Low Profile Load Transducer
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A load transducer comprising, in combination:
- a central body portion having a plurality of sides;
a plurality of beams extending outwardly from the sides of the central body portion, each of the plurality of beams being supported in a cantilevered manner from the central body portion, one or more of the plurality of beams comprising a first top surface that is disposed at a first elevation relative to a bottom surface of the central body portion and a second top surface that is disposed at a second elevation relative to the bottom surface of the central body portion, the second elevation being greater than the first elevation, and wherein a recessed area created by the difference in elevation between the second elevation and the first elevation is used to accommodate one or more load cell electrical components; and
a plurality of load cells, each of the load cells being disposed on one of the beams, the plurality of load cells configured to measure one or more force components or one or more moment components, or both one or more force components and one or more moment components.
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Abstract
A load transducer includes a central body portion; a plurality of beams extending outwardly from the central body portion, each of the plurality of beams including an end portion that is supported in a cantilevered manner from the central body portion; and a plurality of load cells, each of the load cells being disposed on one of the beams, the plurality of load cells configured to measure a plurality of force and/or moment components. In addition to being very accurate and reliable, the load transducer has a low profile and small size. This invention is easily manufactured using strain gage technology.
83 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A load transducer comprising, in combination:
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a central body portion having a plurality of sides; a plurality of beams extending outwardly from the sides of the central body portion, each of the plurality of beams being supported in a cantilevered manner from the central body portion, one or more of the plurality of beams comprising a first top surface that is disposed at a first elevation relative to a bottom surface of the central body portion and a second top surface that is disposed at a second elevation relative to the bottom surface of the central body portion, the second elevation being greater than the first elevation, and wherein a recessed area created by the difference in elevation between the second elevation and the first elevation is used to accommodate one or more load cell electrical components; and a plurality of load cells, each of the load cells being disposed on one of the beams, the plurality of load cells configured to measure one or more force components or one or more moment components, or both one or more force components and one or more moment components. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 21)
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11. A load transducer comprising, in combination:
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a central body portion having a plurality of sides; a plurality of beams extending outwardly from the sides of the central body portion, each of the plurality of beams including an end portion that is supported in a cantilevered manner from the central body portion, one or more of the plurality of beams comprising a first top surface that is disposed at a first elevation relative to a bottom surface of the central body portion and a second top surface that is disposed at a second elevation relative to the bottom surface of the central body portion, the second elevation being greater than the first elevation, and wherein a recessed area created by the difference in elevation between the second elevation and the first elevation is used to accommodate one or more load cell electrical components; and a plurality of load cells, each of the load cells being disposed on one of the beams, the plurality of load cells including at least three load cells that are configured to be sensitive to a vertical force component, at least two load cells that are configured to be sensitive to a first shear force component, and at least two load cells that are configured to be sensitive to a second shear force component, the first shear force component being generally perpendicular to the second shear force component, and each of the first and second shear force components being generally perpendicular to the vertical force component. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 16, 22)
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15. (canceled)
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17. A load transducer comprising, in combination:
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a plurality of beams arranged in a band-shaped configuration forming a closed loop, at least one of the plurality of beams being disposed generally perpendicular to at least another one of the plurality of beams, one or more of the plurality of beams having a first top surface, a second top surface, and a bottom surface, the first top surface of the one or more of the plurality of beams being disposed at a first elevation relative to the bottom surface of the one or more of the plurality of beams, and the second top surface of the one or more of the plurality of beams being disposed at a second elevation relative to the bottom surface of the one or more of the plurality of beams, the second elevation being greater than the first elevation, and wherein a recessed area created by the difference in elevation between the second elevation and the first elevation is used to accommodate one or more load cell electrical components; and a plurality of load cells, each of the load cells being disposed on one of the beams, the plurality of load cells configured to measure one or more force components or one or more moment components, or both one or more force components and one or more moment components. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. (canceled)
Specification