Strut mount transducer
AssigneeChrysler Corporation
InventorsThomas E. Biddle, Kenneth R. Waryas
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A force transducer for measuring loads imparted to the suspension of a vehicle is provided. The force transducer comprises a hub having an aperture for receiving a first component of the suspension, a seat connected to the hub for receiving a second component of the suspension, an outer ring having a plurality of arms that connect the outer ring to the hub, and a plurality of strain gauges connected to the plurality of arms that produce a signal that is proportional to the strain seen in each of the arms, thereby allowing a measurement of load elements imparted to the suspension of the vehicle.
Claims12
A force transducer for measuring loads imparted to the suspension of a vehicle, comprising:
- a hub having a means for receiving first, second and third components of the suspension;
- an outer ring having a plurality of arms that connect the outer ring to the hub;
- and
- a plurality of pairs of strain gauges operatively associated with the plurality of arms for generating signals that are proportional to the force in each one of said arms:
- each of said pairs of strain gauges being operatively associated with an associated one of said arms and being arranged circumferentially about said hub to provide signals relating to tension and compression forces experienced by said arms during operation of said vehicle.
A method of measuring loads imparted to the suspension of a vehicle, comprising the steps of:
- receiving a first force from a first component of the suspension with a hub having an aperture;
- receiving a second force from a second component of the suspension via a seat connected to the hub;
- receiving a third force from a third component of the suspension via a ledge connected to the hub;
- and
- measuring the first, second and third forces with a plurality of pairs of strain gauges mounted on a plurality of arms that connect the hub to an outer ring, the strain gauges each producing an output signal that is proportional to a tensile or compressive strain experienced by each of the arms, thereby allowing a measurement of forces imparted to the suspension of the vehicle during operation of said vehicle.
A force transducer for measuring loads imparted to a suspension of a vehicle, said transducer comprising:
- a hub having a means for receiving a plurality of components of a suspension system of said vehicle, said hub being secured to a shock tower of said vehicle;
- an outer ring;
- a plurality of circumferentially spaced arms for coupling said outer ring to said hub;
- a plurality of pairs of strain gauges, with each one of said pairs being associated with one of said arms;
- each of said pairs of strain gauges being arranged so as to sense compressive and tensile forces experienced by its associated said arm and to generate a corresponding pair of output signals having a magnitude in relation to said sensed compressive and tensile forces;
- and
- a bridge circuit for receiving said output signals and generating an electrical output signal indicative of the forces experienced at said arms while said vehicle is operating.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.