METHOD FOR DETERMINING TOTAL WEIGHT AND AXLE LOADS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for determining the total weight and axle loads of a multi-axle vehicle, wherein all axles of the vehicle pass over an axle load scale which measures one of the axle loads each and the total weight is determined as the sum of the axle loads.

[0002] EP 2 212 660 B1 proposes to arrange around a dozen axle load scales in a row for such a procedure and to include all values ​​measured by these in the determination of the weight in order to exclude measurements distorted by acceleration or braking of the vehicle when driving over them. Task

[0003] The invention is based on the objective of reliably determining the total weight. Solution

[0004] Based on the known method, the invention proposes that, for each axle, as the vehicle departs from a first weighbridge located upstream of the axle load scale in the direction of travel, this weighbridge measures a first load jump, and as the vehicle approaches a second weighbridge located downstream of the axle load scale in the direction of travel, this weighbridge measures a second load jump. The total weight is only considered reliable if, for each axle, the differences between the first and second load jumps do not exceed predetermined limits for the respective axle load. This allows weight manipulations (including those caused by acceleration or braking during dynamic operation) to be detected during evaluation by the system or by the operator of the vehicle scale.

[0005] Axle load scales and weighbridges are weight measurement systems installed in or embedded in a roadway. Axle load scales have a platform positioned transversely to the direction of travel, while weighbridges run lengthwise. An axle load scale can only accommodate one axle of a vehicle traveling over it in the direction of travel. Standard axle load scales have a length of approximately 75 cm in the direction of travel. Dual axles with a larger axle spacing are thus measured as two separate single axles. A weighbridge (also called a weighbridge) can accommodate the entire length of a vehicle, including all axles.

[0006] The load jumps when driving off the first weighbridge and onto the second correspond in magnitude to the axle loads that would be measured by corresponding upstream and downstream axle load scales. Based on the load profiles continuously recorded at the weighbridges during the drive-up from empty to full weight and during the drive-off back to empty, irregularities, particularly those caused by acceleration or deceleration while crossing, are clearly visible.

[0007] Preferably, in a method according to the invention, the total weight is subsequently determined statically if it was deemed unreliable. In the inventive (so-called "dynamic") weight measurement, the vehicle initially drives over the scale without stopping. This allows a large number of vehicles to be processed quickly. Only if the total weight cannot be reliably determined in this way must it be determined more quickly ("statically") with the vehicle stationary.

[0008] Preferably, in a method according to the invention, the first and / or the second weighing platform measures a control weight when the vehicle is fully positioned on it, and the total weight is considered reliable only if the difference between the control weight and the total weight does not exceed a predetermined limit. Verification using the control weights increases the reliability of the measurement.

[0009] According to the invention, a vehicle scale for determining the total weight of a multi-axle vehicle preferably comprises an axle load scale for measuring one axle load for each axle of the vehicle and a weighing terminal that determines the total weight as the sum of the axle loads, a first weighing bridge located upstream of the axle load scale in one direction of travel of the vehicle and a second weighing bridge following the axle load scale in the direction of travel, wherein the weighing terminal is configured to carry out a method according to the invention.

[0010] Preferably, a vehicle scale according to the invention is integrated flush with the roadway. More preferably, in a vehicle scale according to the invention, the axle load scale, the first weighing platform, and the second weighing platform each have at least one platform movably supported in the roadway at several points in a substrate. More preferably, a vehicle scale according to the invention has a load cell between the platform and the substrate at each of the support points and data connections for transmitting measured values ​​from the load cells to the evaluation unit. Such axle load scales and weighing platforms are generally known. The measured values ​​can be transmitted to the evaluation unit via cable connections or wirelessly.

[0011] The vehicle scale according to the invention can also be used for subsequent weighings or for weighing special vehicles as a non-automatic road vehicle scale (according to Directive 2014 / 31 / EU of 26 February 2014) for the static determination of the total weight of vehicles and their axle loads or axle group loads after a conformity assessment as a scale with accuracy class III after ONE 45501 can be used. Example of implementation

[0012] The invention is explained below using an exemplary embodiment. Figures show... Fig. 1 a top view of a vehicle scale according to the invention, Fig. 2 a side view of the vehicle scale and Fig. 3 a measurement protocol of the vehicle scale.

[0013] The in the Figure 1 schematically and in Figure 2The vehicle scale 1 shown to scale according to the invention has platforms 4 of a first weighing bridge 5, an axle load scale 6 and a second weighing bridge 7 integrated directly one behind the other in a direction of travel 2 in a roadway 3 and, in the direction of travel 2 behind them next to the roadway 3, an elevated operating container 8 for the vehicle scale 1.

[0014] The two platforms 4 of the weighbridges 5, 7 each have a length 9 of 10 m in the direction of travel 2, while the platform 4 of the axle load scale 6 has a length 10 of 0.8 m. The platforms 4 are prefabricated elements installed horizontally and flush with the ground in a prefabricated, below-ground foundation trough (not shown) and have a track width 11 of 3.2 m transverse to the direction of travel 2.

[0015] Weighbridges 5 and 7 each have a load capacity of 2 x 80 t and a weighing capacity of 70 t, while axle load scale 6 has a load and weighing capacity of 20 t. Weighbridges 5 and 7 are dual-range scales and are verifiable with a graduation of 20 kg up to 60 t and 50 kg above 60 t, respectively. Axle load scale 6 is also verifiable with a graduation of 20 kg. When vehicle scale 1 is loaded, the force is transferred to strain gauge load cells, which are securely connected to the foundation trough by brackets. Adjustable bumpers minimize the pendulum movements of the platforms 4 that occur when vehicles drive over them. The load cells, brackets, and bumpers are not shown.

[0016] InIn the direction of travel 2, at a distance of 12 of 3 m before the first weighbridge 5, shortly before and shortly after the axle load scale 6 on the weighbridges 5, 7 and 11.5 m behind the second weighbridge 7, the vehicle scale 1 has marked stop lines 13 on the carriageway 3.

[0017] In addition to the carriageway 3, in the direction of travel 2 immediately before the first weighbridge 5 and between the axle load scale 6 and the weighbridges 5, 7, first sensors 14 are arranged, in the direction of travel 2 a first camera 15 is located in the middle next to the axle load scale 6 and in the direction of travel 2 at a distance 16 of 3 m behind the first camera 15 a second sensor 17 and at the end 18 of the first weighbridge 5 and at a distance 19 of 16 m in the direction of travel 2 second cameras 20 are arranged.

[0018] Furthermore, the vehicle scale 1 next to the roadway 3 has signal transmitters 23 and large LED displays at a distance of 21 from 1 m in front of the first weighing bridge 5, from 3 m behind the first camera 15, loudspeakers 22 and there as well as from 2 m behind the second weighing bridge 7 and from 5 m behind the last stop line 13.

[0019] The measured values ​​generated in the load cells are transmitted to a weighing terminal in the control unit 8 and displayed there and on the monitor of a connected PC as a weight value. The weighing terminal, PC, and monitor are not shown.

[0020] The weighing terminal and PC control the vehicle scale 1 including the signal transmitters 23 and large displays 24 as well as the further processing and storage of all data of a measurement, in particular weighing type (static, dynamic), zero point monitoring, standstill control, position monitoring, crossing speed, wheel distance measurement as well as the measured values ​​with date and time.

[0021] An operator of the vehicle scale 1 can overlook the weighbridges 5, 7 and the axle load scale 6 through the windows of the control container 8 and transmit special instructions to the driver of a vehicle 25 via the loudspeakers and hand over documents through a sliding hatch. The operator and driver, window and sliding hatch are not shown.

[0022] The stop lines 13 and sensors 14, 17 and the not shown scraper edges serve to properly position the vehicle 25 passing over the vehicle scale 1.

[0023] Figure 3The diagram shows the load profiles measured as vehicle 25 passes over vehicle scale 1 from the first weighbridge 5, the axle load scale 6, and the second weighbridge 7: Vehicle 25, pre-selected, for example, on a motorway, is directed to vehicle scale 1 at a rest area marked "Weight Check" and initially stops at the first stop line 13. The large displays 24 indicate a maximum crossing speed of 10 km / h, and the signal lights 23 are red. After visually inspecting the vehicle through the windows of the control container 8, the operator selects the "automatic dynamic weighing" mode on the PC, checks the zero position of weighbridges 5 and 7 and the axle load scale 6, and starts the weighing process. The first signal light 23 then turns green.

[0024] Upon initial loading of the first weighbridge 5, the first signal generator 23 switches back to "red" for a following vehicle (not shown). The vehicle 25 now travels across the entire vehicle scale 1 without interruption. If the speed limit is exceeded, the message "max. 10 km / h" on the large display 24 flashes. The second and third signal generators 23 are inactive.

[0025] During the journey, the vehicle is continuously and dynamically weighed automatically. The load last determined before the vehicle 25 departs from the first weighbridge 5 is stored as the measured total weight 26 of the vehicle 25, which is 22 t. The first weighbridge 5 then measures a first load jump 28 of 6 t from the total weight 26 to 16 t when the first axle 27 of the vehicle 25 departs, and a further first load jump 31 of 8 t from 16 t to 8 t when the second axle 29 and a third axle 30 of the vehicle 25 depart, and a further first load jump 32 of 8 t from 8 t to a zero line 33.

[0026] The axle load scale 6 measures a first axle load 34 of 6 t when the first axle 27 passes over it, and a second axle load 35 and a third axle load 36 of 8 t each when the second axle 29 and third axle 30 pass over it. Should the vehicle 25 reverse out of the axle load scale 6 in the meantime, this is detected by the vehicle scale 1. The operator then initiates a follow-up check.

[0027] The second weighbridge 7 measures a second load jump 37 from the zero line 38 to 6 t when the first axle 27 approaches, and a further second load jump 39 of 8 t from 6 t to 14 t when the second axle 29 approaches, and a further second load jump 40 of 8 t from 14 t to the total weight 26 when the third axle 30 approaches.

[0028] The measurements of the first weighbridge 5 during the approach and the second weighbridge 7 during the departure of the vehicle 25 are not recorded according to OIML R 134-2 as they are considered unreliable due to possible measurement errors caused by the vehicle 25 being tilted on the roadway 3. In another method according to the invention, further measurements during approach to and / or departure from the platforms 4 of the weighbridges 5, 7 can also be recorded and evaluated.

[0029] The second cameras 20 capture the front and rear license plates of vehicle 25 during the journey, enabling the operator to assign the measured weights to the towing vehicle or the trailer / semi-trailer. Vehicle 25 can then proceed to the last stop line 13, where the operator performs an evaluation on the PC.

[0030] The total weight of vehicle 25 is determined by vehicle scale 1 as the sum of the axle loads 34, 35, 36 and is considered reliable if the differences between the total weights 26 measured by weighbridges 5, 7 and this sum, and the load increments 28, 31, 32, 37, 39, 40 and the respective axle loads 34, 35, 36, are (in Figure 3 The limit value shown (not to scale) 41 must not be exceeded by 4%.

[0031] The weighing process is now complete. Calibration-relevant total weights and axle loads 34, 35, 36 with their corresponding references are stored in an alibi memory of the weighing terminal. The driver is alerted to a possible overload via the last large display 24 or instructed to continue driving without objection. The last signal indicator 23 is switched to "green" upon release by the operator.

[0032] In a different weighing of vehicle 25, the first axle load 34 is measured at 8 t on axle load scale 6 due to braking of vehicle 25 when crossing vehicle scale 1, while the other measured values ​​correspond to those mentioned above. The total weight of 24 t, determined as the sum of axle loads 34, 35, 36, is then considered unreliable because the first load increments of weighbridges 5, 7 deviate by 2 t from the first axle load 34, and the difference thus exceeds the limit of 0.32 t (4% of 8 t).

[0033] The driver is then notified via the last large display 24 of a required follow-up check, including details of the checkpoint. This follow-up check can be carried out by static weighing on axle load scale 6 and / or weighbridges 5 and 7.

[0034] The characters are 1 Vehicle scale 2 Direction of travel 3 Lane 4 Platform 5 First weighbridge 6 Axle load scale 7 Second weighbridge 8 Operating container 9 Length of weighbridge platforms 10 Length of axle load scale platform 11 Lane width 12 Distance 13 Stop line 14 Sensor 15 Camera 16 Distance 17 Sensor 18 End of first weighbridge 19 Distance 20 Camera 21 Distance 22 Speaker 23 Signal transmitter 24 Large display 25 Vehicle 26 Measured total weight 27 First axle 28 First load jump to first axle 29 Second axle 30 Third axle 31 First load jump to second axle 32 First load jump to third axle 33 Zero line 34 First axle load 35 Second axle load 36 Third axle load 37 Second load jump to first axle 38 Zero line 39 Second load jump to the second axis 40 Second load jump to the third axis 41 Limit value

Claims

1. Method for determining a gross weight and axle loads (34, 35, 36) of a multi-axle vehicle (25), wherein all axles (27, 29, 30) of the vehicle (25) travel over an axle load scale (6), which respectively measures one of the axle loads (34, 35, 36), and the gross weight is determined as a sum of the axle loads (34, 35, 36), characterized in that for each of the axles (27, 29, 30) a. when the vehicle (25) drives off of a first weighbridge (5), located upstream of the axle load scale (6) in a direction of travel (2) of the vehicle (25), said weighbridge measures a first load jump (28, 31, 32), and b. when the vehicle (25) drives up onto a second weighbridge (7), following the axle load scale (6) in the direction of travel (2), said weighbridge measures a second load jump (37, 39, 40), and the gross weight is then only considered to be trustworthy if, for each of the axles (27, 29, 30), respective differences of the first load jump (28, 31, 32) and of the second load jump (37, 39, 40) from the respective axle load (34, 35, 36) do not exceed predetermined threshold values.

2. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the gross weight is subsequently statically determined, if it was not considered to be trustworthy.

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and / or the second weighbridge (7) measures a control weight when the vehicle (25) is not completely located on said weighbridge, and the gross weight is then only considered to be trustworthy if a difference of the control weight from the gross weight also does not exceed a predetermined threshold value.

4. Weighbridge (1) for determining a gross weight and axle loads (34, 35, 36) of a multi-axle vehicle (25) having an axle load scale (6) for measuring each one of the axle loads (34, 35, 36) for each axle (27, 29, 30) of the vehicle (25) and a weighing terminal, which determines the gross weight as a sum of the axle loads (34, 35, 36), characterized by a first weighbridge (5), located upstream of the axle load scale (6) in a direction of travel (2) of the vehicle (25), and a second weighbridge (7), following the axle load scale (6) in the direction of travel (2), wherein the weighing terminal is equipped for carrying out a method according one of claims 1-3.

5. Weighbridge (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the weighbridge (1) is integrated into a roadway (3) level with the surface.

6. Weighbridge (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the axle load scale (6), the first weighbridge (5) and the second weighbridge (7) each have in the roadway (3) at least one platform (4) supported to be movable on multiple support points in a substrate.

7. Weighbridge (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a load cell, in each case between the platform (4) and the substrate at each of the support points, and data connections to transmit measured values from the load cells to the evaluation unit.