Multi-axis force platform
AssigneeAdvanced Mechanical Technology, Inc.
InventorsNathan H. Cook, Forest J. Carignan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A multi-axis force platform for determining forces and moments exerted on the platform along x, y and z axes includes at least one multi-axis spring. The multi-axis spring includes a block of rigid material through which a pattern of slots pass through to form a series of deflectable beams separated from each other by the slots. The deflectable beams surround an interior region of the spring and elastically couple the interior region of the spring to an outer region of the spring such that the interior region can deflect relative to the outer region along x, y and z axes when subjected to a load. One or more magnetic sensors are positioned within the interior region of the spring for sensing loads exerted on the spring.
Claims27
A multi-axis spring comprising;
- a planar block of rigid material having a first region
- circumscribed by a plurality of non-linear deflectable beams, said beams surrounding the second region and elastically coupling the first region of the block to the second of the block such that the first region of the block is deflectable relative to the second region along multiple axes while under load, and a sensor for sensing loads on the block.
An apparatus for sensing loads along multiple axes comprising:
- a spring having a first member, for receiving loads, which is elastically coupled to a second member of the spring by an elastic member capable of deflecting along multiple axes such that the first member of the spring is capable of significant deflection relative to the second member of the spring along multiple axes while under a load;
- a first magnet for producing a first magnetic field affixed relative to one member of the spring;
- and
- a magnetic sensor affixed relative to another member of the spring and positioned proximate to the first magnet for sensing loads exerted on the spring by sensing the magnetic field produced by the first magnet, the intensity of the magnetic field varying with varying distance from the first magnet which varies depending upon the load exerted on the spring, the sensor providing output signals in response to the intensity of the magnetic field sensed which is proportional to the distance from the magnets, the sensor sensing loads exerted on the spring in directions along multiple axes by sensing magnetic field intensity along multiple axes.
An apparatus for sensing loads along multiple axes comprising:
- a spring capable of deflecting along multiple axes, the spring having a first member for receiving loads, which is elastically coupled to a second member of the spring such that the first member of the spring is capable of deflecting relative to the second member of the spring along multiple axes while under a load;
- a first magnet for producing a first magnetic field affixed relative to one member of the spring;
- a second magnet for producing a second magnetic field positioned apart from the first magnet and affixed relative to the same member of the spring, the first and second magnetic fields producing a resultant magnetic field between the first and second magnets;
- and
- a magnetic sensor affixed relative to another member of the spring and positioned proximate to the first and second magnets for sensing loads exerted on the spring by sensing the resultant magnetic field produced by the first and second magnets, the intensity of the resultant magnetic field varying with varying distance from the first and second magnets which varies depending upon the load exerted on the spring, the sensor providing output signals in response to the intensity of the magnetic field sensed which is proportional to the distance from the magnets, the magnetic sensor comprising:
- two pairs of opposed sensor elements positioned proximate to the first and second magnets such that each sensor element in a sensor element pair is separated from the opposing magnetic sensor element by the first and second magnets, the sensor elements being positioned along a plane perpendicular to an axis passing through the first and second magnets;
- and
- a single sensor element positioned between the first and second magnets.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.