Abstract: The digital force sensor (1) includes a measuring cell (2) which is able to be deformed elastically, the deformation of said cell (2) directly resulting from the force with which a robot arm approaches a discrete electronic component (11) in a magazine, then mounts it onto a printed circuit, and digital means (3) for measuring a displacement representative of the deformation of said cell (2), then supplying in response to said displacement a digital signal corresponding to the direct measurement of the force with which the robot arm approaches, then mounts the electronic component onto the printed circuit.

Abstract: A bathroom scale has a measurement value sensor which generates a measurement signal when a person wishing to be weighed stands on the scale. The measurement signal is transmitted to an evaluation circuit which reduces therefrom the weight and displays it on a display device. The evaluation circuit and the display device are supplied with electric energy by a generator upon which the weight of the person wishing to be weighed is applied. The actuation element for the generator is designed as a plunger which drives the generator by means of a toothed rack and pinion and projects over the plate in such a way that it can be actuated independently of the same. The restoring spring acts between the plate and the toothed rack and pinion.

Abstract: A weighing device (2) for accurately weighing an object, which includes a support base (4), a weighing platform (8) for supporting the object and a load cell (6) mounted on the base (4) for measuring the weight of the object. The load cell (6) includes an anchoring section (18) for anchoring the load cell (6) to the support base (4). The device further includes an inclinometer (28) horizontally positioned in correspondence with the anchoring section (18) of the load cell (6) for measuring the levelness of the load cell (6). A display means (32) is connected to the inclinometer (28) for conveying information necessary to obtain an accurate weight measurement.

Abstract: A resistive strain gauge bridge circuit, including a pulse code modulation counter operative under an algorithm designed for calibration with a voltage signal for effectively canceling out voltage and voltage fluctuation influences to maintain centering of the operating point of the strain gauges without the excessive costs attributable to devices such as electronic potentiometers which notably have been utilized to generally achieve satisfactory performance of strain gauges included in mobile personal computer systems.

Abstract: A weight sensor (10) for sensing a load applied to a vehicle seat (14) includes a light source (16) for providing light and detectors (18, 20, 22, 24) for detecting light received from the light source (16). A member (50, 52, 54, 56) impedes the passage of light between the light source (16) and the detectors (18, 20, 22, 24) in response to the load applied to the seat (14). The light detectors (18, 20, 22, 24) provide a signal to a control device (27) indicative of the amount of light received. In response to the light detector signals, the control device (27) determines a value in accordance with the load applied to the seat (14).

Abstract: A vehicle tire inspection apparatus includes a flat plate, a flexible bladder containing a quantity of fluid, and transducers on the plate. The plate is made of a transparent yieldable resilient bendable material capable of transmitting an inflated vehicle tire footprint and of undergoing a deflection in response to the supported weight on the tire applied thereon. The bladder is supported on the top side of the plate and has an upper opaque portion of a first color, a lower transparent portion and an enclosed interior cavity. The fluid contained within the cavity is of a second color different from the first color of the upper bladder portion.

Abstract: In order to increase safety of lift trucks, a weight indication for the driver is provided so that the driver may know how heavy a load he is handling,. This weight indication is obtained by measuring the current to the motor of the hydraulic pump. In order to eliminate the risk that monetary variations may result in faulty measurements preferably a mean value of current is taken for a certain time or the value of the measured current is added during a fixed time interval. Obtained values are then multiplied by a conversion factor so that the weight in, for instance, kilograms is obtained and delivered to a suitable display device. Obtained values also may be used to provide a warning by sound or light should the load exceed the maximum allowed.

Abstract: A membrane weight sensor incorporates a plurality of membrane switch elements, each characterized by a distinct activation force threshold determined by the effective diameter and activation travel distance of the associated membrane. A plurality of membrane switch elements is incorporated into a single membrane switch pad. The membrane switch pad is aligned with a pair of first and second plates, one of which incorporates a plurality of protrusions, each operatively coupled to a different membrane switch element for purposes of deflecting the associated membrane. The signals from each of the associated switch elements are encoded and combined so as to form a single analog output signal having a plurality of discrete levels indicative of the amount of force applied to the membrane weight sensor.

Abstract: An electronic weighing device includes a lower base plate, an upper load bearing plate, and a load cell coupled to central portions of the upper and lower plates such that the load cell responds to weight on the bearing plate. The upper and lower plates are each notched at a central location, with the notches being offset from each other. The overlapping portions of the notches form a cavity for a central portion of the load cell, The load cell is tapered or reduced in height at opposite ends thereof so that its ends fit between a notched portion of one of the upper and lower plates and a full-thickness portion of the other of the upper and lower plates. The reduced height ends of the load cell are coupled to the upper and lower plates.

Abstract: A load sensing system inexpensively monitors the weight and temperature of stored nuclear material for long periods of time in widely variable environments. The system can include an electrostatic load cell that encodes weight and temperature into a digital signal which is sent to a remote monitor via a coaxial cable. The same cable is used to supply the load cell with power. When multiple load cells are used, vast inventories of stored nuclear material can be continuously monitored and inventoried of minimal cost.

Abstract: A sensing element lead wire connecting structure is provided for stably connecting conductors, forming the coil of a sensing element for load measurement, with the lead wires for external connection. In the sensing element lead wire connecting structure, a flexible circuit board is fixed to a base member receiving an applied load to be measured. Conductive patterns are formed on the circuit board and are electrically connected to the lead wires for externally outputting the load measurement.

Abstract: A structure for mounting sensing devices for measuring a vehicle load which allows the sensing device to obtain a detection value according to the actual load without being affected by the loading condition of baggage on the rear body, the inclination condition of the road, the steering condition of a handwheel, and the like. In a structure for mounting sensing devices 7 for measuring a load on an axle member 5 in which a load G of the vehicle is dispersedly imposed on both ends, recessed housing portions 5f and 5g are formed along the axial direction of the axle member 5 in both end portions 5a and 5b of the axle member 5, respectively. The sensing devices 7 are housed, mounted, and fixed in the recessed housing portions 5f and 5g, while the directions of the sensing devices 7 in a circumferential direction and a radial direction of the axle member 5 are made coincident with each other.

Abstract: An electrical weighing scale for measuring the weight of a user having has a substantially transparent platform, a plurality of supports, and a display assembly. Piezoresistive sensors, disposed in the supports, change resistance in response to a change in the weight applied to the scale. The piezoresistive sensors include piezoresistive elements arranged in a half bridge structure that has been calibrated to provide zero balance, span matching and impedance normalization. The sensors are coupled in parallel to a display. The parallel arrangements produces a composite output signal that enables any number of sensors to be used in the scales design.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for sensing weight of an occupant on a vehicle seat (36) in an occupant restraint system (10) includes variable inductance sensor (50) mounted in the seat (36) so that inductance of the sensor (50) is functionally related to the occupant's weight on the seat (36). A capacitor (98) is connected in parallel across the variable inductance sensor (50). The capacitor (98) and the variable inductance sensor (50) form a tank circuit (100). An oscillator (40) is operatively coupled to the tank circuit (100) for driving the tank circuit (100) into oscillation. A phase detector (94) monitors a phase shift between an output of said oscillator and oscillation of tank circuit. Weight on the seat is functionally related to the monitored phase shift.

Abstract: A patient weighing system includes novel load sensing casters (12) or load lift modules (92) installed on a hospital bed or other patient housing device. The casters and load lift modules each include pneumatic lifts (54, 106). The lifts are operative to load and unload the weight of the device onto a piezoelectric load cells (60; 150, 152). The load cells are electrically connected to control units (14, 98) which include visual displays (16). In operation, the discharge time constants for the load cells are calculated by first raising the weight of the bed off the load cells with the lifts. Thereafter, the load is reapplied to the load cells by exhausting the air from the lifts. The control unit compensates for the short duration and decay of the sensor signals and sums the weights sensed by the load cells to determine a total weight.

Abstract: A digital load cell assembly is disclosed. The digital load cell assembly includes at least one load cell for detecting an applied force and producing analog signals proportional to the applied force. The analog signals are transmitted along a cable assembly which is electrically connected to the load cell. The cable assembly has analog to digital circuitry and a power supply mounted on a printed circuit board, and is adapted to transmit digital signals representative of the force applied to the associated load cell for displaying a value corresponding to the applied force on an associated display indicator.

Abstract: A force sensitive scale and dual sensor load cells for use therewith isolate, measure, and reject out residual rejected effects from the output of the scale. By isolating residual rejected effects, the overall accuracy of the scale may be improved, and the scale may be made substantially insensitive to the position of an object on the scale. In addition, where a scale includes multiple load cells coupled in parallel to a load receiving member and spaced apart in the direction of the force vector, the outputs of the load cells may be effectively scaled to cancel out frictional effects inherent in the scale.

Abstract: It is suggested for a balance with one or several weighing cells (1-4, 31) with a total of at least eight wire strain gauges (D.sub.1 -D.sub.4, S.sub.1 -S.sub.4), four of which (D.sub.1 -D.sub.4) are expanded under load and four (S.sub.1 -S.sub.4) compressed under load, in which the eight wire strain gauges are connected together circularly in series so as to form a single Wheatstone bridge which is supplied with voltage along a diagonal (12, 13) (vertical diagonal) and the output signal is taken off along the other diagonal (14, 15) (horizontal diagonal) that a signal is additionally tapped off along the upper horizontal chord (16, 17) and along the lower horizontal chord (18, 19). This makes possible a corner-load adjustment for the balance utilizing the additional signals.

Abstract: A method and system for weighing an object as it is carried on a conveyor past an x-ray source. X-rays from the x-ray source pass through the object, are attenuated in proportion to the mass of the object through which they pass, and impinge upon an x-ray detector array. X-ray detector array includes a layer of scintillating material that produces light in response to the intensity of the x-rays and a plurality of photodiodes to detect the light. The intensity of the x-rays received at the x-ray detector array is indicated by signals produced by the photodiodes, which are periodically scanned by a processor. The photodiode signals are each converted to a value representing the average areal density for a volume element extending above the photodiode into the object. Using the average areal density for each volume element and the size of each volume element, the processor determines the mass of the volume element.

Abstract: The invention discloses a circuit for precisely measuring the weight of the cooking food in a microwave oven. The circuit is capable of reducing the variation of the weight-voltage converted value due to the existence of the tray during the measurement of the weight of the cooking stuff.

Abstract: A planar single-piece measuring string which is designed to oscillate transversely to the plane defining its rest position has two attachment tabs, a resonating string section, two coupling sections connecting the resonating string section to the attachment tabs, and two defined nodal domains where the resonating string section meets the coupling sections. The measuring string includes at each nodal domain a pair of elastic flaps. The elastic flaps extend parallel to the resonating section and participate in the oscillation of the string. The elastic flaps are connected on one side thereof to the nodal domains and the free ends of the flaps are located at a distance opposite each other. The flaps have the same thickness as the other portions of the measuring string.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for measuring the weight of an object such as a letter, magazine or parcel, while the object is in motion, without using a weighing scale. The apparatus and method disclosed make use of moving, preferably vertically-oriented transport belts driven by a constant velocity, closed-loop feedback system which includes an electric motor. An object to be weighed is engaged and lifted upwards by the moving belts, increasing the load on the motor as a function of the weight of the object. The increased motor current evoked by the lifted object can be processed to extract the object's weight.

Abstract: A food weight detecting device for a microwave oven which can detect food weight exactly according to the speed variation of the rotating roller rolling on a base plate having a protrusion formed thereon with predetermined ascending and descending angles. According to the device, the possibility of incorrect weight detection due to such defects as corrosion or secular change of a parallel plate capacitor in the conventional capacitance- detection type device can be eliminated. Thus, reliability of automatic heating control is increased and an inexpensive motor which needs not be heat-resistant can be employed.

Abstract: A reproduction apparatus having a logic and control unit (LCU) and selectable copy sheet supply units includes a mechanism for determining the sheet weight of copy sheets to be handled therein. The mechanism includes a platform for supporting one such sheet on a desired surface, and a proximity sensor that is connected to the LCU and mounted at a predetermined height above the sheet supporting surface. The mechanism also includes a variable voltage sheet buckling device for creating a buckle in the supported sheet sufficient to actuate the proximity sensor. Means are provided in the logic and control unit for reading the voltage level of the sheet buckling device at the actuation of the sensor, and for correspondingly reading from a truth table a predetermined sheet weight for the read voltage level.

Abstract: Apparatus for weighing a vehicle in motion is provided by employing a plurality of elongated fiber-optic sensors defined by an optical fiber embedded in an encasement of elastomeric material and disposed parallel to each other on the roadway in the path of moving vehicles. Each fiber-optic sensor is provided with contact grid means which can be selectively altered to provide the fiber-optic sensors with sensitivities to vehicular weight different from each other for weighing vehicles in an extended weight range. Switch means are used in conjunction with the fiber-optic sensors to provide signals indicative of the speed of the moving vehicle, the number of axles on the vehicle, weight distribution, tire position, and the wheelbase of the vehicle. The use of a generally N-shaped configuration of switch means also provides a determination of the number of tires on each axle and the tire footprint.

Abstract: A microprocessor (8) controlled power-saving electronic measuring system is disclosed. A load cell (1) generates an output signal indicative of the magnitude of the load applied to the cell (1). A DC power supply (2) is switched to supply the load cell (1) with power pulses (10) at varying frequencies and duty cycles determinable by the microprocessor (8) to optimize battery life. The microprocessor (8) determines the optimal duty cycle and frequency for the power pulses responsive to desired parameters. The circuitry of the present invention is located in close proximity to a temperature sensor (34) which accurately reads the temperatures of all of the components and compensates for all heat related inaccuracies simultaneously. The microprocessor (8) determines a temperature corrected value for the load cell (1) output via a previously programmed table containing the temperature response characteristics for the load cell (1) and the circuitry.

Abstract: A load weighing apparatus for weighing a weight of a load on a vehicle comprises an intervening element provided between a body frame and a suspension for transmitting the weight of the load to the suspension from the body frame. The intervening element is formed of a magnetic material and has a plurality of bore sections. An excitation winding is wound about the intervening element through ones of the bore sections, while a measurement winding is wound about the intervening element through the remaining bore sections. An electric power source for applying voltage is connected to the excitation winding. A measuring unit for measuring voltage across the measurement winding is connected thereto.

Abstract: An electronic weighing scale, comprising a an induction board supported on a base board by columns, a load board supported on said induction board by columns for bearing any object to be measured, an inductor suspended above said base board, a pressure rod extending from the center of gravity of said and stopped at the suspension end of said inductor, and wherein the weight of the object under measuring causes the suspension end of said inductor to displace downward proportionally and, the range of downward displacement of the suspension end of said inductor is calculated by an electronic circuit and converted into corresponding digital signals for display.

Abstract: A pulse count scale includes a change of state detector circuit and an alert circuit which operate together with an electrical interrupter to detect when weight is applied on a scale platform and immediately connect power to a controller for a select interval. These circuits preserve battery power as well as providing simple operation, eliminating the requirement of actuating a separate switch prior to stepping onto the platform.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing water quality for subsurface injection that provides for samples of infinite volume to be passed over a membrane filter at a constant pressure. The apparatus uses a positive displacement pump drawing suction on the water source and discharging to a membrane filter. Between the pump discharge and the filter is an oil/water separation vessel to allow for sampling of well production fluids before oil removal if necessary. Fitted to the oil separation vessel is an adjustable pressure regulator, also known as a back pressure regulator, for maintaining constant pressure over the filter. The filter discharge water is collected in a volume calibrated vessel. The vessel is connected to load cells, and a data collection device records weight as a function of time. By measuring the water density, a time/volume curve can be automatically plotted by the data collection device.

Abstract: A stress wave load cell comprises a propagation member to which is acoustically coupled a transmitting transducer and a receiving transducer. Electrical pulses are supplied to the transducer form a pulse generator and the electrical pulses are converted into stress wave signals which propagate through the propagation member. The transducer detects the stress wave after propagation through the propagation member and supplies an electrical signal to a processor which gives a measure fo the load applied on the load cell.Damping members apply a damping load on the propagation member when a load is applied to the load cell. The damping members damp the propagation of the stress waves in the propagation member and the decay rate of the diffuse stress wave field set up in the propagation member is dependent upon the load applied on the load cell.

Abstract: A low power consumption controller for weight based article input and removal monitoring apparatus comprises a continuously active weight monitoring section responsive to the weight sensor output(s) for producing a first control signal in response to predetermined changes in the sensed weight; and a signal analysis section switchable from an inactive mode to an active mode in response to the first control signal for analyzing the sensor output(s), and for controlling the operation of the weight monitoring section.

Abstract: This invention relates to load cells having integral load measurement and measurement data output means. Load cells have previously comprised a load support member and a force detection element and all detection and measurement of the electrical characteristic of the force detection element have take place external to the load cell device.

Abstract: An on-board system for measuring vehicle loads on dual axles with a suspension system having a front hanger, a rear hanger, an equalizer and an equalizer hanger. Attached to the equalizer, in one embodiment, are a plurality of strain gauges, arranged in two cut-out portions. The strain gauges are positioned so that the measured strain corresponds to the force of the vertical load on the equalizer. The output of the strain gauges is then applied to a conventional bridge circuit and from there to a conventional electronic circuit to provide a display which indicates the weight of the load on the dual wheels.

Abstract: A weighing system for a vehicle having a spring supportive frame which moves relative to the axles of the vehicle in response to changes in load weight on the vehicle. The weighing system includes at least one position indicator for each axle to be monitored which provides electrical signals which vary in accordance with the built position of the frame relative to the axle which is being monitored. The weighing system also includes a programmed central processing unit for receiving the electrical signals from the position indicator and for calculating the load weight on the frame, based on the value of the electrical signals.

Abstract: A thermoplastic melting apparatus comprises a tank pivotally mounted upon bearings within the interior of a housing having a top cover. An electrical or mechanical level indicator device is mounted exteriorly of the tank which is effective to sense pivotal movement of the tank as it is loaded with and/or emptied of thermoplastic material, and to produce a signal which indicates the quantity of thermoplastic material within the tank. The level indicator device is isolated from dynamic forces produced by drive linkages which operate pumps associated with the tank, by positioning the pivot axis of the bearings in the same plane as the force produced by the drive linkage. The lid of the tank is isolated from downward forces applied to the top cover of the housing to prevent the transmittal of forces to the level indicator devices from objects placed on the top cover of the housing or the like.

Abstract: Solar cells (5) for the supply of electric energy are located in an electronic balance in a manner suitable for the requirements of the balance and storage means for storing the electric current generated by the solar cells (5) are present. The solar cells (5) are located, for example, in a folding cover (7) which protects the balance when it is not in use and which is folded up at the start of operation. In addition, a display (9) for the state of charge of the storage means (76) is present.

Abstract: An energy efficient scale using a load cell for weight detection and a power supply for powering the load cell at one or another of three different current levels. The highest current level provides accurate weight indication. The intermediate current level provides only a signal indicating the presence of a package on the scale. The lowest current level is sufficient only for keeping the load cell electrically centered. If a package is placed on the scale while the load cell is receiving current at the intermediate level, then a resulting package detection signal causes the scale to switch to full operating current.

Abstract: A load cell comprises a block with a recess in an upper rectangular surface thereof. A plate overlies the upper surface and is parallel thereto and spaced therefrom by a spacer interconnecting the block and the plate at one end of the plate so the remainder of the plate can deform on application of a load to an upper surface thereof. The position of application can be adjusted along the length of the plate. Damage to the plate is avoided on application of an excessive load by its engagement with the upper surface of the block. The deformation of the plate is measured by an adjustable screw which projects downwardly from an undersurface thereof into the recess which contains a circuit board carrying an optical switch so that the screw gradually interrupts the transmission of light from a light emitting infrared diode to a photo transistor of the optical switch.

Abstract: The sensitivity of a balance beam having unequal arms used to detect and measure phenomenon which exert low energy mechanical forces includes a U-shaped beam area having a horizontal slot therein and a pivot post having a vertical slot which registers with the horizontal slot. A fastener, such as screw and wing-nut passes through the slots to releasably fix the pivot post to the fulcrum area in a selected horizontal and vertical position. The selected position is the optimum point of equilibrium of the beam that is determined when the horizontal fulcrum's bottom knife edge passes through center of gravity of the beam. Pivot post has a blade thereon which extends perpendicular to the balance beam and rests on a pair of fulcrum supports. The fulcrum supports are vibrated by a didder device to enhance sensitivity of the balance beam.

Abstract: The invention relates to a force transducer with at least 100 pC/N sensitivity. The piezo elements of this force transducer are connected rigidly to the force introducing elements, and therefore require no mechanical prestressing. A diaphragm may be provided and is then the only force shunt with a maximum proportion of 5%. The main force flow runs in these transducers through the piezo elements themselves, thereby keeping the pseudo-pyro effect, which is frequently brought about by mechanical shunting, within very narrow limits. Because of bottlenecks in the heat guide path to the piezo elements and the symmetrical construction of the supports, heat transients are also prevented from exerting an appreciable effect on the position of the zero point. This provides zero point stability, which allows accurate measurements in the 0 . . . 1 N range, even where the ambient conditions are unfavorable from the point of view of temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting an amount of liquid nitrogen, has a table for supporting a Dewar vessel in which liquid nitrogen used for cooling a semiconductor radio detector is contained. A motion conversion mechanism is engaged with the table for converting the movement of the table in the up and down direction in response to changes in the weight of the liquid nitrogen in the vessel and amplifying and movement. The motion conversion mechanism includes a disk rotated by the amplified motion of the table, and a plurality of sensors adjacent the disk for detecting the rotational position of the disk which is representative of the weight of the liquid nitrogen in the vessel.

Abstract: A weight measuring device for a heating appliance includes a heating chamber holding an object to be heated therein, the heating chamber having a bottom plate, a turntable member upon which the an object is disposed for rotating the object, on an upper surface of the bottom plate of the heating chamber, the turntable means having rollers, the rollers providing a stress on the bottom plate by rotating itself, a piezoelectric transducer element disposed on the rear surface of the bottom plate of the heating chamber corresponding to the locus of at least one of the rollers, for outputting a voltage indicative of the weight of the object, a detecting circuit for detecting the voltage from the piezoelectric transducer element and a weight measuring circuit for measuring the weight of the object on the turntable based on the output of the detecting circuit.

Abstract: A system for measuring weight of objects using a single load cell means which comprises a pair of structural means having at least four sides and four corners, with pairs of opposed sides being substantially equal in length, a tensioned member positioned at each of said four corners of the structural means and load cell means extending therebetween an generally centrally thereof which is maintained under a predetermined compressive force applied by the structural means.

Abstract: A weighing system is provided which measures the weight of a vehicle such as a trailer or a tractor-trailer. A pair of ultrasonic transducers and reflectors are mounted on each axle in enclosed cylinders, the opposite end of each cylinder being connected to the frame of the tractor or trailer. A temperature sensor is provided within each cylinder. The vertical displacement of the frame relative to the axle is sensed by pulsing each of the transducers and measuring the time for the signal to be reflected, compensating for temperature within each cylinder. The signals are added together to produce a net total weight corrected for any incline on which the tractor-trailer stands when weighed and also correcting for temperatures sensed within each cylinder.

Abstract: In order to reduce the coupling-in of high-frequency electromagnetic interference into the measuring system of electric balances with scale on top and with a metallic balance scale and a metallic housing, a pin (7) which establishes the connection between the balance scale (2) and the load receiver (5) of the measuring system comprises an insulating layer on its surface which is bridged by a resistor (6) located on the pin (7).

Abstract: A weighing system, including a plurality of conveyer-type continuous weighing machines each having an analog weighing unit and a digital measurement processing unit, and a single common analog-to-digital convertor operated in time division fashion.

Abstract: A weight detecting type sensor comprising a roller capable of partly jutting out upwardly from the surface of a body conveying belt, a strut rotatably supporting the roller and having a through-aperture at a portion thereof, a sensor having an optical axis associated with the through-aperture formed in the strut, and a pair of magnets disposed below the bottom of the strut.

Abstract: A measuring system using the magnetic scale and a sensing head measures a deformation of a deformable member and/or one or more physical quantities, e.g. a strain and internal stress of, or an external force to, the member, which are functions of the deformation. The magnetic scale comprises a succession of discrete, uniformly spaced scaling units each of which individually consists of a pair of magnetic poles (N, S). The magnetic scale is arranged to be displaceable relative to the magnetic sensing head in response to a deformation of the deformable member so that the magnetic pickup head successively senses the passage of the magnetic scaling units. An output circuit unit is connected to the magnetic head for counting the number of magnetic scaling units sensed corresponding to the deformation and produces an electrical output signal representative thereof, and/or one or more of the above physical quantities.

Abstract: A load cell type weight measuring device includes a load cell which produces an output voltage corresponding to the weight applied thereto, an amplifier circuit for amplifying the output voltage of the load cell, and an A/D converter for converting an output voltage of the amplifier circuit to digital data.