Load cell including angular and lateral decoupling
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A load cell comprising:
- a first element;
a second element;
a coupling between the first and second elements, the coupling including a convex surface and a flat surface, wherein the convex surface is pivotable relative to at least one of the first and second elements and the flat surface is moveable relative to at least the other of the first and second elements in a first linear direction perpendicular to a first axis; and
a sensor measuring force between the first element and second element along the first axis.
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Abstract
A load cell includes a first element, a second element and a sensor measuring force between the first and second elements along a first axis. In some embodiments, lateral and angular decoupling is provided by the provision of a convex surface between the first and second elements. The convex surface is slidable relative to at least one of the first and second elements in a first direction perpendicular to the first axis.
40 Citations
40 Claims
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1. A load cell comprising:
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a first element;
a second element;
a coupling between the first and second elements, the coupling including a convex surface and a flat surface, wherein the convex surface is pivotable relative to at least one of the first and second elements and the flat surface is moveable relative to at least the other of the first and second elements in a first linear direction perpendicular to a first axis; and
a sensor measuring force between the first element and second element along the first axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 36, 37)
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19. A load cell comprising:
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a first element;
a second element;
a coupling including a convex surface and a flat surface, the coupling disposed between the first and second elements, wherein the coupling provides angular decoupling of the first and second elements and lateral decoupling of the first and second elements in a lateral direction perpendicular to a first axis; and
a sensor measuring force between the first element and second element along the first axis. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 30, 31, 38)
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23. A load cell comprising:
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a first element;
a second element;
a sensor measuring force between the first element and second element along the first axis; and
a trap element slidable in a first direction perpendicular to the first axis relative to the first and second elements, the trap element limiting the travel of the first element toward the second element along the first axis. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A load cell comprising:
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a first element;
a second element;
a sensor measuring force between the first element and second element along the first axis;
the first and second elements being biased toward one another to create a preload on the sensor, wherein the preload defines a zero load condition and the load cell is calibrated based upon the zero load condition. - View Dependent Claims (29)
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32. A load cell comprising:
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a first element;
a second element wherein one of the first and second elements at least partially surrounds the other of the first and second elements;
a sensor measuring force between the first element and second element along the first axis; and
a bushing disposed in an annular space between the first and second elements, wherein the bushing is operable to remove a residual frictional hysteresis after an overload protection actuates. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35)
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39. A load cell comprising:
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a first element;
a second element;
a coupling between the first and second elements, the coupling including a convex surface slidable relative to at least one of the first and second elements in a first direction perpendicular to a first axis;
a slider carrying the convex surface, the slider slidable relative to the first element, wherein the first element is a mount, and wherein the mount further includes a piston positioned therein for movement generally along the first axis, the slider being in slidable contact with a surface of the piston; and
a sensor measuring force between the first element and the second element along the first axis.
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40. A load cell comprising:
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a first element;
a second element wherein one of the first and second elements at least partially surrounds the other of the first and second elements;
a sensor measuring force between the first element and second element along a first axis; and
a bushing disposed in an annular space between the first and second elements, wherein the bushing is elastic and provides linear low-friction movement between the first and second elements and accommodates angular misalignments between the first and second elements and wherein the bushing includes a plurality of ball bearings.
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Specification