A sensing system comprises a mechanical component that is subject to an applied force. The mechanical component has an outer surface with bores. A concentrator is connected to the mechanical component via fasteners that pass through openings that align with the bores. The concentrator comprises a central neck portion with an elevated pedestal, a first extremity region extending outwardly away from the central neck portion and a second extremity region opposite the first extremity region. The second extremity region extends outwardly away from the central neck portion. A strain sensor is mounted on or coupled to the concentrator to transmit the applied force from the mechanical component via or through the concentrator to the mechanical component.

A device for measuring weight on board may include a sensor mounter coupled to a shackle, a first motor mounted to have a same rotation center as a first rotation center of the shackle being connected to the vehicle body, a second motor mounted to have a same rotation center as a second rotation center of the shackle being connected to an eye of the spring, a first angle sensor rotating by receiving torque of the first motor, and a second angle sensor rotating by receiving torque of the second motor, in which a rotation angle of the shackle about the first rotation center may be measured by the first angle sensor, and a rotation angle of the shackle about the second rotation center may be measured by the second angle sensor, and weight on board may be measured depending on variation of the rotation angle of the shackle.

A force sensor according to embodiments includes a light-emitting unit, a pair of first light detectors, a reflector, and a first frame. The light-emitting unit emits diffuse light. The first light detectors are arranged in a first direction with the light-emitting unit interposed therebetween. The reflector is arranged to face the light-emitting unit on an optical axis of the light-emitting unit and reflects the diffuse light emitted from the light-emitting unit toward the first light detectors. The first frame is deformed in the first direction so that a reflection range of the diffuse light reflected by the reflector is displaced in the first direction.

Nonlinear spring. In one embodiment, the spring includes two opposed curved surfaces curving away from one another. A flexible cantilever member is disposed between the two opposed curved surfaces and a mass is attached to a free end of the cantilever member wherein the flexible cantilever member wraps around one of the curved surfaces as the cantilever member deflects to form a nonlinear spring. Energy harvesting devices and a load cell are also disclosed.

A weight sensor may include a weighing platform and a load cell coupled to the platform to sense a weight applied to the platform, the load cell may include a deformable plate with one or more strain gauges arranged to provide an electrical signal representing the weight applied to the platform, and a base supporting the load cell, wherein the deformable plate is movably mounted to the base at only three contact points, the contact points allowing lateral movement of the plate when the plate deforms in response to a weight applied to the platform. The weight sensor makes it possible to monitor the weight and weight shifting of two people sharing the bed. The weight sensor is self-centering when a load is applied off-center to the platform, which is beneficial when used underneath a bed, e.g., under a bed leg or other support member which may not be aligned.

In a particular embodiment, a force sensor apparatus is disclosed that includes a sensor housing and a sensing assembly. In this particular embodiment, the sensing assembly includes a force-compliant element having a center portion and an outer portion; one or more sensing elements coupled to the center portion of the force-compliant element; and a flexible spring element having an outer diameter and a center portion. According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the flexible spring element curves from the outer diameter to the center portion of the flexible spring element and the center portion of the flexible spring element is aligned with the center portion of the force-compliant element. In this embodiment, the outer diameter is separated from a ledge of the outer portion of the force-compliant element by a space.

A device measures a force and/or torque with a deformation body. The device includes a first fastening element, a second fastening element arranged spaced apart in a direction from the first fastening element and at least one length element arranged between the two fastening elements. The device has and comprising a first end, a second end and a length along a longitudinal direction. A force acting on the deformation body or a torque acting on the deformation body leads to a deformation of the length element. An input-side input of a mechanical amplifier is fastened to the deformation body by means of a coupling element. A material measure is arranged on an output-side output of the mechanical amplifier and a deformation of the length element leads to a movement of the material measure. The movement of the material measure can be detected by a scanning element.