Force and torque converter
US5591924A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 23, 1993 |
| Grant date | Jan 7, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 23, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/20201
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A force and torque converter is provided which provides an electronic representation of a planarly applied force and a torque applied about an axis that is orthogonal to the plane. The converter includes a base, an actuating member which is relatively displaced in response to the applied torque and force, resilient mechanisms to provide a restoring force and torque to the actuating member, and sensing mechanisms to sense the applied torque and force and generate an electronic representation thereof. The electronic representation is characterized by a sensitivity curve in which relatively small applied forces and torques result in a relatively low scale factor and where for a range of small applied forces and torques the relation of scale factor with respect to applied torque and force has a relatively low derivative. Further, for a range of larger applied forces and torques, the sensitivity curve has a relatively large scale factor and a relatively large derivative. In one embodiment, the sensitivity curve is implemented by a processing mechanism which includes a microprocessor and firmware.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.