MOUNT DEVICES AND METHODS FOR MEASURING FORCE
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A mount device comprising:
- an inner member and an outer member forming an annular chamber disposed therebetween, wherein the inner member and the outer member are concentrically arranged with respect to each other, and wherein the inner member is configured to attach to a vehicle;
at least one sensor disposed within the annular chamber and attached to at least one of the inner member and the outer member, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to measure force exerted on the mount device during use of a vehicle;
a sleeve configured to attach to a vehicle; and
an annular member disposed between the outer member and the sleeve, the annular member configured to provide support to the outer member with respect to the sleeve, wherein the annular member contacts the outer member along an exterior surface of the outer member.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Devices and methods are provided to facilitate measurement of forces acting on locations connecting a subframe portion and a body portion of a vehicle, such devices and methods include mount devices having an inner member, an outer member, at least one sensor, a sleeve and an annular member. The sensor is disposed within an annular chamber formed between the inner member and the outer member. The sensor is attached to at least one of the inner member and the outer member. The sensor is configured to measure force exerted on the mount device during use of a vehicle. Vehicles including these mount devices are also provided.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A mount device comprising:
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an inner member and an outer member forming an annular chamber disposed therebetween, wherein the inner member and the outer member are concentrically arranged with respect to each other, and wherein the inner member is configured to attach to a vehicle; at least one sensor disposed within the annular chamber and attached to at least one of the inner member and the outer member, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to measure force exerted on the mount device during use of a vehicle; a sleeve configured to attach to a vehicle; and an annular member disposed between the outer member and the sleeve, the annular member configured to provide support to the outer member with respect to the sleeve, wherein the annular member contacts the outer member along an exterior surface of the outer member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A vehicle comprising:
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a body portion; a subframe portion; and at least one mount device comprising; an inner member and an outer member forming an annular chamber disposed therebetween, wherein the inner member and the outer member are concentrically arranged with respect to each other, and wherein the inner member is configured to attach to one of the body portion and the subframe portion of the vehicle; at least one sensor disposed within the annular chamber and attached to at least one of the inner member and the outer member, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to measure force exerted on the mount device during use of the vehicle; a sleeve configured to attach to another one of the body portion and the subframe portion of the vehicle; and an annular member disposed between the outer member and the sleeve, the annular member configured to provide support to the outer member with respect to the sleeve, wherein the annular member contacts the outer member along an exterior surface of the outer member; and wherein the at least one mount device attaches the body portion to the subframe portion of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of determining force exerted on a mount device of a vehicle, the method comprising:
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attaching a mount device to a vehicle, the mount device comprising; an inner member and an outer member forming an annular chamber disposed therebetween, wherein the inner member and the outer member are concentrically arranged with respect to each other, and wherein the inner member is configured to attach to the vehicle; at least one sensor disposed within the annular chamber and attached to at least one of the inner member and the outer member, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to measure force exerted on the mount device; a sleeve configured to attach to the vehicle; and an annular member disposed between the outer member and the sleeve, the annular member configured to support the outer member with respect to the sleeve, wherein the annular member contacts the outer member along an exterior surface of the outer member; operating the vehicle; and monitoring the at least one sensor during operation of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification