Abstract: To yield fixed output as electrical signal when any positions of volume space is subjected to external pressure and the external pressure is detected. A contact detecting device includes a mounted base 60 with a predetermined shape, a design foam 10 that is bonded to the mounted base and covers it, and a limiter 7 that is mounted on the mounted base 60 or the design foam 10. The contact detecting device further includes a predetermined volume space 4 defined by the mounted base 60, the design foam 10, and the limiter 7. The contact detecting device further includes a sensor SEN that detects external pressure applied to the volume space 4 through the determination of the physical variation of the volume space 4. The physical variation of the volume space 4 is detected through the sensor determining, for example, variation in flow rate, flow velocity, or volume. In particular, the contact detecting device detects two-dimensional or three-dimensional contact on any position.

Abstract: A sensor array can differentiate acceptable tensile and flexural stresses in a beam from stress patterns that indicate a fracture in the beam. At least three strain gauges, with additional pairs of strain gauges added for redundancy, can be used. The single, central strain gauge is adhered to the beam directly over, and with the sensing elements parallel to the neutral axis of the beam. The pairs of strain gauges are adhered to the beam parallel to the sensing elements of the single strain gauge on opposite sides of and equidistant from the neutral axis. The single strain gauge senses the tensile stress in the beam. The pairs of gauges sense the bending strain in the beam. A non-zero value in the sum of the strains measured by each of the pair of strain gauges indicates a potential structural health issue with the beam.

Abstract: Provided is a strain sensor that includes a fixing section and a measurement section that is supported by the fixing section and can expand and contract. The strain sensor includes a base material that has a first main surface and a second main surface, which face each other, and a conductor section provided on the first main surface. The conductor section includes a detection conductor that is provided in the measurement section and that has a resistance value that changes in accordance with expansion and contraction of the base material in the measurement section. The measurement section includes a detection section in which the detection conductor is provided and a low-elastic-modulus section that increases a deformation amount with respect to an external force in the detection section.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide robust capacitive grip sensors that may be used in a variety of applications, including single-handed and double-handed grips, such as but not limited to barbells. Apparatus as disclosed herein and efficiently measure the presence of a human grip without requiring deformation of a gripped surface area.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in part, to systems for characterizing force (e.g., friction, wear, and/or torque). In one embodiment, the system allows for wear testing of samples in a high throughput manner. In another embodiment, the system allows for torque sensing in a non-contact manner.

Abstract: An example sensor device is provided. The sensor device includes (a) a substrate having a first end and a second end, wherein the substrate includes a contact portion, a first sensor portion positioned between the first end of the substrate and the contact portion, and a second sensor portion positioned between the second end of the substrate and the contact portion, (b) a first strain gauge sensor positioned at the first sensor portion, and (c) a second strain gauge sensor positioned at the second sensor portion, wherein the first end of the substrate and the second end of the substrate are configured to be coupled to a rigid curved surface, and wherein the sensor device is configured such that a force applied to the contact portion of the substrate will be sensed by each of the first strain gauge sensor and the second strain gauge sensor.

Abstract: A force sensing device includes a first force sensor and a second force sensor. The first force sensor is configured to output a first force resulting signal and includes a first strain gauge coupled to a first voltage source and a first trace. The first force sensor further includes a second strain gauge coupled to a second voltage source and the first trace. The second force sensor is configured to output a second force resulting signal having a polarity opposite that of the first force resulting signal. The second force sensor includes a first strain gauge coupled to the second voltage source and a second trace, and a second strain gauge coupled to the first voltage source and the second trace.

Abstract: Systems and methods for evaluating the performance of an athlete using a strain gauge is described. In some embodiments, the measurement system comprises a strain gauge and a central processing device. The strain gauge can include a power source, an inertial measurement unit (“IMU”) comprising a load cell, a microcontroller, and a wireless communication module. The strain gauge can be configured to output strain data at a rate of at least 1 kHz and the central processing device can be configured to receive the strain data transmitted from the wireless communication module.

Abstract: A strain body according to an embodiment includes a central portion, an outer peripheral portion, connecting portions, strain sensors provided on main surfaces of the connecting portions, reference resistors provided on a main surface of the central portion, and constructing a bridge circuit with the strain sensors, an electrode for taking a detection signal of the bridge circuit, a lead wire making electric connection between the electrode and the outside, and an anisotropic conductive film provided between the electrode and the lead wire to make electric connection between a terminal of the electrode and a terminal of the lead wire.

Abstract: A strain body according to the embodiments includes a central portion, an outer peripheral portion, connecting portions each includes a first connecting portion adjacent to the outer peripheral portion and a second connecting portion adjacent to the central portion, strain sensors provided on main surfaces of the connecting portions, reference resistors provided on a main surface of the central portion, and a strain increasing portion configured to increase strain occurring at the first connecting portion more than strain occurring at the second connecting portion, on a back surface side opposed to the main surface of the first connecting portion.

Abstract: An assembly measures a bending torque on a machine element extending on an axis using the inverse magnetostrictive effect. The machine element has a cavity and at least one magnetization region, extending circumferentially around the axis. A magnetic sensor is arranged in the cavity to measure a directional component of a magnetic field which is brought about by the magnetization and by the bending torque. A second directional component of the magnetic field may be measured by the magnetic sensor or by another magnetic sensor.

Abstract: A tightening device includes: a sensor for detecting an elongation of a bolt; a socket for rotating the bolt; and a biasing member for biasing the sensor against a head of the bolt. The sensor and the socket are provided separately and independently of each other.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a pressure sensor includes a base body, a supporter, a film part, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The supporter is fixed to the base body. The film part is separated from the base body. The film part includes first, second, and third partial regions, and a rim portion. The rim portion is supported by the supporter. The second partial region is between the first partial region and the rim portion. The third partial region is between the second partial region and the rim portion. The first electrode is provided between the base body and the first partial region and between the base body and the second partial region. The first electrode is fixed to the base body. The second electrode is provided between the first electrode and the first partial region and between the first electrode and the second partial region.

Abstract: A dielectric elastomer sensor system A1 is provided with an oscillation circuit 1 including a dielectric elastomer sensor element 11 having a dielectric elastomer layer 111 and a pair of electrode layers 112 sandwiching the dielectric elastomer layer 111, and with a determination circuit 2 configured to determine a change in a capacitance of the dielectric elastomer sensor element 11, based on an output signal from the oscillation circuit 1. The dielectric elastomer sensor element 11 changes in capacitance due to deformation caused by external forces of at least two mutually different directions. Such a configuration enables provision of a multifunctional dielectric elastomer sensor system and dielectric elastomer sensor element.

Abstract: An assembly for measuring torque and/or axial load for capping heads includes a containing body torque and/or load sensor housed within the body, and an interface that connects a capping head to the body. The interface is coupled to the torque/load sensor to transfer torque applied on the interface to the torque sensor and/or to transfer load applied on the interface to the load sensor. The interface has a first part fixedly constrained to the capping head such that the first part is brought into rotation and/or translation by the capping head, and a second part coupled to the torque sensor for transferring a torque thereto and/or to the load sensor for transferring a load thereto. The torque and/or load are applied by the first part to the second part and the first part transfers a torque to the second part in the absence of a reciprocal contact.

Abstract: Provided are systems, devices, and methods for sensing location and forces. A robotic effector comprising a skin and a core can have a plurality of electrodes integrated in the skin and/or core. Upon interaction with a target object, the robotic effector may determine a total force and/or a location of the force by the target object on the robotic effector. Sensitivity and dynamic range of the robotic effector may improve by changing various configurations.

Abstract: A key unit and a key array, the key unit includes a pressing panel, a key unit sensor assembly and a double-sided adhesive tape connected between the key unit sensor assembly and the pressing panel; the key unit sensor assembly includes a substrate, a first group of sensors and a second group of sensors; the first group of sensors are distributed at a central zone of the substrate, the central zone is corresponding to a key center on the pressing panel; two groups of sensors are arranged on the substrate, the first group of sensors are distributed at the central zone of the substrate, the second group of sensors are distributed at a zone of the substrate adjacent to an edge, the first group of sensors and the second group of sensors are used to detect different pressure values of the zone.

Abstract: A strain gauge and a metal strip having such a strain gauge, which has a first measuring grid, a second measuring grid, and a substrate on which these two measuring grids are positioned in a common plane. In order to enable achievement of an inexpensive strain gauge whose measurement results can be robustly compensated for in relation to a temperature disturbance variable, it is proposed that the multi-layer substrate have a metallic layer and an electrically insulating layer onto which electrically insulating layer these two measuring grids consisting of a piezoresistive material are printed.

Abstract: A torque-sensing and transmitting device is provided. The device includes a transmission body, two vibration-damping members, two inner casings, two outer casings, a first circuit board module, and a battery module. The two inner casings are disposed on a shaft of the transmission body, and a vibration-damping member is disposed between the inner casing and the shaft. The first circuit board module is disposed in one of the two inner casings, and the first circuit board module is covered by a vibration-damping layer. The battery module is disposed on the other inner casing, and the battery module is covered by a vibration-damping layer. With the configuration of the vibration-damping member and the vibration-damping layer, this device solves the problem of the first circuit board module and the battery module being damaged due to vibration.

Abstract: A compact strain gage including a deformable substrate, at least one conductive pattern formed on the deformable substrate, an electrically insulating layer formed over the conductive pattern, at least one electrical connection pad formed over the electrically insulating layer and at least partially overlying the conductive pattern and at least one via extending through the electrically insulating layer and electrically connecting the conductive pattern to the at least one electrical connection pad.