A transducer assembly includes a ring wall, a first arm, a second arm, a magnet, and a Hall effect sensor. The ring wall defines a bore. The first and second arms are disposed within the bore and include first and second proximal and distal ends, respectively. The first and second proximal ends are coupled to and extend from first and second interior locations of the ring wall, respectively. The second interior location is spaced from the first interior location. The magnet is disposed within the bore and is fixedly coupled to the first arm. The Hall effect sensor is disposed within the bore and is fixedly coupled to the second arm. The Hall effect sensor is spaced from the magnet and is configured to detect movement of the magnet resulting from compression of the ring wall. Methods are also provided.

A multi-axis force and torque sensor and a robot are provided. The sensor includes a first supporting element, a second supporting element, a deformable component connected between the first supporting element and the second supporting element, and multiple signal pairs. The deformable component is configured to deflect in response to applied external force and torque in multiple directions. Each of the multiple signal pairs includes a magnet and a hall effect detector. The magnet is mounted on one of the first supporting element and the second supporting element, and the hall effect detector is mounted on the other. The hall effect detector is located corresponding to the respective magnet. One or more magnetization directions of the magnets of the signal pairs are different such that the signal pairs are capable of measuring force and torque applied on the first supporting element and the second supporting element in different directions.

A soft sensor arrangement for measuring a force includes a sensor, a deformable element deformable by the force, and an element for reacting with the sensor for measuring the force by a deformation of the deformable element. The deformable element extends at least partially between the sensor and the element.

The sensor detects a proximity situation and applied external force in the same installation area while minimizing elements and boards included in a sensor. A proximity and tactile sensor 10 includes a body unit 11 to be attached to a detection target portion and a detection unit 12 configured to obtain approaching distance of an object to the body unit 11 and magnitude of external force. The body unit 11 includes an electrode 14 formed by a rigid body with conductivity, a magnetic body 15 integrally attached to the electrode 14, a foam 16 disposed outside the electrode 14 and magnetic body 15 and composed of an elastic body, and a magnetic sensor 17 configured to detect change in magnetic field from the magnetic body 15. The detection unit 12 includes a proximity sensing unit 22 and an external force sensing unit 23.

To present different force senses depending on visually-recognizable patterns by using magnetic bodies which are preliminarily magnetized. A force sense presenting object includes: a base object that includes a first surface, which is preliminarily magnetized with a first texture including an S-pole region and an N-pole region; a first sheet that is provided with a first pattern, which is visually recognizable, and is layered on the first surface side of the base object; a second sheet that is provided with a second pattern, which is visually recognizable and is different from the first pattern, and is layered on the first surface side of the base object; a first contact object that includes a second surface which is preliminarily magnetized with a second texture including an S-pole region and an N-pole region; and a second contact object that includes a third surface which is preliminarily magnetized with a third texture which includes an S-pole region and an N-pole region and is different from the second texture.

A force sensor is suitable for an electrohydraulic hitch control system of an agricultural tractor. The force sensor has an outer cylindrical part with a bore and a measuring rod fixed on one side in the bore. A central section of the cylindrical part is provided as force introduction section. Two outer sections of the cylinder part are removed equally far axially from the center of the force introduction section and are provided as abutment sections. The measuring rod is clamped in an area of the force introduction section.

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.

The present disclosure describes sensor devices that can be readily integrated with prosthetic devices to provide sensing of force and torque applied to the prosthetic device during use. The sensor device includes an adaptor section that readily connects to standard prosthetic components and a base section. The base section has a deflectable portion and a fixed portion. Cantilevers in the deflectable portion house magnets and corresponding Hall effect sensors are housed in the fixed portion. When axial and/or torsional forces are applied, the cantilevers deflect relative to the fixed section and the Hall effect sensors provide a corresponding output that correlates to the axial and/or torsional forces applied.

Provided are a handle assembly for a cart having a power assist function, and a cart in which the power assist function enables a user to easily move the cart by detecting a direction, in which a force of the user is applied, to assist power in the relevant direction. According to the handle assembly and the cart, the user can easily move the cart by detecting the direction, in which the force of the user is applied, to provide auxiliary power (a power assist function) in the relevant direction, thereby improving convenience of the user.

A touch panel device includes a face plate, a bracket, and a PCB. The face plate receives a contact. The bracket includes a permanent magnet affixed to a surface of the bracket. The PCB is positioned proximate to the bracket such that a surface of the PCB is adjacent to the bracket. The PCB includes a Hall sensor collocated proximate to the permanent magnet. The touch panel circuit is coupled to the Hall sensor. When the contact is received at the face plate, the PCB moves closer to the bracket. In response, the touch panel circuit receives a voltage from the Hall sensor, determines a force associated with the contact based upon the voltage, and triggers a haptic feedback response in the bracket.