The invention relates to a method for monitoring operating parameters of an actuator (10), wherein the method comprises: providing the actuator (10), providing at least two detection units (26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36) which are designed to detect different operating parameters of the actuator (10), detecting operating parameters of the actuator (10) via the detection units (26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36), outputting data relating to the measured operating parameters to an evaluation unit, combining the measured operating parameters into a state information, which indicates whether or not the technical state of the actuator (10) is in a predetermined standard state.

A surgical instrument for applying fasteners includes a drive motor, a replaceable loading unit having an end-effector assembly, and an adapter configured to releaseably couple a replaceable loading unit to the drive motor. The adapter includes a strain gauge having a drive circuit coupled thereto. The strain gauge and the drive circuit are configured to directly measure a driving force in the adapter.

Systems and methods for detecting pose and force against an object are provided. A method includes receiving a signal from a deformable sensor comprising data from a deformation region in a deformable membrane resulting from contact with the object utilizing an internal sensor disposed within an enclosure and having a field of view directed through a medium and toward a bottom surface of the deformable membrane. The method also determines a pose of the object based on the deformation region of the deformable membrane. The method also determines an amount of force applied between the deformable membrane and the object is determined based on the deformation region of the deformable membrane.

Systems for force measurement upon orthodontic appliances are described. Generally, a system for measuring a force or moment imparted by an orthodontic appliance may comprise a dentition mold having one or more target teeth each formed upon a fixture and which is movable independently of the dentition mold, a measurement sensor coupled to the fixture, and a processor in communication with the measurement sensor. An orthodontic appliance may be configured for placement upon the dentition mold where the orthodontic appliance imparts a force or moment upon the one or more target teeth such that the force or moment is transmitted to the measurement sensor via the fixture for measurement of the force or moment.

A system for calibrating a deformable sensor is provided. The system includes a deformable sensor including a housing, a deformable membrane coupled to an upper portion of the housing, and an enclosure defined by the housing and the deformable member; an imaging sensor configured to capture an image of the deformable membrane of the deformable sensor; and a controller. The enclosure is configured to be filled with a medium. The controller is configured to: receive the image of the deformable membrane of the deformable sensor; determine whether a contour of the deformable membrane in the image of the deformable membrane of the deformable sensor corresponds to a predetermined contour; and adjust a volume of the medium in the enclosure of the deformable sensor in response to the determination that the contour of the deformable membrane is different from the predetermined contour.

The invention relates to a method and system for calibrating a control device, in particular an inverter control device, of an electric motor, comprising operating the electric motor as part of a force flow; performing a force measurement by means of piezo elements which are arranged in the force flow in such a way that the force flow is applied, in particular exclusively, to the piezo elements; and adapting a control characteristic the control device on the basis of at least one force component derived from the force measurement, in particular a change in the at least one force component and/or at least one torque component derived from the force measurement, in particular a change in the torque component.

A collision detecting apparatus for a vehicle includes a bumper acceleration sensor, a floor acceleration sensor, a pressure sensor, and a processor including a vehicle collision determining unit and a threshold variably controlling unit. The vehicle collision determining unit is configured to determine a state of collision of the vehicle by comparing a detection value of the pressure sensor with a first threshold, and comparing a detection value of the bumper acceleration sensor with a second threshold when the detection value of the pressure sensor is greater than the first threshold. The threshold variably controlling unit is configured to change a threshold of the floor acceleration sensor from a third threshold to a fourth threshold in a case where: the detection value of the pressure sensor is greater than the first threshold; and the detection value of the bumper acceleration sensor is equal to or less than the second threshold.

A system including a self-adjusting chair is provided. The system includes a chair that is configured to be adjustable to an occupant. The system also includes a plurality of sensors, wherein each sensor of the plurality of sensors is configured to measure a characteristic of the occupant and to transmit a signal that indicates the characteristic of the occupant. In addition, the system includes a plurality of actuators, wherein each actuator of the plurality of actuators is configured to adjust a property of the chair. Further, the system includes a controller that is configured to receive at least one signal from at least one sensor of the plurality of sensors and to instruct at least one actuator of the plurality of actuators to adjust at least one property of the chair based on at least one characteristic of the occupant.

A system including a self-adjusting chair is provided. The system includes a chair that is configured to be adjustable to an occupant. The system also includes a plurality of sensors, wherein each sensor of the plurality of sensors is configured to measure a characteristic of the occupant and to transmit a signal that indicates the characteristic of the occupant. In addition, the system includes a plurality of actuators, wherein each actuator of the plurality of actuators is configured to adjust a property of the chair. Further, the system includes a controller that is configured to receive at least one signal from at least one sensor of the plurality of sensors and to instruct at least one actuator of the plurality of actuators to adjust at least one property of the chair based on at least one characteristic of the occupant.

Hybrid terrain-adaptive lower-extremity apparatus and methods that perform in a variety of different situations by detecting the terrain that is being traversed, and adapting to the detected terrain. In some embodiments, the ability to control the apparatus for each of these situations builds upon five basic capabilities: (1) determining the activity being performed; (2) dynamically controlling the characteristics of the apparatus based on the activity that is being performed; (3) dynamically driving the apparatus based on the activity that is being performed; (4) determining terrain texture irregularities (e.g., how sticky is the terrain, how slippery is the terrain, is the terrain coarse or smooth, does the terrain have any obstructions, such as rocks) and (5) a mechanical design of the apparatus that can respond to the dynamic control and dynamic drive.