| 摘要 |
A force transducer for providing a signal indicative of, and a method for sensing, the magnitude of an external force applied to a ferromagnetic member, the external force causing tensile and/or compressive stresses to arise in the member, comprising a permanent magnet for creating a magnetic field and a sensor, such as a Hall effect or magnetoresistive device, for sensing the magnetic field intensity at the sensor. The member is positioned for conducting a portion of the magnetic flux therethrough, the amount of member-conducted magnetic flux being a function of the stressed condition of the member and of the applied force creating the stressed condition. The sensor senses only a portion of the flux not conducted through the member (leakage flux) and means are provided for converting the sensed leakage flux into a signal proportional to the magnitude of the force applied to the member. In one preferred form the member is positioned between the permanent magnet and the sensor. In another form the sensor is positioned on the same side of the member as the permanent magnet.
|
