Device and method for measuring a force component or torque component

• US 20040089068A1
• Filed: 12/16/2003
• Published: 05/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Haeussermann, Conrad, Munz, Michael, Stratmann, Andreas, Weiblen, Kurt, Wiest, Gerhard
• Granted Patent: US 6,837,117 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/321
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/4142 for controlling activation of safety devices, e.g. airbag systems electrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements in case of vehicle accidents B60R21/015
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 3/12 wherein the weighing element is in the form of a solid body stressed by pressure or tension during weighing

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for measuring a force component or torque component, in particular weight, the device having a deformation member and a separate measuring element (5) for measuring at least one force component, and an electronics unit (6) connected to the measuring element (5) for evaluating a measuring signal of the measuring element (5). The present invention also relates to a method for measuring with the aid of such a device.

The object of the present invention is to provide a device and a method for measuring a force component, where the force component may be measured in a simple, inexpensive, and reliable manner. This object is achieved in that the deformation member has a base part (3) and a tongue (2) that is movable with respect to it; that a gap (4) situated between the base part (3) and the tongue (2) is designed in such a manner, that the gap width is variable in response to introducing the force component onto the deformation member; and that the measuring element (5) converts the change in the gap width to a measuring signal.

Claims

1. A device for measuring a force component or torque component, in particular weight, the device having a deformation member and a separate measuring element (5) for measuring at least one force component, as well as an electronics unit (6) connected to the measuring element (5) for evaluating a measuring signal of the measuring element (5),

wherein the deformation member has a base part (3) and at least one tongue (2) movable with respect to the base part (3);

the base part (3) is designed in such a manner that a gap (4) is formed between the measuring element (5) and the tongue (2), the gap being formed in such a manner that the gap width is variable in response to the force component being introduced onto the deformation member; and

the measuring element (5) converting the change in the gap width into a measuring signal.

2. The device as recited in claim 1,

wherein the deformation member, and the measuring element (5) together with the electronics unit (6), are designed as separate modules.

3. The device as recited in claim 1 or 2,

wherein the measuring element (5), along with the electronics unit (6), are at least partially surrounded by the deformation member.

4. The device as recited in one of the preceding claims,

wherein the measuring element (5) is an integral part of the electronics unit (6).

5. The device as recited in one of the preceding claims,

wherein the deformation member is formed in one piece from the base part (3) and the tongue (2).

6. The device as recited in one of the preceding claims,

wherein the deformation member is made of metal, in particular steel or stainless steel.

7. The device as recited in one of the preceding claims,

wherein the measuring element (5) operates on a capacitive, inductive, piezoelectric, or magnetoelastic basis.

8. The device as recited in claim 7,

wherein the measuring element (5) takes the form of a capacitor, inductance coil, piezoelectric element, or Hall-effect element.

9. The apparatus as recited in one of the preceding claims,

wherein at least one guide device (7, 8) is provided, which limits the mobility of the tongue (2) in at least one direction.

10. The device as recited in claim 9,

wherein the guide device is made up of a bolt (7), which is connected to the base part (3) and positioned perpendicularly to the base part (3), and a passage (8), which is positioned or formed on the tongue (2), and through which the bolt (7) at least partially passes.

11. The device as recited in one of the preceding claims,

wherein a device is provided for limiting the movement of the tongue (2) in the direction of the measuring element (5) or in the direction away from the measuring element (5).

12. The device as recited in claim 11,

wherein the device for limiting the movement is provided on the deformation member, the base part (3), or the tongue (2).

13. The device as recited in one of the preceding claims,

wherein the gap width or the flexural stiffness of the tongue (2) is adjustable to the measuring range.

14. The device as recited in one of the preceding claims,

wherein two tongues (2) are positioned on a base part (3) in mirror symmetry to each other.

15. The device as recited in claim 14,

wherein the ends of the tongues (2) point in directions opposite to each other.

16. The device as recited in one of the preceding claims,

wherein force-introduction regions (42) are formed for introducing the force into the tongues (2) in a precise manner.

17. The device as recited in claim 16,

wherein the force-introduction regions (42) are positioned in mirror symmetry to each other.

18. The device as recited in claim 16 or 17,

wherein each force-introduction region (42) is assigned a measuring element (5).

19. A method for measuring a force component or torque component, in particular weight, using a device as recited in one of the preceding claims,

wherein the gap width between the tongue (2) and the measuring element (5) is changed by introducing the force component into the deformation member, and the measuring element (5) detects the change in the gap width and directs a measuring signal to the electronics unit (6) for further processing as a function of the change in the gap width.

20. The method as recited in claim 19, characterized by the determination of torques from the load, which acts on at least two tongues (2).

21. The method as recited in claim 20, characterized by the correction of the ascertained weight by arithmetic adjustment of the ascertained torque.

22. Use of the device as recited in one of claims 1 through 18 for detecting the seat occupancy and/or determining the occupant weight in a motor vehicle.