Device and method for measuring a force component or torque component

• US 6,837,117 B2
• Filed: 11/27/2002
• Issued: 01/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Wiest, Gerhard, Haeussermann, Conrad, Munz, Michael, Stratmann, Andreas, Weiblen, Kurt
• Primary Examiner(s): NOORI, MAX H
• Application Number:
  US10/470,835
• Publication Number:
  US 20040089068A1
• Time in Patent Office: 769 Days
• Field of Search: 738/49, 738/52, 738/626.32, 738/626.21, 738/626.29
• US Class Current: 73/862.629
• 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

A device and method for measuring at least one of a force component and a torque component. The device includes a deformation member, for measuring at least one of a force component and torque component, a separate measuring element, configured to measure at least one force component, and an electronics unit, connected to the measuring element configured to evaluate a measuring signal of the measuring element. The deformation member includes a base part and at least one tongue movable with respect to the base part. The base part is arranged so that a gap between the measuring element and the tongue has a gap width variable in response to the force component introduced onto the deformation member. The measuring element is configured to convert a change in the gap width into a measuring signal. The method includes the step of changing the gap width between the tongue and the measuring element by introducing the force component into the deformation member. The method further includes the step of detecting the change in the gap width by the measuring element. The method further includes the step of directing the measuring signal by the measuring element to the electronics unit for further processing as a function of the change in the gap width.

Claims

1. A device for measuring at least one of a force component and a torque component, comprising:

a deformation member;

a separate measuring element configured to measure at least one force component; and

an electronics unit connected to the measuring element configured to evaluate a measuring signal of the measuring element;

wherein the deformation member includes a substantially fixed base part and at least one tongue movable with respect to the base part, the base part arranged so that a gap between the base part and the tongue has a gap width variable in response to the force component introduced onto the deformation member, the measuring element configured to convert a change in the gap width into a measuring signal.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the deformation member, the measuring element and the electronics unit are separate modules.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the measuring element and the electronics unit are at least partially surrounded by the deformation member.

4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the measuring element is integral with the electronics unit.

5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the deformation member is formed in one piece from the base part and the tongue.

6. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the deformation member is made of metal.

7. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the deformation member is made of at least one of steel and stainless steel.

8. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the measuring element is configured to operate capacitively, inductively, piezoelectrically, and magnetoelastically.

9. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the measuring element includes one of a capacitor, an inductance coil, a piezoelectric element, and a Hall-effect element.

10. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein force-introduction regions are arranged to introduce the force component into the tongues in a precise manner.

11. The device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the force-introduction regions are positioned in mirror symmetry to each other.

12. The device as claimed in claim 10, wherein each force-introduction region is assigned one measuring element.

13. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the force component includes a weight of a motor vehicle seat occupant.

14. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device is configured at least one of to detect seat occupancy and to determine occupant weight in a motor vehicle.

20. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein two tongues are positioned on the base part in mirror symmetry to each other.

21. The device as claimed in claim 20, wherein ends of the tongues point in opposite directions.

15. A device for measuring at least one of a force component and a torque component, comprising:

a deformation member;

a separate measuring element configured to measure at least one force component;

an electronics unit connected to the measuring element configured to evaluate a measuring signal of the measuring element;

wherein the deformation member includes a base part and at least one tongue movable with respect to the base part, the base part arranged so that a gap between the measuring element and the tongue has a gap width variable in response to the force component introduced onto the deformation member, the measuring element configured to convert a change in the gap width into a measuring signal; and

at least one guide device configured to limit mobility of the tongue in at least one direction.

16. The device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the guide device includes a bolt and a passage, said passage at least one of positioned and formed on the tongue, said bolt connected to the base part, positioned perpendicularly to the base part, and at least partially passing through the passage.

17. The device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the guide device is configured to limit movement of the tongue at least one of in a direction of the measuring element and in a direction away from the measuring element.

18. The device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the limit device is arranged on one of the deformation member, the base part and the tongue.

19. A device for measuring at least one of a force component and a torque component, comprising:

a deformation member;

a separate measuring element configured to measure at least one force component; and

an electronics unit connected to the measuring element configured to evaluate a measuring signal of the measuring element;

wherein the deformation member includes a base part and at least one tongue movable with respect to the base part, the base part arranged so that a gap between the measuring element and the tongue has a gap width variable in response to the force component introduced onto the deformation member, the measuring element configured to convert a change in the gap width into a measuring signal, wherein at least one of the gap width and a flexural stiffness of the tongue is adjustable to a measuring range.

22. A method for measuring at least one of a force component and torque component in accordance with a device including a deformation member, a separate measuring element configured to measure at least one force component and an electronics unit connected to the measuring element configured to evaluate a measuring signal of the measuring element, the deformation member including a substantially fixed base part and at least one tongue movable with respect to the base part, the base part arranged so that a gap between the base part and the tongue having a gap width variable in response to the force component introduced onto the deformation member, the measuring element configured to convert a change in the gap width into a measuring signal, comprising:

changing the gap width between the tongue and the base part by introducing the force component into the deformation member;

detecting the change in the gap width by the measuring element; and

directing the measuring signal by the measuring element to the electronics unit for further processing as a function of the change in the gap width.

23. The method as claimed in claim 22, further comprising the step of determining torque from a load acting on at least two tongues.

24. The method as claimed in claim 23, further comprising the step of correcting measured force by arithmetic adjustment of an ascertained torque.

25. The method as claimed in claim 22, further comprising the step of at least one of detecting seat occupancy and determining occupant height in a motor vehicle.

26. A device for measuring at least one of a force component and a torque component, comprising:

a deformation member;

a separate measuring element configured to measure at least one force component; and

an electronics unit connected to the measuring element configured to evaluate a measuring signal of the measuring element;

wherein the deformation member includes a base part and at least one tongue movable with respect to the base part, wherein the measuring element is positioned in proximity to one of the base part and the at least one tongue, and wherein a gap defined by the measuring element on a first side and the tongue on a second side has a gap width variable in response to the force component introduced onto the deformation member, the measuring element configured to convert a change in the gap width into a measuring signal.