Patent · US Expired

Force sensor

US5563355A · kind A · utility

37Cited by
16References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 24, 1993
Grant dateOct 8, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 24, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T74/2054
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A force sensing device providing an output signal indicative of applied force includes a compressible spring, preferably a Belleville type spring, inserted between a force application lever and a reaction force member and the spring is compressed when a force is applied to the lever. In one embodiment, the reaction force member is a push rod and the spring is disposed in a housing attached to a pin on the force lever and the push rod is provided with a longitudinally extending slotted opening in the area of the force pin such that the spring is compressed when the force pin is moved in the elongated area of the push rod. In another embodiment, the spring is disposed in a housing having one end connected to the force lever and a reaction force push rod engages the housing in an opening at its other end and the spring is compressed against the push rod when a force is applied to the force lever. In another embodiment, one end of a push rod is connected to a pivoting force lever and the spring is disposed between the force lever pivot pin and a fixed member such that the spring is compressed when a force is applied to the force lever. A linear voltage differential transformer senses m…

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