Abstract: A wheel load measurement system mountable upon a wheel rim. The system includes a sensor body with an inboard ring connectable to the wheel rim, an outboard ring axially-spaced from the inboard ring and connectable to a hub adapter and a plurality of beams extending between the inboard ring and the outboard ring. A plurality of sensors, each fixed to an external surface of one of the beams, provides a signal indicating at least one of three principal forces and three principal moments experienced by the sensor body. In dual wheel mounts, an inboard and an outboard sensor body are coupled to a common hub adapter. The sensors of the inboard sensor body provide measurements for the inboard wheel, while the sensors of the outboard sensor body provide measurements for the outboard wheel.

Abstract: An electrode layer is formed on the upper surface of a first substrate, and a processing for partially removing the substrate is carried out in order to allow the substrate to have flexibility. To the lower surface of the first substrate, a second substrate is connected. Then, by cutting the second substrate, a working body and a pedestal are formed. On the other hand, a groove is formed on a third substrate. An electrode layer is formed on the bottom surface of the groove. The third substrate is connected to the first substrate so that both the electrodes face to each other with a predetermined spacing therebetween. Finally, the first, second and third substrates are cut off every respective unit regions to form independent sensors, respectively. When an acceleration is exerted on the working body, the first substrate bends. As a result, the distance between both the electrodes changes. Thus, an acceleration exerted is detected by changes in an electrostatic capacitance between both the electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to measurement of cross-inertia-moment in a limited angular rotatory axis, and more specifically, to a measuring device and method of cross-inertia-moment in a limited angular rotatory axis. The measuring device includes a base plate; a pair of first supporters, each end portion being secured on the base plate through a load cell, for supporting a first rotatory axis; a second supporter installed inbetween the pair of first supporters to be able to rotate round the first rotatory axis, for supporting a second rotatory axis that is orthogonal to the first rotatory axis; and a roller installed at the inside of the second supporter, being rotatable round the second rotatory axis. Therefore, the present invention enables to measure and amend the cross-inertia-moment of multiple axis LOS (line of sight) stabilizer as well as low speed rotatory machinery.

Abstract: Micro electromechanical components in a novel configuration to allow wireless normal direction pressure transducers to be used for oblique or shear forces. The invention includes a novel cantilever beam configuration and algorithm, the readings of the MEMS sensors are averaged to reduce the experimental variability, to estimate the shear stress that may occur between a human and external equipment or possibly between materials. The shear force component is calculated via the formula: Shear Force=Vt={square root over ({overscore (V)})}23+4+ . . . +n1−{overscore (V)}21+2+ . . . +n2.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring a force applied to an object by a person includes a support upon which the person stands, and one or more force sensors for detecting the reaction force applied through the person to the support resulting from the application of force to the object. A computing accessory may be included for computing the magnitude of the force, and a display for the result or other output devices may also be provided. A method of monitoring force is also disclosed. The apparatus and method may be used to determine the amount of force applied to an infant during delivery. The apparatus and method may also be used for a broad range of applications requiring measurement of applied force.

Abstract: For sensing the relative movements of an object a force sensing unit (15) comprises a stationary supporting means (6) and a cap (150) located movable relative to said supporting means as well as a force/moment sensor (1) for sensing the three possible translational and three possible rotational movements of the cap relative to said supporting means.

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

Abstract: An electrode layer is formed on the upper surface of a first substrate, and a processing for partially removing the substrate is carried out in order to allow the substrate to have flexibility. To the lower surface of the first substrate, a second substrate is connected. Then, by cutting the second substrate, a working body and a pedestal are formed. On the other hand, a groove is formed on a third substrate. An electrode layer is formed on the bottom surface of the groove. The third substrate is connected to the first substrate so that both the electrodes face to each other with a predetermined spacing therebetween. Finally, the first, second and third substrates are cut off every respective unit regions to form independent sensors, respectively. When an acceleration is exerted on the working body, the first substrate bends. As a result, the distance between both the electrodes changes. Thus, an acceleration exerted is detected by changes in an electrostatic capacitance between both the electrodes.

Abstract: An input device and detection device each have separate electrodes with one electrode for detecting input in a vertical direction and a plurality of electrodes for detecting input in a horizontal direction. An elastic body has a conductive portion opposite to the electrodes with a thin portion opposite to the vertical-detection electrode. A storage depressed portion is formed on the thin portion. A space between the elastic body and the electrodes changes by input. A slider is connected to the elastic body and is movable only in a horizontal direction, a hard pressing body stored in the storage depressed portion of the elastic body, and a key top opposite to the pressing body and vertically movable.

Abstract: This invention relates to a force measuring system capable of measuring forces associated with vehicle braking and of evaluating braking performance. The disclosure concerns an invention which comprises a first row of linearly aligned plates, a force bearing surface extending beneath and beside the plates, vertically oriented links and horizontally oriented links connecting each plate to a force bearing surface, a force measuring device in each link, a transducer coupled to each force measuring device, and a computing device coupled to receive an output signal from the transducer indicative of measured force in each force measuring device. The present invention may be used for testing vehicle brake systems.

Abstract: An electrode layer is formed on the upper surface of a first substrate, and a processing for partially removing the substrate is carried out in order to allow the substrate to have flexibility. To the lower surface of the first substrate, a second substrate is connected. Then, by cutting the second substrate, a working body and a pedestal are formed. On the other hand, a groove is formed on a third substrate. An electrode layer is formed on the bottom surface of the groove. The third substrate is connected to the first substrate so that both the electrodes face to each other with a predetermined spacing therebetween. Finally, the first, second and third substrates are cut off every respective unit regions to form independent sensors, respectively. When an acceleration is exerted on the working body, the first substrate bends. As a result, the distance between both the electrodes changes. Thus, an acceleration exerted is detected by changes in an electrostatic capacitance between both the electrodes.

Abstract: A bottom fixed layer 110, displacement layer 125, and top fixed layer 130 are fixed in a layered structure by way of intervening pedestals 145, 155, which serve as spacers between the layers. The bottom and top fixed layers 110, 130 are rigid dielectric substrates. The displacement layer 125 is a flexible conductive substrate. On the top of the bottom fixed layer 110 are formed an electrode E11 on the right, electrode E12 on the left, and a washer-shaped electrode E15 in the middle. On the bottom of the top fixed layer 130 are formed an electrode E21 on the right, electrode E22 on the left, and a washer-shaped electrode E25 in the middle. These electrodes and the displacement layer 125 together form capacitance elements C11 to C25. When acceleration acts on the working body 160, the displacement layer 125 is displaced and a change in capacitance occurs in various capacitance elements.

Abstract: This invention utilizes geometrically positioned strain gages attached to load cells (pylons) where each cell measures all force and moment components (Fx, Fy, Fz, Mx, My, Mz), thereby measuring all six degrees of freedom. The independent measurements eliminate the need for one cell's dependency on another, therefore reducing assumption, calculation, and cross-sensitivity errors. At least two load cells are attached to a top plate, to which the load is applied, and an optional bottom plate and an optional mounting plate. These force plates can be connected together to form an array of plates to measure multiple instances of load application over a greater area. The signals produced can be transmitted via wiring or wireless means either directly to a data collection device, or to a connector board, then through an optional pre-amplifier and a second stage amplifier for signal amplification and conditioning, then, finally, the data is received by a data collection device for interpretation and reading.

Abstract: A six-axes force-moment measuring apparatus includes a mechanical structure having sensors installed at predetermined positions on the mechanical structure for measuring tensile and compressive forces applied to each axis. The output signal from the sensors is processed and analyzed to determine the forces and/or moments applied to the mechanical structure. The six-axes force-moment measuring apparatus is readily constructed and repaired, and is capable of supporting large loads.

Abstract: An electrode layer is formed on the upper surface of a first substrate, and a processing for partially removing the substrate is carried out in order to allow the substrate to have flexibility. To the lower surface of the first substrate, a second substrate is connected. Then, by cutting the second substrate, a working body and a pedestal are formed. On the other hand, a groove is formed on a third substrate. An electrode layer is formed on the bottom surface of the groove. The third substrate is connected to the first substrate so that both the electrodes face to each other with a predetermined spacing therebetween. Finally, the first, second and third substrates are cut off every respective unit regions to form independent sensors, respectively. When an acceleration is exerted on the working body, the first substrate bends. As a result, the distance between both the electrodes changes. Thus, an acceleration exerted is detected by changes in an electrostatic capacitance between both the electrodes.

Abstract: The invention comprises a fixed platform (1) and a displaceable platform (2) that are coupled by six tension springs (3) and an elastic spacing element (6), which forms with each platform, for instance, a ball-and-socket joint, so that the platforms can be displaced in a total of five to six degrees of freedom with respect to each other. Displacement is detected by measuring at the tension springs (3) or at the spacing element (6). This is preferably done by measuring the inductivity of the tension springs (3), thereby making it possible to easily determine the relative position of the platforms.

Abstract: The load transducer for measuring forces and/or moments on a rotatable member. In one embodiment, the transducer includes an inner ring member attachable to a wheel hub and an outer ring member attachable to a wheel rim. At least one and, preferably, a plurality of beams unitarily extend between the inner and outer ring members and are circumferentially spaced apart. Each beam is formed of a stem and a perpendicular crossleg. Wells are formed in the exterior surfaces of the stem and the crossleg for mounting a strain gage in a force or moment measurement orientation. Additional strain gages may be mounted on the exterior sidewalls of each stem. The strain gages are inter-connected in a bridge configuration for measuring forces and moments exerted on the wheel. Bores formed in the stem and the crossleg provide a passage for the conductors from each strain gage to an electrical connector mounted between the inner and outer ring members.

Abstract: An electrode layer is formed on the upper surface of a first substrate, and a processing for partially removing the substrate is carried out in order to allow the substrate to have flexibility. To the lower surface of the first substrate, a second substrate is connected. Then, by cutting the second substrate, a working body and a pedestal are formed. On the other hand, a groove is formed on a third substrate. An electrode layer is formed on the bottom surface of the groove. The third substrate is connected to the first substrate so that both the electrodes face to each other with a predetermined spacing therebetween. Finally, the first, second and third substrates are cut off every respective unit regions to form independent sensors, respectively. When an acceleration is exerted on the, working body, the first substrate bends. As a result, the distance between both the electrodes changes. Thus, an acceleration exerted is detected by changes in an electrostatic capacitance between both the electrodes.

Abstract: A sensor comprises a semiconductor pellet (10) including a working portion (11) adapted to undergo action of a force, a fixed portion (13) fixed on the sensor body, and a flexible portion (13) having flexibility formed therebetween, a working body (20) for transmitting an exterted force to the working portion, and detector means (60-63) for transforming a mechanical deformation produced in the semiconductor pellet to an electric signal to thereby detect a force exerted on the working body as an electric signal. A signal processing circuit is applied to the sensor. This circuit uses analog multipliers (101-109) and analog adders/subtracters (111-113), and has a function to cancel interference produced in different directions. Within the sensor, two portions (E3, E4-E8) located at positions opposite to each other and producing a displacement therebetween by action of a force are determined. By exerting a coulomb force between both the portions, the test of the sensor is carried out.

Abstract: A triaxial force sensor using a hemispherical target supported by a compliant element such as a spring or an elastomer supported by a rigid support member. The sensor includes a plurality of ultrasonic transducers disposed in a plane at equal intervals about the target and vertically and laterally offset from the target. The transducers are oriented at an oblique angle to the plane, and aimed at the target in its rest position. The target is displaced by sufficient force applied to elastically deform the compliant element, which displacement alters the transit times of ultrasonic signals from the transducers which are reflected from the target. If at least three sensor units are employed non-colinearly, the six force-torque components, Fx, Fy, Fz, Mx, My, Mz, can be determined from the pulse transit times, the speed-of-sound in the medium or media between the transducers and the target, the deformation response of the compliant element, and the known geometry and spacing of the transducers.