Abstract: A monitor, which may be closely associated with a handrail, may determine the amount of force applied to the handrail. The monitor may also determine the pattern in which force is applied to the handrail in order to assess how the user is contacting the handrail. The user's application of force to the handrail can be monitored along the course of movement along the handrail and may be compared to historical usage patterns.

Abstract: A two or three axis load cell capable of measuring axial and one or more shear forces is disclosed. The load cell can comprise a force collector connected by one or more connecting rods to one or more cross pieces. The load cell can comprise a single cross piece and can measure an axial force applied to the load cell and at least one component of shear force applied to the load cell. In other embodiments, the load cell can comprise two cross pieces, disposed at disparate angles, to enable the measurement of an axial force and both components of shear force applied to the force collector. The cross pieces are equipped with a means, such as piezoresistive elements to measure their deflection due to the applied forces on the force collector. The connecting rods can be fitted with additional piezoresistors to measure the axial forces on the force collector.

Abstract: Force sensors may be useful for the measurement of forces on objects or packaging material in shipping articles during a packaging process. In some embodiments, a part of those force sensors may be similar or complementary to those objects or packaging material. Force data may be collected during packaging processes and may be used to determine conditions useful for improving those packaging processes.

Abstract: There is provided a multi-axis force sensor including first and second bridge circuit groups detecting resistances of respective first and second groups of strain resistance elements provided at respective strain producing portions. The strain producing portions are formed on two axes intersecting with respect to each other at a right angle. The first group of strain resistance elements are arranged on one axis across an action portion so as to face with respect to each other, and the second group of strain resistance elements are arranged on another axis across the action portion so as to face with respect to each other. The first bridge circuit groups respectively output a positive voltage when receiving tensile force, and the second bridge circuit groups respectively output a negative voltage when receiving tensile force.

Abstract: An apparatus, and an associated method, forms a user interface permitting input of input instructions to an electronic device. Input commands are evidence by tactile input forces applied to a force receiving surface. Force sensing elements are positioned to sense indications of the tactile input force. The force sensing element is caused to exhibit a selected input parameter value through application of a selected force thereto by application of a tightening torque to a fastener positioned in proximity to the force sensing element.

Abstract: A load testing device is provided, comprising a main beam and a pair of load testing assemblies operatively connected to the main beam. Each of the load testing assemblies includes a load applying member having a first ball at its terminal end; a spreader plate pivotally attached to the first ball to establish a first ball and socket joint enabling three rotational degrees of freedom about the first ball; a bracket pivotally connected to the spreader plate, wherein the bracket further includes a second ball extending toward the main beam; an adjustment beam pivotally attached to the second ball to establish a second ball and socket joint, and wherein the adjustment beam is slidably disposed relative to the main beam and lockable in one or more predetermined positions.

Abstract: This invention discloses an apparatus capable of controlling, tracking and measuring the tightening torque and the locking force and a method thereof. The device comprises a control device, a transducing device, and a sensing device. The transducing device comprises a second connector and a first signal transmitter. The control device communicates with the transducing device through a second signal transmitter and the first signal transmitter wiredly or wirelessly. The sensing device comprises a first connector and a sensor, and electrically connects to the transducing device through the second connector and the first connector. The sensing device senses the torque applied to a fastener to transmit real-time sensing data to the control device. The control device compares the real-time sensing data with a setting value so as to measure, control or track the locking force or tightening torque applied to the fastener in real time.

Abstract: A strain gage rosette for internal stress measurement on workpieces according to the bore hole method has at least three pairs of diametrically opposed measuring grids all at an equal radial spacing and in different directions radially about a centering mark. The two measuring grids of each diametrically opposed pair are circuit-connected or coupled with one another such that the measurement signals thereof are averaged.

Abstract: A fixture for measuring clamping forces applied by lift truck clamps has a frame and two or more load measuring assemblies which are adjustably mounted for optimal positioning between the clamps. Actual force measurements are compared to acceptable values and composite feedback is provided using at least two measurements and two comparisons. The system is particularly useful for measuring force balance for clamps having pivotable platens.

Abstract: A detection unit includes a sensor that detects the presence of force and a force component separation mechanism that separates the magnitude and the direction of the force and a control unit that controls the detection action of the force component separation mechanism based on the detection result of the sensor.

Abstract: A load detecting device includes a substrate, a load receiver arranged on a first face of the substrate, a load detecting element arranged between the substrate and the load receiver, and a supporting portion to support the substrate. The supporting portion is made of metal. The supporting portion is located to overlap with the load receiver in a direction approximately perpendicular to the substrate. The supporting portion has a plurality of projections contacting with a second face of the substrate opposite from the first face. The projections located adjacent to each other are distanced from each other through a trench.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a vision based robotic system. The method includes engaging a calibration pin with a robotic tool and moving the calibration pin to a calibration block that includes at least one set of optical sensors having an optical transmitter to transmit an optical beam and an optical receiver to receive the optical beam. Further, the transmitted optical beam includes a center point. The method further includes: moving the calibration pin to the center point of the transmitted optical beam; determining a calibration pin center position relative to the robotic tool; and commanding a machine vision assembly having a camera to capture an image of a plurality of camera reading points of the calibration block and to determine a camera center position.

Abstract: Force or pressure transducer arrays have elastically stretchable electrically conductive polymer threads disposed in parallel rows and columns that contact at intersections thereof a piezoresistive material which has an electrical resistivity which varies inversely with pressure or force exerted thereon to form a matrix array of force or pressure sensor elements. The threads are fixed to a single one or pair of flexible elastically stretchable substrate sheets made of thin sheets of an insulating polymer such as PVC, or for greater elasticity and conformability to irregularly-shaped objects such as human body parts, an elastically stretchable fabric such as LYCRA or SPANDEX. Elastic stretchability of the sensor arrays is optionally enhanced by disposing either or both row and column conductive threads in sinuously curved, serpentine paths rather than straight lines.

Abstract: A 6-axis force sensor includes bumper 10 with bumper axis 12 and press member 11 which has four horizontal beams 11a, 11b, 11c and 11d in a cross shape with end, side and bottom faces. Sensors 31, 32, 33, and 34 on end faces sense force in one direction and sense a moment acting on opposite end faces. Sensors 41, 42, 43, and 44 on side faces sense force in a second direction transverse to the first direction and sense a moment acting on opposite side faces. A film 20 on the bottom faces has four sensors 21, 22, 23, and 24, one on each bottom face, for sensing force in a direction transverse to the first and the second directions and sensing a moment acting on opposite sensors on the film.

Abstract: A test fixture is provided for automotive wiper systems. The wiper system includes a plurality of connection points and one or more wiper arm connectors. The test fixture measures forces caused by the wiper system's operation at the plurality of connection points while a resistive torque is applied to each of the wiper arm connectors. The test fixture allows for multiple attachment configurations to accommodate the many wiper system configurations that exist.

Abstract: A system monitors dynamic forces between bearing surfaces. Based on sensed data, the system may model the forces on the bearing surfaces, analyze these forces, store data relating to these forces, and/or transmit data to an external data gathering device. The system includes a first body piece and a second body piece which mate together. The first and second body pieces comprise bearing surfaces that contact a material that may exert a force. A protrusion, such as a pole, post, or beam, extends from first body piece's bearing surface. At least one sensor is disposed on a pole. The at least one sensor detects a mechanical motion of the pole resulting from a force imposed on the body pieces, and generates data indicative of this force. A computer communicates with the at least one sensor and processes the sensed and/or modeled data.

Abstract: A kiosk apparatus that may select for a person a recommended footcare product based on pressure measurements collected from pressures sensors or calculated biomechanical data estimates. Pressure measurements and calculated biomechanical data estimates may be used to determine if a foot is unshod on the pressure sensor and also group a person into a classified subgroup. The pressure measurement and calculated biomechanical data estimates may also be used to select a recommended footcare product.

Abstract: A force sensor 1 includes: a force sensor chip 2 including an action portion 21, a connecting portion 23 on which strain resistive elements are disposed, and a support portion 22 for supporting the action portion 21 and the connecting portion 23; an attenuator 3 including an input portion 30 to which an external force is input, a fixing portion 32 for fixing the force sensor chip 2, and a transmission portion 31 for attenuating the external force and transmitting the attenuated external force to the action portion 21; a first glass member 11 disposed between the action portion 21 and the transmission portion 31 and a second glass member 12 disposed between the support portion 22 and the fixing portion 32, through which glass members 11, 12 the force sensor chip 2 and the attenuator 3 are joined. A single or more glass beams 13 joins the first glass member 11 and the second glass member 12 together as a single member.

Abstract: A magnetostriction-based sensor system for sensing force on a wind turbine rotor shaft having multiple localized magnetized domains sensitive to magnetostriction. The sensor system includes at least two sets of first and second magnetometers. The signals from the at least two sets of first and second magnetometers can be utilized to determine torsional and linear forces being exerted on the wind turbine rotor shaft.

Abstract: A detection device includes a first substrate that has a plurality of pressure sensors disposed around a reference point, and a second substrate on which disposed an elastic projection whose center is positioned in a position overlapping with the reference point and that elastically deforms due to the external force in a state in which the tip portion of the elastic projection makes contact with the first substrate. When an external force has been applied, the direction and intensity of the applied external force is found by carrying out a predetermined calculation using pressure values detected by the pressure sensors.

Abstract: A load cell includes a cylindrical ring with one end closed by a membrane configured to receive a load or force to be measured. A sensor carrier plate is arranged in a cavity formed by the ring and the membrane. The sensor carrier plate is coupled to the membrane to undergo a displacement upon deflection of the membrane. The sensor carrier plate has an inner and an outer portion and carries in the outer portion at least one sensor adapted for sensing the displacement and generating a signal based on the load or force applied to the membrane. The sensor carrier plate is movably coupled to the membrane at a location between the inner portion and the outer portion. At least one further sensor is arranged in the inner portion generating a signal changing with opposite sign with respect to the signal of the sensor.

Abstract: A transducer system includes a plurality of transducer elements formed on a flexible substrate with localized circuit elements and interconnects associated with each transducer element.

Abstract: A test fixture is provided for automotive wiper systems. The wiper system includes a plurality of connection points and one or more wiper arm connectors. The test fixture measures forces caused by the wiper system's operation at the plurality of connection points while a resistive torque is applied to each of the wiper arm connectors. The test fixture allows for multiple attachment configurations to accommodate the many wiper system configurations that exist.

Abstract: A testing apparatus and related methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, the testing apparatus may include a platform, first plurality of cables, a second plurality of cables and a third plurality of cables, each of the cables coupled to a respective load cell. The first plurality of cables may suspend the platform and be substantially parallel to each other. The second plurality of cables may be coupled to the platform, may be substantially parallel to each other cable of the second plurality of cables, and substantially perpendicular to each cable of the first plurality of cables. The third plurality of cables may be coupled to the platform, and each cable of the third plurality of cables may be substantially parallel to each other cable of the third plurality of cables, and substantially perpendicular to each cable of the first plurality of cables and the second plurality of cables.

Abstract: A tactile sensor array includes a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer with a two-phase compressible dielectric material therebetween. A ferroelectret film is used as a dielectric layer. In some embodiments, to improve sensor sensitivity and at the same time provide for high stability and reproducibility of sensor readings, the ferroelectret film is vented to atmosphere via a venting network of channels traversing at least one electrode layer and a curved rigid substrate. In some embodiments, an elastic supporting structure is provided that comprises individual elastic fastening elements connecting all layers of the sensor together. These individual elastic fastening elements are located throughout the layers of the sensor and prevent cross-talk between the individual sensors that may be caused by local shifts of parts of the sensor during use.

Abstract: A sensing device comprises a substrate material layer and a plurality of sensors provided on the substrate material layer. The plurality of sensors is electrically connected to form a loop. The loop has two output ends. There is a loop output value between the two output ends. The loop output value varies when the sensors are subjected to an external force. Each sensor has one induction value. The induction value of each sensor is different from each other. A total induction value of any one or more sensors is different from a total induction value of the other one or more sensors.

Abstract: A two or three axis load cell capable of measuring axial and one or more shear forces is disclosed. The load cell can comprise a force collector connected by one or more connecting rods to one or more cross pieces. The load cell can comprise a single cross piece and can measure an axial force applied to the load cell and at least one component of shear force applied to the load cell. In other embodiments, the load cell can comprise two cross pieces, disposed at disparate angles, to enable the measurement of an axial force and both components of shear force applied to the force collector. The cross pieces are equipped with a means, such as piezoresistive elements to measure their deflection due to the applied forces on the force collector. The connecting rods can be fitted with additional piezoresistors to measure the axial forces on the force collector.

Abstract: A sensor equipped wheel support bearing assembly includes rolling elements (5) interposed between double row rolling surfaces (3, 4) defined respectively in outer and inner members (1, 2) in face-to-face relation with each other. One of the inner and outer members, which serves as a stationary member, has an outer diametric surface provided with three or more sensor units (20). Each of the sensor units includes a strain generating member (21) having two or more contact fixing segments, fixed to the outer diametric surface of the stationary member in contact with therewith, and one or more strain sensors (22) fitted to the strain generating member for detecting a strain occurring in the strain generating member. A load estimating section (31, 32) is provided for estimating a radial load and an axial load in the wheel support bearing assembly, from respective output signals of the sensors.

Abstract: The invention provides a tactile sensor module that enables adjustment of the density of sensing elements and adjustment of mounting regions to be carried out in a straightforward manner with one type of module that is highly adaptive to complex curved surfaces. A tactile sensor module comprises a flexible substrate having one or a plurality of strips, a plurality of sensing elements arranged at the one or plurality of strips of the flexible substrate, one or more communication terminals provided at the flexible substrate; and at least one electronic circuit section provided at the flexible substrate having communication functions. At least one of the strips comprises a foldable region and/or a cuttable region.

Abstract: Automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) cycler systems and methods are disclosed. The APD cycler can include a heater tray with load cells configured to measure the weight of fluid contained within a heater bad and/or a drain bag. The load cells can be toggleable between enabled and disabled configurations. The APD cycler can include a pressure-based volume measurement system, which can be used to confirm measurements made by the load cells. In some embodiments, the APD cycler can have algorithms for tracking an estimated patient volume to prevent overfilling the patient.

Abstract: A fork lift truck has a rear-end axle provided with a measuring device to determine the axle load. To enable the axle load to be determined using simple means which are reliable in operation, at least one shearing force detector (2 or 3) or normal force detector (6) in the form of a structural component and arranged in the force flux is integrated into the axle.

Abstract: A 6-axis force sensor includes bumper 10 with bumper axis 12 and press member 11 which has four horizontal beams 11a, 11b, 11c and 11d in a cross shape with end, side and bottom faces. Sensors 31, 32, 33, and 34 on end faces sense force in one direction and sense a moment acting on opposite end faces. Sensors 41, 42, 43, and 44 on side faces sense force in a second direction transverse to the first direction and sense a moment acting on opposite side faces. A film 20 on the bottom faces has four sensors 21, 22, 23, and 24, one on each bottom face, for sensing force in a direction transverse to the first and the second directions and sensing a moment acting on opposite sensors on the film.

Abstract: Force sensors may be useful for the measurement of forces on objects or packaging material in shipping articles during a packaging process. In some embodiments, a part of those force sensors may be similar or complementary to those objects or packaging material. Force data may be collected during packaging processes and may be used to determine conditions useful for improving those packaging processes.

Abstract: The object to configure a system for measuring loads during the wheel/rail contact of rail vehicles in such a manner that the occurring forces and/or torques can be measured in a reliable and realistic manner is solved by the present invention. Between the rail foot and the measuring device, at least one elastic element is arranged which has an elasticity which simulates the elasticity of a ballast bed. By means of the measuring system according to the invention, on the one hand, realistic conditions of a track system can be simulated and, on the other, a high metrological reproducibility of a load situation can be achieved.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for design of a foot orthotic, and a foot orthotic device designed in accord therewith. More specifically described is an individualized foot orthotic device to correct and/or restore the ideal alignment and/or positioning of foot structures. In the method, sequential pressure is applied to regions on a plantar foot surface, and positional information is obtained about each region. Based on the positional information, an orthotic profile is determined, for design of one or more custom, individualized foot orthotic devices for a subject.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system or determining a plurality of load components (Fi) on a wheel, comprising the steps of providing on the wheel a plurality of sensors (gj) with which it is possible to detect strains or stresses, and measuring essentially simultaneously sensor values (?j) of at least some of the sensors (gj). The invention is characterised in that the number of sensors (gj), sensor values (?j) of which are measured essentially simultaneously, is at least three, and in that the method comprises the step of determining a plurality of load components (Fi) at least partly based on the measured sensor values (?j).

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a platform balance that is suitable for transmitting forces and moments in a plurality of directions. The platform balance is adapted to support a test specimen, such as a large vehicle, in a test environment such as a wind tunnel. The platform balance includes a frame support and at least three spaced-apart transducers coupled to the frame support. Each of the transducers is sensitive about two orthogonal sensed axes. The transducers cooperate to provide signals indicative of forces and moments with respect to at least two orthogonal axes. Each transducer includes a transducer body having a support coupled to a sensor body along an axis of compliance. The sensor body is adapted to deflect about the two orthogonal sensed axes where the sensed axes are mutually orthogonal to the axis of compliance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for an alarm (2) intended for beds (3) and similar locations that, e.g., old people, demented or handicapped persons are arranged to stay on and that is formed of a sensor (7) distributed on the bed and coupled to a monitoring unit (6) that is arranged to provide alarming. The sensor (7) is arranged to co-operate with a radio receiver (9), positioned remotely from the sensor (7), via radio communication, and is formed of a unit that is arranged to measure the difference of the capacitance of a medium in a compressed and in a free state, respectively. The sensor (7) is formed of a compressible plastic core having a conductive gel applied on at least one side thereof and that is covered, on each side, by an electrode each.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor device (1) for measuring an axial force in the longitudinal pipe direction of a pipe (4) and/or at least one torque, having a measuring element (2) comprising an adapter connection (3) connected to the pipe by means of a flanged socket part, by means of which the pipe can be fixedly coupled to an adjustment adapter (5), wherein the axial force and the torque can be fed into the adjustment adapter and can be measured by means of strain gauges (11, 12) disposed in a sensor area (9) between the adapter connection and an end of the flanged socket part (6) opposite the adapter connection at strain gauge locations, wherein the flanged socket part having the sensor area is designed in a pipe shape, wherein the sensor area extends from the adapter connection to the end of the flanged socket part and has a smaller outer diameter than the end of the flanged socket part, wherein the end of the pipe facing the adapter connection and extending past the end of the flanged socket part towar

Abstract: The present invention provides a load detecting apparatus capable of detecting load and vibration applied to a support supporting a body of a human or an animal by a load sensor provided in the support, in particular such a load detecting apparatus capable of detecting micro vibration applied to the support, with a high noise immunity. The load detecting apparatus includes a plurality of load sensors 1 disposed in distribution within a detection target area of a support 7 , a selecting means 6 for selecting one or some of the plurality of load sensor(s) 1 , a detecting means 5 capable of detecting load and vibration applied to the support 7 , based on the output from the selected load sensor(s) 1. The selecting means 6 effects the selection, based on either the outputs S from the respective load sensors or the outputs S from the respective load sensors, plus disposing positions of the respective load sensors.

Abstract: A computerized prosthesis alignment system includes a transducer that can measure socket reactions in the anterior/posterior plane and the right/left planes, while canceling or reducing the transverse forces on the measurements of these socket reactions. In addition, the transducer is also capable of determining the axial load or weight experienced by the prosthesis. The computerized prosthesis alignment system is in communication with a host computer. The moment data from the transducer is interpreted by the user via a computer interface. The host computer includes memory for storing one or more applications. These applications receive data from the transducer, interpret the data with discrete algebraic or fuzzy logic algorithms, and display the output numerically and graphically. Applications may also interpret the data to provide analyses to the user for aligning the prosthesis.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a platform balance that is suitable for transmitting forces and moments in a plurality of directions. The platform balance is adapted to support a test specimen, such as a large vehicle, in a test environment such as a wind tunnel. The platform balance includes a frame support and at least three spaced-apart transducers coupled to the frame support. Each of the transducers is sensitive about two orthogonal sensed axes. The transducers cooperate to provide signals indicative of forces and moments with respect to at least two orthogonal axes. Each transducer includes a transducer body having a support coupled to a sensor body along an axis of compliance. The sensor body is adapted to deflect about the two orthogonal sensed axes where the sensed axes are mutually orthogonal to the axis of compliance.

Abstract: A joystick apparatus employs a hermetically sealed load cell having strain gauges placed on flexible beams formed on the load cell. All of the strain gauges are on the same surface of the load cell and therefore wiring is performed on a single side of the load cell. The strain gauges are enclosed in hermetically sealed cavity. The sensing diaphragm consists of a concentric thick inner and outer section joined by thinner diametrically opposed beam elements. The thin beam elements are compliant members which can deflect. Each beam includes strain gauges or sensor elements and the load cell is coupled to a joystick which when moved causes the beams to deflect to cause the sensor elements to produce an electrical output proportional to the force and direction of the joystick. The sensor can yield an output proportional to any angle over the 360° movement of the joystick to provide outputs proportional to the X and Y positions of said joystick.

Abstract: An electroactive polymer is used to produce a tactile sensor. The electroactive polymer (EAP) includes a sheet of an ion-exchange membrane having opposite surfaces on which are plated gold electrodes. The EAP is formed to have a dome-shape with a plurality of sensing electrodes circumferentially disposed around an outer surface of the dome. A flexible polymer underlying the EAP supports it and prevents a force applied to the tactile sensor from inverting the dome. The sensor electrodes produce separate output signals indicative of different vector components of an applied force acting on the tactile sensor, so that a direction of the force can be determined. Vias provided in the electrodes are electrically coupled to a flexible circuit that conveys the output signals externally from the sensing electrodes for use and further processing. A plurality of the tactile sensors can be formed as an array on an ion-exchange membrane.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for determining the instability of equipment by measuring the reaction forces at different points at the base of the equipment are disclosed. A plurality of load sensors are symmetrically arranged at the base of the equipment. A Cartesian coordinate system is then imposed on the base of the equipment with the center of the base being the origin of the Cartesian coordinate system. The X-axis and the Y-axis of the Cartesian coordinate system are arranged to define a plane corresponding to the base of the equipment. Each load sensor is then designated with Cartesian coordinates and the reaction force at each load sensor is determined. An overall instability factor for the equipment is then determined from the Cartesian coordinates of each load sensor and the reaction force at that load sensor.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for determining the instability of equipment by measuring the reaction forces at different points at the base of the equipment are disclosed. A plurality of load sensors are symmetrically arranged at the base of the equipment. A Cartesian coordinate system is then imposed on the base of the equipment with the center of the base being the origin of the Cartesian coordinate system. The X-axis and the Y-axis of the Cartesian coordinate system are arranged to define a plane corresponding to the base of the equipment. Each load sensor is then designated with Cartesian coordinates and the reaction force at each load sensor is determined. An overall instability factor for the equipment is then determined from the Cartesian coordinates of each load sensor and the reaction force at that load sensor.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a platform balance that is suitable for transmitting forces and moments in a plurality of directions. The platform balance is adapted to support a test specimen, such as a large vehicle, in a test environment such as a wind tunnel. The platform balance includes a frame support and at least three spaced-apart transducers coupled to the frame support. Each of the transducers is sensitive about two orthogonal sensed axes. The transducers cooperate to provide signals indicative of forces and moments with respect to at least two orthogonal axes. Each transducer includes a transducer body having a support coupled to a sensor body along an axis of compliance. The sensor body is adapted to deflect about the two orthogonal sensed axes where the sensed axes are mutually orthogonal to the axis of compliance.

Abstract: The load on an aircraft component is measured. In one embodiment, the system is a contactless, all-weather displacement measuring system including a processing unit and a plurality of pairs of controllable microwave emitters and microwave detectors. When the aircraft component is subjected to a load, relative movement of the emitter and detector is caused. The detector generates signals which convey information concerning the relative positions of the emitter and the detector of the pair, the signals being received and processed by a signal processor of the processing unit. The processing unit may, for example with the use of triangulation techniques, provide an output signal representative of the load sustained by the aircraft component. The system may be used to control braking in dependence on the output signal so as to maximise braking efficiency without overloading the landing gear leg.

Abstract: A tactile load cell that has particular application for measuring the load on a phalange in a dexterous robot system. The load cell includes a flexible strain element having first and second end portions that can be used to mount the load cell to the phalange and a center portion that can be used to mount a suitable contact surface to the load cell. The strain element also includes a first S-shaped member including at least three sections connected to the first end portion and the center portion and a second S-shaped member including at least three sections coupled to the second end portion and the center portion. The load cell also includes eight strain gauge pairs where each strain gauge pair is mounted to opposing surfaces of one of the sections of the S-shaped members where the strain gauge pairs provide strain measurements in six-degrees of freedom.

Abstract: For manufacturing a sensor covering a free-form surface, detection elements in which the electric resistance between a first electrode and a second electrode varies when a load is acted on, and cables 12 connecting the adjoining detection elements are provided. Each cable 12 connects a first electrode 21 of a first detection element 11-(i, j) to a first electrode 21 of a second detection element 11-(i+1, j) via first resistances 32-1 to 32-4, and connects a second electrode 22 of the first detection element 11-(i, j) to a second electrode of the second detection element 11-(i+1, j) via second resistances 32-5 to 32-8. The cables 12 can be deformed. The two dimensional load distribution center position detection sensor 2 can cover a free-formed surface. This sensor is easy to manufacture because an elaborate sheet-shaped resistor is not needed.