 24g, 30d, 36b, 52a, 70a, 94a) permanently attached to the first body along an outer periphery circumscribing the sense surface. The piezoresistors are electrically connected to conditioning electronics received in a chamber formed between the two bodies. The effects of parasitic loads on the sense element are minimized by selected placement of the piezoresistors on the sense surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a load cell comprising a Roberval mechanism made up of two parallel arms between a fixed end and a movable end and of four strain-generating-portions provided in such way that two strain-generating-portions are coupled to each other on each of said two arms. According to the present invention, said four strain-generating-portions all have the same thickness; and said two arms includes a first arm having strain gauges adhered to each of said two strain-generating-portions coupled to each other and a second arm having the thickness smaller than that of the first arm.

Abstract: A multi-axis force analyzer and data acquisition system is disclosed. Using non-invasive structure, parts to be tested are analyzed without obstructing user access or defacing the object in any way. Accordingly, the forces required to open and close a container can be accurately and easily measured.

Abstract: According to a first aspect of the preferred embodiment, a three-axis sensor assembly for use in an elastomeric material includes a first pair of sensors disposed along a first pair of respective axes that intersect, the first sensors being adapted to detect a force in a first direction. In addition, the sensor assembly includes a second pair of sensors disposed along a second pair of respective axes that intersect, the second sensors detecting a force in a second direction generally orthogonal to the first direction. Furthermore, in the assembly, the force measured in the first direction is equal to the difference between the outputs of the first sensors, and the force measured in the second direction is equal to the difference between the outputs of said second sensors. According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, the sum of the outputs of the first sensors and the second sensors equals a force in a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions.

Abstract: Forces and moments are detected in a distinguishing manner by a simple structure. A supporting member (20) is positioned below a force receiving member (10), which receives forces to be detected, and between these components, at least two columnar force transmitting members (11, 12) are connected. Connecting members having flexibility are interposed at the upper and lower ends of each of columnar force transmitting members (11, 12) so that columnar force transmitting members (11, 12) can become inclined when force receiving member (10) becomes displaced upon receiving a force. Sensors (21, 22) are positioned at the respective connection parts of columnar force transmitting members (11, 12) and supporting member (20) to detect forces that are transmitted from the respective columnar force transmitting members (11, 12) to supporting member (20).

Abstract: A seat frame-based occupant weight estimation load cell transfers the seat force to a floor bracket through a spherical ball and a ball actuator. The ball is in contact with the force sensor and has minimal contact area with either the ball actuator or the force sensor so that the transfer of forces not functionally related to occupant weight is minimized. The ball actuator is coupled to the seat frame, and a sensor bracket aligns the ball actuator with respect to the sensor. The sensor bracket is domed to securely anchor the seat to the floor bracket in the event of an inverse overload. A spring disposed between the ball actuator and the dome of the sensor bracket biases the ball against the force sensor to preload the force sensor for enabling off-loading detection.

Abstract: A stress composite sensor has a plurality of sensor elements each including a base plate and a stress sensor disposed thereon for delivering stress signals indicating stress in one direction alone. The sensor elements have the base plates fixed together in a common plane to form a sensor segment wherein the stress sensors are provided at intervals to provide signals indicating stress in the one direction. The stress sensors optionally each include strain gauges and in an embodiment include four strain gauges. The sensor elements are arranged in rows in an embodiment and are optionally integrally fixed together.

Abstract: The present invention to provides a force measuring device suitable for use in robotic applications, having a high degree of sensitivity, stiffness, compact size, and reasonable cost. The invention includes an inner plate, surrounded by an outer plate. The inner and outer plates are integrally connected by a plurality of strain sensing flexures, generally in the form of strain rings, on which strain sensing devices are mounted. Local loads measured by the strain rings are converted to global loads, which describe forces present between the inner and outer plates.

Abstract: In a device for measuring the axle load of a motor vehicle, at least one extension-sensitive resistor is arranged on at least one component of a motor vehicle which is subject to a change in shape as a function of the load, with at least one insulating layer being arranged in between.

Abstract: A hub unit having a sensor comprises a hub unit 1 having a wheel-side raceway member 4, a body-side raceway member 5 and two rows of rolling bodies 6, and a sensor device 2 provided on the hub unit 1. The body-side raceway member 5 has a cylindrical portion 16 and a flange portion 17 provided with an insertion hole for a bolt for fastening the hub unit 1 to a vehicle body. The sensor device 2 has a magnetic sensor 31 supported by a support member 33 fixed to the flange portion 17 and serving as a displacement sensor for detecting variations in the distance between the sensor and the cylindrical portion 16. A magnetized portion 34 is provided on the cylindrical portion 16 at a location opposed to the sensor.

Abstract: A sensor mat configuration includes a sensor mat having row lines, column lines, and a plurality of force-dependent resistors connected between the row lines and the column lines to form a matrix having rows and columns. The sensor mat configuration includes a printed circuit board having a plurality of fixed resistors. The first terminal of each one of the plurality of the fixed resistors is connected to a respective one of the column lines, and the second terminal of each one of the plurality of the fixed resistors are connected together, thereby forming an additional row of the matrix. The resistances of the plurality of the fixed resistors are known within a narrow tolerance range, which enables these resistors to be used in measurements for accurately determining the resistances of the force-dependent resistors of the sensor mat.

Abstract: A device for measuring action force of a wheel includes a vehicle axle upon which the wheel is mounted, the vehicle axle having a stress neutral line, and a stress detecting sensor having at least one strain gauge. The stress detecting sensor is disposed within the vehicle axle so as to detect at least one of a horizontal shear stress and a vertical sheer stress with the at least one strain gauge being one of aligned with or proximate the stress neutral line thereby permitting substantial removal of axle torque influence from an output of the stress detecting sensor. A signal processing circuit processes the output of the stress detecting sensor.

Abstract: The object of the invention is an assembly comprising a bearing (1) and a mechanical interface (5) associated, by means of association means (7), with the fixed raceway (2) of the bearing (1), this interface (5) being intended to be interposed between the fixed raceway (2) of the bearing (1) and the fixed structure, the said interface (5) comprising: first means (8) of fixing to the fixed structure; second means (9) of fixing a device (10) intended to apply a force to the rotating member (6); and at least one elastic deformation zone (29-33) able to be deformed under the action of forces exerted on the said assembly, at least one sensor (38) able to measure the said forces being functionally associated with the said elastic deformation zone (29-33).

Abstract: A bearing of the type comprising a fixed raceway (2) intended to be associated with a fixed structure, a rotating raceway (3) intended to be associated with a rotating member (6, 8, 9) and rolling bodies disposed between them, in which the fixed raceway (2) comprises first means (5) of fixing the said bearing (1) to the fixed structure. The fixed raceway (2) comprises at least one elastic deformation zone able to be deformed under the action of forces exerted on the said bearing (1). At least one sensor (26) able to measure the said forces is functionally associated with the said elastic deformation zone.

Abstract: A triaxial force pin sensor array for measuring the actual forces generated in the footprint of a tire includes a high density of individual force pin sensors in a modular design that allows for rapid replacement of defective sensor array elements and substantially prevents dirt and contamination from affecting force measurements. The triaxial force pin sensor array further reduces electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency (RF) contamination of the sampled data signals. The triaxial force pin sensor array exhibits uniform response in the normal direction. Fz, regardless of contact location with individual triaxial force pins of the sensor array. Further, the triaxial force pin sensor array features mechanical overload protection.

Abstract: A sensor configuration for measuring the local distribution of a measured variable has a plurality of sensor elements which are disposed in a distributed fashion and interconnected in an array. An electric response of the sensor elements is a function of the local value of the measured variable. At least one of the sensor elements has a series circuit composed of a series element which is independent of the value of the measured variable and a measuring element which is dependent on the value of the measured variable.

Abstract: An input device has a control member having an operating part and a base part. The base part has arms and connecting parts connecting the adjacent arms. Strain gages are placed on the arms, respectively. Projections are formed on the connecting parts or a holding member for holding the control member thereon to secure spaces between the arms and the holding member to enable the arms to be strained greatly when the operating part is tilted so that the respective electrical resistances of the strain gages can be changed greatly for the slight tilting of the operating part of the control member.

Abstract: A stress composite sensor has a plurality of sensor elements each including a base plate and a stress sensor disposed thereon for delivering stress signals indicating stress in one direction alone. The sensor elements have the base plates fixed together in a common plane to form a sensor segment wherein the stress sensors are provided at intervals to provide signals indicating stress in the one direction. The stress sensors optionally each include strain gauges and in an embodiment include four strain gauges. The sensor elements are arranged in rows in an embodiment and are optionally integrally fixed together.

Abstract: A method for controlling and adjusting nudger drive friction force. The nudger drive friction force is measured and compared with a desired nudger belt friction force term needed for reliable feeding. Cable drum motor torque is responsively adjusted to obtain a desired nudger drive friction force.

Abstract: An input device has a control member having an operating part and a base part. The base part has arms and connecting parts connecting the adjacent arms. Strain gages are placed on the arms, respectively. Projections are formed on the connecting parts or a holding member for holding the control member thereon to secure spaces between the arms and the holding member to enable the arms to be strained greatly when the operating part is tilted so that the respective electrical resistances of the strain gages can be changed greatly for the slight tilting of the operating part of the control member.

Abstract: The sensor of the invention comprises a flexible beam of a rectangular cross section with rigid solid end blocks at both ends for securing the sensor in a tester. The beam has two symmetrically-shaped through slots cut in mutually perpendicular directiors so that they are partially intersect within a body of the beam. Each slot has at its opposite ends notches which are wider than the slots so that the distance from the inner wall of the notch to the outer side surface of the beam is shorter than the distance to this surface from the inner wall of the slot. Strain gauges are attached to mutually perpendicular surfaces at the ends of the beam which are flexible in the direction of the force being measured and are rigid in the perpendicular direction. Under effect of the loading force and of the friction force, the flexible beam acts as a pair of overlapped and mutually perpendicular parallelograms.

Abstract: An antilock braking system employing stress sensors installed in the wheel axle structure of a motor vehicle. The stress sensors measure a road surface frictional force and a braking torque. A parameter M is calculated from these measured values. An ABS control terminates a braking pressure reduction process in accordance with the change in the parameter M. Thereby, the system can preclude the locking of the wheel of the motor vehicle even when the brake is suddenly applied, can prevent the braking pressure reduction from being over controlled, and makes possible to minimize the braking loss.

Abstract: Disclosed is a particular method of strain gage placement on a cylindrical or tubular device for measuring the three force and three moment components of a load. The prescribed parameters of this method optimize measurement sensitivity of the gages and simplify production. On any calibrated cylindrical or tubular device (e.g., a prosthetic or robotic arm), at least six strain gages shall be attached and wired independently or in an independent bridge configuration. A first set of at least three gages shall be oriented approximately sixty degrees or less from either side of the long axis of the device. Then, a second set of at least three gages shall be oriented between approximately forty-five and one hundred-twenty degrees to the first set of gages, and approximately no greater than sixty degrees from either side of the long axis of the device. Each respective gage shall be equally spaced from each other around the periphery of the device.

Abstract: A weight sensor for measuring a weight applied to the sensor. The sensor includes a substrate that has a center section that is adapted to flex in response to the applied weight and a step section that is attached to the center section. The step section concentrates the weight onto to the center section. Strain gage resistors are mounted on the center section of the substrate for generating an electrical signal in response to the substrate being flexed. A wing section is attached to the center section. The wing section is out of the weight path and does not flex. The wing section contains signal conditioning electronics operative to condition the electrical signal.

Abstract: A transducer body having a traditional single-axis envelope capable of multi-axis measurements. The transducer body includes coaxial base ends with an intermediate flexure element in the form of a ring having an internally centered stiffening web which reduces deflection and localizes strain for accurate high-capacity single-axis load measurements, as well as for bending and shear. The invention further includes a novel arrangement of strain gages on the transducer body, preferably including three sets: strain gages on the stiffening web to measure single-axis loading along the longitudinal axis of the transducer body; bending measurement strain gages spaced at 45° around the periphery of the ring element; and shear measurement strain gages located at 90° locations on the periphery of the ring.

Abstract: A load cell combines the outputs of a plurality of strain gauges to measure components of an applied load. Combination of strain gauge outputs allows measurement of any of six load components without requiring complex machining or mechanical linkages to isolate load components. An example six axis load cell produces six independent analog outputs which can be combined to determine any one of the six general load components.

Abstract: A pointing device for use with computers and other electronic systems incorporates an array of resistive strain gauges on the surface of a substrate. The strain gauges exhibit resistance changes in response to stress or strain applied to the substrate by the movement of a joystick attached to the substrate, the resistance changes being proportional to the extent of movement of the joystick The strain gauges are electrically connected to control circuitry that successively establishes a series of voltage dividers across different ones of the strain gauges to measure the resistance of each of the strain gauges. From those measurements the position of the pointing device may be determined by comparing the measured resistances with known resistance values that correspond to a neutral stick position.