Wheel load transducer

Abstract

A load transducer for measuring vertical and fore/aft forces on a rotatable vehicle wheel includes a rim adapter attachable to a wheel rim and a hub adapter attachable to a wheel hub. The rim adapter and the hub adapter are connected in a force transmission path. A plurality of beams extend between inner and outer ends of the hub adapter. At least one sensor is mounted on each beam for measuring force exerted on each beam. The sensor may be mounted on the inner and outer surfaces of each beam as well as on the opposed side walls of each beam. The sensors are interconnected in a bridge configuration for generating outputs corresponding to vertical force and fore/aft force exerted upon the wheel. The hub adapter may be formed as a unitary hub adapter and interior load transducer when constructed as a one-piece unitary body. Alternately, the hub adapter may be separate from an interior transducer body and coupled thereto for mounting on different wheel lug bolt configurations and wheel rim/hub dimensions.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.