Combined weighting and displacement sensor and weighing apparatus using

Abstract

A combination of a weighing cell (C) with a displacement sensor (S) is disclosed, in which the weighing cell (C) includes a strain inducing element (1) having a strain generating region (55) at which strain is generated in response to application of a load thereto, and a strain gauge (56) for detecting the strain generated in the strain generating region (55), and the displacement sensor (S) includes a fixed rigid component (10), a movable rigid components (11) forming a weight element, a generally elongated beam member (20) rigidly secured at opposite ends to the fixed and movable rigid components (10, 11), respectively, so as to extend between the fixed and movable rigid components (10, 11), and a displacement detecting element (23) mounted on the elongated beam member (20) for outputting an electric signal of a magnitude proportional to the amount of displacement of the movable rigid component (11) in a direction generally perpendicular to the elongated beam member (20). The strain inducing element (1) of the weighing cell includes a fixed rigid body (52) adapted to be secured to a base (B) and a movable rigid body (57) adapted to receive the load to be measured, and first and second beams (54) rigidly secured at opposite ends to the fixed and movable rigid bodies (52, 57) and extending parallel to each other between the fixed and movable rigid bodies (52, 57). The displacement sensor (S) is fixedly carried by the fixed rigid body (52) of the weighing cell (C).