FORCE AND TORQUE CONVERTER

Abstract: A force and torque converter provides command signals representative of a translation applied force along X and Z axes and applied torques extending about X and Y axes. The apparatus comprises a body (9 or 30) to which the force and torque are applied, first and second connecting means (10A, 10B, 10C or 33A, 33B, 33C, 32A, 32B and 32) attached to the body, means for biasing (10A, 10B 10C, or 32A, 32B, 32C, or 36A and 36C) the connecting means to a central position and sensor means (2, 3, 5, or 39, 47) comprising two sensor de­ vices arranged to detect a displacement force in each of the first and second connecting means respectively and which respond to the applied translation force and also respond to the torque to resolve the torque into a force comprising two components. A very important embodiment of the invention is arranged to operate in three dimensions and to resolve any applied torque and any applied trans-sectional force into re­ spective components related to three mutually perpendicular axes (X, Y and Z). The apparatus can thus interpret operator applied hand signals on the body (9 or 30) for controlling an apparatus such as a computer based design system.

Description: The present invention relates to a force and torque converter and has useful applications in a wide field of activities particularly where a manual motion is to be converted into a control "signal". For example, machines such as industrial robots, back hoes and computer graphic workstations have complex control requirements. In existing systems, control of a vehicle such as a back hoe is achieved by manipulation of levers and more recently by joy sticks. In computer applications joy sticks are a common control system but a computer may also employ a "track ball" or a "mouse". These devices have limited directions of motion and accordingly limited commands only are possible. In addition to a control system, there is also a need for a sensing system to monitor applied forces and torques; an example of such a sensor system is a system for monitoring applied forces and torques with respect to three axes in a manipulator (see United States Patent 3 921 445 Hill and Sword). In that specification the manipulator is of a hand like form comprising a pair of jaws which are relatively pivotally movable under operation of an electric motor. The manipulator is defined as having a wrist and sensing means are provided for sensing the magnitude and direction of forces along three mutually orthoganal axes intersecting at the wrist and for sensing the magnitude and direction of torques about the axes. The form of the sensing means is a series of sensors extending around the longitudinal axis of the manipulator. DE957980 (Hermann) deals with the problem of providing a three dimensional apparatus responsive to torque applied about any axis and a displacement force applied in any direction. Hermann proposes complex arrangements which include the use of an array of twelve resilient strips connecting the element to which force and torque is applied to a fixed base structure. Sensors in the form of strain gauges are mounted on each of the strips. One sensor is mounted on each face of each strip so that twenty four sensors are used and output signals are processed to provide an output signal. The physical structure and signal processing in Hermann are complex and it would be desirable to provide an advance in the art which facilitates economic manufacture of a reliable and practical device which can be very sensitive and, furthermore, a device which provides detected signals which can be processed rapidly in a signal processor to provide useful control signals achieved by rapid calculations. The present invention adopts an approach which is different to the prior art. According to the present invention, there is provided apparatus for providing command signals comprising a body to which forces in any directions and torques about any axis may be applied, a fixed base carrying respective pairs of resiliently deformable connecting arms each said pair extending away from the base along a different one of three mutually perpendicular axes, herein referred to as the X, Y and Z axes, extending in respective directions herein referred to as the X, Y and Z directions, said arms being slidably seated in the body, and sensor means arranged in a substantially symmetric at least two dimensional array for sensing displacement of each connecting arm whereby the nature of the applied force and torque in respect of at least two of said axes may be determined and corresponding output signals provided. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a set of six sensors is provided and full three dimensional sensing occurs. However, for some applications it is not essential to install a full set of six sensors for such three dimensional sensing and as few as four sensors can be installed where detection of only some components of force and torque are required. In one embodiment of the present invention, the fixed base carries three said pairs of resiliently deformable connecting arms, said pairs extending respectively in the X, Y and Z directions, said array of sensor means including sensor means for sensing displacement of each connecting arm perpendicular to the respective direction along which the arm extends, whereby the nature of the applied force and torque in respect of all three of said reference axes may be determined and corresponding output signals provided. In the preferred embodiments described below, very small displacements result from the applied translational force and applied torque. Hereinafter the invention will be exemplified with reference to the most complex example in which a three dimensional device is utilised and it will be appreciated that a complex ergonomically designed control system can utilise an apparatus of this form. It is envisaged that for many applications a handle or grip for an operator will be provided and this grip is adapted to receive a translational force and a torque, the translational force being applied in any direction and the torque being about any desired axis. The output signals can be used to control any required device and sophisticated control of, for example, a machine can be achieved with just one control member. This can be very important for the control of complex machines which require an operator to use a multiplicity of separate levers for controlling, e.g. hydraulic circuits. Another area in which there may be very beneficial applications is for control of devices for handicapped persons. In a preferred embodiment the apparatus is such that only very small displacement results from the applied translational force and/or torque. In the examples described hereinafter the mathematical error resulting from displacement is at most exceedingly small and may be disregarded for very small angles of displacement. Apparatus according to the invention preferably includes signal processing means for processing the signals detected at the respective sensor means whereby output signals correspond with the applied torque and the applied translational force and, in the case of a three dimensional version of the invention, the output signals represent the resolution of the applied force and applied torque with respect to three mutually perpendicular axes. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for providing command signals comprising a body to which forces in any directions and torques about any axis may be applied, connecting members attached to the body and each having a respective remote connection point, said connecting members extending away from the body such that in a central position of the body said remote connection points on the connecting members lie on different ones of three mutually perpendicular reference axes extending from a central point of the body, each of the connecting members being connected to the body so as to be pivotable around a different one of the reference axes, respective leg means being fixed to the fixed base and pivotally connected to the respective connecting members at the connection points through universal joints of at least limited range and motion, biasing means being provided to bias the connecting members towards the central point, and sensor means arranged in a substantially symmetric at least two dimensional array for sensing displacement of each connecting member and/or each leg means whereby the nature of the applied force and torque in respect of at least two said reference axes may be determined and a corresponding output signal provided. Preferably, each of the legs is in the form of a resilient connecting structure comprising a plate member forming a universal joint member for engaging with the mounting arm and a resilient leg structure extending at right angles to the plate member and biasing the plate member to a central position and permitting the resilient displacement of the plate member in its own plane, the sensor means being arranged to monitor the displacements in a direction parallel to the plane of the plate. Since the invention will normally be applied in a situation in which only small motions are monitored, references to planes and motion in planes (although representing an ideal situation) will not necessarily precisely describe the motion which in fact occurs. The motion which occurs in one embodiment is planar, but in other embodiments is over a small portion of a near-spherical surface, but for the small motions envisaged, these motions can be treated in practice as essentially planar motions and will be described in this specification as being planar. In an embodiment of the invention according to the last-noted aspect, each sensor has a planar plate and motion is detected by a light emitting means and light detecting means. Advantageously a data processing means collates the detected movements of the three sensor plates and produces a signal representative of the effort applied to the body of the apparatus, which may comprise translational motion, rotational motion or combinations thereof. Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- FIGURE 1 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the first embodiment in practical form with the top of the spherical hand grip removed; FIGURE 3 is a partially broken away side-view of the first embodiment with the top of the hand grip removed and the front portion of the arm structure in the middle region just above the central plane omitted; FIGURE 4 is a perspective view illustrating the principles of a second embodiment in which the mounting structure is directed externally from the hand grip arrangement; FIGURE 5 is a sectional elevational view of a practical embodiment corresponding to Figure 4 and looking along the Y direction at the device as seen in the X-Z plane; FIGURE 6 is a plan view of the embodiment of Figure 5; FIGURE 7 is an enlarged view of a preferred form of mounting for the respective legs of the embodiment of Figures 5 and 6; FIGURE 8 is an elevation of the embodiment of Figure 7; FIGURE 9 is an inverted plan view of the embodiment of Figure 7; FIGURE 10 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of connecting arm for use with the operator hand grip shown in Figures 12 and 13 and corresponding to the arms 33A, 33B and 33C of Figures 4 to 6; FIGURE 11 is an elevation of the mounting arm of Figure 10; FIGURE 12 is an axial cross-sectional elevation of a ball like operator's hand grip for use with mounting arms as in Figures 10 and 11 in an apparatus functioning in a manner equivalent to Figures 4 to 6; and FIGURE 13 is an inverted plan view of the operator's grip shown in Figure 12. The theory behind the operation of the first embodiment can be more easily understood by referring to the schematic diagram of Figure 1 which illustrates an embodiment with the mounting arrangement internally disposed relative to an operator's hand grip. Three pairs of resiliently deformable connecting arms in the form of leaf-spring elements 10A, 10B and 10C are attached to a metal base 8 and extend in three mutually perpendicular planes; the centre lines of the leaf-spring elements intersect at the centre of the base 8, and extend respectively along X, Y and Z axes. The leaf spring elements 10A, 10B and 10C are substantially of the same length and each leaf-spring element has at the end distant from the base 8, a ball-like tip 11A, 11B and 11C which lies within a respective slot 12A, 12B and 12C in a hand grip 9 represented by a frame. The frame forms a body to which forces in any direction and torques about any axis may be applied. Each slot provides constraint of the corresponding tip against movement relative to the grip in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the corresponding leaf spring. Thus, for example, a displacement force applied to the grip 9 along the Z axis causes bending of the leaf-springs 10B only and strain gauges (not shown) measure the bending so that a signal corresponding to the displacement force can be produced. Each tip has a freedom of motion relative to the grip 9 in the plane of the corresponding leaf-spring. Thus, displacement of the hand grip along the direction of elongation of a leaf-spring, or across the direction of the leaf spring does not result in any bending of the leaf-spring. A displacement force at an angle to each of the axes is resolved into corresponding bending components in all leaf-spring elements. Similarly, a torque applied to the hand grip is resolved into corresponding couples about the respective X, Y and Z axes. For example, torque about the Z axis causes equal and opposite bending of the leaf-springs 10A as the respective tip are deflected. Forces applied along each of the axes and torques applied about each of the axes can be equated as follows: F X = R1 + R2 T X = R5 - R6 F Y = R3 + R4 T Y = R1 - R2 F Z = R5 + R6 T Z = R3 - R4 where F I represents a force in the I direction, T I represents a torque about the I axis and R1 to R6 represent relative displacements in the directions indicated. When a force is applied to the hand grip 9 in the X direction, there is a corresponding slight bending of one pair of leaf-spring elements 10C such that one element of the pair bends a distance equal to R1 and the other element bends a distance equal to R2. The resultant force in the X direction is thus given by Fx = R1 + R2. Similarly, if a torque is applied about the Y axis, one of the leaf-springs of a leaf-spring pair 10C bends and produces a displacement of R1, while the other leaf-spring of the same pair bends and produces a displacement of R2 in the opposite direction. The resultant displacement about the Y axis is thus given by T Y = R1 - R2. The remaining forces and torques are calculated in a similar manner. In practice an apparatus as shown in Figures 2 and 3 is used to implement the principles shown by the schematic diagram of Figure 1 in which like parts have been given like reference numerals. The sensing apparatus is supported by a fixed supporting rod 3 above a ground plane, the rod connecting to a central mounting block 8. A force or torque applied by an operator's hand placed on a spherical hand grip 9 is converted into its individual mutually perpendicular components by means of an optical detector. In this embodiment each of the X, Y and Z leaf-spring elements consists of a pair of flat resilient metal strips spaced apart and secured by screws 7 to opposite faces of the central cubic mounting block 8 and at their remote ends the strips are interconnected by a connector 13 having screws which also attaches an end fitting 14. The end fitting 14 has an axially extending shaft terminating in the ball like tip 11A, 11B or 11C. In this embodiment, the optical detector associated with each leaf-spring comprises a light emitting diode (LED) 2 and a photodiode 3 fixedly mounted on a bracket 4. Each bracket is mounted on a respective mounting bar 6 secured by screws 7 to the central block 8, with a packing block 6A and the central part of the leaf spring element being sandwiched between the mounting bar 6 and the central block 8. A shutter 5 is attached to the end fitting 14 (which interconnects the leaf-spring metal strips) and thus movement of the shutter alters the extent to which the radiation of the LED 2 can fall on the photodiode 3. Thus displacement is determined by alteration of current in electrical circuitry. Each photodiode is connected through wiring for electronic circuitry where the necessary computation of force and torque takes place. Referring to Figure 4, a second embodiment is shown wherein a hand grip 30 is represented by a mounting ball 31 to which shafts 31A, 31B, and 31C are affixed. The hand grip 30 is mounted through a set of three L-shaped mounting structures pivotally mounted on the respective mutually perpendicular shafts. The mounting structures comprise connecting members 33A, 33B and 33C and respective leg members 32A, 32B and 32C which connect the hand grip 30 to a base 34. Each of the connecting members 33A, 33B and 33C is V-shaped and hingably connected to the corresponding shaft 31A, 31B and 31C for pivotal motion respectively about the X, Z and Y axes. Each of the connecting members is connected to a respective leg member 32A, 32B and 32C through a ball joint 35 at a respective remote connection point and which provides a limited range of universal relative motion. The base of each leg member is fixed to the base 34 and includes a narrow portion 36 near the base to provide a region of preferential bending. Each leg is of a spring metal material and has inherent resilience biasing the leg to the position shown in the drawing. In use a force and or torque applied to the grip 30 results, in the general case, in a displacement of each of the respective mounting structures and in particular displacement at the respective ball joints 35 is detected. In a practical embodiment a detection plate assembly would be mounted near each ball joint to enable accurate measurements of deflection in a substantially planar surface perpendicular to the axis of the respective leg 32A, 32B or 32C. It can be shown that the force and torque components applied to the gripcan be calculated from the respective displacements by the following equations: F X = R1 + R2 T X = -R3 F Y = R3 + R4 T Y = -R5 F Z = R5 + R6 T Z = -R1 where F I is a force applied in the I direction, T I is a torque applied about the I axis and R1 to R6 represent the relative displacements of each respective ball joint as shown in the drawing. The schematic diagram shown in Figure 4 is useful for understanding the principles behind the operation of the second embodiment: however, a construction as shown in Figures 5 and 6 is a practical embodiment. The complexities associated with the construction of the second embodiment can be more readily understood by considering one of its mutually perpendicular planes. Thus referring to Figure 5, an X-Z plane is shown with the Y axis perpendicular to the plane of the paper. The apparatus has corresponding construction and function when considered in either of the other two perpendicular planes. In the embodiment of Figures 5 and 6 the same reference numerals have been used for the parts corresponding to the structure shown in Figure 4. Figure 5 is an axial section through the ball-like grip 30 which is adapted to fit comfortably in the operator's hand. The hinges represented by the mounting shafts 31A, 31B, 31C of Figure 4 are replaced by respective cranked cross-shafts 31A, 31B and 31C which extend from just one side of the ball grip 30 and comprise part of the respective arms 33A, 33B and 33C. The cranked profile of each shaft is to permit the three mutually perpendicular shafts to pass diametrically through the ball and to cross over one another thereby permitting the shafts to be rotatably mounted at each end at bearing points 40 within the ball grip. The free end of each shaft is secured by a screw 45 and washer 44, a part spherical cap 46 being secured over the free end of the shaft by screws 43. Each ball joint 35 comprises a part-spherical ball member 35A mounted on the leg 32A, 32B and 32C with a corresponding tip element 35B (with a part-spherical cavity) mounted on the end of the respective arms 33A, 33B and 33C. A screw threaded extension 35C extends beyond the ball joint from the leg and the ball joint is assembled by a first securing nut 38. A sensor assembly 39 is then fixed on the screw threaded extension and secured in place by a second nut 41. The sensor plate assembly 39 mounted on the end of arm 33B extends generally in the X-Z plane. The sensor plate 39 is of opaque material and is adapted to interrupt to a variable and partial extent the passage of light from light sources 42 which are directed towards light dependant resistors 47. Reference will now be made to Figure 7 to 9 which show a preferred and alternative mounting arrangement for the respective legs of the embodiment of Figures 4 to 6. One mounting unit is shown in each of Figures 7 to 9 and has the general feature of providing true displacement in a plane, whereas in the arrangement of Figures 4 to 6 the displacement is in a very small arc of a sphere and is thus not true planar motion and very small errors are introduced into the results obtained. In Figures 7 to 9 the parts for mounting the ball grip corresponding to leg-arm combination 32A, 33A are shown; like reference numerals are used for like parts. A rigid base plate 34 is adapted to be fixed to a rigid mount so as not to move in space. The mounting arm 33A is pivotally connected to the hand grip (not shown) and is connected to the base plate 34 through a resiliently displacable mounting leg arrangement; the arm has a ball joint including a ball 35A extending from the arm 33A and engaged in a seat of the mounting leg arrangment. This leg arrangement comprises a generally pear-shaped rigid plate 32A providing a seat for the ball 35A, a first set of spring legs 36A, a rigid connecting disk 36B and secondary spring legs 36C extending parallel to the first set of legs and connected to the base 34. The respective sets of legs are alternately spaced equally around a circular path and thus form essentially a complex spring structure. Any motion of the mounting arm 33A in a plane parallel to the plate 32A causes the three spring legs 36A to be bent resiliently into a shallow S-shape, reaction occurs through the disk 36B, and the secondary legs 36C bend resiliently into a corresponding S-shape bent in the opposite direction. Thus, an applied force to the hand grip 30 causing displacement of the arm 33A in the relevant plane causes motion of the plate 32A and thus motion of an attached shutter 39 in a parallel plane thereto. Displacement is detected by the degree of interruption of a light source (not shown) inpinging on photodiodes 47. From Figure 8 it will be seen that the shutter 39 has operating edges 39a and 39b extending at right angles so that displacement in the plane is resolved in two components. The shutter is mounted on a mounting shaft 39c extending from the pear-shaped plate 32A through an aperture in the rigid base 34, the rigid base carrying the photodiodes. Figure 7 shows most clearly respective bosses 36D through which the resilient legs 36A extend, these bosses extending into respective apertures in the base 34. Any excessive movement of the arm 33A causes one or more of the bosses to abut the wall of the corresponding aperture thereby providing a limit to movement. An alternative and advantageous embodiment is a variation on that of Figures 4 to 6 and wherein the mounting arm is formed as shown in Figures 10 and 11 and the hand grip is as formed in Figures 12 and 13. The operating principles are the same, but the construction has advantages. As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the mounting arm referenced 33A has a generally Y-shaped physical form having respective ends 50, 51 and 52. End 50 has, extending laterally therefrom, the ball 35A for connection to the mounting leg (or plate 32A as shown in Figure 9). End 51 terminates in a sleeve like tip 51a with an aperture extending therethrough (along the X axis) and aligned with a small bore extending obliquely through the tip region of the arm 52. The hand grip shown in Figures 12 and 13 is of plastics material and has a spherical ball-shaped head and a circular base plate 30a, and is adapted to be connected to a set of three arms of the type shown in Figures 10 and 11. The base plate 30a has a series of three spaced inclined bores 30b extending from chamfered surfaces and respectively along X, Y and Z axes of the apparatus. A series of three axially aligned corresponding bores 30c are provided in the top portion of the spherical head. Figure 12 shows a section along the X axis. The arm end 51 of the mounting arm of Figure 10 and 11 is secured by a bolt to the tapped bore 30b and the end 52 of the arm is inserted through a corresponding interior bore 30d in the spherical head so that the tip of the arm has its oblique bore aligning with the bore 30c for accommodating a securing pin. The pin is threadably engaged in the bore 30c, but is a sliding fit in the oblique bore in the arm end 52. Thus, the mounting arm has a limited freedom to rotate about the X axis at its connection with the ball-shaped head and freedom about the Z-axis at its connection with the mounting leg arrangement, as conceptually shown in Figure 4. Therefore, any displacement force on the ball-shaped head and along the X axis or a torque about the X axis results in no displacement of mounting leg 32A associated with arm 33A but in either case the other mounting legs may be displaced and thus the motion detected. The ball shaped head includes a central interior bore 30e for clearance purposes for the respective arm ends 52. The invention can be applied to the control of an industrial robot, whereby pushing and twisting motions of the operator's hand on the grip 30 causes corresponding motions at the respective sensor plate assembly and by computation in accordance with the above equations the applied forces and torques can be determined. This permits corresponding motion to be controlled in the robot. A further advantageous application of the present invention, in general, exploits the ability of embodiments of the invention to detect and measure force and/or torque applied relative to two parts. An illustrative example is the case of a connection between two aircraft flying in formation and connected by a refueling device. The invention could be incorporated in a coupling whereby the relative applied translational forces and torques between the two aircraft are detected and monitored and indeed in a sophisticated application this might cause the control systems of the aircraft to automatically compensate as may be necessary to keep the applied forces and torques within allowable ranges.

Claims: Apparatus for providing command signals comprising a body (9) to which forces in any directions and torques about any axis may be applied, a fixed base (8) carrying respective pairs of resiliently deformable connecting arms (10A,B) each said pair extending away from the base (8) along a different one of three mutually perpendicular axes, herein referred to as the X, Y and Z axes, extending in respective directions herein referred to as the X, Y and Z directions, said arms being slidably seated in the body (9), and sensor means (5,2,3) arranged in a substantially symmetric at least two dimensional array for sensing displacement of each connecting arm (10A,B) whereby the nature of the applied force and torque in respect of at least two of said axes may be determined and corresponding output signals provided. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the fixed base (8) carries three said pairs of resiliently deformable connecting arms (10A, B) said pairs extending respectively in the X, Y and Z directions, said array of sensor means (5, 2, 3,) including sensor means for sensing displacement of each connecting arm (10A, B) perpendicular to the respective direction (X, Y, Z) along which the arm extends, whereby the nature of the applied force and torque in respect of all three of said reference axes (X, Y and Z) may be determined and corresponding output signals provided. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein a respective sensor is associated with each of said arms (10C) extending in the Z direction to detect displacements of the respective arms (10C) in the X direction, and provide corresponding output signals and wherein a respective sensor is associated with each of said arms (10B) extending in the Y direction to detect displacements of the respective arms (10B) in the Z direction and provide corresponding output signals, the sensors associated with the arms (10C) extending in the Z direction serving to detect translational forces applied to said body, relative to said base, along the X axis and torques applied to said body, relative to said base, about the Y axis, and the sensors associated with the arms (10B) extending in the Y direction serving to detect translational forces applied to said body, relative to said base, along the Z axis and torques applied to said body, relative to said base, about the X axis. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a respective sensor is associated with each of said arms (10A) extending in the X direction to detect displacements of the respective arms (10A) in the Y direction and provide corresponding output signals and wherein the sensors associated with the arms (10A) extending in the X direction serve to detect translational forces applied to said body, relative to said base, along the Y axis and torques applied to said body, relative to said base, about the Z axis. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, and wherein the body (9) comprises a housing member (9) having a portion of the fixed base (8) generally centrally disposed therein with a mounting arm (3) of the fixed base extending out through the housing, and the resiliently deformable connecting arms (10A, 10B, 10C) extending along the respective X, Y and Z axes from the fixed base portion (8) to engage with the housing at respective locations, each of the connecting arms having a ball-like tip (11A, 11B, 11C) engaging in a corresponding slot (12A, 12B, 12C) in the housing, the slots (12A) receiving the tips (11A) of the arms (10A) extending in the X direction being so oriented as to allow movement of the last mentioned tips (11A) in the X and Z directions, but not in the Y direction, the slots (12B) receiving the tips (11B) of the arms (10B) extending in the Y direction being so oriented as to allow movement of the last-mentioned tips (11B) in the Y and X directions, but not in the Z direction and the slots (12C) receiving the tips (11C) of the arms (10C) extending in the Z direction being so oriented as to allow movement of the last-mentioned tips (11C) in the Z and Y directions, but not in the X direction, whereby the sensors associated with each of said arms is sensitive only to displacement of the respective arm accompanied by resilient deformation of the respective arm of which the tip is constrained by the slot receiving the same. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein each of the connecting arms (10A, 10B, 10C) is of spring strip-like material, the strips extending in the X, Y and Z directions having their respective planes at right angles to one another. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, and wherein each said sensor includes a shutter element (5) disposed normally to interrupt partially a beam of electromagnetic radiation from a source (2) to an electronic device (3) sensitive to such radiation, which device (3) is adapted to be connected into a circuit, the electrical characteristics of the device (3) varying depending upon the amount of electromagnetic radiation incident thereon and thus corresponding to the position of the shutter element (5). Apparatus for providing command signals comprising a body (30) to which forces in any directions and torques about any axis may be applied, connecting members (33A,B) attached to the body (30) and each having a respective remote connection point (35), said connecting members (33A, 33B) extending away from the body (30) such that in a central position of the body (30) said remote connection points (35) on the connecting members (33A, B) lie on different ones of three mutually perpendicular reference axes (X,Y,Z) extending from a central point of the body (30), each of the connecting members (33A, B) being connected to the body (30) so as to be pivotable around a different one of the reference axes (X,Y,Z), respective leg means (32A,B) being fixed to the fixed base (34) and pivotally connected to the respective connecting members (33A, B) at the connection points (35) through universal joints of at least limited range and motion, biasing means (36) being provided to bias the connecting members (33A, B) towards the central point, and sensor means (39, 42, 47) arranged in a substantially symmetric at least two dimensional array for sensing displacement of each connecting member (33A, B) and/or each leg means (32A,B) whereby the nature of the applied force and torque in respect of at least two said reference axes may be determined and a corresponding output signal provided. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 including three said connecting members attached to the body 30, pivotable about respective ones of said reference axes (X,Y,Z) and having said connecting points (35) thereof lying on respective ones of said reference axes. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the body further comprises a ball-like element (30) and each connecting arm (33A, 33B, 33C) is a cranked arm having a minor portion mounting the arm on the body (30) about a pivotal axis extending at right angles to the operating axis (X, Y, Z) applicable to that arm and a major portion extending from a peripheral portion of the ball-like element (30) to the universal joint (35) and at an angle to the operating axis. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9 wherein each mounting arm (33A, 33B, 33C) is of a generally Y-shaped form and has a member (35A) extending transversely from one end portion for forming the universal joint (35) connection with the associated leg, and the remote ends of the other arms have respective cross bores (51) which are coaxial for pivotal attachment through elongated fixing elements to the body (30), the body being of ball-like form and having an outwardly extending flanged base (30a) and the other arm (52) being inserted within the bore (30d) within the ball-like body, the axes of the cross bores in the respective Y-shaped arms being located on the X, Y and Z axes of the apparatus, and the axes intersecting at the centre of the ball-like body. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein each of the legs is in the form of a resilient connecting structure comprising a plate member (32A) forming a universal joint member for engaging with the mounting arm (33A, 33B, 33C) and a resilient leg structure (36A, 36B, 36C) extending at right angles to the plate member (32A) and biasing the plate member to a central position and permitting the resilient displacement of the plate member in its own plane, the sensor means (39, 47) being arranged to monitor the displacements in a direction parallel to the plane of the plate. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 and wherein each of said resilient connecting structures comprises a rigid base member (34) adapted to be fixed in space and forming at least part of said base of the apparatus, a rigid connector (36B), and an array of resilient pins spaced normally parallel to one another and located spaced around an axis extending from the rigid base member and substantially at right angles thereto, the pins comprising a first set (36C) of at least 3 pins fixed to the rigid base member (34) and fixed to the rigid connector (36B), and a second set (36A) of at least 3 pins extending from the rigid connector through respective apertures in the rigid base (34) member to be connected to said plate member (32A). Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 and wherein each of the legs is in the form of a resilient connecting structure comprising a plate member (32A, 32B, 32C) forming a universal joint member for engaging with the mounting arm (33A, 33B, 33C), and a resilient leg structure (36A, 36B, 36C) extending at right angles to the plate member (32A) and biasing the plate member to a central position and permitting the resilient displacement of the plate member in its own plane, the sensor means (47, 39, 39C) being arranged to monitor the displacements in a direction parallel to the plane of the plate. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 14, wherein each of said sensor means comprises a light emitting means (2) and a light detecting means (3) axially aligned substantially at right angles to the respective axis and a control mask connected to the respective connecting members (33A, 33B, 33C) and operable to vary the degree of interruption of light onto the light detecting means whereby the magnitude of the output signal is usable in determining the applied torque and/or applied force. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 and wherein said array of sensor means comprises six sensor means (2 and 3), each of the sensor means being mounted with a respective limitation of response with regard to displacement responsive to any applied torque or force, the first of said sensor means responding to displacement in the X direction but not responding to displacement in the Y or Z directions, the second sensor means responding to displacement in the Y direction but not to displacement in the X or Z directions and the third sensor means responding to displacement in the Z direction but not to displacement in the X or Y directions. An apparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein each sensor means comprises a shutter element (5), means producing a beam of electromagnetic radiation (2) a detecting means aligned with the beam for detecting electromagnetic radiation and providing a signal corresponding to the incident radiation, the shutter element being mounted normally to interrupt partially the beam and responsive to displacement produced as a component of an applied torque and/or applied force to vary the amount of the beam incident on the detecting means. Apparatus as claimed in claim 16 or claim 17 and wherein the body (9) comprises a housing substantially surrounding the base (8), the base having a mounting stem (3) protruding from the housing to mount the apparatus.

Inventors: HILTON, JOHN ALLEN
Applicants: SPACEBALL TECHNOLOGIES INC.
Application year: 1986
Main classification: G01L5
IPC codes: B25J13, G01L1, G01L5