Patent · US Expired

Assembly suitable for life testing a multi-dimensional force transducer

US5544530A · kind A · utility

1Cited by
3References
5Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 28, 1994
Grant dateAug 13, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 28, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01N3/32
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A test assembly suitable for life testing a computer pointing stick includes a rigid shaft that is rotated by a motor and a mounting mechanism for holding and positioning the pointing stick under test in a coaxial relationship with the rigid shaft. A cantilever spring arm is rigidly connected at one end to the rigid shaft so that it rotates with the rigid shaft and is mechanically coupled under lateral spring tension at its other end to the pointing stick. The spring rotates with the rigid shaft and applies lateral force to the pointing stick via a collar attached to the pointing stick, the direction of the applied force rotating with the rigid shaft and cantilever spring. A counter records the cumulative number of flexure cycles required to make the pointing stick functionally fail.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.