Load cell mounting apparatus and method
AssigneeHonda of America Mfg., Inc.
InventorSteve Adrian
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A load cell alignment apparatus for aligning a load cell during an axial tension test of a brake cable. The apparatus includes a mounting structure, an alignment structure, a biasing device, and the load cell. The alignment structure is connected between the mounting structure and the biasing device. The biasing device is connected to the load cell and applies a tension preload to the load cell, and the alignment structure, in response to the tension preload, properly aligns the load cell with an axis for subsequent measurement of applied tension on the brake cable. The alignment structure permits only linear axial tension to be applied to the load cell in response to application of a further tension load on the load cell.
Claims18
A load cell alignment apparatus for aligning a load cell during a tension test of a brake system, comprising:
- a mounting structure operable to mount to a surface;
- and
- an alignment structure connected between the mounting structure and the load cell, the alignment structure being configured to permit only linear axial tension to be applied to the load cell in response to a tension load applied to the brake system, whereby the load cell measures the linear axial tension load applied to the load cell.
A method of automatically linearly aligning a load cell with an axis during a tension test of a brake system, comprising the steps of:
- providing an alignment structure operatively connected to the load cell, the alignment structure being operable to automatically linearly align the load cell with the axis in response to a tension load;
- and
- applying a first tension load on the load cell and the alignment structure, and thereby automatically linearly aligning the load cell with the axis.
An apparatus for automatically linearly aligning a load cell with an axis during a tension test of a brake system, comprising:
- means for aligning the load cell with an axis in response to application of a tension load on said load cell;
- and
- means for applying a first tension load on the load cell and the alignment structure, and thereby to automatically linearly align the load cell on the axis.
A system for testing a tension loading on a cable in an automotive brake system, comprising:
- a mounting base operable to mount to a surface;
- and
- an alignment structure connecting the mounting base to the cable;
- a biasing device disposed between the alignment structure and a load cell operable to apply a preload tension to the cable, said biasing device being operable to maintain a predetermined preload tension on the cable before and during tension testing of the cable;
- and
- a load cell disposed between the biasing device and the cable and operatively connected to the cable, said load cell being operable to measure an applied tension load on the cable during tension testing of the cable,
- whereby the biasing device allows longitudinal motion of the cable and the alignment structure maintains a linear condition of the cable in response to the applied tension load on the cable, the linear condition preventing a side tension loading of the cable.
A method for measuring a brake cable efficiency, comprising the steps of:
- applying a first force to a brake handle so as to create a second, subsequent force at a brake hub;
- measuring the first force;
- measuring the second force;
- and
- comparing the first and second forces to determine the brake cable efficiency.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.