A resonant sensor comprises a proof body subjected to a torque of forces produced by an external mechanical structure, the body comprising: a first and a second interface that can each come into contact with the structure; at least two sensitive zones arranged between these two interfaces; a sensitive zone formed by a plate embedded in a frame secured mechanically to the interfaces, the plate able to resonate under the effect of local mechanical excitations produced at particular points by excitation transducers bearing the plate at several resonant frequencies, sensors picking up the resonant signals produced at the particular points, measurement means measuring the resonant frequency shifts of signals which are linear combinations of the resonant signals picked up, the shifts being a function of mechanical stresses induced by the forces and transmitted to the plate by the frame, the components of the torque of forces being determined from the resonant frequency shifts measured on the plates of the sensitive zones.

A tool received in a tool holding fixture of a tool holder includes a tool shank defining a recess and a force sensor arranged in the recess. During operation of the tool, the force sensor measures a tool force exerted by the tool shank onto the tool holder. A method for measuring a tool force by using the tool includes the steps of: arranging the force sensor between the tool shank and the tool holding fixture; clamping the force sensor by means of a clamping device of the tool holding fixture; operating the tool; and using the force sensor to measure the tool force exerted by the tool shank onto the tool holder.

A force detecting device includes a first base section, a second base section, and a charge output element arranged between the first base section and the second base section. The charge output element includes a first board formed by a Y-cut quartz plate and a second board formed by a Y-cut quartz plate. The boards are laminated in a direction orthogonal to the normal an attachment surface of the second base section. The force detecting device detects an external force on the basis of a first output corresponding to a shearing force in a first detection direction orthogonal to the laminating direction of the first board and a second output corresponding to a shearing force in a second detection direction orthogonal to the laminating direction of the second board and crossing the first detection direction.

A force detection apparatus includes a first member, a second member, and a third member, the second member and the first member sandwich a plurality of piezoelectric elements (in a narrow sense, a first piezoelectric element and a second piezoelectric element), and the third member and the first member sandwich a plurality of piezoelectric elements (in a narrow sense, a third piezoelectric element and a fourth piezoelectric element) different from the plurality of piezoelectric elements sandwiched by the second member and the first member.

A piezoelectric sensor, comprising at least one first electrode, at least one second electrode, and a piezoelectric material, wherein the piezoelectric material has an anisotropic electromechanical coupling and the at least one first and second electrodes are at least in part embedded in the piezoelectric material, the piezoelectric material having a first surface wherein the electrodes extend vertically within the piezoelectric material from the first surface.

A piezoelectric sensor, comprising at least one first electrode, at least one second electrode, and a piezoelectric material, wherein the piezoelectric material has an anisotropic electromechanical coupling and the at least one first and second electrodes are at least in part embedded in the piezoelectric material, the piezoelectric material having a first surface wherein the electrodes extend vertically within the piezoelectric material from the first surface.

A force sensing system for determining if a user input has occurred, the system comprising: an input channel, to receive an input from at least one force sensor; an activity detection stage, to monitor an activity level of the input from the at least one force sensor and, responsive to an activity level which may be indicative of a user input being reached, to generate an indication that an activity has occurred at the force sensor; and an event detection stage to receive said indication, and to determine if a user input has occurred based on the received input from the at least one force sensor.

A measurement transducer for simultaneously measuring a force that can be both dynamic and static includes at least one piezoelectric transducer element having element surfaces on which the force generates electrical polarization charges proportional to a magnitude of the force. The measurement transducer includes a resonator element which can be excited to at least one resonance frequency and undergoes a transverse expansion from the action of the force in a transverse direction to the force. The magnitude of the transverse expansion is proportional to the magnitude of the force and causes in the resonance frequency a change that is a function of the force.

A measurement transducer for simultaneously measuring a force that can be both dynamic and static includes at least one piezoelectric transducer element having element surfaces on which the force generates electrical polarization charges proportional to a magnitude of the force. The measurement transducer includes a resonator element which can be excited to at least one resonance frequency and undergoes a transverse expansion from the action of the force in a transverse direction to the force. The magnitude of the transverse expansion is proportional to the magnitude of the force and causes in the resonance frequency a change that is a function of the force.

A force measurement assembly is disclosed herein. The force measurement assembly includes a top component, the top component having a top surface for receiving at least one portion of the body of the subject; a single force transducer supporting the top component, the single force transducer configured to sense one or more measured quantities and output one or more signals that are representative of forces and/or moments being applied to the top surface of the top component by the subject; and a base component disposed underneath the single force transducer, the base component configured to be disposed on a support surface.