Electronic bathroom scale apparatus using planar coil sensors
First Claim
1. Transducer apparatus for providing an electrical output signal indicative of the movement of a platform as included in a weighing scale, said platform mechanically coupled to a lever means, which lever means provides a vertical movement in accordance with the amount of weight placed on the platform, in conjunction therewith,a first planar board positioned beneath said platform and relatively parallel thereto, said board having deposited on a surface at least one planar coil configurationa second planar member pivotally coupled to said planar board at one end and adapted when pivoted to move towards or away from said first planar board, said other end of said planar member coupled to said lever means, whereby said member moves with respect to said first planar board in accordance with said vertical movement, a third planar board positioned parallel to said first board and located beneath said planar member, said third board having deposited on a surface at least one planar coil of a configuration similar to that on said first board whereby said planar member as coupled to said lever means can move towards or away from said first or third boards, andcircuit means coupled to said planar coil to provide an electrical output signal which varies according to the movement of said first planar board with respect to said first.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electronic bathroom scale employs a low profile planar coil position sensor which responds to the positioning of a pivotable lever system. The levers are coupled to a platform which moves in the vertical direction as a weight is placed upon the top or supporting platform of the scale. The sensor provides variable amplitude or frequency proportional to the weight on the scale. The output signal is processed so that a direct reading of the weight is displayed by means of a digital display. The circuitry described serves to compensate for the nonlinearity of the transducer while further providing other compensation to eliminate environmental effects such as temperature and other factors from affecting the direct display of weight.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. Transducer apparatus for providing an electrical output signal indicative of the movement of a platform as included in a weighing scale, said platform mechanically coupled to a lever means, which lever means provides a vertical movement in accordance with the amount of weight placed on the platform, in conjunction therewith,
a first planar board positioned beneath said platform and relatively parallel thereto, said board having deposited on a surface at least one planar coil configuration a second planar member pivotally coupled to said planar board at one end and adapted when pivoted to move towards or away from said first planar board, said other end of said planar member coupled to said lever means, whereby said member moves with respect to said first planar board in accordance with said vertical movement, a third planar board positioned parallel to said first board and located beneath said planar member, said third board having deposited on a surface at least one planar coil of a configuration similar to that on said first board whereby said planar member as coupled to said lever means can move towards or away from said first or third boards, and circuit means coupled to said planar coil to provide an electrical output signal which varies according to the movement of said first planar board with respect to said first.
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6. An electronic scale assembly comprising in combination
a scale housing having top movable platform for accommodating an item to be weighed, said platform coupled to a lever means located in said housing to move vertically according to the weight of said item, a transducer assembly comprising a first planar printed board having printed thereon a planar coil configuration, said planar board coupled to said housing a position relatively parallel to said platform and rigidly secured to said housing, and second planar member pivotally coupled to said first board at one end with said other end coupled to said lever means, and a third planar board positioned parallel to said first board and located beneath said planar member, said third board having deposited on a surface thereof at least one planar coil of a configuration similar to that of said first board whereby said planar member as coupled to said lever means can move towards or away from said first and third boards.
Specification