Apparatus for detecting changes in a load applied there-to

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017356818-A1
Application number	US-201715619610-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 12, 2017
Priority date	Jun 14, 2016
Publication date	Dec 14, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

A load change detection apparatus is provided with a base member, an elastic member, a first plate, a fixing member and heat flow sensors. The elastic member deforms according to a changed load applied to the elastic member, received by the receiving member. The first plate supports a surface of the elastic member on a side of the base member. The fixing member fixes the lower plate and the elastic member to the base member. The heat flow sensors, provided between the base member and the lower plate, output signals according to heat flowing between the lower plate and the base member. The heat flows due to heat generated or heat absorbed when the elastic member changes the elasticity shape thereof. Stress occurring when the elastic member deforms, is shut off by the first plate, thus direct transmission of the stress to the heat flow sensors is avoided.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An apparatus for detecting changes in load applied thereto, comprising:
a base member; an elastic member elastically deforming; a first plate supporting a surface of the elastic member; a fixing member fixing the first plate and the elastic member to the base member, and heat flow sensors;
wherein
the elastic member elastically deforms according to a change of a load that is a load change, applied to a receiving member which receives the load;
the first plate supports the surface of the elastic member which is the surface disposed on a side of the base member; and
the heat flow sensors, disposed between the base member and the first plate, output signals corresponding to heat flowing between the first plate and the base member, due to heat generation or heat absorption when the elastic member elastically deforms.

2 . The apparatus for detecting changes in load applied thereto, according to claim 1 , wherein:
the elastic member ( 33 ) is rubber or elastomer fixed to a surface of the first plate, the surface being opposed to the side of the base member.

3 . The apparatus for detecting changes in a load applied thereto, according to claim 2 , further comprising:
a transmission member which transmits the load change, received by the receiving member, applied to the elastic member.

4 . The apparatus for detecting changes in a load applied thereto, according to claim 3 , wherein:
the transmission member is fixed to a section which includes the central axis of the elastic member.

5 . The apparatus for detecting changes in a load applied thereto, according to claim 3 , wherein:
the transmission member is inserted through a hole section provided in a section which includes the central axis of the elastic member.

6 . The apparatus for detecting changes in a load applied thereto, according to claim 3 , further comprising:
a second plate supporting a second surface of the elastic member on a side which opposes the side of the base member, and is fixed to the transmission member.

7 . The apparatus for detecting changes in a load applied thereto, according to claim 6 , wherein:
the transmission member is provided with a section which is locked by a cover section; and the cover section is fixed to the base member, with the elastic member compressed toward the side of the base member, through the second plate fixed to the transmission member.

8 . The apparatus for detecting changes in a load applied thereto, according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a buffer member provided at least at one of, a position between the heat flow sensors and the first plate, and a position between the heat flow sensors and the base member.

9 . The apparatus for detecting changes in a load applied thereto, according to claim 1 , wherein:
the plurality of heat flow sensors are provided circumferentially around the central axis of the elastic member.

10 . The apparatus for detecting changes in a load applied thereto, according to claim 9 , wherein:
the load change applied to the elastic member is detected by a detector which detects a size and direction of the load change, based on the output of the heat flow sensors.

11 . The apparatus for detecting changes in a load applied thereto, according to claim 10 , wherein:
the plurality of heat flow sensors include a first heat flow sensor and a second heat flow sensor, the first heat flow sensor and the second heat flow sensor are disposed directly opposite to each other with the central axis of the elastic member provided therebetween, and the detector detects the size and the direction of the load change applied to the elastic member, based on an output corresponding to a difference between a thermal electromotive force of the first sensor and a thermal electromotive force of the second sensor.

12 . The apparatus for detecting changes in a load applied thereto, according to claim 11 , wherein:
the plurality of sensors are provided with a third heat flow sensor, intersecting with a segment line joining the first heat flow sensor and the second heat flow sensor; and a fourth heat flow sensor disposed diametrically opposite the third heat flow sensor, with the central axis of the elastic member disposed between the diametrically opposed third heat flow sensor and fourth heat flow sensor, and the detector detects the size and the direction of the load change applied to the elastic member based on, a first signal which is the output corresponding to the difference between the thermal electromotive force of the first heat flow sensor and the thermal electromotive force of the second heat flow sensor, and a second signal which is the output corresponding to the difference between a thermal electromotive force of the third heat flow sensor and a thermal electromotive force of the fourth heat flow sensor.

13 . The apparatus for detecting changes in a load applied thereto, according to claim 1 , wherein:
the heat flow sensor is formed in a circular shape around the central axis of the fixing member.

14 . The apparatus for detecting changes in load applied thereto, according to claim 1 , wherein:
the elastic member is a cantilever beam which extends from the lower plate to an exterior side thereof.

15 . The apparatus for detecting changes in a load applied thereto, according to claim 2 , further comprising:
a buffer member provided at least at one of, a position between the heat flow sensors and the first plate, and a position between the heat flow sensors and the base member.

16 . The apparatus for detecting changes in a load applied thereto, according to claim 3 , further comprising:
a buffer member provided at least at one of, a position between the heat flow sensors and the first plate, and a position between the heat flow sensors and the base member.

17 . The apparatus for detecting changes in a load applied thereto, according to claim 2 , wherein:
the plurality of heat flow sensors are provided circumferentially around the central axis of the elastic member.

18 . The apparatus for detecting changes in a load applied thereto, according to claim 3 , wherein:
the plurality of heat flow sensors are provided circumferentially around the central axis of the elastic member.

19 . The apparatus for detecting changes in a load applied thereto, according to claim 2 , wherein:
the heat flow sensor is formed in a circular shape around the central axis of the fixing member.

20 . The apparatus for detecting changes in load applied thereto, according to claim 2 , wherein:
the elastic member is a cantilever beam which extends from the lower plate to an exterior side thereof.

Assignees

• Denso Corp

Inventors

• Gouko Norio
• Taniguchi Toshihisa
• Sakaida Atusi
• Okamoto Keiji
• Shiraishi Yoshihiko
• Asano Masahiro

Classifications

• G01L5/10

  using electrical means · CPC title

• G01N25/20

  by investigating the development of heat, i.e. calorimetry, e.g. by measuring specific heat, by measuring thermal conductivity (calorimeters per se G01K) · CPC title

• G01G3/13

  having piezoelectric or piezoresistive properties · CPC title

• G01L5/04

  for measuring tension in flexible members, e.g. ropes, cables, wires, threads, belts or bands {(G01L5/0004 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• G01L5/047

  Specific indicating or recording arrangements, e.g. for remote indication, for indicating overload or underload · CPC title