Patent ID: 6820458
Filing Date: 2004-11-23
Classification: B60R,G01L

Abstract:
A force-sensing mechanism (20) comprising:a housing (22, 24); a plate (26) axially movable in relation to the housing along a first axis; a magnetic sensor assembly including a magnet sensor (230) and a magnet (252) relatively movable to one another, on the first axis, in response to forces applied to the housing and to the plate; a spring assembly (250) having one end in operative engagement with the plate and another end in operative engagement with the housing to provide a bias force, directed along the first axis to resist movement of the plate in response to forces applied thereto; and an adjustment mechanism operatively connected between the housing and the plate, in colinear alignment with the first axis, to enable the calibration of the sensor and calibration of the force of the spring assembly (250).