Patent ID: 6324919
Filing Date: 2001-12-04
Classification: G01L

Abstract:
A load transducer mountable on a rotatable wheel, the transducer comprising:an inner ring member;means for attaching the inner ring member to a wheel hub;an outer ring member;means for attaching the outer ring member to a wheel rim;a beam connected between the inner and outer ring members, the beam including:a stem extending from the inner ring member; anda crossleg unitarily formed with the stem and connected to the outer ring member;a well formed in each of the stem and the crossleg of the beam, each well having an inner bottom wall disposed in close proximity with a neutral axis of the beam; anda sensor mounted on the inner bottom wall of each well of the beam for measuring shear forces exerted perpendicular to the beam;the sensor on the stem oriented for measuring shear forces perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the stem; andthe crossleg being perpendicular to the stem such that the sensor on the crossleg is oriented for measuring shear forces perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the crossleg.