A magneto-elastically-based active force sensor, used with a tow coupling between a towed and a towing vehicle or a coupling between a vehicle body and a suspension of the vehicle, which outputs a signal useful for determining forces acting on the coupling. The outputted force information may be provided by processor-enabled embedded software algorithms that take inputs from the force sensor and other sensors, may be used by one or more vehicle systems during operating of the vehicle, such as engine, braking, stability, safety, and informational systems. The force sensor includes directionally-sensitive magnetic field sensing elements inside the sensor, and shielding may be used around the sensors to reduce the influence of external magnetic fields on the sensing elements. The force sensor may be used with different tow and vehicle weight sensing coupling devices installed on different types of automobile cars and trucks.

A sensor system for determining extension or tension in a seat belt of a seat-belt system in which the belt extends from and can be wound up on a retractor. The system has an electrical conductor extending longitudinally along the belt, a retractor for paying out and winding up the belt and the conductor thereon, and n electrode juxtaposed with the retractor. A controller connected to the conductor applies an electrical voltage to the conductor and is also connected to the electrode for detecting the voltage in the conductor.

A sensor system for determining extension or tension in a seat belt of a seat-belt system in which the belt extends from and can be wound up on a retractor. The system has an electrical conductor extending longitudinally along the belt, a retractor for paying out and winding up the belt and the conductor thereon, and n electrode juxtaposed with the retractor. A controller connected to the conductor applies an electrical voltage to the conductor and is also connected to the electrode for detecting the voltage in the conductor.

An integrated intelligent cable module for use in a tensile fiber strength member. The module preferably includes an integral instrument package. The instrument package may assume many forms and may serve many purposes. The module preferably includes load-monitoring, recording features, and display features. These features act as a black box for the tensile fiber strength member, monitoring its performance and reporting (in real-time or at a later time) any exceedances or any deterioration in performance or structural integrity. These features allow an operator to easily monitor the condition of a tensile fiber strength memberpreferably while the tensile fiber strength member remains in service.

An integrated intelligent cable module for use in a tensile fiber strength member. The module preferably includes an integral instrument package. The instrument package may assume many forms and may serve many purposes. The module preferably includes load-monitoring, recording features, and display features. These features act as a black box for the tensile fiber strength member, monitoring its performance and reporting (in real-time or at a later time) any exceedances or any deterioration in performance or structural integrity. These features allow an operator to easily monitor the condition of a tensile fiber strength memberpreferably while the tensile fiber strength member remains in service.

A ball mount for measuring tongue weight of a trailer is disclosed. The ball mount can comprise a ball portion for interfacing with a ball configured to couple with a tongue of a trailer, a hitch portion for interfacing with a hitch receiver associated with a vehicle, and a load measurement device associated with the hitch portion. The hitch portion can be configured to pivot relative to the hitch receiver about a fulcrum in response to a downward force on the ball, with the hitch receiver resisting rotation of the hitch portion about the fulcrum thereby inducing a load on the hitch portion. The load measurement device can be configured to determine a magnitude of the downward force on the ball based on the load on the hitch portion.

A ball mount for measuring tongue weight of a trailer is disclosed. The ball mount can comprise a ball portion for interfacing with a ball configured to couple with a tongue of a trailer, a hitch portion for interfacing with a hitch receiver associated with a vehicle, and a load measurement device associated with the hitch portion. The hitch portion can be configured to pivot relative to the hitch receiver about a fulcrum in response to a downward force on the ball, with the hitch receiver resisting rotation of the hitch portion about the fulcrum thereby inducing a load on the hitch portion. The load measurement device can be configured to determine a magnitude of the downward force on the ball based on the load on the hitch portion.

A device and method are disclosed for sensing the tension of a securing member and generating a signal indicative of a loose securing member when the tension of the securing member drops below a threshold level. The device can further include features for detection of tampering with either the device itself or the tensioning members.

A device and method are disclosed for sensing the tension of a securing member and generating a signal indicative of a loose securing member when the tension of the securing member drops below a threshold level. The device can further include features for detection of tampering with either the device itself or the tensioning members.

A sensor system for determining extension or tension in a seat belt of a seat-belt system in which the belt extends from and can be wound up on a retractor. The system has an electrical conductor extending longitudinally along the belt, a retractor for paying out and winding up the belt and the conductor thereon, and n electrode juxtaposed with the retractor. A controller connected to the conductor applies an electrical voltage to the conductor and is also connected to the electrode for detecting the voltage in the conductor.