Abstract An apparatus for load and displacement sensing adapted for measuring normal and shear forces exerted on load bearing portions of a body. The apparatus includes a deformable pad and a plurality of sensors. Each sensor includes at least one magnet and at least one Hall-effect transducer affixed to opposite sides of the deformable pad. Normal forces are measured utilizing magnets having a planar North and South polarizations and the magnitude and direction of shear forces are measured utilizing magnets having alternating North and South pole segments disposed longitudinally therewithin. In another embodiment, normal and shear forces are measured utilizing a magnet having a point-magnetization. The force exerted on the body deforms the pad, bringing the magnet in close proximity to the transducer, which senses the change in the magnetic flux density.
An apparatus for load and displacement sensing adapted for measuring the magnitude and direction and two-dimensional shear forces exerted upon the load bearing portions of a body, the apparatus comprising: a deformable pad having a first and second side, and a plurality of sensors, each sensor having three magnets affixed to one side of said deformable pad and three transducers for sensing the magnetic field strength affixed to the other side of said deformable pad, each transducer being aligned with one of said magnets and having an output which varies according to the magnitude and direction of said normal and two-dimensional shear forces, said forces moving said magnets in relation to said transducers, said magnets are oriented so that their respective pole segments are disposed 120° from each other.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
129 words
An apparatus for load and displacement sensing adapted for measuring the magnitude and direction and two-dimensional shear forces exerted upon the load bearing portions of a body, the apparatus comprising: a deformable pad having a first and second side, and a plurality of sensors, each sensor having three magnets affixed to one side of said deformable pad and three transducers for sensing the magnetic field strength affixed to the other side of said deformable pad, each transducer being aligned with one of said magnets and having an output which varies according to the magnitude and direction of said normal and two-dimensional shear forces, said forces moving said magnets in relation to said transducers, said magnets are oriented so that their respective pole segments are disposed 120° from each other.