Force-to-signal converter

Claim 2

A force-to-signal converter comprising a first means for receiving an external force, a second means for transmitting the external force applied to the external receiving means, a third means for converting the external force derived from the external force transmitting means into a deflection, a fourth means for converting the deflection of the third means into a signal, which is characterized in that the force-to-deflection converting means is a substantially E-shaped spring, the fourth means being a differential inductor which includes a short-circuiting ring, the short-circuiting ring being connected to the deflection point of the central leg of the E-shaped spring and disposed in a flux gap of the differential inductor to vary the inductance of the differential inductor with the deflection of the short-circuiting ring, thereby producing an electric signal corresponding to the external force.

Claim 3

A force-to-signal converter as claimed in claim 1 wherein reference faces are respectively formed in the E-shaped spring and the differential inductor for fixing the differential inductor to the E-shaped springs by utilizing the reference faces.

Claim 4

A force-to-signal converter as claimed in claim 1 wherein reference faces are respectively formed in the E-shaped spring and the differential inductor and a fixed portion having a reference face is provided to thereby fix the E-shaped spring and the differential inductor to the fixed portion on their reference faces so as to couple the differential inductor with the E-shaped spring by utilizing the reference faces.

Claim 5

A force-to-signal converter comprising a first means for receiving an external force, a second means for transmitting the external force applied to the external receiving means, a third means for converting the external force derived from the external force transmitting means into a deflection, a fourth means for converting the deflection of the third means into a signal, which is characterized in that the force-to-deflection converting means is a substantially E-shaped spring, the first means consisting of two thin plate like diaphragms and a circular block with a central aperture connected to a chember and having attached on the outsides thereof the two diaphragms, the second means being a movable rod disposed in the central aperture of the block, the movable rod being coupled at both ends thereof to the two diaphragms at their central portion, the E-shaped spring being disposed in the chember of the block, and the side legs of the E-shaped spring being fixed to the block at one ends thereof and the central leg of the E-shaped spring being fixed to the movable rod, and the fourth means being a differential inductor which includes a short circuiting ring disposed in the flux gap thereof, the short, circuiting ring beinG fixed to the deflection point of the central leg of the E-shaped spring to vary the inductance of the differential pressure applied to the two diaphragms to produce an electric signal corresponding to the differential pressure.

Claim 6

A force-to-signal converter comprising a first means for receiving an external force, a second means for transmitting the external force applied to the external receiving means, a third means for converting the external force derived from the external force transmitting means into a deflection, a fourth means for converting the deflection of the third means into a signal, which is characterized in that the force-to-deflection converting means is a substantially E-shaped spring, the first means consisting of two thin plate like diaphragms and a circular block with a central aperture connected to a chember and having attached on the outsides thereof the two diaphragms, the second means being a movable rod disposed in the central aperture of the block, the movable rod being coupled at both ends thereof to the two diaphragms at their central portion, the E-shaped spring being disposed in the chember of the block, and the side legs of the E-shaped spring being fixed to the block at one ends thereof and the central leg of the E-shaped spring being fixed to the movable rod, and the fourth means being a differential inductor which includes a short circuiting ring disposed in the flux gap thereof, the short, circuiting ring beinG fixed to the deflection point of the central leg of the E-shaped spring to vary the inductance of the differential pressure applied to the two diaphragms to produce an electric signal corresponding to the differential pressure.

Claim 7

A force-to-signal converter as claimed in claim 4 wherein reference faces are respectively formed in the blocks, the E-shaped spring and the differential inductor for assembling them together as a unitary structure by utilizing the reference faces.

Claim 8

A force-to-signal converter comprising a first means for receiving an external force, a second means for transmitting the external force applied to the external receiving means, a third means for converting the external force derived from the external force transmitting means into a deflection, a fourth means for converting the deflection of the third means into a signal, which is characterized in that the force-to-deflection converting means is a substantially E-shaped spring, the first means being a bellows introducing therein a fluid and expanding or contracting in response to changes in the pressure of the fluid, the free ends of both side legs of the E-shaped spring being fixed to a fixed portion, the movable end of the bellows being fixed to the central leg of the E-shaped spring to deflect the free end of the central leg of the E-shaped spring with a force applied thereto from the bellows, and the our means being a differential inductor which includes a short-circuiting ring, the short-circuiting ring being attached to the central leg of the E-shaped spring at its deflection point to vary the inductance of the differential inductor with the deflection of the short-circuiting ring to thereby produce an electric signal corresponding to the external force.

Claim 9

A force-to-signal converter comprising a first means for receiving an external force, a second means for transmitting the external force applied to the external receiving means, a third means for converting the external force derived from the external force transmitting means into a deflection, a fourth means for converting the deflection of the third means into a signal, which is characterized in that the force-to-deflection converting means is a substantially E-shaped spring, the first means being a bellows introducing therein a fluid and expanding or contracting in response to changes in the pressure of the fluid, the free ends of both side legs of the E-shaped spring being fixed to a fixed portion, the movable end of the bellows being fixed to the central leg of the E-shaped spring to deflect the free end of the central leg of the E-shaped spring with a force applied thereto from the bellows, and the our means being a differential inductor which includes a short-circuiting ring, the short-circuiting ring being attached to the central leg of the E-shaped spring at its deflection point to vary the inductance of the differential inductor with the deflection of the short-circuiting ring to thereby produce an electric signal corresponding to the external force.

Claim 10

faces force-to-signal converter as claimed in claim 6 wherein reference aces are respectively formed in the fixed portion, the E-shaped spring and the differential inductor for assembling them together as a unitary structure by utilizing the reference faces.