Force sensor having a strain body

{
  "publication_number": "US11353344B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Force sensor having a strain body",
  "abstract": "In a force sensor according to one embodiment, a main body is cylindrical. A cylindrical movable body is movable with respect to the main body and includes at least three circular openings in the outer circumference thereof. A strain body is fixed to the main body and the movable body and is deformable according to the movement of the movable body. Strain sensors are provided on the strain body. A first stopper is arranged inside each of the openings and includes a first outer circumferential surface including a first outer diameter less than a diameter of the opening. Sealing members are configured to cover at least the openings and a movable part between the main body and the movable body.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A force sensor comprising: a cylindrical main body; a cylindrical movable body movable with respect to the cylindrical main body and including at least three circular openings at an outer circumference of the cylindrical movable body; a strain body fixed to the cylindrical main body and the cylindrical movable body at a central internal part of the force sensor, wherein the strain body is deformable according to the movement of the cylindrical movable body; strain sensors provided on the strain body; a first stopper arranged inside each of the at least three circular openings at the cylindrical movable body, wherein the first stopper includes a first outer circumferential surface including a first outer diameter less than a diameter of the circular opening; a first fixing member configured to fix the first stopper to the cylindrical main body; and sealing members configured to cover at least the at three circular openings and a movable part defined between the cylindrical main body and the cylindrical movable body.",
    "2. The force sensor of claim 1, wherein the sealing members include: a first sealing member configured to seal each of the at least three circular openings, a second sealing member configured to seal the cylindrical movable body, and a third sealing member configured to seal at least a gap defined between the cylindrical main body and the second sealing member.",
    "3. The force sensor of claim 2, wherein the first sealing member is a rubber member, the second sealing member is constituted of a metallic material or a resin material, and the third sealing member is constituted of a foamed material.",
    "4. The force sensor of claim 1, further comprising a cylindrical second stopper including a second outer circumferential surface with a second outer diameter, wherein the cylindrical second stopper is arranged inside of the main body and separated from a first inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical main body by a first distance, wherein the first distance is a distance between the first inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical main body and the second outer circumferential surface of the second stopper, and wherein the second outer diameter less than a diameter of the first inner circumferential surface.",
    "5. The force sensor of claim 4, wherein the first distance is less than a second distance between the first outer circumferential surface of the first stopper and an inner surface of the opening.",
    "6. The force sensor of claim 4, wherein the main body includes a second inner circumferential surface forming a diameter greater than the diameter formed by the first inner circumferential surface.",
    "7. The force sensor of claim 6, further comprising a first jig for adjustment to be inserted between the outer circumferential surface of the second stopper and the second inner circumferential surface of the main body.",
    "8. The force sensor of claim 4, further comprising: second fixing members configured to fix the second stopper to the cylindrical movable body; and third fixing members configured to fix the strain body to the second stopper.",
    "9. The force sensor of claim 1, wherein the first stopper includes a second side face of a third outer diameter less than the first outer diameter.",
    "10. The force sensor of claim 9, further comprising a second jig for adjustment to be inserted between the inner surface of the opening and the second side face.",
    "11. The force sensor of claim 1, wherein the first fixing member is a bolt.",
    "12. The force sensor of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical main body, the cylindrical movable body, and the strain body having the strain sensors are coaxially arranged about a common axis."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present disclosure relates to a hex-axial force sensor to be used for, for example, a robot arm or the like.\n\nA force sensor used for, for example, a robot arm or the like and configured to detect external force and torque associated with the X-, Y-, and Z-axis directions is known (see, for example, Patent Literature 1 (JP 2010-008343 A) and Patent Literature 2 (JP H06-043937 B2)).\n\nIn the force sensor of this kind, external force applied to a movable part serving as a force-receiving body is transmitted to, for example, a strain body, and deformation of the strain body is converted into an electrical signal by a strain sensor (strain gage), whereby the force or torque is detected.\n\nWhen the force sensor is to be applied to, for example, a robot arm or the like, the actual work site is under such an environment that liquid such as oil, water or the like is used and dust also scatters therein, and hence liquid and dust may enter the inside of the force sensor through the gap between the main body and movable body thereof.\n\nThe present invention has been contrived in consideration of these circumstances, and provides a force sensor capable of preventing liquid and dust from entering the inside through the gap between the main body and movable body, and improving the reliability.",
  "cpc": [
    "G01D 11/245",
    "B25J 13/085",
    "G01L 1/22",
    "G01L 1/26",
    "G01L 3/108",
    "G01L 5/161",
    "H05K 5/061"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B25J 13/08",
    "G01D 11/24",
    "G01L 1/22",
    "G01L 1/26",
    "G01L 3/10",
    "G01L 5/16",
    "G01L 5/161"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Nidec Copal Electronics Corp"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Takayuki Endo"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2019-09-06",
  "publication_date": "2022-06-07",
  "grant_date": "2022-06-07",
  "priority_date": "2017-03-08",
  "application_number": "US-201916563205-A",
  "family_id": "63448738",
  "cited_by_count": 1,
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}