| 摘要 |
A draft force sensor includes a bendable shaft which extends laterally though a pair of spaced apart supports. Draft links are coupled to the ends of the shaft. A curved flexible strap is positioned between the supports and has its ends coupled to the shaft by adjustable support brackets. In a no-load condition the strap is concave in a direction facing the shaft. A displacement transducer, such as a rectilinear potentiometer, linear variable transformer or other electrical device which is sensitive to displacement, is mounted between the shaft and the central portion of the strap. The displacement transducer senses the change of distance from the shaft to the "arch" of the strap and generates an electrical signal indicative of the forces on the shaft. The load from the draft links is applied to the ends of the shaft, causing it to bend and causing the strap to flex in the opposite direction. Thus, the shaft and strap act as a mechanical amplifier. The resulting draft sensor can sense both tension and compression.
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