Device and method for measuring compressive force of flexible linear body
First Claim
1. A measurement device for measuring an amount of compressive force applied in a direction of a longitudinal axis of a linear body having flexibility, comprising:
- a main body including a through hole through which said linear body passes is formed, and within said main body a portion of said linear body undergoes bending which displaces said portion of said linear body with respect to said main body in a prescribed direction in response to said compressive force being applied to said linear body;
a sensor which detects a degree of said bending of said portion of said linear body; and
a conversion circuit which determines said amount of compressive force based on the detected degree of bending.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A measurement device can detect a degree of bending of a linear body with a sensor when compressive force in a direction of longitudinal axis is applied to the linear body as a result of contact of a tip end of the linear body with an obstacle. Then, the detected degree of bending of the linear body is converted to compressive force in the direction of longitudinal axis applied to the linear body based on predetermined correlation between the degree of bending and the compressive force, so that presence of an obstacle in a direction of travel of the linear body can be sensed based on increase in the compressive force. In addition, as the same measurement device is applicable to linear bodies of various shapes and materials, cost effectiveness is achieved.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A measurement device for measuring an amount of compressive force applied in a direction of a longitudinal axis of a linear body having flexibility, comprising:
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a main body including a through hole through which said linear body passes is formed, and within said main body a portion of said linear body undergoes bending which displaces said portion of said linear body with respect to said main body in a prescribed direction in response to said compressive force being applied to said linear body; a sensor which detects a degree of said bending of said portion of said linear body; and a conversion circuit which determines said amount of compressive force based on the detected degree of bending. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17)
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16. A method of measuring an amount of compressive force applied in a direction of a longitudinal axis of a linear body having flexibility, comprising the steps of:
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detecting, by using a sensor, a degree of bending of said linear body in a prescribed direction when said compressive force is applied to said linear body; and determining said amount of compressive force based on the degree of bending detected in said detecting step and a predetermined correlation between bending of said linear body and compressive force applied to said linear body.
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Specification