A mobile apparatus for carrying and weighing a load includes a mobile frame supported by a plurality of wheels. At least one container is supported on the mobile frame for carrying a load. A plurality of sensor assemblies are coupled between the frame and the container, the sensor assemblies resistive to a weight force exerted by the container towards the frame in a generally vertical sensing direction for sensing a weight of the load, and the sensor assemblies non-resistive to error forces exerted generally orthogonally to the sensing direction for filtering out the error forces from the sensed weight. A stabilizing assembly is coupled between the container and the frame, the stabilizing assembly freely accommodating transfer of the force exerted by the container towards the frame in the sensing direction, and simultaneously inhibiting shifting of the container relative to the frame in one or more shifting directions perpendicular to the sensing direction.

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.

Systems and methods related to multiple degree of freedom force sensors are disclosed. One aspect of the disclosure provides a load sensor. The load sensor comprises a first plate and a second plate, a plurality of single-axis load cells including first, second, and third single-axis load cells, wherein each of the first, second, and third single-axis load cells is disposed between the first plate and the second plate and is oriented along a first axis, and a plurality of constraint joints coupled to the first plate and the second plate, the plurality of constraint joints configured to inhibit translation of the first plate relative to the second plate in directions perpendicular to the first axis and configured to inhibit rotation of the first plate relative to the second plate about the first axis.

Systems and methods related to multiple degree of freedom force sensors are disclosed. One aspect of the disclosure provides a load sensor. The load sensor comprises a first plate and a second plate, a plurality of single-axis load cells including first, second, and third single-axis load cells, wherein each of the first, second, and third single-axis load cells is disposed between the first plate and the second plate and is oriented along a first axis, and a plurality of constraint joints coupled to the first plate and the second plate, the plurality of constraint joints configured to inhibit translation of the first plate relative to the second plate in directions perpendicular to the first axis and configured to inhibit rotation of the first plate relative to the second plate about the first axis.

Aweigh module with a load-receiving portion, a fixing portion, and a parallel guide portion also has a lever system with a first lever and a second lever. An additional portion of the load-receiving portion extends towards the fixing portion. An extension of the fixing portion extends towards the load-receiving portion. A first end of the first lever is connected by joints to the additional portion and the extension portion. A first end of the second lever is connected by joints to the second end of the first lever and to the extension portion. All joints are of a thin sheet structure. The second end of the second lever is configured for connection to a magnetic system. The weigh module is manufactured integrally. The use of the structure according to the present invention can meet design requirements of large range and small size of sensors.

Aweigh module with a load-receiving portion, a fixing portion, and a parallel guide portion also has a lever system with a first lever and a second lever. An additional portion of the load-receiving portion extends towards the fixing portion. An extension of the fixing portion extends towards the load-receiving portion. A first end of the first lever is connected by joints to the additional portion and the extension portion. A first end of the second lever is connected by joints to the second end of the first lever and to the extension portion. All joints are of a thin sheet structure. The second end of the second lever is configured for connection to a magnetic system. The weigh module is manufactured integrally. The use of the structure according to the present invention can meet design requirements of large range and small size of sensors.

Systems and methods related to multiple degree of freedom force sensors are disclosed. One aspect of the disclosure provides a load sensor. The load sensor comprises a first plate and a second plate, a plurality of single-axis load cells including first, second, and third single-axis load cells, wherein each of the first, second, and third single-axis load cells is disposed between the first plate and the second plate and is oriented along a first axis, and a plurality of constraint joints coupled to the first plate and the second plate, the plurality of constraint joints configured to inhibit translation of the first plate relative to the second plate in directions perpendicular to the first axis and configured to inhibit rotation of the first plate relative to the second plate about the first axis.

Various embodiments are directed to methods and apparatuses for determining a weight of one or more objects disposed about an area of the weight measurement device using a single force sensor to accurately measure a force generated by the one or more objects. In various embodiments, the apparatus comprises a housing, a receiving tray, a lever assembly configured to receive a weight force from the receiving tray and generate a collective lever force corresponding to the weight force, the lever assembly comprising a plurality of levers, wherein each lever of the plurality of levers being at least substantially fixed to the housing at a first lever location and configured to receive a partial weight force from the receiving tray at a second lever location, and a force sensor configured to define a fulcrum point along each of the plurality of levers.

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.

The present invention relates to an electronic balance with a windshield having a door to be automatically smoothly opened and closed. Provided is an electronic balance including a balance main body including a weighing mechanism connected to a weighing pan, a windshield configured to form a weighing chamber by covering the weighing pan, slidable doors provided in the windshield and constituting portions of the weighing chamber, holders configured to support the doors from upper portions in a hanging manner, guide members configured to engage with the holders and slidably support the holders, and air cylinders connected to the holders and configured to slide the door through the holders. The holders supporting the doors in a hanging manner are directly moved by the air cylinders, so that the doors can be smoothly opened and closed.