A photovoltaic (PV) panel mounting system for a vehicle includes: a PV panel movably mounted on a vehicle panel; a first electrode electrically connected to the PV panel; a second electrode attached to the vehicle panel and electrically connected to the first electrode; and a damping mechanism elastically supporting the PV panel with respect to the vehicle panel. The damping mechanism allows the PV panel to move between a first position and a second position. The first position refers to a position in which an outer surface of the PV panel is flush with an outer surface of the vehicle panel and the second position refers to a position in which the outer surface of the PV panel is recessed from the outer surface of the vehicle panel.

Provided is a load measuring device and a load measuring method, capable of preventing a measuring error caused by an initial load in a state where an elastic member is held by a pair of holding parts when a load of the elastic member at the time of stretching is measured. A pair of holding parts 5, 7 are caused to approach or space away with respect to each other relatively to an initial position at which the pair of the holding parts hold a close contact spring S, thereby making an initial load measured at the initial position zero, the pair of holding parts 5, 7 are caused to space away with respect to each other from a starting position being a position at which the initial load becomes zero, and a load at a time of stretching is caused to be measured.

A photovoltaic (PV) panel mounting system for a vehicle includes: a PV panel movably mounted on a vehicle panel; a first electrode electrically connected to the PV panel; a second electrode attached to the vehicle panel and electrically connected to the first electrode; and a damping mechanism elastically supporting the PV panel with respect to the vehicle panel. The damping mechanism allows the PV panel to move between a first position and a second position. The first position refers to a position in which an outer surface of the PV panel is flush with an outer surface of the vehicle panel and the second position refers to a position in which the outer surface of the PV panel is recessed from the outer surface of the vehicle panel.

Provided is a load measuring device and a load measuring method, capable of preventing a measuring error caused by an initial load in a state where an elastic member is held by a pair of holding parts when a load of the elastic member at the time of stretching is measured. A pair of holding parts 5, 7 are caused to approach or space away with respect to each other relatively to an initial position at which the pair of the holding parts hold a close contact spring S, thereby making an initial load measured at the initial position zero, the pair of holding parts 5, 7 are caused to space away with respect to each other from a starting position being a position at which the initial load becomes zero, and a load at a time of stretching is caused to be measured.

An inspection device for measuring micro spring tension. The inspection device includes a guideway and a linearly slidable plate slidably positioned within the guideway and having an elongated opening formed therethrough. The inspection device further includes a load cell fixed relative to the guideway and extending through the elongated opening of the linearly slidable plate. The micro spring is attached between a slide spring attachment fixed to the linearly slidable plate and a load cell spring attachment fixed to the load cell. Finally, the inspection device includes a linear measurement indicator shaft and one or more processors for outputting to a user interface or an external system a load associated with signals from the load cell and/or a distance associated with signals from the linear measurement indicator shaft.