Apparatuses, systems, and methods for weight detection

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11422210-B2
Application number	US-202017038469-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 30, 2020
Priority date	Oct 10, 2019
Publication date	Aug 23, 2022
Grant date	Aug 23, 2022

Abstract

Apparatuses, systems, and associated methods of manufacturing are described that provide for improved sensor devices. An example sensor device includes a magnet mounting tube and a magnet supported within the magnet mounting tube. The sensor device includes a sensor mounting tube that receives at least a portion of the magnet mounting tube and supported magnet therein. The sensor device includes a magnetic sensor affixed to the sensor mounting tube. The sensor device includes a spring positioned around the magnet mounting tube and the sensor mounting tube such that the magnet and the magnetic sensor are surrounded by the spring. In an instance in which a load is applied to either a first end or second end of the spring, the magnet mounting tube translates relative the sensor mounting tube so as to induce a change in magnetic flux identified by the magnetic sensor indicative of a weight of the load.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A sensor device comprising:
a magnet mounting tube;
a magnet supported within the magnet mounting tube;
a sensor mounting tube configured to receive at least a portion of the magnet mounting tube and supported magnet therein;
a magnetic sensor affixed to the sensor mounting tube; and
a spring positioned around the magnet mounting tube and the sensor mounting tube such that the magnet and the magnetic sensor are surrounded by the spring, wherein the spring defines a first end and a second end,
wherein, in an instance in which a load is applied to either the first end or the second end, the magnet mounting tube is configured to translate relative the sensor mounting tube so as to induce a change in magnetic flux identified by the magnetic sensor indicative of a weight of the load.

2. The sensor device according to claim 1 , wherein the magnet is cylindrical.

3. The sensor device according to claim 1 , further comprising a sensor holder cap configured to secure the sensor mounting tube to the first end of the spring.

4. The sensor device according to claim 1 , further comprising a magnet holder cap configured to secure the magnet mounting tube to the second end of the spring.

5. The sensor device according to claim 1 , wherein the magnetic sensor comprises a hall effect sensor, an anisotropic magneto-resistive (AMR) sensor, a giant magnetoresistance (GMR) sensor, or a tunnel-magnetoresistance (TMR) sensor.

6. The sensor device according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor mounting tube defines a hollow interior configured to receive the portion of the magnet mounting tube therein.

7. The sensor device according to claim 6 , wherein the sensor mounting tube and the magnet mounting tube are positioned such that, in operation, an air gap is defined between the magnet and the magnetic sensor.

8. A sensing system comprising:
a sensor device comprising:
a magnet mounting tube;
a magnet supported within the magnet mounting tube;
a sensor mounting tube configured to receive at least a portion of the magnet mounting tube and supported magnet therein;
a magnetic sensor affixed to the sensor mounting tube; and
a spring positioned around the magnet mounting tube and the sensor mounting tube such that the magnet and the magnetic sensor are surrounded by the spring, wherein the spring defines a first end and a second end; and

a controller communicably coupled to the magnetic sensor, wherein, in an instance in which a load is applied to either the first end or the second end:
the magnet mounting tube is configured to translate relative the sensor mounting tube,
the magnetic sensor is configured to identify a change in magnetic flux, and
the controller is configured to determine a weight of the load based upon the change in magnetic flux.

9. The sensing system according to claim 8 , wherein the magnet is cylindrical.

10. The sensing system according to claim 8 , further comprising a sensor holder cap configured to secure the sensor mounting tube to the first end of the spring.

11. The sensing system according to claim 8 , further comprising a magnet holder cap configured to secure the magnet mounting tube to the second end of the spring.

12. The sensing system according to claim 8 , wherein the magnetic sensor comprises a hall effect sensor, an anisotropic magneto-resistive (AMR) sensor, a giant magnetoresistance (GMR) sensor, or a tunnel-magnetoresistance (TMR) sensor.

13. The sensing system according to claim 8 , wherein the sensor mounting tube defines a hollow interior configured to receive the portion of the magnet mounting tube therein.

14. The sensing system according to claim 13 , wherein the sensor mounting tube and the magnet mounting tube are positioned such that, in operation, an air gap is defined between the magnet and the magnetic sensor.

15. A method of manufacturing a sensor device, the method comprising:
providing a magnet mounting tube;
supporting a magnet within the magnet mounting tube;
providing a sensor mounting tube configured to receive at least a portion of the magnet mounting tube and supported magnet therein;
affixing a magnetic sensor to the sensor mounting tube; and
positioning a spring around the magnet mounting tube and the sensor mounting tube such that the magnet and the magnetic sensor are surrounded by the spring, wherein the spring defines a first end and a second end,
wherein, in an instance in which a load is applied to either the first end or the second end, the magnet mounting tube is configured to translate relative the sensor mounting tube so as to induce a change in magnetic flux identified by the magnetic sensor indicative of a weight of the load.

16. The method according to claim 15 , wherein the magnet is cylindrical.

17. The method according to claim 15 , further comprising securing the sensor mounting tube to the first end of the spring via a sensor holder cap.

18. The method according to claim 15 , further comprising securing the magnet mounting tube to the second end of the spring via a magnet holder cap.

19. The method according to claim 15 , wherein the sensor mounting tube defines a hollow interior configured to receive the portion of the magnet mounting tube therein.

20. The method according to claim 19 , wherein the sensor mounting tube and the magnet mounting tube are positioned such that, in operation, an air gap is defined between the magnet and the magnetic sensor.

Assignees

• Honeywell Int Inc

Inventors

• Narasimhan Kumaran
• Hintz Frederick W
• Mcgraw William
• Olson Thomas John
• Hunter J L

Classifications

• G01R33/096

  anisotropic magnetoresistance sensors · CPC title

• G01L1/12

  by measuring variations in the magnetic properties of materials resulting from the application of stress · CPC title

• G01R33/038

  using permanent magnets, e.g. balances, torsion devices · CPC title

• G01G7/00

  Weighing apparatus wherein the balancing is effected by magnetic, electromagnetic, or electrostatic action, or by means not provided for in the preceding groups · CPC title

• G01R33/091

  Constructional adaptation of the sensor to specific applications · CPC title