Patent ID: 11946500
Assignee: LOOSE WHEEL SENSORS INC.
Field: Mechanical elements (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC F  B | IPC B  F

Claim 0:
1. A clamping force monitoring device comprising:
a step washer having an outer face, an inner face and a contact protrusion protruding to a depth from the inner face;
a contact plate for making contact with the step washer;
a compression washer abutting the inner face of the step washer and extending to at least the contact protrusion of the step washer, the compression washer being compressible and having a thickness greater than the protrusion depth when not compressed, for separating the step washer and the contact plate;
a threaded fastener for extending through the step washer and the compression washer;
a nut for engaging with the threaded fastener; and
an electric circuit for sensing a contact condition between the contact plate and the step washer;
wherein when a sufficient axial force is exerted in the threaded fastener by engagement of the nut, the compression washer is compressed to a thickness equal to the depth of the protrusion and the step washer is in contact with the contact plate, thereby dosing the electric circuit.