By Measuring Elastic Deformation Patents (Class 73/862.621)
  • Patent number: 7216554
    Abstract: A physical quantity sensor according to the invention includes a first member, a second member, a sensing member, a temperature detector, a correcting circuit, and a heat conduction path thermally connecting the sensing member and the temperature detector. The sensing member is interposed in contact between the first and the second members and configured to generate an electrical signal as a function of a physical quantity applied thereto through one of the first and the second members. The temperature detector detects a temperature of the sensing member. The correcting circuit corrects the electrical signal generated by the sensing member using the temperature detected by the temperature detector and outputs the corrected electrical signal. The heat conduction path is formed through the second member such that the second member has a thermal resistance along the path less than that of the first member in an application direction of the physical quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Kenji Morikawa
  • Publication number: 20070068708
    Abstract: A piece of luggage, rucksack or satchel is provided having a pair of spaced shoulder straps. At least one strap has a stress/strain unit to monitor the stress/strain in the strap as the piece is worn on the shoulder of a user. The at least one strap also has an indicator that provides a visual indication when the stress/strain of the strap has exceeded a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventor: Peter Marks
  • Patent number: 7194923
    Abstract: A thin-film resistor (5) provided on a strain-generating part (2) via an insulating film (4) and an electrode thin-film (6) including an electrode pad (10) arranged in the thin-film resistor (5) are provided. The thin-film resistor (5) includes a strain-detecting thin-film resistive part (8) and an electrode connection (9) connected to the resistive part (8). The electrode connection (9) is formed to extend to the electrode pad (10). The electrode pad (10) includes an external-connection bonding area (12) and a testing probe area (13) formed at different positions. The electrode pad (10) is disposed on a tubular rigid body (1) provided at the outer peripheral edge of a strain-generating part (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Nagano Keiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Yoshida, Hiroshi Kodama, Hiroshi Nagasaka
  • Publication number: 20070028703
    Abstract: The two housing parts are used as springing means which are mounted behind each other, thereby extending the full spring path. Despite the soft springs obtained by the housing, the individual housing parts can be manufactured from a stable material so that they remain dimensionally stable over a long-term period even when subjected to heavy stress by virtue of the fact that they are arranged between a vehicle seat and the chassis of the vehicle, thereby meeting the high quality standards required by the vehicle industry. Complex successive positioning of the springs inside the housing is avoided. As a result, it is possible to produce a force measuring device which is particularly compact, stable and economical. A coil with a core is used as an inductive deflection sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: Markus Christoph, Henderikus-L Offereins
  • Publication number: 20070028704
    Abstract: This invention refers to a glued or heat-sealed cap for resealing test tubes for clinical analyses which can be easily perforated and permits the application of a second cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Applicant: ECOCAP'S S.R.L.
    Inventor: Carlo Innocenti
  • Publication number: 20070028702
    Abstract: A seat load detecting apparatus 10 for detecting a load acting on a seat 1, using load detecting means 21, 31, 40 and 49, in which latching rods 15 and 16 for lining up and latching one end of a plurality of cushion springs 17 and 27 that give cushioning to the seat 1 are provided in a seat cushion frame 11 that forms a seat skeleton, with a flexible member 21 arranged between the latching rod 15 and the seat cushion frame 11.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2004
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Applicant: AISIN SEKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazunori Sakamoto, Hitoshi Takayanagi
  • Patent number: 7156918
    Abstract: A weighing device (10) for providing a indication of the weight of a piece of luggage (5), the device comprising load bearing means (11) adapted to be placed on or form part of the carry means of the piece of luggage (H) and indicator means (19) associated with the load bearing means whereby when the luggage is lifted by the carry means (H), the load bearing means is subjected to the mass of the piece of luggage and the indicator means provides an indication of the weight of the piece of luggage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Peter John Marks
  • Patent number: 7121155
    Abstract: A pressure indicating structure comprising (1) a translucent or transparent sheet including reflective structure defining at least a portion of a second surface of that sheet for reflecting back through a first opposite surface of the sheet light entering the sheet through its first surface, that reflective structure comprising a multiplicity of peak portions and recessed portions having recessed surface portions of the second surface that define recesses from the peak portions; and (2) a deformable layer comprising pressure sensitive adhesive having a major surface along the second surface of the sheet over the peak portions of the reflective structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Ronald C. Johansson, James L. Bries
  • Patent number: 7121154
    Abstract: A load sensor includes a load-input unit, an hourglass-shaped coil spring having one end coupled to the load input unit, a load-applying unit disposed at the other end of the hourglass-shaped coil spring, and a load detector for receiving the load from the load-applying unit and detecting the load. The load sensor does not give a user an uncomfortable pedal feeling, similarly to a hydraulic brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Saito, Noriyuki Jitosho
  • Publication number: 20060213286
    Abstract: The invention relates to an intelligent laminated pressure surface. The inventive surface consists of: an elastic sheet which is designed to measure a determined external pressure and which is provided with numerous holes, said holes extending from the surface to the base thereof; and two sheets having inner conductive faces which essentially cover both sides of said holes. According to the invention, the aforementioned pressure establishes a contact between the faces facing one another through the holes, thereby closing an electrical or optical conductor circuit. The invention can be used to locate determined pressures, evaluate the frequencies and intervals thereof and measure a pressure level or several pressure levels if more than one of the above-mentioned groups of sheets are disposed back-to-back. Moreover, the invention comprises an integrated conductor circuit and an antenna which alerts the user by means of an alarm or read device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2004
    Publication date: September 28, 2006
    Inventor: Juan Chasco Perez De Arenaza
  • Patent number: 7078631
    Abstract: A spring scale, in particular for weighing loads in the ?g-mg range, comprises a load platform suspended by at least three flexural springs in a surrounding frame, and has bridge-connected strain gauges arranged for measuring strain on one side of the flexural springs. The flexural springs extend in succession along substantially the whole periphery of the load platform in a gap between the load platform and the inner edge of the frame, and an attachment spot on the load platform for every flexural spring is arranged substantially directly opposite or past an attachment spot on the inner edge of the frame for a next flexural spring in the succession of springs. Preferably, the spring scale is made in one piece, and manufactured by means of semiconductor process technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Sintef Elektronikk OG Kybernetikk
    Inventors: Dag T. Wang, Ralph W. Bernstein, Geir Uri Jensen, Eivind Lund
  • Publication number: 20060137478
    Abstract: A pressure indicating structure comprising (1) a translucent or transparent sheet having opposite first and second major surfaces, reflective structure defining at least a portion of that second surface for reflecting back through the first surface at an observation angle in a predetermined range of observation angles a visually significant amount of the light entering the sheet through its first surface, that reflective structure comprising a multiplicity of peak portions and recessed portions having recessed surface portions of the second surface that define recesses from the peak portions; and (2) a deformable layer comprising pressure sensitive adhesive, the deformable layer having opposite major surfaces with one of those surfaces defined by the pressure sensitive adhesive being along the second surface of the sheet adjacent and over the peak portions of the reflective structure and spaced from the recessed surface portions of the second surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Inventors: Ronald Johansson, James Bries
  • Patent number: 7069158
    Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for analyzing a structure subjected to a catastrophic event. Based on linear elastic input data, the system automatically determines non-linear hysteretic behaviors. The nonlinear models are then analyzed through any one of a number of nonlinear analysis techniques. Processing load of a computer is substantially reduced through various mathematical functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Karma2go. com, LLC
    Inventor: Jawahar M. Gidwani
  • Publication number: 20050262949
    Abstract: The ability of a person to grasp an object and at the same time to feel, as well as to determine mechanical and geometric parameters of the comprehended object, makes him or her irreplaceable for many tasks, i.e. in production or in surgery. The translation of this ability into a technological system has often failed up to now due to lack of special adjusted sensors. The object of this invention is a sensory device, which fulfills the requirements for a tactile sensor system and at the same time affords a cost-effective and simple manufacturing alternative to other sensor principles. The layer structure of the sensor element is so constructed that by effect of an external force of the current by a resistive layer a path is disposed to narrowing or enlargement. The voltage drop over this resistive layer is dependent upon the acting external force and serves as signal sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Publication date: December 1, 2005
    Inventors: Sebastian Schostek, Chi-Nghia Ho, Marc Schurr, Daniel Kalanovic
  • Patent number: 6886418
    Abstract: A flexure pivot in the form of a thin material connection formed as a result of adjacent material-free spaces is disclosed, as is a force-transfer mechanism for use in a force-measuring device, in particular a balance, containing at least one flexure pivot of the aforementioned type. The force-transfer mechanism has a stationary portion with a lever arrangement comprising at least one reduction lever and serving to transmit a force to a measuring transducer, and it further has at least one coupling element serving to introduce an input force into the lever arrangement, the coupling element being stiff against lengthwise deformation but flexible with regard to bending and having at least one thin material connection. The at least one lever is supported on the stationary portion and/or on a preceding lever by a flexible fulcrum pivot having a thin material connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Metzger, Hans-Rudolf Burkhard
  • Patent number: 6848320
    Abstract: A mechanical deformation amount sensor includes a sensor structure which is formed by a semiconductor substrate or an insulating substrate and integrally includes a deformation portion deformable, when a physical quantity to be detected is applied to the sensor structure, due to the physical quantity and a support portion for supporting the deformation portion, a carbon nanotube resistance element which is provided on the deformation portion so as to be mechanically deformed in response to deformation of the deformation portion and a wiring pattern which is formed in a pattern on the sensor structure so as to be connected to the carbon nanotube resistance element. By applying a voltage to the carbon nanotube resistance element via the wiring pattern, a change of electrical conductivity of the carbon nanotube resistance element upon mechanical deformation of the carbon nanotube resistance element is fetched as an electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisakazu Miyajima, Masao Arakawa, Akira Yabuta, Jun Sakai
  • Patent number: 6848960
    Abstract: To provide a method for manufacturing a color selection electrode structure easily capable of measuring a tension amount of the color selection electrode in the process for manufacturing the color selection electrode structure and a color cathode ray tube using the color selection electrode structure. The color selection electrode is stretched with tension applied in the direction of the shorter axis thereof, and welded and fixed onto the top face that is curved inwardly in the direction of the longer axis of the longer side members. Thereafter, the weight is placed on the color selection electrode so as to allow the color selection electrode to deflect by the load due to the mass of the weight. The deflection amount of the color selection electrode may be measured by using a laser displacement meter and the measured deflection amount of the measured color selection electrode is converted into the tension amount by the correlation graph.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Go Minami, Shiro Kashihara, Shigenari Ohshima
  • Publication number: 20040238235
    Abstract: A load sensor includes a load-input unit, an hourglass-shaped coil spring having one end coupled to the load input unit, a load-applying unit disposed at the other end of the hourglass-shaped coil spring, and a load detector for receiving the load from the load-applying unit and detecting the load. The load sensor does not give a user an uncomfortable pedal feeling, similarly to a hydraulic brake.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Saito, Noriyuki Jitosho
  • Publication number: 20040149050
    Abstract: In order for a load cell with a force transducer for recording a weight, the force transducer having a part which does not deform under loading and a force introduction part with an elastically deformable part, the elastically deformable part and the non-deforming part having in a measuring portion a defined spacing in relation to each other which changes under loading, with a sensor arrangement with an inductively operating sensor element, which is disposed in the measuring portion opposite a signaling face, in order to detect changing of the spacing as an electric signal, and with a circuit for converting the electric signal into a weighing signal, to be developed further in such a way that it can be used in particular in conditions which are very difficult in terms of measuring technology, and in particular under the other special ambient conditions within a vehicle, and the weighing signal of which is substantially uninfluenced by this, it is proposed that the force transducer has a recess in the elastica
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: Bizerba GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Peter Selig, Klaus Wurster
  • Patent number: 6755087
    Abstract: A load cell having overload protection wherein a central cantilever beam is provided between the sensing beams in the load cell structure and is bounded by slots of narrow gap width. When an excess load is applied, the load cell structure is deformed and contacts the cantilever beam to transfer the load thereto. The gap width determines the amount of applied load which initiates the protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Interface, Inc.
    Inventor: LaVar Clegg
  • Patent number: 6637274
    Abstract: The invention relates to a stand having a parallelogram carrier (2b) and a balancing device, in which, between a support arm (60) that runs substantially horizontally and a basic part (62) that can be braked with respect to a basic body (12), there is arranged at least one measuring unit (64) to measure and absorb the imbalance forces and moments which arise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems (Schweiz) AG
    Inventor: Andrzej Metelski
  • Publication number: 20030131671
    Abstract: A load detection structure for seat having support leg member, which comprises: a load detection unit whose one end portion is pivotally provided in the support leg member; a limiter element for limiting vertical movement of another end portion of the load detection unit; and a stopper element for limiting further excessive vertical movement of such another end portion. The load detection unit is connected via bolts and nuts with the seat and includes: a strain plate member; a reinforcement plate member attached on a securing portion of the strain plate member through which the bolts and nuts pass; and a buffer cover member which is attached to a free end of the strain plate member, defining the afore-said another end portion of the load detection unit. A strain gauge is provided at a deflectable area of the strain plate member. The stopper element is provided at the bolt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Applicant: Tachi-S Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Ishida, Hiromitsu Ogasawara
  • Publication number: 20030089182
    Abstract: A polymer-based flexible structure with integrated sensing/actuator means is presented. Conventionally, silicon has been used as a piezo-resistive material due to its high gauge factor and thereby high sensitivity to strain changes in a sensor. By using the fact that e.g. an SU-8 based polymer is much softer than silicon and that e.g. a gold resistor is easily incorporated in SU-8 based polymer structure it has been demonstrated that a SU-8 based cantilever sensor is almost as sensitive to stress changes as the silicon piezo-resistive cantilever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventors: Jacob Thaysen, Ole Hansen, Aric Menon, Anja Boisen
  • Publication number: 20020144558
    Abstract: The invention relates to a stand having a parallelogram carrier (=b 2b) and a balancing device, in which, between a support arm (60) that runs substantially horizontally and a basic part (62) that can be braked with respect to a basic body (12), there is arranged at least one measuring unit (64) to measure and absorb the imbalance forces and moments which arise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Applicant: Leica Microsystems AG
    Inventor: Andrzej Metelski
  • Patent number: 6329611
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring weight of a substance placed within a substrate space which is subjected to sever conditions, including a measuring unit having a transducer and placed within a measuring space, a partition member provided between the measuring space and the substance space and having hole through which said measuring space is communicated with said substance space, a rod-like member extending through said hole formed in the partition member such that a first end of said force transferring member situates within said substance space and a second end of said force transferring member situates within said measuring space, a parallel link mechanism arranged within the measuring space and connected with the rod-like member, a magnetic fluid provided in a space within said hole such that said substance space and measuring space is isolated from each other in a liquid tight manner by means of said magnetic fluid, and a magnetic force generating unit producing a magnetic force such that said magnetic fluid
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignees: Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute, Shinko Denshi Company Limited
    Inventors: Tetsuya Abe, Kozo Terunuma
  • Patent number: 6272936
    Abstract: A novel pressure sensor mechanism is provided which includes both a novel pressure sensor assembly and a novel handle for use therewith. The pressure sensor assembly has at least one pressure sensor at its distal end, the pressure sensor having electrodes which are connected through spaced leads to output terminals at a proximal end of the assembly. Even though sensor electrodes and leads may be on facing substrate sections of the assembly, the assembly is designed so as to permit all output terminals to be electrically accessed from the same side of the sensor assembly. An additional output terminal may be provided for preferred embodiments, which terminal is accessible from the same side of the sensor assembly as the other two output terminals, is substantially smaller than the other two output terminals and is connected to one of the other two output terminals by a sensor-ok lead or trace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Tekscan, Inc
    Inventors: Boris Oreper, John Brenneman
  • Publication number: 20010011482
    Abstract: A motor vehicle seat with integrated occupation detector comprises an upper frame (10), which supports seat upholstery or a seat shell, and a lower frame (12), which is secured in the vehicle, and mechanical mounting elements (16) to support the upper frame (10) in the lower frame (12). The mounting elements (16, 116, 216) are designed in such a way that they are deformed elastically under the weight of a seat user, the occupation detector comprising at least one measuring pick-up (18), which measures this elastic deformation of the mounting elements (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Publication date: August 9, 2001
    Inventor: Karl Billen
  • Patent number: 6232567
    Abstract: To counteract the adverse effects associated with mounting a parallel-guiding device on a supporting part of a balance, the attachment area (30) is located on a portion (14) of the stationary leg (12) of the parallel-guiding device. Portion 14 projects into the space between the two guide links 3 and 6 by which the load-receiving movable leg (11) of the parallelogram is guided in parallel motion relative to the stationary leg (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo GmbH
    Inventors: Bruno Bonino, Hans-Rudolf Burkhard, Ferdinand Schneider