Scales, especially floor scales

Abstract

Scales, in particular floor scales, with a, in particular rectangular, support frame (13), on which a load plate (15) is placed and which is supported on four weighing feet (17), each having a force transducer (41) and arranged in the four corners of the support frame (13), wherein the support frame (13) comprises four profile elements (19) which are firmly connected to one another, in particular welded, at the corners of the support frame (13) via a respective corner element (29), to which the weighing feet (17) are attached, wherein the profile elements (19) each have at least one upper side (21) and one outer side (27), wherein in the respective corner of the support frame (13) the two upper sides (21) of the two ends of the two profile elements (19) connected there to one another are spaced apart from one another, the distance (d) being bridged by the respective corner element (29), and wherein the profile elements (19) are each designed as a hollow chamber profile, in particular a square tube, which additionally has a bottom side (23) and an inner side (25), characterized by that in the respective corner of the support frame (13) the two inner sides (25) of the two ends of the two profile elements (19) connected to each other there each have a slot (43), and that the respective corner element (29) is inserted from the inside and underside of the two upper sides (21) of the two ends of the two profile elements (19) connected to one another there into the two slots (43) and thus into the respective corner of the support frame (13) and is connected, in particular welded, to the two profile elements (19) in the inserted state.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a scale, in particular a floor scale, comprising a support frame, in particular a rectangular one, on which a load plate is placed and which is supported on four weighing feet, each having a force transducer and arranged in the four corners of the support frame. Such a scale is known from JP 2019-002734 A. A scale having the features of the preamble of claim 1 is known from DE 296 170 85 U1.

[0002] Such scales are suitable for weighing heavy loads such as pallets and wire mesh crates. If the scales are recessed into the floor, they can be accessed by pallet trucks and forklifts. Such scales can be used, for example, in shipping, warehousing, and incoming goods, or as filling and checkweighers for larger containers in industry.

[0003] However, the arrangement of the weighing feet under the support frame makes access to the weighing feet difficult - even when the load plate is removed - so that servicing the weighing feet is cumbersome and thus results in increased effort for the service technician carrying out the work.

[0004] The invention is based on the object of providing a scale, in particular a floor scale, which enables greater ease of service.

[0005] This object is achieved by a scale, in particular floor scales, having the features of claim 1, and in particular in that the support frame comprises four profile elements which are firmly connected, in particular welded, to one another at the corners of the support frame via a respective corner element to which the weighing feet are fastened, wherein the profile elements each have at least one upper side and one outer side, and that in the respective corner of the support frame the two upper sides of the two ends of the two profile elements connected to one another there are spaced apart from one another, the distance being bridged by the respective corner element.

[0006] The rocker feet are therefore not attached to the profile elements, but to the corner elements. The arrangement of the rocker feet is thus not determined by the shape of the profile elements, which would impede easy accessibility. Rather, the design of the corner elements can be optimized specifically with regard to the requirements for maximum serviceability. The invention enables the corner element to be easily inserted between the two respective profile elements. At the same time, it is possible for the respective rocker foot to be attached to the respective corner element without colliding with the two respective profile elements.

[0007] Furthermore, the use of corner elements offers advantages in production, as scales with different dimensions, especially different lengths and widths, can be manufactured without great effort. This simply requires adjusting the lengths of the profile elements, which can range from 1 m to 1.5 m, for example. The corner elements, i.e., the interfaces to the weighing feet, can remain unchanged.

[0008] The profile elements are each designed as a hollow chamber profile, in particular a square tube, which additionally has a bottom and an inner side. Such profiles are lightweight, inexpensive, and can simultaneously support a high weight. Furthermore, it is preferred if the corner elements are each designed as a mounting plate. Attaching the weighing feet to the mounting plates is particularly simple and allows for high flexibility.

[0009] It is further preferred if the support frame has a recess in each of the four corners, which is formed at the two ends of the two profile elements connected to each other in the respective corner of the support frame and in which the respective weighing base is accommodated. The overall height of the scale can then be kept low.

[0010] Preferably, the respective recess is formed, in particular only, in the two undersides and the two inner sides of the two ends of the two profile elements connected to each other in the respective corner of the support frame. This creates sufficient space for the weighing feet, which, at the same time, can still be protected from the outside by the outer side of the hollow chamber profile. The weighing feet can be connected via cables to the open inner side of a common evaluation unit for determining the weight of a load on the scale.

[0011] Furthermore, it can be provided that the two ends of the two profile elements connected to each other at the respective corner of the support frame meet on the outside, and in particular, are mitered. Thus, when the load plate is in place, only the four profile elements are visible from the outside. The weighing feet are hidden behind them.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, in the area of ​​the respective corner of the support frame, in particular in the area of ​​the aforementioned respective recess, a viewing window is formed in at least one of the two, in particular in the two outer sides of the two ends of the two profile elements connected to each other in the respective corner of the support frame, through which the respective force transducer is visible from the outside. This enables visual access to the type plate of the respective force transducer, so that the force transducer can be identified from the outside without further measures.

[0013] In particular, the respective cradle foot is attached to the underside of the respective corner element.

[0014] It is intended that in the respective corner of the support frame, the two inner sides of the two ends of the two profile elements connected to one another there each have a slot, and that the respective corner element is pushed from the inside and underside of the two upper sides of the two ends of the two profile elements connected to one another there into the two slots and thus into the respective corner of the support frame and is connected, in particular welded, to the two profile elements when pushed in. By pushing in, it can be achieved that the corner elements hold on to the profile elements even if they are not yet firmly connected to the profile elements. This simplifies the firm connection, in particular the welding,.

[0015] In this context, it can be provided that the respective corner element tapers to a point, in particular at an angle of 90°, at its leading end during insertion, and that its leading end rests against the inner walls of the two outer sides of the two profile elements connected to one another in the respective corner of the support frame. Additionally or alternatively, the respective corner element can have a protruding stop on at least one side, in particular on both sides, at its trailing end during insertion, which stop or stops rests against the outer walls of the two inner sides of the two profile elements connected to one another in the respective corner of the support frame. This allows the corner elements to be brought into a defined position relative to the profile elements before the corner elements are firmly connected, in particular welded, to the profile elements.

[0016] The respective force transducer can be screwed to the respective corner element, particularly from below, using several screws, in particular exactly two. This allows for easy attachment of the respective weighing base to the respective corner element.

[0017] It is preferred if several, in particular exactly four, screw holes are formed in the respective corner element for screwing in the screws, wherein the number of screw holes is greater than the number of screws. This is useful, for example, if the scale comprises four force transducers of a first type and four force transducers of a second type, wherein in an assembled state either the force transducer of the first type or the force transducer of the second type is fastened to the respective corner element, wherein the drilling pattern of the force transducer of the first type and the drilling pattern of the force transducer of the second type are different from one another, and wherein the drilling pattern of the respective corner element comprises both the drilling pattern of the force transducer of the first type and the drilling pattern of the force transducer of the second type. At least two different force transducer types, which have different drilling patterns from one another, can thus be mounted.

[0018] As a rule, the weighing feet will each have a height-adjustable leveling foot to align the scale horizontally.

[0019] The force transducers can each be designed as a bending beam load cell with two axial ends. Such force transducers can support large loads and provide accurate measurement results even when used in a weighing base.

[0020] It can be provided that the respective bending beam load cell is attached at one end to the respective corner element, and that the respective leveling foot is attached, in particular screwed, preferably screwed from below, to the other end of the respective bending beam load cell. This represents a particularly simple arrangement.

[0021] It has been shown that particularly accurate measurement results are achieved when the respective bending beam load cell is oriented with its axial direction at an angle in the range of 0° to 10° relative to the bisector of the interior angle of the respective corner of the support frame. This also improves access to the respective bending beam load cell, making any load cell replacement easier.

[0022] According to a further embodiment of the invention, an assembly and / or service opening is formed in the respective corner element, through which the respective leveling foot can be operated from above with the fingers of one hand when the load plate is removed. The respective leveling foot can then be easily adjusted. This adjustment is particularly advantageous for scales that are installed in a recessed pit in the ground, since otherwise the scale may have to be lifted out of the pit several times to readjust the leveling feet until the scale is horizontally aligned.

[0023] In particular, the respective assembly and / or service opening can be provided with a central web, creating two partial openings. The thumb can pass through one partial opening, and the index finger can pass through the other. The web ensures that, despite the assembly and / or service opening, the stability of the respective corner element is at least not significantly compromised.

[0024] Furthermore, it is preferred if a lifting mechanism is provided for each corner of the support frame, wherein the respective lifting mechanism comprises a vertical bore with an internal thread formed in the respective corner element and a movement screw which corresponds to the internal thread and is designed in particular as a hexagon screw. This movement screw can be screwed into the vertical bore from above when the load plate is removed and, in a fully screwed-in position, protrudes downwards over the respective weighing base by a defined length. This allows a service technician to lift the scale and carry out service work without supporting it with substructure material and without a lifting bar. The movement screw can be screwed in using a cordless screwdriver so that the scale can be easily lifted, e.g. by a value in the range of 40 mm to 80 mm.

[0025] In addition, a lift-off device can be provided in each corner of the support frame, wherein the respective lift-off device comprises a locking screw whose screw head is loosely captured inside one of the two profile elements connected to each other in the respective corner of the support frame. The screw is inserted, in particular, through an opening formed in the top of the profile element and whose screw shaft extends through the underside of the respective profile element and can be anchored in a base plate. If, for example, a forklift truck drives over a corner of the support frame, the scale could otherwise tip up at the opposite corner. This is prevented by the lift-off device.

[0026] In addition, the support frame can be provided with an internal bracing, in particular a longitudinal and / or transverse bracing. This serves to stabilize the support frame.

[0027] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims, the description of the figures and the drawing.

[0028] The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the drawings, in which: Fig. 1A a scale according to the invention, in particular a floor scale, in a perspective top view in the area of ​​a left front corner, Fig. 1B the left front corner of the scale Fig. 1A in a perspective view from below, Fig. 2 a support frame of the scale Fig. 1, Fig. 3A is an enlarged view of the right front corner of the support frame from Fig. 2 in a top view, Fig. 3B the right front corner of the support frame Fig. 3A in a view from below, Fig. 4A is an enlarged view of the left front corner of the support frame from Fig. 2 in a perspective view from the inside, Fig. 4B the left front corner of the support frame Fig. 4A in an exploded view, Fig. 5A is an enlarged view of the left front corner of the support frame from Fig. 2 including rocker foot in a top view, Fig. 5B the left front corner of the support frame Fig. 5A in a side view, and Fig. 6 a section through a profile element of the support frame in the area of ​​a lift-off protection.

[0029] In the Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B shows a scale 11 according to the invention, in particular a floor scale, which can be recessed into the floor, in the area of ​​a left front corner. The scale 11 comprises a rectangular support frame 13 (see FIG. Fig. 2), on which a load plate 15 is placed and which stands on four weighing feet 17. The four weighing feet 17, each having a force transducer 41, are arranged in the four corners of the support frame 13, wherein in the Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B only one rocker foot 17 is visible.

[0030] As from Fig. 2, the support frame 13 comprises four profile elements 19, each designed as a hollow chamber profile, in particular as a square tube. In addition, the support frame 13 comprises four corner elements 29, via which the profile elements 19 are firmly connected to one another, in particular welded, and to which the weighing feet 17 are attached on the underside. The support frame 13 is stabilized by an internal bracing having a longitudinal strut 31 and a transverse strut 33. Furthermore, a platform 35 is provided for an evaluation unit (not shown), to which the respective weight signals of the four weighing feet 17 are transmitted. The evaluation unit is then designed to calculate the total weight of a load on the scale 11 from the individual weight signals of the weighing feet 17.

[0031] The profile elements 19 each have an upper side 21, a lower side 23, an inner side 25 and an outer side 27 (cf. Fig. 6). For example, Fig. As can be seen in Figure 3A, the two upper sides 21 of the two ends of the two profile elements 19, which are connected to each other in a respective corner of the support frame 13, are spaced apart by a distance d. This distance d is bridged by the respective corner element 29. The respective cradle foot 17 is arranged below the respective corner element 29, which is each designed as a mounting plate.

[0032] In order to accommodate the respective rocker foot 17 under the respective corner element 29, the support frame 13 has a recess 37 in each of the four corners (cf. Fig. 1B, Fig. 3B, Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B). The respective recess 37 is formed by removing material from the two undersides 23 and the two inner sides 25 of the two ends of the two profile elements 19 connected to each other in the respective corner of the support frame 13. The outer sides 27 of the profile elements 19 are in the corners - with the exception of two viewing windows 39 through which the force transducer 41 can be identified from the outside (cf. Fig. 5B) - however, they are not cut out, but meet each other forming a mitre, so that the support frame 13 gives a closed appearance from the outside (cf. Fig. 1A).

[0033] The Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B show in detail how the fixed connection of the two respective profile elements 19 is achieved via the respective corner element 29 in a respective corner of the support frame 13. For this purpose, the two inner sides 25 of the two ends of the two profile elements 19 connected there are each slotted. The respective corner element 29 can then be inserted from the inside and underside of the two corresponding upper sides 21 into the two slots 43 and thus into the respective corner of the support frame 13. In the inserted state, the respective corner element 29 is then welded to the respective two profile elements 19.

[0034] Laterally projecting stops 45 formed at the rear end of the corner element 29 in the insertion direction rest against the two outer walls of the two inner sides 25 of the two profile elements 19. This allows the inserted position of the corner element 29 to be precisely determined before welding. Since the respective corner element 29 tapers at an angle of 90° at its front end in the insertion direction, the respective corner element 29 can alternatively or additionally also rest against the two inner walls of the two outer sides 27 of the two profile elements 19 when inserted.

[0035] In addition to a respective force transducer 41, the weighing feet 17 each also include a height-adjustable leveling foot 47, with which the scale 11 can be aligned horizontally. The force transducers 41 are each designed as a bending beam load cell 41 with two axial ends (see Fig. 1B). The respective bending beam load cell 41 is attached to the respective corner element 29 at its inner end, and the respective leveling foot 47 is attached to its outer end. The inner end of the bending beam load cell 41 is screwed to the corner element 29 from below with two screws 49, and the leveling foot 47 is screwed to the outer end of the bending beam load cell 41 from below with one screw 51.

[0036] The screw connection of the respective bending beam load cell 41 with the respective corner element 29 via the two screws 49 is in Fig. 5A. The respective corner element 29 has four screw holes 53, two of which are occupied by the two screws 49. The other two free screw holes 53 are used as alternative fastening options when bending beam load cells of a different type are used, which have a different drilling pattern, corresponding to the two free screw holes 53, than the bending beam load cells 41 described with reference to the figures. The drilling pattern of the respective corner element 29 thus includes both the drilling pattern of the bending beam load cells 41 described with reference to the figures and the drilling pattern of the bending beam load cells of the other type.

[0037] In addition, especially in Fig. 5A clearly shows that the corner elements 29 each have an assembly and / or service opening 55, through which the respective leveling foot 47 can be adjusted from above with the fingers of one hand when the load plate 15 is removed, in order to align the scale 11 horizontally. The assembly and / or service opening 55 is divided into two parts and is penetrated centrally by a web 57, so that the stability of the corner element 29 is hardly affected by the assembly and / or service opening 55. Fig. 5A further shows that the respective bending beam load cell 41 is oriented with its axial direction at an angle in the range of 0° to 10° relative to the bisector of the interior angle of the respective corner of the support frame 13. With this orientation, particularly accurate measurement results can be obtained.

[0038] To facilitate lifting the scale 11 for servicing, a lifting mechanism is provided in each corner of the support frame 13. For this purpose, a vertical bore 61 with an internal thread is formed in each corner element 29, into which a corresponding movement screw 63 (see Fig. Fig. 1B) can be screwed in when the load plate 15 is removed. As soon as the movement screw 63 touches the ground during screwing in, the scale 11 is lifted at the respective corner of the support frame 13. The length of the movement screw 63 is dimensioned such that, in the fully screwed-in position, it protrudes downwards beyond the respective weighing foot 17, for example, by 60 mm.

[0039] In addition, a lifting protection device 65 is provided in the area of ​​the corners of the support frame 13 (see Fig.6), which prevents the support frame 13 from snapping up at the opposite corner of the scale 11 when the scale 11 is loaded, which only occurs in one corner of the scale 11. The respective anti-lift device 65 is a locking screw 67, the screw head 69 of which is loosely caught inside one of the two profile elements 19 of the respective corner and the screw shaft 71 of which extends through the underside 23 of the respective profile element 19 and is anchored in a base plate (not shown). The respective locking screw 67 is inserted through an opening 59 formed in the top side 21 of the respective profile element 19. List of reference symbols 11 Scales 13 support frames 15 Load plate 17 Rocking foot 19 profile element 21 Top 23 Bottom 25 Inside 27 Outside 29 Corner element 31 Longitudinal strut 33 Cross brace 35 Platform 37 recess 39 viewing windows 41 force transducers 43 slot 45 stop 47 Adjustable foot 49 Screw 51 screw 53 screw hole 55 Assembly and / or service opening 57 jetty 59 Opening 61 bore 63 Movement screw 65 Lift-off protection 67 Locking screw 69 screw head 71 screw shaft d distance

Claims

[1] Scales, in particular floor scales, with a, in particular rectangular, support frame (13), on which a load plate (15) is placed and which is supported on four weighing feet (17), each having a force transducer (41) and arranged in the four corners of the support frame (13), wherein the support frame (13) comprises four profile elements (19) which are firmly connected to one another, in particular welded, at the corners of the support frame (13) via a respective corner element (29), to which the weighing feet (17) are fastened, wherein the profile elements (19) each have at least one upper side (21) and one outer side (27), wherein in the respective corner of the support frame (13) the two upper sides (21) of the two ends of the two profile elements (19) connected there to one another are spaced apart from one another, the distance (d) being bridged by the respective corner element (29), and wherein the profile elements (19) are each designed as a hollow chamber profile, in particular a square tube, which additionally has a bottom side (23) and an inner side (25), characterized by , that in the respective corner of the support frame (13) the two inner sides (25) of the two ends of the two profile elements (19) connected to each other there each have a slot (43), and that the respective corner element (29) is inserted from the inside and underside of the two upper sides (21) of the two ends of the two profile elements (19) connected to one another there into the two slots (43) and thus into the respective corner of the support frame (13) and is connected, in particular welded, to the two profile elements (19) in the inserted state. [2] Balance according to claim 1, characterized by that the corner elements (29) are each designed as a mounting plate. [3] Balance according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat the support frame (13) has a recess (37) in each of the four corners, which recess is formed at the two ends of the two profile elements (19) connected to one another in the respective corner of the support frame (13) and in which the respective weighing foot (17) is received. [4] Balance according to claims 2 and 3, characterized by that the respective recess (37) is formed, in particular only, in the two undersides (23) and the two inner sides (25) of the two ends of the two profile elements (19) connected to one another in the respective corner of the support frame (13). [5] Scales according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that in the respective corner of the support frame (13) the two ends of the two profile elements (19) connected to one another there abut one another on the outer sides (27) and are in particular mitred. [6] Scales according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat in the region of the respective corner of the support frame (13) in at least one of the two, in particular in the two, outer sides (27) of the two ends of the two profile elements (19) connected to one another in the respective corner of the support frame (13), in particular in each case, a viewing window (39) is formed through which the respective force transducer (41) is visible from the outside. [7] Scales according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the respective cradle foot (17) is attached to the underside of the respective corner element (29). [8] Scales according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the respective corner element (29) tapers to a point, in particular at an angle of 90°, at its leading end during insertion, and rests with its leading end on the inner walls of the two outer sides (27) of the two profile elements (19) connected to one another in the respective corner of the support frame (13), and / or that the respective corner element (29) has, at its trailing end during insertion, at least on one side, in particular on both sides, a protruding stop (45) which rests on the outer walls of the two inner sides (25) of the two profile elements (19) connected to one another in the respective corner of the support frame (13). [9] Scales according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the respective force transducer (41) is screwed to the respective corner element (29), in particular from below, via several, in particular exactly two, screws (49). [10] Balance according to claim 9, characterized bythat in the respective corner element (29) several, in particular exactly four, screw holes (53) are formed for screwing in the screws (49), wherein the number of screw holes (53) is greater than the number of screws (49). [11] Balance according to claim 10, characterized by that the scale (11) comprises four force transducers (41) of a first type and four force transducers of a second type, wherein in an assembled state either the force transducer (41) of the first type or the force transducer of the second type is fastened to the respective corner element (29), wherein the drilling pattern of the force transducer (41) of the first type and the drilling pattern of the force transducer of the second type are different from one another, and wherein the drilling pattern of the respective corner element (29) comprises both the drilling pattern of the force transducer (41) of the first type and the drilling pattern of the force transducer of the second type. [12] Scales according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the weighing feet (17) each have a height-adjustable foot (47) in order to align the scale (11) horizontally. [13] Scales according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the force transducers (41) are each designed as a bending beam load cell (41) with two axial ends. [14] Balance according to claims 12 and 13, characterized by that the respective bending beam load cell (41) is fastened at one end to the respective corner element (29), and that the respective adjustable foot (47) is fastened, in particular screwed, preferably screwed from below, to the other end of the respective bending beam load cell (41). [15] Balance according to claim 13 or 14, characterized by that the respective bending beam load cell (41) is oriented with its axial direction at an angle in the range of 0° to 10° against the bisector of the inner angle of the respective corner of the support frame (13). [16] Balance according to one of claims 12 to 15, characterized by that an assembly and / or service opening (55) is formed in the respective corner element (29), through which the respective adjustable foot (47) can be operated from above with the fingers of one hand when the load plate (15) is removed. [17] Balance according to claim 16, characterized by that the respective assembly and / or service opening (55) is provided centrally with a web (57), so that two partial openings are formed. [18] Balance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat a lifting mechanism is provided for each corner of the support frame (13), wherein the respective lifting mechanism comprises a vertical bore (61) with an internal thread formed in the respective corner element (29) and a movement screw (63) corresponding to the internal thread, which can be screwed into the vertical bore (61) from above when the load plate (15) is removed and, in a fully screwed-in position, projects downwards by a defined length beyond the respective weighing foot (17). [19] Scales according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byin that a lifting protection device (65) is provided in each case in the region of the corners of the support frame (13), wherein the respective lifting protection device (65) comprises a securing screw (67), the screw head (69) of which is loosely caught in the interior of one of the two profile elements (19) connected to one another in the respective corner of the support frame (13), which is inserted in particular through an opening (59) formed in the upper side (21) of the profile element (19) and the screw shaft (71) of which extends through the underside (23) of the respective profile element (19) and can be anchored in a base plate.

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