LOAD SENSOR, E.G. FOR SENSING A VEHICLE DRAFT LOAD

摘要

An open frame consists of two limbs with parallel central portions (14 and 16). The limbs are joined at their ends for attachment in a hitch to measure a draft load, which pulls the central portions (14 and 16) slightly together. This movement is measured by an inductive transducer (20) fitted between the limbs. The transducer comprises a housing (34) enclosing the transducer coils (36) and slidable core (54) which is attached to a plunger (52). A bellows (58) is fitted between the housing and the plunger and this bellows and/or a compression spring (56) enclosed thereby provides the basis to maintain the ends of the housing and the plunger in abutment with bearing surfaces (30, 32) on the two limbs respectively. Axial compression enables the transducer to be snapped into and out from the frame.