A magnetic sensing system 10 according to the present invention is provided with a sensing device 11 that generates an electrical signal according to the strength of a magnetic field that changes in response to the action of an external force, and a detection device 12 that detects a physical quantity associated with the action of the external force from a change in the magnetic field based on the electrical signal from the sensing device 11. The sensing device 11 includes magnetic field generation means 15 and 18 that generate a desired measurement magnetic field of different strengths from a site that is displaced by the action of the external force, and a magnetic field measurement means 19 that measures the strength of a surrounding magnetic field including the measurement magnetic field. The detection device 12 uses a relational expression stored in advance to specify, on the basis of fluctuations over time in the measurement magnetic field of different strengths, a magnetic interference amount corresponding to the strength of an interference magnetic field generated separately from the measurement magnetic field, and calculates the physical quantity by removing the influence of the magnetic interference amount.

Disclosed is a force sensor. More particularly, the force sensor includes a first permanent magnet layer; a magnetic tunnel junction disposed on the first permanent magnet layer and configured to have a preset resistance value; and a second permanent magnet layer disposed to be spaced apart from the magnetic tunnel junction, wherein the second permanent magnet layer moves in a direction of the first permanent magnet layer when pressure is applied from outside, the preset resistance value of the magnetic tunnel junction is changed when a magnetic field strength formed between the first permanent magnet layer and the second permanent magnet layer becomes a preset strength or more according to movement of the second permanent magnet layer, and the force sensor senses the pressure based on a change in the preset resistance value.

To provide a new force sense presenting technique utilizing illusion. A force sense presenting object includes: a first object that includes a first surface which is magnetized with a first texture including an S-pole region and an N-pole region; and a second object that includes a second surface which is magnetized with a second texture including an S-pole region and an N-pole region. An acting subject touches at least either one of the first object and the second object and performs an operation for changing a relative positional relation between the first surface and the second surface or/and an action for changing the relative positional relation between the first surface and the second surface while keeping the first surface and the second surface in contact with or close to each other, and thereby the acting subject perceives bumpiness.

A force sensor including: a first part including a detection coil; a second part positioned opposite the first part and including: a ferromagnetic plate translationally movable relative to the first part to move towards the first part when a force is transferred to the sensor and to reduce reluctance of a magnetic circuit formed by the first and second parts in series with a variable gap; and an electronic detection circuit configured to generate a signal dependent on the reluctance of the magnetic circuit. The ferromagnetic plate is formed by an amorphous metal alloy.

A force sensing module with vibration feedback is disclosed, comprising: a substrate, a frame and a plurality of magnetic sensors; the substrate is disposed with at least one tactile actuator, and the substrate has a touch operation surface and a mounting surface on opposite sides, the tactile actuator is mounted on the mounting surface; the frame is disposed with at least three buffer spacers, the buffer spacers connect the frame to the substrate; the magnetic sensor includes a magnet and a Hall element, one of the magnet and the Hall element is disposed on the frame, and the other is disposed on the substrate; thereby when a force is applied on the touch operation surface to make the substrate offset, the Hall element output a force signal due to the voltage change caused by approaching magnet, and the signal drives the tactile actuator to generate a vibration feedback.

A method for estimating the load of a tire supporting a vehicle includes providing the tire, in which the tire includes a pair of sidewalls extending to a circumferential tread, and the tread includes a plurality of tread blocks. A length of the tire footprint is indicated with a first time interval, and a full rotation of the tire is indicated with a second time interval. The first time interval may be indicated by peaks of an amplitude of a tire-based magnetic sensor signal, and the second time interval may be indicated by peaks of the amplitude of the tire-based magnetic sensor signal or by a linear speed of the vehicle. The load on the tire is determined from a ratio of the first time interval to the second time interval at an inflation pressure of the tire. A tire load estimation system is also provided.

An electric toothbrush (10) and method of operating an electric toothbrush. The electric toothbrush includes a handle portion (14) having a shaft (38) configured to receive a brushing load from a bristled end (18) of a brush head (12). A sensor assembly (30) is configured to determine a deflection proportional to the brushing load with respect to a first direction (24) associated with the brushing load. The sensor assembly includes an air gap (32) and is configured to determine the deflection based on changes in the air gap. A mounting bracket (50) is connected between opposite sides of the air gap, the mounting bracket having a first bending stiffness with respect to the first direction, and a second bending stiffness with respect to a second direction (28) generally opposite to the first direction. The first bending stiffness is greater than the second bending stiffness.

An electric toothbrush (10) and method of operating an electric toothbrush. The electric toothbrush includes a handle portion (14) having a shaft (38) configured to receive a brushing load from a bristled end (18) of a brush head (12). A sensor assembly (30) is configured to determine a deflection proportional to the brushing load with respect to a first direction (24) associated with the brushing load. The sensor assembly includes an air gap (32) and is configured to determine the deflection based on changes in the air gap. A mounting bracket (50) is connected between opposite sides of the air gap, the mounting bracket having a first bending stiffness with respect to the first direction, and a second bending stiffness with respect to a second direction (28) generally opposite to the first direction. The first bending stiffness is greater than the second bending stiffness.

A transducer assembly includes a mounting base, a collar, a magnet, and a Hall effect sensor. The collar defines a bore. One of the magnet and the Hall effect sensor is disposed within the bore and attached to the mounting base. The other of the magnet and the Hall effect sensor is attached to the collar. The Hall effect sensor is spaced from the magnet and is configured to detect movement of at least a portion of the collar relative to the mounting base.

A weight sensor comprises a sensing system including a target piece and a sensing element, configured to provide changes of a magnetic field, being generated by motion of the target piece. The sensing element senses these changes and provides a signal representative of the position of the target piece. An integrated circuit with processing means can process signals from the sensing element. The flexible piece receives a force stimulus, so that upon exerting a force on the flexible piece by a product due to the weight of said product, the displacement of the target piece with respect to sensing elements can be sensed.