DYNAMOMETRICAL SENSORS - (MANY) PROBLEMS, (SOME) SOLUTIONS

Force and force-related 'dynamometrical sensors' rely on the spring-balance or, in special cases, on the compensation principle. Although they are comercially available in an enormous variety, these sensors still suffer from a number of metrological and applicational drawbacks. In addition, sensors for consumer applications have to be considerably reduced in price. This latter aim requires a narrow-tolerance batch-production, not only for Si, but also for metal-based sensors for example. This situation is briefly commented on and illustrated by some new solutions: a compact load cell (FEM), two consumer-product sensors (one three-dimensional, one based on sheet metal), CA digital trimming, creep/sapphire sensor, electrostatically compensating sensors and a general look at nonlinear (progressive spring) dynamometrical sensors and their advantages.