A force transducer is disclosed, which is arranged in such a way that, when a force is applied to the force transducer, two output signals from the force transducer are generated, which output signals are representative of the force components in a first plane and in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane, respectively, whereas force components in a third plane perpendicular to the first plane and the second plane do not affect the output signals from the force transducer. Furthermore, a measuring device is disclosed, comprising a handle comprising such a force transducer and a base unit, to which the handle is attached. Even further, a system for measuring muscle stiffness is disclosed, comprising a measuring unit and a processing unit, the measuring unit comprising such a measuring device.

A method and an apparatus for generating a horn actuation signal. A load cell is placed inside a steering wheel, which changes its resistance when being stressed or deformed by a force transmitting part of the steering wheel. An actual voltage (V.sub.a) depending on the resistance of the load cell is measured and the horn actuation signal is generated based on the measurement of the actual voltage (V.sub.a). The actual voltage (V.sub.a) depends additionally to the resistance of the load cell and on an adjustable voltage (V.sub.ad) generated by an adjustable voltage generation unit. Additionally, the result of the measurement of the actual voltage (V.sub.a) is permanently compared to a defined value, and the adjustable voltage (V.sub.ad) is adjusted in response to the difference between the result of the measurement of the actual voltage (V.sub.a) and the defined value at least as long as no horn actuation signal is generated, such that closed circuit for controlling the actual voltage (V.sub.a) is provided.

An accelerometer is included within the confined space and limited volume of a distal portion of a surgical instrument. The surgical instrument includes an end component, a joint coupled to the end component, a shaft coupled to the joint, and a force transducer and accelerometer apparatus. The force transducer and accelerometer apparatus is coupled between the joint and the shaft. The force transducer and accelerometer apparatus includes a force sensor and an accelerometer. The accelerometer includes an optic fiber having a Fiber Bragg Grating. Information acquired from the Fiber Bragg Grating is used to drive a vibro-tactile haptic feedback output device coupled to a master control arm surgeon grip.

An accelerometer is included within the confined space and limited volume of a distal portion of a surgical instrument. The surgical instrument includes an end component, a joint coupled to the end component, a shaft coupled to the joint, and a force transducer and accelerometer apparatus. The force transducer and accelerometer apparatus is coupled between the joint and the shaft. The force transducer and accelerometer apparatus includes a force sensor and an accelerometer. The accelerometer includes an optic fiber having a Fiber Bragg Grating. Information acquired from the Fiber Bragg Grating is used to drive a vibro-tactile haptic feedback output device coupled to a master control arm surgeon grip.

A force sensor device 1, which is to be coupled to a first coupling counterpart 61 in a direction of a predetermined axis, includes: a sensor chip 110 that detects a moment around the predetermined axis; and a first coupling portion 40 including a first contact face 44, where the first contact face 44 is to face the first coupling counterpart 61 in the direction of the predetermined axis and is to contact the first coupling counterpart 61. An arithmetic average surface roughness Sa of the first contact face 44 is 3.0 or higher.

A transducer switch includes a housing, a pushbutton switch near the rear of the housing, an input shaft extending from the front of the housing such that an input force can be applied to the input shaft, a positioning spring adapted and configured to resist movement of the input shaft and bias the input shaft towards alignment with the central axis, and a plurality of strain gauges positioned on a sensing portion of the input shaft. The plurality of strain gauges are adapted and configured to measure tension and compression on at least two sides of the input shaft, the two sides separated by approximately ninety degrees.

Systems, devices, and methods for monitoring the health of a mechanical system that includes a rotating shaft as disclosed can measure various parameters of the rotating shaft to assess health and performance of the mechanical system. A measuring device can rotate with the rotating shaft and can allow for strain to be measured in tension, which can provide for accurate rotating shaft parameter measurements with low cost and simple installation. The measuring device can include a connector that can couple to the rotating shaft, a bridge that can couple to the connector, and a strain-measuring sensor associated with the bridge such that the strain sensor can measure deformation of a portion of the bridge that can deform with rotation of the rotating shaft. The measuring device can be designed to amplify the strain experienced by the rotating shaft which can reduce noise in the strain measurement.

An accelerometer is included within the confined space and limited volume of a distal portion of a surgical instrument. The surgical instrument includes an end component, a joint coupled to the end component, a shaft coupled to the joint, and a force transducer and accelerometer apparatus. The force transducer and accelerometer apparatus is coupled between the joint and the shaft. The force transducer and accelerometer apparatus includes a force sensor and an accelerometer. The accelerometer includes an optic fiber having a Fiber Bragg Grating. Information acquired from the Fiber Bragg Grating is used to drive a vibrotactile haptic feedback output device coupled to a master control arm surgeon grip.

A transducer switch includes a housing, a pushbutton switch near the rear of the housing, an input shaft extending from the front of the housing such that an input force can be applied to the input shaft, a positioning spring adapted and configured to resist movement of the input shaft and bias the input shaft towards alignment with the central axis, and a plurality of strain gauges positioned on a sensing portion of the input shaft. The plurality of strain gauges are adapted and configured to measure tension and compression on at least two sides of the input shaft, the two sides separated by approximately ninety degrees.

An accelerometer is included within the confined space and limited volume of a distal portion of a surgical instrument. The surgical instrument includes an end component, a joint coupled to the end component, a shaft coupled to the joint, and a force transducer and accelerometer apparatus. The force transducer and accelerometer apparatus is coupled between the joint and the shaft. The force transducer and accelerometer apparatus includes a force sensor and an accelerometer. The accelerometer includes an optic fiber having a Fiber Bragg Grating. Information acquired from the Fiber Bragg Grating is used to drive a vibro-tactile haptic feedback output device coupled to a master control arm surgeon grip.