Design and analysis of four-dimensional force-measurement based on one-dimensional sensors

A four-dimensional (lift, roll moment, pitch moment and yaw moment) test platform was designed by using one-dimensional force/torque sensors. The multi-component coupling error problem was solved by putting three force sensors in parallel and using universal joints as connectors. Two force moments and one force can be accurately calculated from the force measurement of the three sensors. The measurement accuracy of the multi-axis sensor was improved by the decoupling matrix. Moreover, such structure is easy to assemble and disassemble. The feasibility was verified by comparing with the input loads in simulations. The horizontal error caused by the installation error of the sensor is within 0.5%. The effect of the measurement error to the system error was also analyzed.