G01L1/2237

TEMPERATURE-COMPENSATED STRAIN GAUGE MEASUREMENTS
20210033481 · 2021-02-04 ·

A device for measuring a strain of an object independently of temperature variations includes: at least one strain gauge that is attachable directly or indirectly to the object whose strain is to be measured; a first temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the at least one strain gauge; read-out electronics for measuring a change of electrical resistance of the at least one strain gauge as a measured electrical resistance change, the read-out electronics including at least one fixed resistor whose value is relied upon when obtaining a value of the change of electrical resistance of the strain gauge as a result of the measurement, the read-out electronics being such that a temperature of the at least one fixed resistor is known and/or obtainable by measurement; and an evaluation unit for: correcting the measured electrical resistance change, and/or a strain of the strain gauge and/or the strain of the object.

SENSOR ASSEMBLIES WITH INTEGRATED FEATURES
20200340868 · 2020-10-29 · ·

Sensor assemblies comprise a sensor die including a first member and a second member. The first member comprises a diaphragm extending between opposed surfaces of the first member. A number of electrical sensing elements are disposed within the first member and positioned adjacent the diaphragm along a first member surface. The second member is attached with the first member along surface comprising the electrical sensing elements. The second member has a recessed section forming cavity with the first member to accommodate deflection of the diaphragm. The first member includes an actuation element that extends outwardly from a surface and that is positioned directly on the diaphragm. The sensor assembly includes metallic connectors and contacts for facilitating connection between the electrical sensing elements and an outer surface of the sensor die to provide a surface mount electrical connection of the sensor assembly.

Power vector sensor device and bicycle having the same
10788383 · 2020-09-29 · ·

A bicycle (10) includes a frame (25) having a bottom bracket (40), a crankset (35) attached to the bottom bracket (40), a pedal (50) coupled to the crankset (35) and operable to propel the bicycle (10) in response to a force acting on the pedal (50). The bicycle further includes a first bicycle component acted upon by the pedal (50) in response to the force, a second bicycle component coupled and responsive to the first bicycle component, and a power vector sensor (85) coupled to and positioned between the first bicycle component and the second bicycle component, and the power vector sensor (85) includes a sensor element (100) to sense a force transferred from the first bicycle component to the second bicycle component and indicative of the force acting on the pedal (50).

LOAD CELLS IN AN INSTRUMENT DRIVE

A drive unit for providing drive from a robot arm to an instrument comprises a plurality of drive elements for engaging corresponding elements of the instrument, and a load cell structure. Each drive element is movable along a drive axis and the drive axes of each of the drive elements are substantially parallel to each other. The load cell structure includes a plurality of deflectable bodies coupled to the drive elements for sensing load on the drive elements parallel to their drive axes, and a frame. The frame includes an integral member supporting the deflectable bodies in such a way as to isolate each deflectable body from the load applied to the or each other deflectable body.

Force measurement system for exercise equipment
10732058 · 2020-08-04 · ·

A force measuring system for exercise equipment provided for using in an exercise equipment, the system includes a measured body, a force sensor, a circuit board; a Wheatstone bridge, a data transmission module and a power module disposed on the circuit board; and a receiving device. The power module provides a working power supply. The measured body is connected to the exercise equipment. The force sensor is disposed on the measured body, and the resistance value thereof changes along with a deformation amount of the measured body. The Wheatstone bridge is electrically connected to the force sensor to output a measurement signal. The data transmission module transmits a force taken information to the receiving device, wherein the force taken information is obtained according to the measurement signal.

Load cells in an instrument drive

A drive unit for providing drive from a robot arm to an instrument, the drive unit comprising: a plurality of drive elements for engaging corresponding elements of the instrument, each drive element being movable along a drive axis and the drive axes of each of the drive elements being substantially parallel to each other; and a load cell structure comprising a plurality of deflectable bodies coupled to the drive elements for sensing load on the drive elements parallel to their drive axes, and a frame comprising an integral member supporting the deflectable bodies in such a way as to isolate each deflectable body from load applied to the or each other deflectable body.

PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETER SENSING SYSTEMS AND METHODS

An apparatus 100 for sensing a physiological parameter of a subject comprises a force sensor 102 configured to generate a first signal representing force displacement of an organ of the subject and a displacement sensor 104 associated with the force sensor 102. The displacement sensor 104 is configured to generate a second signal representing displacement velocity of the organ of the subject. A coupler 106 is arranged on one of the force sensor 102 and the displacement sensor 104, the coupler 106 being configured to mechanically couple the force sensor 102 and the displacement sensor 104 with the organ.

STRAIN BODY AND FORCE SENSOR PROVIDED WITH THE STRAIN BODY

A strain body according to the embodiment includes a central portion, an outer peripheral portion surrounding the central portion, connecting portions connecting the central portion and the outer peripheral portion, first and second strain sensors provided on main surfaces of the connecting portions, reference resistors provided on a main surface of the central portion, and constructing a bridge circuit with the first strain sensors, and a full bridge circuit which is provided on the main surfaces of the connecting portions and in which a pair of the serially connected second strain sensors are connected in parallel.

STRAIN BODY AND FORCE SENSOR PROVIDED WITH THE STRAIN BODY

A strain body according to the embodiments includes a central portion, an outer peripheral portion, connecting portions each includes a first connecting portion adjacent to the outer peripheral portion and a second connecting portion adjacent to the central portion, strain sensors provided on main surfaces of the connecting portions, reference resistors provided on a main surface of the central portion, and a strain increasing portion configured to increase strain occurring at the first connecting portion more than strain occurring at the second connecting portion, on a back surface side opposed to the main surface of the first connecting portion.

Force Sensing Device and Force Sensor

A force sensing device comprises a top cover, a base, and an elastic body arranged therebetween. The cover includes a sphere and a peripheral edge. The base includes a cylindrical body and a flange for fixing to a housing of a force sensor. An installation hole is formed in the cylindrical body for receiving the sphere. The sphere is rotatable within the hole such that the cover is rotatable relative to the base to a predetermined tilt position when subjected to an off-axis overload. When no load is applied to the cover, the peripheral edge of the cover and the flange of the base are separated by a distance to allow the cover to be moved relative to the base. When the cover is rotated to the predetermined tilt position, the peripheral edge of the cover leans against the flange of the base.