Abstract: An internal calibration mechanism of a weigh module has a driving structure, a calibration weight and a weight support frame. The weight support frame has an opening or a groove for loading the calibration weight. The weight support frame is connected to a load receiving portion at both sides thereof and is connected to a portion of a fixing portion that extends towards the load-receiving portion. In one case, the weight support frame, the load-receiving portion and the fixing portion are integrally formed. In another case, a force transmission connecting portion and a fulcrum connecting portion of the weight support frame are fixedly connected, respectively, to the load-receiving portion and to the extending portion of the fixing portion. In another case, flexure hinges connect the weight support frame to the load-receiving portion at both sides thereof and connect the weight support frame to the extending portion.

Abstract: A parallel guide of a force transmission device has movable and fixed parallel legs, and first and second parallel guiding elements. Thin-point flexional bearings connect the parallel legs to the parallel guiding elements. The movable parallel leg is guided by the parallel guiding element on the fixed parallel leg. A force transmission lever, arranged on the fixed parallel leg, has a lever bearing, and a first lever arm. The force transmission lever is pivotably mounted on the lever bearing and the first lever arm is connected to the movable parallel leg to transmit force. The force-transmitting connection is produced by a coupling element having at least one further thin-point flexional bearing, with at least one functional region of the force transmission device being formed monolithically. A functional region associates at least one bearing point with at least one of the parallel legs, the force transmission lever, and the coupling element.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for a furniture for detecting an activity of a user of the furniture comprises a light transmitter and a light receiver forming beginning and end of an optical light path connecting the light transmitter and the light receiver. The light receiver is configured to output a reception signal based on a received amount of light. The sensor assembly further comprises an evaluation circuit which is configured to generate a movement signal based on the reception signal or a signal derived from the reception signal, and an oscillating body which is movably mounted in such a way that a movement of the oscillating body results in a change in a property of the light path. The sensor assembly is arranged such that the activity of the user causes the oscillating body to oscillate.

Abstract: A load cell unit includes: a load cell that is provided with a distortional member including a free-end block, a fixed-end block, an upper beam portion connecting an upper end of the free-end block and an upper end of the fixed-end block, and a lower beam portion connecting a lower end of the free-end block and a lower end of the fixed-end block; a first temperature sensor that is disposed at the upper beam portion or the lower beam portion; and a second temperature sensor that is disposed at one of the free-end block and the fixed-end block.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method for estimating a state of an object to be heated based on sound which is generated when the object to be heated is heated, and providing the estimated information to other devices in an Internet of Things (IoT) environment through a 5G communication network. The heating apparatus may include a housing having a receiving space therein, a heating member disposed within the housing, a power supplier for supplying power to the heating member, a top plate disposed on the top of the housing to support the object to be heated, a sound sensor disposed on the bottom of the top plate, and a controller for predicting the state of the object to be heated by using a deep neural network model that has been trained through machine learning based on a sound signal received from the sound sensor.

Abstract: A weighing sensor for a scale, includes a mainland body, a load receiver articulated on the mainland body by parallelogram guiding, and a lever mechanism having at least two levers which are supported on the mainland body by supporting joints, a first lever being arranged closer to a load receiver than a second lever, and the at least two levers being connected to each other via coupling rods and load joints, a calibration weight assembly including a calibration weight rest and a calibration weight being arranged on one lever, the calibration weight rest being connected to at least one coupling element.

Abstract: A digital scale includes a weighing platform, a plurality of weight sensors, and a central processing unit. Each of the weight sensors includes a first sensing mechanism and a second sensing mechanism. The first sensing mechanism includes a first elastic member, and a first movement detection device arranged to transform a movement of the first elastic member to a first electrical signal. The second sensing mechanism includes, a second elastic member and a second movement detection device arranged to transform a movement of the second elastic member to a second electrical signal. When an external load greater than a predetermined threshold is applied on the weighing platform, the first elastic member is arranged to be driven to move and in turn pushes the second elastic member to move. A measurement of the external load is obtained by combining and the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal.

Abstract: A shelf bracket assembly mounted upright on a vertically disposed shelf has: a load cell; an anchor; and a cantilever supporting a shelf panel. The cantilever projects from the shelf upright in a substantially horizontal direction. The cantilever has a vertically disposed frame or a vertically disposed metal plate and a mount for the load cell. The load cell has a monolithic measuring body that has: a force-supporting section; a force-introduction section; and a linkage section between the force-supporting section and the force-introduction section. The force-supporting section of the monolithic measuring body is laterally attached to the mount. The monolithic measuring body has at least one mounting hole through which the monolithic measuring body is attached to the mount with a screw extending horizontally through the monolithic measuring body.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a sensor unit includes an outer housing including a top plate and a base member that together define an interior space, the top plate being configured to directly receive and support the leg of the piece of furniture, a load cell provided within the interior space configured to measure forces imposed by the leg on the top plate, the load cell including a planar metal plate having a deformable element to which the top plate is mounted and a sensor element mounted to the planar metal plate at a location at which the deformable element extends from the remainder of the planar metal plate, and an internal platform provided within the interior space and associated with the base member that supports the planar metal plate of the load cell in a manner in which the deformable element of the planar metal plate is free to deform when a force is imposed by the leg on the top plate.

Abstract: A sensor chip includes a substrate, first supporting portions, a second supporting portion around which the first support portions are disposed, the second supporting portion being disposed at a center of the substrate, first detecting beams each connecting the first supporting portions, which are mutually adjacent, second detecting beams disposed in parallel with the first detecting beams between the first detecting beams and the second supporting portion, force points disposed in the first detecting beams so as to be applied with force, and a plurality of strain detecting elements disposed a predetermined positions of the first detecting beams and the second detecting beams, wherein the plurality of strain detecting elements includes a first detecting portion having a strain detecting element capable of detecting force in a first direction, and a second detecting portion having a strain detecting element disposed at a position symmetric relative to the first detecting portion.

Abstract: A lockout assembly for selectively limiting the force applied to a weigh module, with a load cell, that senses force applied to a top plate from an equipment flange. A cowling with a flange spacer, is placed between the top plate and the equipment flange. The cowling has a jack arm that extends laterally and downwardly therefrom, and a jack screw extending downwardly, adjacent a support structure. A jack nut is threaded onto the jack screw, and is adjustable between a lockout position wherein the jack nut engages the support structure, and a weighing position wherein the jack nut does not engage the support structure.

Abstract: The invention discloses an attached resistance strain sensor assembly includes a sensor body, wherein substrates are respectively mounted at two ends of a lower end face of the sensor body, a heat insulation layer is provided between two of the substrates, the heat insulation layer covers the lower end face of the sensor body, an outer cover is covered above the sensor body, two ends of the outer cover are respectively mounted on the two substrates, and a wiring terminal is provided at one side of the outer cover. The sensor assembly can be mounted to a structural member by electric welding, so that the influence of high temperature on the performance of an elastic part in the sensor body during welding is reduced, the output value of the sensor is still in an expected range, and a more accurate load measurement value can be obtained.

Abstract: A system that includes a multi-touch-sensitive display unit and sensing modules that are associated with the display unit for sensing force applied onto the display unit. The display unit is configured to display the sensed signal that is indicative of the force that is applied onto the display unit, in association with the position of the application of force. One realization of the system is for weighing objects on the touch-sensitive display unit. A user may place an object on the display unit and trigger weighing process by an interface of the multi-touch-sensitive display unit. The weighing process is carried out by the sensing modules and the weight of the object is displayed on the display unit in association with the object, e.g. in the vicinity to where the object is placed on the display unit.

Abstract: A force sensor has a first end portion (1), a second end portion (2), a parallel-guiding mechanism (3), a beam (4), and a strain gauge (5). The parallel-guiding mechanism (3) connects the first end portion (1) to the second end portion (2). A main beam (43) of the beam has a flexible wall (435) and a rigid wall (432). A first connecting part (41) connects the flexible wall to the first end portion, and a second connecting part (42) connects the rigid wall to the second end portion. The strain gauge (5) is fixed to the flexible wall (435). The force sensor can measure a relatively small force.

Abstract: A device determines the weight of a hydraulic accumulator (10) during its operation in a hydraulic facility. A pressurised liquid is introduced into a pressure vessel at least partially filled with a gas. The pressurised liquid compresses the gas and is stored in such a way that when it leaves the accumulator (10) hydraulic energy is emitted to the facility. The respective current weight of the hydraulic accumulator (10) is detected by a weighing device (14) applied to the hydraulic accumulator (10).

Abstract: A force sensor includes a substrate, a plurality of sensing elements, a seal, and a cover plate. The substrate includes a proximal surface and a distal surface, with the plurality of sensing elements coupled to the distal surface of the substrate. The seal includes a base wall and a flange extending proximally from the base wall. The flange is positioned against the distal surface of the substrate to define a cavity between the base wall of the seal and the distal surface of the substrate within which the plurality of sensing elements are disposed. The cover plate is positioned over the seal and fixed to the substrate. The cover plate applies a closure force on the seal to inhibit the ingress of fluids into the cavity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a load cell having a frame that includes a first and a second mounting surface. Each mounting surface is arranged on a common horizontal plane symmetrically about a central vertical axis. First and second lateral surfaces are arranged perpendicular to the first and second mounting surfaces. One or more mounting fixtures are located on the load cell at the first and second mounting surfaces and configured to attach to a support structure or a loading fixture. One or more force sensors are arranged symmetrically about the central vertical axis. One or more cavities extend the width of the frame and are arranged between a mounting fixture and the force sensors to buffer horizontal shear forces.

Abstract: An assembly operable for measuring one of a force and a moment, comprising: a compliant flexure mechanism that is one of deflected and deformed under an applied load; a low resolution load sensor coupled to the compliant flexure mechanism and operable for measuring one of the deflection and the deformation of the compliant flexure mechanism under a relatively higher load; and a high resolution load sensor coupled to the compliant flexure mechanism and operable for measuring one of the deflection and the deformation of the compliant flexure mechanism under a relatively lower load; wherein the high resolution load sensor is one of a non-contact sensor that is disposed at a distance from the compliant flexure mechanism and a contact sensor that is not subject to damage by the relatively higher load. Optionally, the low resolution load sensor is disposed adjacent to a narrowed neck portion of the compliant flexure mechanism.

Abstract: The invention relates to a load cell for weight measurement with a load beam which has an overload protection. In order to achieve a cost-effective manufacture, it is provided that the overload protection has a bar, running parallel to the center plane of the load beam, which freely engages in a recess on the movable force application side of the load beam, with the result that there is an upper and a lower air gap between the bar and the force application side. In the case of an overload, the upper or the lower air gap is bridged and the force application side comes to rest against the bar, with the result that no further movement of the force application side relative to the stationary side of the load cell is possible.

Abstract: The electronic balance has a load detector for supporting a scale pan and outputting the load value of a load placed on the scale pan. A weight change calculating program calculates changes in the weight of a sample to be measured based on sample load measurement values ouput from the load detector when the sample is placed on the scale pan at two different points in time and load-free measurement values output from the load detector in the load-free state before and after the respective sample load measurements values are output. Also, minute changes in the weight of a light-weight sample are measured accurately since the load-free weight is measured before and after sample measurements even if the sensitivity or zero drift changes due to changes in the environment conditions, and the sample weight is further corrected using measurements of the load of a reference weight.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cable deployment of downhole equipment, wherein the conductors of a power cable bear the load of the downhole equipment and jewelry, as well as the cable itself. The power cable includes a set of elongated conductors, an upper coupling and a lower coupling. The upper support coupling suspends each of the conductors from the support structure and electrically couples the conductors to a power source. The lower coupling suspends the downhole electrical equipment from the conductors and electrically couples the conductors to the downhole equipment. One embodiment uses 7075 T-6 aluminum conductors to provide a length of at least 10,000 feet, a yield stress of at least 50,000 psi and a resistance of less than 0.2 ohm/kf. The aluminum conductors are homogeneous and are non-reactive with hydrogen sulfide, so no lead sheathing is required.

Abstract: A weighing device, particularly an electromagnetic force compensating weighing device, with a weighing sensor unit connected in at least three mounting regions to a second unit such as a carrier unit or intermediate load plate. The second unit or the weighing sensor unit has connecting regions in at least two mounting regions, which employ a hinge structure that allows an essentially translatory shifting motion of the connecting region to avoid stress caused by temperature related expansion.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to load cell assemblies configured for measuring loads or weight associated with a semi-trailer. In one embodiment, a load cell assembly includes a shear plate load cell configured to be coupled between a frame and a support member of the semi-trailer. The shear plate load cell detects or measures the trailer's weight with a sensor positioned on a strain sensing section of a plate. The strain sensing section is positioned at a location offset from the plate's centerline. The shear plate load cell is accordingly configured to provide an ideal moment balance that allows accurate load measurements independent of where the load is applied relative to the load cell or the support member.

Abstract: A sensor mechanism body having a main Roberval mechanism; a sub-Roberval mechanism provided with a second fixed column connected with an electronic balance base, a second movable column supporting the load of an internal weight placed on an engaging section, and two second beams, parallel to each other, and connecting the second movable column to the second fixed column. A first lever rockably supported by a first fulcrum, connected to one end of a first movable column of the main Roberval mechanism, and the other end connected to a second lever. The second lever rockably supported by a second fulcrum, connected to one end of a second movable column of the sub-Roberval mechanism, and the other end connected to an electromagnetic force generating device and the other end of the first lever. The second fixed column is connected to the second lever through a thin-walled connecting.

Abstract: A load cell assembly is used with a scale having a weighing platform, in order to provide a very low clearance above a surface on which the scale is positioned. The load cell assembly has a load cell with first and second arms. A bridge portion of the load cell connects the arms, maintaining them in a substantially parallel relationship, with at least a portion of the second arm having a height that is larger than a height of the first arm and the bridge portion. A fastener attaches the load cell to the weighing platform, on the second arm portion with a larger height. A foot device, attached to the first arm, spaces the load cell above the surface on which the scale is positioned.

Abstract: An improved device for the measuring of weight or force is disclosed. This is an apparatus that allows for measurement of weight or force using a cantilever beam that is substantially insensitive to location of the weight or force within certain limits on the beam and is capable of correction for off-level conditions.

Abstract: Methods and systems for accurate measurement of forces to determine the amount of materials in a container are disclosed. A weighing assembly is disclosed which includes a base plate, a plurality of bearing plates coupled to the base plate and a plurality of load sensors. Each of the plurality of load sensors is coupled to one of the plurality of bearing plates. A mounting block is symmetrically supported by the plurality of load sensors and a current measurement device measures a sum of currents output from the plurality of load sensors.

Abstract: The above described preferred embodiments are intended to illustrate the principles of the invention, but not to limit the scope of the invention. Various other embodiments and modifications to these preferred embodiments may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Abstract: A gravimetric measuring instrument has a weighing cell and a flexible, tubular-shaped encapsulation. The weighing cell has a parallel-guiding mechanism and at least one measurement transducer. The ends of the encapsulation are attached, respectively, to the stationary parallelogram leg and the movable parallelogram leg, so that at least the parallel-guiding mechanism and the measurement transducer are enclosed by the encapsulation, protecting them from dirt and humidity. In some aspects, the parallel-guiding mechanism has an adjustment region formed at one of the parallelogram legs which allows adjustment of the distance between at least one flexure pivot of the upper parallel-guiding member and a flexure pivot of the lower parallel-guiding member. This adjustment region is mechanically connected to at least one adjustment-setting area, which is arranged outside the encapsulation and allows changes to be made to the adjustment region.

Abstract: An interior space of the at least one housing of a force-measuring device is filled with a gas composition that is distinguishable in at least one parameter from the ambient atmosphere. A sensor that is arranged in the interior space, or on the housing, measures this distinguishable parameter. A processing unit of the force-measuring device compares signals obtained from the sensor to monitor and determine the condition of the force-measuring device.

Abstract: The invention discloses a weighing sensor and an electronic scale provided with the same. The weighing sensor comprises a flat plate formed into helical shape, including successively a load-supporting portion, a strain portion and a bearing portion from the center to the outer of this plate, with the load-supporting portion situated between and surrounded by the bearing portion and the strain portion; wherein the load-supporting portion and the bearing portion are respectively used to bear the acting force and the reaction force in opposite directions, and a strain gauge is mounted on the strain portion. The electronic scale comprises at least three weighing sensors, wherein the bearing portion of the sensor is mounted on the scale body, the load-supporting portion directly contacts the supporting leg of the scale, which contacts the plane on which the scale is positioned. The present invention has small thickness, simple structure and low manufacturing cost.

Abstract: A parallel-guiding mechanism has a vertically movable parallel leg that carries a weighing pan. The movable parallel leg is connected by two essentially horizontal parallel guides to a stationary parallel leg installed in a balance, wherein elastic flexure pivots are formed at the ends of the parallel guides. Incisions that reduce the material strength of the parallel leg in at least one appropriate location define at least one adjustment domain, thus forming a deformation zone which is plastically deformed through application of an adjustment force. In this manner, a corner load error of the parallel-guiding mechanism is corrected.

Abstract: A top-pan scale with a scale pan which is supported on at least one force transducer (7) of a force measurement system (5) and with a corner load sensor which outputs a signal if the weighing goods are positioned eccentrically on the scale pan. The corner load sensor (10) has a flat underside via which it can be placed on, or attached to, the scale pan or a bottom pan of the scale. The corner load sensor also has a flat upper side on which a scale pan (4) can be placed or attached. The corner load sensor (10) is connected to a positionally fixed electronic processor (22) via a force-feedback-free connection (21). Embodiments of the corner load sensor can therefore be used for a wide variety of scale designs and can be retrofitted easily.

Abstract: A lever mechanism, particularly for a scale receiver of a scale that works on the principle of electromagnetic force compensation includes at least one lever which is connected to a stationary base body or an element connected to the base body. The at least one lever arm is connected to the base body or the element connected to the base body via an elastically deformable articulation which defines a swivel axis of the at least one lever. A load force (FL), which corresponds to the weight force (FG) or is derived therefrom, acts on a first lever arm of the at least one lever and generates on a second lever arm of the at least one lever a reaction three (FR). The elastically deformable articulation comprises two thin, elastically deformable bending areas, which connect the lever to the base body or to the element connected to the base body.

Abstract: In a parallel-guiding mechanism, a stationary parallel leg surrounds a movable parallel leg. The movable parallel leg is connected to the stationary parallel leg and guided in vertical movement by first and second parallel-guiding elements, fastened respectively to the upper and lower end portions. The movable parallel leg can be connected to a load receiver and to a force-measuring cell through a force-transmitting connection in order to transmit the weighing load. Intermediate to, and connecting, the respective end portions is a tilt-adjustment feature, by which the end portions are tilt-adjusted relative to each other about at least one tilt axis to correct a corner load error. The tilt-adjustment feature is provided by at least one of: a pair of bending zones, a spherical joint and a ring-shaped constriction.

Abstract: A method of compensating for hysteresis in a load cell, by: (a) pre-calibrating a load cell by: measuring load cell deflection under progressively increasing loads; determining a first set of coefficients correlating the deflection of the load cell to the measured load under the progressively increasing loads; measuring load cell deflection under progressively decreasing loads; determining a second set of coefficients correlating the deflection of the load cell to the measured load under the progressively decreasing loads; and then (b) compensating for hysteresis in the load cell, by: selecting the first set of coefficients if the load on the load cell has been progressively increasing, or selecting the second set of coefficients if the load on the load cell has been progressively decreasing; and applying a formula using the selected first or second set of coefficients to the measured load cell deflection at the particular load, thereby determining an accurate load cell deflection, and thus compensating for h

Abstract: A precision force transducer having a spring element (1) whose load-dependent deflection is converted into an electrical signal by means of strain gauge elements (10). The spring element (1) is made of a precipitation-hardenable nickel-based alloy with a nickel content in the range of 36 to 60 percent and a chromium content in the range of 15 to 25 percent. The strain gauge elements (10) are composed of a polymer-free layered film system. This makes it possible to produce a precision force transducer that features great accuracy, low creep and low moisture sensitivity.

Abstract: The invention discloses a weighing sensor and an electronic scale provided with the same. The weighing sensor comprises a flat plate formed into helical shape, including successively a load-supporting portion, a strain portion and a bearing portion from the center to the outer of this plate, with the load-supporting portion situated between and surrounded by the bearing portion and the strain portion; wherein the load-supporting portion and the bearing portion are respectively used to bear the acting force and the reaction force in opposite directions, and a strain gauge is mounted on the strain portion. The electronic scale comprises at least three weighing sensors, wherein the bearing portion of the sensor is mounted on the scale body, the load-supporting portion directly contacts the supporting leg of the scale, which contacts the plane on which the scale is positioned. The present invention has small thickness, simple structure and low manufacturing cost.

Abstract: In a parallel-guiding mechanism, a stationary parallel leg surrounds a movable parallel leg. The movable parallel leg is connected to the stationary parallel leg and guided in vertical movement by first and second parallel-guiding elements, fastened respectively to the upper and lower end portions. The movable parallel leg can be connected to a load receiver and to a force-measuring cell through a force-transmitting connection in order to transmit the weighing load. Intermediate to, and connecting, the respective end portions is a tilt-adjustment feature, by which the end portions are tilt-adjusted relative to each other about at least one tilt axis to correct a corner load error. The tilt-adjustment feature is provided by at least one of: a pair of bending zones, a spherical joint and a ring-shaped constriction.

Abstract: In a load measuring mechanism capable of easily adjusting a positional deviation error by means of a positional deviation error adjusting portion, a load receiving portion 3 is connected to a substrate portion 2 by means of parallel link portions 4a, 4b via flexures 5a-5d, a finely deformable portion 2a is provided at an upper portion of the substrate portion 2, and the flexure 5a is coupled with the deformable portion 2a. Positional deviation error adjusting portions 10 are provided on both sides of the substrate portion 2, a base portion 12 of the positional deviation error adjusting portion 10 is connected to a first lever 13 via a fulcrum 15, and the first lever 13 is coupled with a second lever 14 via a flexible portion 16. When a distance between the base portion 12 and the first lever 13 is increased by rotating an adjusting bolt 11, this displacement is transferred to an end 14a of the second lever 14.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a load cell operable with a vehicle having a chassis and a container carried by the chassis, with the load cell supported by the chassis and supporting the container for measuring the weight of the container and any load therein, and to a system having a plurality of these load cells on a vehicle, and to a method of executing weight measurements of loads in a container of a vehicle. The load cell includes a plurality of strain gauges and coupling elements in a floating mount configuration for coupling the load cell to the container and to the chassis in a dual shear beam loading configuration, while limited translational movement is permitted of the load cell relative to the container or the chassis. The load cell also has an electrical interface for receiving analog output data from the strain gauges, adaptively filtering this data and outputting a digital signal representative of the weight of the container and any load therein.

Abstract: A weighing system having a base region (1), a parallel-guided load receiver (4), at least one transmission lever (2) that is pivotably mounted on the base region via at least one flexural pivot (3), and a coupling element (7) that connects the load sensor to the short lever arm of the transmission lever. The flexural pivot (3), at least one part of the transmission lever (2), and at least one part of the base region (1?) are monolithically formed from a block. The flexural pivot (3) is separated from the rest of the block by four horizontal parallel bores (31, 32, 33, 34) that are adjacently arranged in an annular manner in such a way as to respectively leave a thin connecting segment (36, 37, 38 39) between adjacent bores, and by additional slots. In this way, a hysteresis-free flexural pivot can be created without the need for separate assembly components.

Abstract: A weighing system having a base region (1), a parallel-guided load receiver (4), at least one transmission lever (2) that is pivotably mounted on the base region via at least one flexural pivot (3), and a coupling element (7) that connects the load sensor to the short lever arm of the transmission lever. The flexural pivot (3), at least one part of the transmission lever (2), and at least one part of the base region (1?) are monolithically formed from a block. The flexural pivot (3) is separated from the rest of the block, and at least one spring connecting segment (36/35/38, 37/35?/39) of the flexural pivot (3) includes two spaced-apart thin material points (36, 38; 37, 39). In this way, a hysteresis-free flexural pivot can be created without the need for separate assembly components.

Abstract: A calibration weight 100 for a gravimetric measuring instrument includes a calibration weight base module 101 which is equipped with at least one attachment area 106. The calibration weight 100 further has at least one positioning means 104 and at least one transfer element 105. The attachment area 106 allows supplemental weights 102 to be built onto the calibration weight base module 101; the positioning means 104 serves to position the calibration weight 100 in relation to the calibration weight arm 20; and the transfer element 105 serves as the place through which the transfer mechanism lever 31 applies its force and effects a transfer.

Abstract: A weighing apparatus and method for measuring the weight of articles fed along a processing path. The weighing apparatus includes multiple segments, i.e., a primary scale segment adapted to weigh articles of a first configuration, and at least one secondary scale segment adapted to cooperate with the primary segment to weigh articles of a second configuration. The articles of the second configuration are larger than those of the first configuration in at least one dimension or direction. Inasmuch as the articles are fed along a processing path, a conveyor or transport means is provided to feed the articles to the scale segments. The conveyor may be controlled to momentarily pause the articles over each scale segment to obtain an accurate weight measurement. The weight measurement apparatus is particularly well-suited for use in mailing machines to calculate the value of postage indicia.

Abstract: A weight sensor includes at least one force-translating element cooperating in a levered manner in response to an applied load. The at least one force-translating element is arranged at least in part asymmetrically to an imaginary center plane of the weight sensor.

Abstract: An exemplary weighing module is disclosed which has a load receiver and a weighing cell that are connected to each other by a force-transmitting rod, wherein the weighing module is arranged inside a design space whose dimensions in a plane extending orthogonal to the load direction are limited by the design spaces occupied by neighboring weighing cells or represent the largest dimension of the weighing cell in said plane. An exemplary weighing cell has a parallel-guiding mechanism in which at least one movable parallel leg which is connected to the force-transmitting rod and at least one stationary parallel leg are arranged with a predefined guiding distance from each other, connected to each other by at least one upper parallel-guiding member and at least one lower parallel-guiding member. The effective length of the parallel-guiding members is larger than the guiding distance, and the movable parallel leg does not protrude out of the design space.

Abstract: A force sensing device has a single-component metal housing. The housing has an upper rigid housing part and a lower rigid housing part that are interconnected by way of U-shaped spring elements and can be elastically displaced along a displacement axis in relation to each other by the action of a force. The spring elements are symmetrically arranged in relation to a section that is parallel to the displacement axis. A deflection sensor is disposed between the upper and lower rigid housing parts, for detecting the relative displacement of the two rigid housing parts in relation to each other. The housing is produced using metal injection molding technology.

Abstract: In a force-transmitting device of a force-measuring cell with a parallel-guiding mechanism in which a stationary parallelogram leg and a movably guided parallelogram leg are connected to each other by parallelogram guides, at least one of the parallelogram legs has a fastening part with at least two fastening portions. Each fastening portion has a fastening pad with a tapped hole normal to the fastening pad surface, for fastening the device to a housing or a load carrier. The parallelogram leg has slot-shaped incisions that serve to uncouple the fastening portions from the rest of the parallelogram leg, so as to prevent the propagation of assembly stresses from the fastening portions into the working parts of the force-measuring cell.

Abstract: Weighing module having a first mounting device which is in force-transmitting contact with a load that is to be determined, also having a second mounting device which is connectable to a supporting structure that supports the weighing module. A load cell is arranged between the mounting devices and cooperates with a load-transmitting device. The weighing module has a first and a second receiving cup, each of which has a concavity designed to receive the force-transmitting element, which receiving cups are arranged between the mounting devices. At least one concavity has an elliptical cross-section in a plane that is substantially orthogonal to the direction of the load.