Force measuring hub

• US 4,297,877 A
• Filed: 12/27/1979
• Issued: 11/03/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Volkswagen AG
• Original Assignee: Volkswagen AG
• Inventors: Stahl, Reinhard
• Primary Examiner(s): Ruehl, Charles A.
• Application Number:
  US06/107,579
• Time in Patent Office: 677 Days
• Field of Search: 73/133 R, 73/136 C, 73/146
• US Class Current: 73/146
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 5/16 for measuring several components of force
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 5/20 for measuring wheel side-thrust

Abstract

A force measuring hub for a wheel supported on a carrier has a first annular component adapted for a coaxial attachment to the wheel and provided with a plurality of radial webs having elongation-sensing strips and a second annular component adapted for a coaxial attachment to the carrier and being operatively coupled to the first annular component such that the radial webs lie in a force path passing between the wheel and the carrier. The first annular component is a flat disc comprising an inner zone adapted to be secured to the wheel and an outer rim surrounding the inner zone. The radial webs are arranged in a single plane between the inner zone and the outer rim. The first annular component further has a plurality of extensions attached to the outer rim and oriented radially inwardly therefrom. The extensions are located in the above-noted single plane in respective spaces defined between adjoining radial webs. Each extension terminates at a clearance from the inner zone. The second annular component is also disc-shaped and includes mounting projections extending into respective clearances between the inner zone and the respective extension of the first annular component.

Claims

1. In a force measuring hub for measuring forces and/or torques acting in at least the circumferential direction of a wheel-like body supported on a carrier, the force measuring hub including a first annular component adapted for a coaxial attachment to the wheel-like body;

the first annular component further having a plurality of radial webs provided with elongation-sensing strips;

a second annular component adapted for a coaxial attachment to the carrier;

connecting means for operatively coupling the second annular component and the first annular component such that the radial webs lie in a force path passing between the wheel-like body and the carrier;

the improvement wherein said first annular component is a flat disc comprising an inner zone adapted to be secured to the wheel-like body and an outer rim surrounding said inner zone;

said radial webs being arranged in a single plane between said inner zone and said outer rim;

said first annular component further comprising a plurality of extensions attached to said outer rim and oriented radially inwardly therefrom in said single plane into respective spaces defined between adjoining said radial webs;

each said extension terminating at a clearance from said inner zone;

said second annular component being disc-shaped and including mounting projections extending into respective clearances between said inner zone and the respective extension of said first annular component.

2. A force measuring hub as defined in claim 1, wherein said first and second annular components are in a coaxial, adjoining relationship with respect to one another and further wherein each said mounting projection of said second annular component is secured to a respective said extension of said first annular component;

the securement between said first and second annular components being comprised in said connecting means.

3. A force measuring hub as defined in claim 1, wherein each said radial web is situated at a circumferentially measured distance from adjoining said extensions;

said distance being reduced to zero upon exceeding a predetermined magnitude of deformation of said radial webs and said extensions.