초록 ▼

A multi-axis force analyzer and data acquisition system is disclosed. Using non-invasive structure, parts to be tested are analyzed without obstructing user access or defacing the object in any way. Accordingly, the forces required to open and close a container can be accurately and easily measured

A multi-axis force analyzer and data acquisition system is disclosed. Using non-invasive structure, parts to be tested are analyzed without obstructing user access or defacing the object in any way. Accordingly, the forces required to open and close a container can be accurately and easily measured.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A multi-axis force analyzer system for a container and lid, comprising: a controller including a processor, an input, and a memory, the input and the memory operatively coupled to the processor; a platform having one or more orifices, the one or more orifices operatively coup

What is claimed is: 1. A multi-axis force analyzer system for a container and lid, comprising: a controller including a processor, an input, and a memory, the input and the memory operatively coupled to the processor; a platform having one or more orifices, the one or more orifices operatively coupled to a vacuum, the vacuum securing the container to the platform; and a force sensor operatively coupled to the platform to provide force signals to the input, the force signals being indicative of multi-axis forces applied to the container, the vacuum holding the container to the platform while the multi-axis forces are applied to the container. 2. The multi-axis force analyzer system of claim 1, further comprising a signal conditioner. 3. The multi-axis force analyzer system of claim 2, wherein the signal conditioner is an algorithm executed by the processor. 4. The multi-axis force analyzer system of claim 2, wherein the signal conditioner is a first order Butterworth filter. 5. The multi-axis force analyzer system of claim 1, wherein the processor is programmed to generate a graph. 6. The multi-axis force analyzer system of claim 5, wherein the graph plots at least one of time, torque, work, and force. 7. The multi-axis force analyzer system of claim 1, wherein the processor is programmed to calculate at least one of force, moment, work, peak force, peak moment, average force, and average moment. 8. The multi-axis force analyzer system of claim 1, further comprising a display. 9. The multi-axis force analyzer system of claim 1, wherein the force sensor is a strain gauge. 10. The multi-axis force analyzer system of claim 1, wherein the processor is programmed to calculate statistical parameters of the forces applied to the container. 11. The multi-axis force analyzer system of claim 1, wherein the lid is at least one of a threaded lid and a snap-fit lid. 12. The multi-axis force analyzer system of claim 1, wherein the forces applied to the container are applied manually by an operator. 13. The multi-axis force analyzer system of claim 1, wherein the vacuum is generated by an adjustable vacuum pressure module. 14. The multi-axis force analyzer system of claim 13, wherein the adjustable vacuum pressure module is controlled by at least one of the processor and a manual adjustment switch. 15. The multi-axis force analyzer system of claim 1, wherein the vacuum is controlled by at least one of a valve and a regulator. 16. The multi-axis force analyzer system of claim 15, wherein the at least one of the valve and the regulator is controlled by at least one of the processor and a manual adjustment switch. 17. The multi-axis force analyzer system of claim 1, further comprising a vacuum pressure indicator. 18. The multi-axis force analyzer system of claim 17, wherein the vacuum pressure indicator generates an output signal indicative of a vacuum force. 19. The multi-axis force analyzer system of claim 1, further including flexible coiled vacuum tubing operably coupled between the vacuum and the one or more orifices. 20. The multi-axis force analyzer system of claim 1, wherein the platform is vertically oriented. 21. A method of measuring forces required to remove a lid from a container, comprising: positioning the container on a platform; securing the container to the platform using a vacuum; removing the lid from the container while the vacuum holds the container to the platform; and sensing the forces applied to the container during the removing step. 22. The method of claim 21, further including filtering the sensed forces. 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the filtering is performed using a first order Butterworth filter. 24. The method of claim 22, wherein the filtering is performed using a software algorithm. 25. The method of claim 22, wherein the filtering is performed using a hardware filter. 26. The method of claim 21, further including generating a graph. 27. The method of claim 26, wherein the graph plots at least one of time, torque, work, and force. 28. The method of claim 21, further including calculating at least one of force, moment, work, peak force, average force, peak moment, and average moment. 29. The method of claim 21, further including providing operating instructions on a display of the controller. 30. The method of claim 21, further including storing a representation of the forces applied to the container to a memory. 31. The method of claim 21, further including adjusting vacuum pressure generated by the vacuum. 32. The method of claim 21, further including measuring the vacuum pressure. 33. A system for measuring a force required to remove a lid from a container, comprising: a platform adapted to receive the container; ferromagnetic material disposed in the container; a magnet operatively associated with the platform, the magnet securing the container to the platform; a sensor operatively associated with the platform and adapted to measure the force applied to the container and generate a signal representative of the force; and a controller adapted to receive the signal from the sensor and generate a display indicative of the force. 34. The system of claim 33, further comprising a signal conditioner. 35. The system of claim 34, wherein the signal conditioner is an algorithm executed by the controller. 36. The system of claim 33, wherein the display indicative of the force is a graph. 37. The system of claim 36, wherein the graph plots at least one of time, torque, and force. 38. The system of claim 33, wherein the controller is programmed to calculate force moments. 39. The system of claim 38, wherein the controller is programmed to calculate a peak moment. 40. The system of claim 38, wherein the controller is programmed to calculate the force moments about a reference point. 41. The system of claim 33, wherein the controller is programmed to generate a display of operating instructions. 42. The system of claim 33, including one or more orifices embedded within the platform. 43. The system of claim 33, wherein the sensor is a strain gauge. 44. The system of claim 33, further comprising a memory. 45. The system of claim 33, wherein the controller is programmed to calculate statistical parameters of the forces applied to the container. 46. The system of claim 33, wherein the sensor generates force signals indicative of at least one of opening and closing. 47. The system of claim 33, wherein the container comprises at least one of a threaded lid and a snap-fit lid. 48. The system of claim 33, wherein the vacuum source provides an adjustable vacuum pressure. 49. The system of claim 33, further comprising a vacuum pressure indicator. 50. The system of claim 33, further including flexible coiled vacuum tubing operably coupled between the vacuum source and the platform. 51. A multi-axis force analyzer system, comprising: a controller including a processor, an input and a memory, the input and the memory operatively coupled to the processor; a platform having a major axis and a minor axis, the major axis being vertically oriented; a vacuum source generating a vacuum toward the platform and holding a part to the platform; and a force sensor operatively coupled to the platform to generate force signals to the input, the force signals indicative of the forces applied to the part as it is wiped. 52. The multi-axis force analyzer system of claim 51, wherein the vacuum is of an adjustable pressure. 53. The multi-axis force analyzer system of claim 52, wherein the adjustable vacuum pressure is controlled by at least one of the processor and a manual adjustment switch. 54. The multi-axis force analyzer system of claim 51, wherein the vacuum is controlled by at least one of a valve and a regulator. 55. The multi-axis force analyzer system of claim 54, wherein at least one of the valve and the regulator is controlled by at least one of the processor and a manual adjustment means. 56. The multi-axis force analyzer system of claim 51, further comprising a vacuum pressure indicator. 57. The multi-axis force analyzer system of claim 51, wherein the platform comprises one or more orifices to communicate the vacuum. 58. The multi-axis force analyzer system of claim 57, further including flexible coiled tubing is operably coupled between the vacuum and the one or more orifices. 59. The multi-axis force analyzer system of claim 51, further comprising a signal conditioner. 60. The multi-axis force analyzer system of claim 51, wherein the processor is programmed to generate a graph. 61. The multi-axis force analyzer system of claim 60, wherein the graph plots at least one of time, torque, work, and force. 62. The multi-axis force analyzer system of claim 51, wherein the processor is programmed to calculate at least one of force, moment, work, peak force, peak moment, average force, and average moment. 63. The multi-axis force analyzer system of claim 51, further comprising a display. 64. The multi-axis force analyzer system of claim 63, wherein the processor is programmed to generate the graph on a display of the system. 65. The multi-axis force analyzer system of claim 63, wherein the processor is programmed to generate operating instructions on the display. 66. The multi-axis force analyzer system of claim 51, wherein the force sensor is a strain gauge. 67. The multi-axis force analyzer system of claim 51, wherein the processor is programmed to calculate statistical parameters of the forces applied to the part. 68. The multi-axis force analyzer system of claim 51, wherein the force sensor generates force signals indicative of at least one of opening, closing, and wiping the part.