Pivoting load-bearing assembly with force sensor
US10875755B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 2, 2018 |
| Grant date | Dec 29, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 24, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB66F9/183
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A load-bearing assembly including a clamping-force sensor in a pivoting support assembly that is adjustable to vary a radial spacing between a pivot pin and a clamp pad mounted on the support assembly. A plurality of clamping-force sensors may be included in a plurality of pivoting clamp pad support assemblies to support a clamp pad and may be arranged to sense the magnitude of a clamping force exerted by a particular adjustable pivoting clamp pad support assembly and send signals indicative of the magnitude of the force to a controller. A load sensor may be located between a pivot pin and a bearing block, or strain gauges may be mounted in the pivoting bearing block so as to measure forces carried through the bearing block. Force values sensed and transmitted to the controller may be used to evaluate and adjust the clamp arm assembly to grasp a load with a desired clamping force or distribution of clamping forces.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.